Ever since a majority of the world’s population moved indoors amidst the pandemic, a number of interesting fashion trends have come to light. And with kids headed back to school with masks being the one mandatory fashion accessory, it’s not surprising that the latest fashion items to grow in popularity are mask accessories!
But the mask lanyard (can someone come up with a better name, please?) is something that I have totally embraced – especially for kids! They don’t get lost, they don’t fall on the floor when they go to the restroom (gag), and they’re easily removed for lunch, recess, and after school!
I stayed up late one night to make these for my kids and they all told me they looked “grandma-ish” and stuffed them into their pockets as they got on the bus. But guess who was wearing my “grandma” lanyards when they got home from school?
ALL 4 KIDS!
So ignore your kids if they moan and complain. These lanyards will become their favorite accessory. Better yet, include them in the design process! Follow my steps below and help your child make something unique!
HOW TO MAKE A BEADED LANYARD
I only made beaded lanyards for my girls but you could easily make them for your boys as well! And the supplies aren’t very different from the supplies we had on hand for the other beaded crafts Emery and Anisten already do.
SUPPLIES:
1) SCISSORS: I love these because they’re easy for small hands and they get fewer pinches with these
2) CLEAR STRING: We use stretchy string for a few reasons. These are for kids – they are going to pull on them, and if they’re the ones making them, they don’t have to deal with frayed string, wax, etc. Trust me, a stretchy string is the way to go!
3) TOOLS: You don’t need to buy tools if you’ve got needle-nose or long-nose pliers.
4) TOWEL/BEADING MAT: If you’ve beaded before, you know how annoying a smooth surface can be. Fuzzy surfaces are even worse – that’s why we love these beading mats! They hold the beads in place, the beads don’t get lost, and I don’t run the risk of the entire pile of beads sliding off my table or lap!
5) CRIMPING BEADS: These beads are typically some type of metal and they hold all the other beads in place. They can be used to tie off a finished section or connect two ends in a loop!
6) BEADS: There are a couple of different beads we like to use for lanyards:
– 4mm beads: these are the colorful beads you see that make up most of the lanyard. They’re larger than a normal bead and are easy to thread!
• letter beads: letter beads are super fun and allow you to personalize your mask lanyards for your kids! These ones have 5 different types of letter beads!
– shape beads: hearts and stars are fun shapes to throw in the mix and further personalize your lanyards!
SHOP MY BEAD PICKS
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7) BEAD CONTAINER: These are my absolute favorite ones. I will link some others down below but I think these are the best bang for my buck and I don’t have to worry about when my stock gets low and digging into a really tall container!
8) LOBSTER CLASP: this piece is important as it’s the piece you’re going to use to attach your lanyard to your mask!
Step 1
I wrap the string around the back of my neck and hold the cut end about 3 inches below my collar bone. I then cut the other end where it falls 3 inches below my collar bone on the other side.
Step 2
String 2 crimp beads on the end of your stretchy string. Then take a lobster clasp and string it on the end as well. Once you have all 3 pieces on, take that same end of string and loop it back through the crimp beads. And crimp! Clip off any excess string
Step 3
Take your beads and begin to string the pattern/colors you want to use until you have 2 inches of string left on the end.
Step 4
Repeat the steps when you started: place 2 crimp beads on the string. Follow with a lobster clasp and then push the string back through the opposite end and crimp with pliers.
Step 5
Attach to your facemask!
HOW TO MAKE A PARACORD LANYARD
I made these for my boys and I’m so glad I used the paracord over beads. Boys are much harder on stuff and I can only imagine how many other boys tug on their masks!
SUPPLIES:
1) SCISSORS: I love these because they’re easy for small hands and they get fewer pinches with these
2)PARACORD: as I said above, boys are rougher on stuff so I wanted to give them a lanyard they wouldn’t have to be precious with. Paracord is also super simple to work with and these masks come together in a matter of minutes!
SHOP PARACORD
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3) TOOLS: You don’t need to buy tools if you’ve got needle-nose or long-nose pliers.
4) CORD ENDS: These are different than the crimp beads above. They basically cap the ends and provide a place for your jump loops to attach and then attach your lobster clasps!
5) JUMP RINGS: Jump rings are what connect the lobster clasp to the cord end on your paracord. Make sure you use 2 if putting these together for kids!
6) LOBSTER CLASP: this piece is important as it’s the piece you’re going to use to attach your lanyard to your mask!
Step 1
Cut a piece of paracord ( I do these shorter than the girl’s) I keep mine about 16 inches
Step 2
Use a gas stove or lighter to burn the end of the cord so they melt together. If possible, clamp the hot end with pliers to make it smaller. DO NOT TOUCH THE END WITH BARE HANDS!
Step 3
Fit the paracord in the cord end and pinch closed with pliers.
Step 4
Place 1 jump ring through the end of the cord end and through the end of a lobster clasp and bend closed.
Step 5
Repeat step 4 with a second jump ring.
Step 6
Attach lobster clasps to your mask!
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And that’s it! I hope this helps and you create some amazing face mask lanyards! You can shop all of our supplies below:
