The Thing With Two Beads

Here's a reverse mystery for you!  Look at these strange tiny objects, made with two big beads.

What are they for?  They are a much loved little invention of mine, a contraption I've been making and using for years.

Puzzle your head for a few moments and see if you can guess!  Then scroll down to see the answer.

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Check it out...bing!

Just tuck some recycled cardboard between the two beads, and voila, earring display stands!  Yep, they stand up on their own.

I love these mucho.  One, they're way cute.  Two, they take up hardly any space when not in use. And three, they are an AWESOME way to use up big clunky orphan beads that I'd probably never use for jewelry.

I also use them as mini holders for small photos or art:

They have lots of other uses, too - like place card holders, buffet table signs, anywhere you need to label or display something while maintaining a tiny footprint.  Fer example, they make the darlingest business card display:

Pretty cool, eh?  Wanna DIY?  Here goes!

Stack two big beads on a headpin, with a little spacer bead in front to schmancy it up a bit.

Use round-nose pliers to turn the tail of the headpin in a loop.  Cinch it all the way down tight against the bead.

For the earring card, cut a cardboard shape with a small bite out of the bottom.  Looks a bit funny, but it helps balance the weight of the earrings.

Then just tuck the cardboard into the slot.  Here's a side view:

How easy was that?

For party or wedding place card holders: instead of orphan beads for those, you might decide to choose beads in your favorite colors and make matched sets to decorate your table.

Here are some tips on making these.  1. Use beads with flattish ends rather than round.  2. Beads with the same approximate diameters work best together.  3. I used acrylic and porcelain beads here, but any material will do.  Heavier beads will support slightly larger photos or earrings.

So ends The Mystery Of The Thing With Two Beads.  Did you figure it out before scrolling down?  Do tell.