#bead ring

Non-binary Four for @liliththehybrid !

(plastic stim toys)

x - x - x

x - x - x

[image description: two silver clip rings sitting on a red watermelon slice pillow along with seven peach silicone beads, shaped like a sphere that has been pressed down on top and bottom. Two sets of three beads are threaded onto the rings, forming a bead ring; a last bead sits between the rings, centre hole facing the camera. A few flecks of dust cling to the peach silicone.]

DIY Silicone Bead Rings

Folks have probably seen the silicone bead rings @stimtastic is now selling, so I thought I’d make my own. These are best for fidgeting rather than chewing because the ring I used isn’t stainless steel (and tarnishes when exposed to water or glue, as I discovered when making chain fidgets) but if you just like the feel of silicone for fidgeting, these were super affordable to make. Unlike regular bead rings (using plastic, metal or glass beads) these are silent when rolled over my desk or hand.

Riot Art and Craft currently has strings of silicone beads on clearance sale for $2 AUD. Because I’m a member, I got them reduced even further--$1.40. Your local store may not have these left (mine only had a couple of strings) and not all the beads available have holes big enough for easy threading onto a ring. I found these 2 cm flattened circle beads to be the best, with holes 3.5 mm across; some smaller round sphere beads I also bought don’t fit on any of my clip rings.

(For other chew-safe bead options, I’d look to Etsy. If you don’t wish to chew on them, eBay has heaps of different beads for very low prices. Buying mixed lots from either means you can get different colours!)

The 50 mm clip rings come from Daiso ($2.80 AUD for five) and I use them because they clip open very easily (meaning I’m not hurting my hands trying to use pliers). I can get proper split rings from Lincraft, which I recommend for folks wanting something more durable, but they’re more expensive and far more difficult to thread. I already had the above from making my own ring fidgets and bead rings!

[image description: two photos, on a red watermelon slice pillow background, of bead rings and the metal-lined glass beads used to make them. First photo shows a white cardboard package with nine metal-lined beads threaded on a white ribbon attached to the package. Black text at the top of the cardboard reads “Lincraft” and “9 metal lined beads”. The beads are in shades of blues and greens, and include two opaque sea blue beads, two translucent aqua beads with faceted sides, two opalescent white beads, a translucent blue bead with whtie spots, and two narrow silver beads set with dark blue gems. Second photo shows two smaller bead rings made from two silver clip rings--threaded with a white, green and blue bead each--and a larger silver clip ring threaded with six different metal-lined beads--blue/white striped, pink/white, green, white-with-pink-flower, yellow-with-orange-flower and blue/white striped.]

Metal Lined Beads - Lincraft, $9 AUD.

I’m posting this more as an FYI for Aussies who can’t afford to buy bead rings from international vendors. Lincraft now sells the beads used to make them, in packages of nine for $9 AUD.

Lincraft also sells standard large split rings in a variety of sizes, prices starting from $2.50 AUD for one up to around $3-$5 AUD for a multipack. but I found it easier to use these clip rings I already had. The large (50mm) rings come from Daiso ($2.58 AUD for five) and the smaller (30mm) rings came from a local dollar shop ($2 AUD for ten). They don’t look as nice, but they’re easier for me to thread as they open up, and the hinge makes them easier for me to hold.

Depending on the size of the ring, you could make one large and one small from this lot, or three smaller ones. (I did the latter.) It’s not a cheap purchase, but because I already had the rings, it’s more affordable for me than buying online. Plus you can choose from a wide range of colour options!