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How to make an owl cell phone charm

March 15, 2011 by Emily Hill 47 Comments

Remember those super cute cupcake cell phone charms I made for the Cupcake Conference? Well, I was at it again but this time I went with a wise, old owl that fit my “knowledge” theme for a church lesson. (I’m not ashamed to admit I bribe the young women so they’ll like my lessons. Or at least remember I actually taught them something.)

These owl cell phone charms seemed a bit easier to make than the cupcake cell phone charms. It was probably because I wasn’t trying to make the perfect headpin loop. Dang, that thing is tricky! This technique was a bit more forgiving. I think I’ll stick with it because I can use all the forgiveness I can get when it comes to crafting of any kind.

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owl cell phone charm

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How to Make an Owl Cell Phone Charm

1. Order super cute owl lampwork glass beads from Oriental Trading Company. While waiting for those to arrive, browse eBay for cell phone strap lariats with a lobster clasp (less work for you) like these. Or go for all black, which is what I did for the owl charms. You can find those on eBay as well!

2. Hit your local craft store for the rest of the supplies (aka “findings”). You’ll need:

  • Silver metal eye pins: These are similar to a headpin but have a small loop at the end. Like the cupcake charms, I went with a longer length because I wanted/needed to leave room for error.
  • Small colored beads: I used green, the color assigned to the “knowledge” value, but you can choose whatever color you’d like (or whatever color is on sale!).
  • Silver metal jump rings: I’m not sure the size I used (I believe it was 6mm), but I would have a variety of sizes on hand.
  • Small jewelry making kit: I’d say this is a necessity if you plan to make more than a couple charms. The multiple pliers and the jump ring opener in a kit like this one (top of page) were super helpful.

owl cell phone charm

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Here we go!

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3. Slip your colored bead onto the metal eye pin.

owl cell phone charm

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4. Take your needle nose pliers (not the round nose pliers) and leaving a little space above the bead, bend the metal eye pin 90 degrees.

owl cell phone charm

owl cell phone charm
Note the small crumb in the top right corner of the bottom picture. I always have to snack when making charms (or pretty much doing anything).

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5. Now, instead of that tricky head pin loop, we’re going to simply place the round nose pliers right up against that right angle, clasping the wire between the noses. Grab the long end of the eye pin, wrap it around the top nose of the pliers until you can’t go any further. Then switch your pliers so the bottom nose is now inside the loop you just created and finish wrapping it until the end of the eye pin is perpendicular to the owl. (Did I lose you yet?)

owl cell phone charm
In this photo I’ve already completed the first part (wrapping the long end around the top nose). Then I removed the pliers and slipped the bottom nose into the loop and finished wrapping the eye pin so it’s perpendicular to the charm. I promise it’s easier than it sounds!

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6. Using the needle nose pliers, hold your new loop and use your fingers to wrap the remaining wire around that space you left above the bead. Leave just a titch of room so you can cut the wire.

owl cell phone charm

owl cell phone charm

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7. Use your flush wire cutter to trim the excess eye pin. Take your needle nose pliers and press the cut end flush with the wrapped wire. You don’t want anything sticking out that might snag or catch on something.

owl cell phone charm

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8. Use that handy jump ring opener to open your jump ring.

owl cell phone charm
You would actually hold the jump ring opener in one hand and open the jump ring using the other hand, but I only have two hands and one of them had to snap the photo.

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9. Insert the opened jump ring into the hole in the owl bead and then slip on your newly created beaded and wrapped eye pin.

owl cell phone charm

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10. Use your needle nose pliers to tightly close the jump ring. Pick your favorite cell phone strap lariat and use the lobster clasp to attach it to the top of your charm.

owl cell phone charm

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Now for the giveaway part!

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I am giving away three owl cell phone charms to ITRML readers PLUS three super “tweet” cell phone charms! (Each winner will receive one of each charm.)

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me how many licks you think it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop. (If you don’t get the connection between owls and Tootsie Pops, I’m not sure we can be friends.)

For extra entries you can do any/all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each one you do (each one earns you an extra entry). I like options so I’ve given you A LOT of them.

~ “Like” ITRML on Facebook.

~ Follow ITRML on Google Friend Connect (sidebar) and/or subscribe to ITRML.

~ Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL of your tweet.

~ Update your Facebook status with a link to this giveaway.

This giveaway will end at midnight on Tuesday, March 29th. Good luck!

P.S. Because these are custom made and my life is NUTS, please allow a little bit of time for your charms to arrive. Thank you!

Filed Under: contests & giveaways, DIY, education, how-tos, miscellaneous Tagged With: beadwork, cell phone charm, giveaway, how-to, jewelry, owl, tutorial

Previous Post: « Mad Libs Monday: “Is He Romantic?” by Tauni Everett of It’s a Tradition
Next Post: Wordless Wednesday: I am lion, hear me roar! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mrs. Organic

    March 15, 2011 at 8:14 am

    These are so cute! Who can resist an owl? I’m pretty sure I lost count (as a kid) somewhere around the 25th lick and then I just went right for the center.

    Reply
    • Emily

      March 15, 2011 at 10:39 am

      I think that’s how you’re supposed to do it! ;)

      Reply
  2. Kristina P.

    March 15, 2011 at 8:17 am

    These are so, so cute, Em! You are so talented. Grrr.

    Reply
    • Emily

      March 15, 2011 at 10:40 am

      Thanks! But if you want your very own you’ll need to tell me how many licks you think it takes. And I’m talking about Tootsie Pops.

      Reply
  3. Shannon

    March 15, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    um, 45? but 30 if the kid is slobbering enough on the tootsie pop that colored drool pools on their chin?’

    Reply
  4. Angie Erickson

    March 16, 2011 at 6:52 am

    Hey, what a cute contest! Love your work! I think it takes 99 BIG licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop!! Boy, does that bring back memories!
    Angie
    goatboy6(at)hotmail.com

    Reply
  5. Angie E

    March 16, 2011 at 7:00 am

    I liked ITRML on Facebook.
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001310727469
    An Erickson
    goatboy6(at)hotmail.com

    ******If this is not the correct way to let you look at my facebook page to prove an entry, would you please let me know? Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Angie E

    March 16, 2011 at 7:03 am

    I subscribed to ITRML in google reader.
    Thanks, Angie
    goatboy6(at)hotmail.com

    Reply
  7. cspokey

    March 16, 2011 at 8:07 am

    3. Lick, lick, lick, CHOMP!

    Reply
  8. cspokey

    March 16, 2011 at 8:11 am

    I like ITRML on Facebook.

    Reply
  9. cspokey

    March 16, 2011 at 8:11 am

    I Follow ITRML on Google Friend Connect.

    Reply
  10. cspokey

    March 16, 2011 at 8:15 am

    tweeted – https://twitter.com/#!/cspokey/status/48039467579228160

    Reply
  11. Queen Scarlett

    March 16, 2011 at 11:10 am

    10 licks and then a big crunch. ;-)

    These charms are adorable. If they won’t fit on my iPhone I’ll hang ’em from my rear-view mirror like my genetic proclivities require. ;-)

    Reply
  12. Queen Scarlett

    March 16, 2011 at 11:11 am

    by the way… I LIKE your page.

    Reply
  13. Queen Scarlett

    March 16, 2011 at 11:13 am

    Here’s my Hooty – tweet. ;-)

    Reply
  14. Queen Scarlett

    March 16, 2011 at 11:15 am

    …and last – my FB status is updated.

    Dude… I think I really want those CHARMS! ;-)

    Reply
  15. Queen Scarlett

    March 16, 2011 at 11:16 am

    … almost forgot… I follow this site…stalk your tweets. ;-)

    Reply
  16. Meredith

    March 18, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    cspokey’s comment just took me back! ;) I honestly think it would take thousands of licks! Your charms are adorable, thanks so much for the chance to win some!

    Reply
  17. Meredith

    March 18, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Following on GFC (MeredithDz)

    Reply
  18. kittycardero

    March 28, 2011 at 11:17 am

    I’m pretty sure it’s been scientifically proven that it takes 3 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop.

    Reply
  19. kittycardero

    March 28, 2011 at 11:18 am

    “Like” ITRML on Facebook.

    Reply
  20. kittycardero

    March 28, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Email subscriber.

    Reply
  21. kittycardero

    March 28, 2011 at 11:22 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/kittycardero/status/52434562411802624

    Reply
  22. kittycardero

    March 28, 2011 at 11:23 am

    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=143237929075140&id=100001974503018

    Reply
  23. Christal Couturier

    March 28, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    one….two….three….crunch
    three

    Reply
  24. Melissa B.

    March 29, 2011 at 6:13 am

    I agree with Mr. Owl, three.

    Reply
  25. Melanie

    March 29, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    18!

    Reply
  26. tina reynolds

    March 29, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    I am guessing 87 licks : ) I cant remember thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    Reply
  27. tina reynolds

    March 29, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    i follow on gfc

    Reply
  28. tina reynolds

    March 29, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    i subscribe thanks

    Reply
  29. tina reynolds

    March 29, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    i like on facebook (mrstinareynolds

    Reply
  30. susan smoaks

    March 29, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    it takes 100 licks

    Reply
  31. Erin Cook

    March 29, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    They are cute! I think it will take five licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop
    cookster77@aol.com

    Reply
  32. Erin Cook

    March 29, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    I like you on facebook Erin Cook
    cookster77@aol.com

    Reply
  33. Erin Cook

    March 29, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    subscribe to feed via google reader
    cookster77@aol.com

    Reply
  34. Erin Cook

    March 29, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    google friend connect follower Erin Cook
    cookster77@aol.com

    Reply
  35. meme

    March 29, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    I was never patient enough to wait untill I got to the center most likelt 20 to 25 licks then chomp

    Reply
  36. Gianna

    March 29, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    Maybe 400!

    Reply
  37. Gianna

    March 29, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    I’m a GFC follower, hoot hoot!

    Reply
  38. Gianna

    March 29, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    I’m an email subscriber.

    Reply
  39. Veronica Garrett

    March 29, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    I think it takes 50 licks.

    Reply
  40. jenny

    January 30, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    WoW nice owls.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    April 6, 2011 at 12:12 am

    […] got super busy and I got pretty sick last week. So without further ado, here are the winners of the owl and Twitter cell phone charms giveaway. Congratulations, […]

    Reply
  2. eBay How-to: Designer Denim (& an announcement!) | is this REALLY my life? says:
    August 31, 2011 at 12:11 am

    […] same (Madison recently shopped eBay for a Samsung Vibrant), I’ve purchased everything from cell phone lariat straps to white Kenneth Cole heels for my sister’s wedding. I’ve also sold everything from […]

    Reply
  3. Time to seriously exercise my creative muscles | is this REALLY my life? says:
    August 31, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    […] I’ve exercised my creative muscles here and there (cupcake and owl cell phone charms, flower hair clips, neatly folded fitted sheets…hey, a neatly folded fitted […]

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  4. How to make a flower cabochon flower ring | is this REALLY my life? says:
    June 7, 2012 at 1:01 am

    […] you all know I’m not the craftiest person around. Sure, I can whip up a cell phone charm and your basic flower hair clip, but anything beyond twisting wire or using a hot glue gun is going […]

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  5. DIY bucket list - is this REALLY my life? | is this REALLY my life? says:
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