MelancholyWings

BJD Headbands:

Here's an easy tutorial I posted on DOA for BJD Headbands back in July of 2011. These are fun and super easy to make:

Supplies:

• Small metal bracelets (Marzipan is holding - those are what you want). Mine were a gift from Walmart and came in a long tube of 50 bracelets for $10. You can also find these at the thrift store. They are just cheapie bangles.


• Jewelry pieces. I search thrift stores looking for small and sometimes broken costume jewelry. Earings, necklaces, charms and pins all work great. You can also use buttons, really anything that you can imagine so long as the back has enough space for glue.


• Styrafoam ball in your doll's head size.


• Tin Foil.


• E-6000 Glue Clear Transparent.


• Wire Cutters


• Painter's Tape (I LOVE this stuff for BJD sewing and crafting because it's not super sticky and doesn't leave a residue)


• Chop Stick


• Not shown glass cup that is not too short but not too tall for support.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Steps:
  
  1. Skewer the bottom of the styrafoam ball with a chopstick.
  2. Cover the ball with tinfoil. This is super important as the glue reacts very VERY badly with the styrafoam.
  
  
  3. Drop the ball on stick into your cup for support. This now free's up your hands.
  
  
  
  
  4. The bracelet will have a section where the metal has been fused together. You want to cut this section out.
  5. Using the wire cutters cut out a small section so that the headband is the size you want - I kind of eyeball this. For a Littlfee I usually cut off a 1/4 section, I may leave a little extra for a larger head.
  
  
  

6. Shape the head band so that it's got a smaller curve.



7. Then try on the headband to make sure it's the right fit. If needed clip off more of it or reshape it.



8. Pick the piece of jewelry you want to use.
9. Remove all unwanted stuff off the piece using the wire cutters. Snip off earring posts, pin posts, charm loops. You want a flatish back for glue.



I had to send Marzipan away for this next bit because I am a Klutz and didn't want to get glue on her.

10. Put glue either on the back of the jewelry piece OR on the headband direcly. I usually like putting it on the piece unless it's tiny.
11. Put the piece of jewelry on the headband.


12. Use the painters tape to help hold the piece down then put aside and let dry. I usually leave it 3 to 7 days to dry and cure.
13. Once dry remove the tape and headband from the ball. It's now complete!

Problems: I've had it happen where a piece either doesn't glue to the headband or glue's crooked. With metal pieces the glue can peel off and you can try it again.