Brigid

Project and Sample by Drea Carbone

With many people writing in asking for help creating a mask lanyard, I knew we had to create our own tutorial. There are so many techniques you can use, Brigid and Cardea are just two of them. I hope this gives you a good jumping off point for your own ideas!
Brigid was a goddess of pre-Christian Ireland. She is associated with wisdom, protection, and healing...among other things, like creativity! Who better to name this mask lanyard after than she?

These handy lanyards will clip to the ear loops of a mask so when you take it off it’ll hang from your neck. No more lost masks, or putting your mask in a pocket or dropping it…and knowing that we can’t be stuck in this pandemic forever, I knew I also wanted to make something convertible. This Brigid Lanyard easily converts to a necklace. Just remove one clasp for a jump ring, or clasp both to a hoop or connector and make a focal piece to match. You’ll have leftover glass beads and chain pieces you can use. You know what I’m going to say here...you do you!

*First, you’ll want two clasps. I chose Swivel, the “regular size,” for two reasons. One, you need something with a large enough opening to go around the elastic of the mask’s ear loops. Two, the swivel component is key! These are far less likely to get twisted and tangled thanks to that handy swiveling feature. Little Lobster and Small Swivels would work only if your elastic loops are pretty skinny...keep that in mind!

Next, I simply wire-wrapped to my heart’s content. The My Fair Lady chain is a favorite of mine, and I removed only the little “connector” bars to replace with wire-wrapped bead units. Rearrange the oval and filigree components to suit you! My final length is 26". You do you! It all goes together.

I wanted to be sure that my lanyard was symmetrical, so that both sides of my face would have the same pattern and beading showing. I also wanted to be sure that when worn as a necklace there’s symmetry, since the necklace would be worn with the clasps in front. I didn’t add beads to the “back” of the lanyard (the part behind your neck) for this reason. 

Find ingredient quantities for Brigid listed above for easy shopping, and find our other samples here.

Please join us as our worldwide community gathers on Facebook and YouTube at 10:30am Pacific Time on February 10, 2021. It’s so much fun to go live with us and bead together! After the live broadcast the video will be available above.

Like what you see? Sign up for our Newsletter to learn about all our new projects, as well as updates on LIVE broadcasts, new product, and of course…SALES!