I Made Some Flexi 8s!

[overtherainbow]

So love flexi 8s but I hate paying for them. I don't mind giving them as gifts, but I protective style a lot and at $40 a piece for the mega XXL, I can't afford to buy as many as I need. So I made some today out of beading wire, beads, and remains from cheap jewelry that I never wore.

I used a hair stick that I found at sallys months ago to secure them to my hair. They are a lot more comfy than the traditional flexi 8s and secure my French twists a lot easier. It cost me roughly $20 to create 3 xxl flexi "fakes", and half of that price went to a beading multi tool that I bought from Joann's. (The multi tool was nice to have, but I could have gotten away with good old needle nose pliers)

To make them, I started at the bottom of the left loop, worked my way to the center, used a bead with 4 holes and threaded my wire straight across the bead (not in a figure 8!), made my way around again, through the center bead and interlocked the two ends. I then threaded the remaining wire back through the beads to make a somewhat neat finish. They take about 10 mins to make!
I hope this helped someone!

ETA: the last pic is really really crooked! Whoops!

 

[MileHighDiva]

Great work! Thank you for posting!

Please post a pic of the beading tool, so I can get one the next time Joann's has a 50% off coupon.

 

[overtherainbow]

Great work! Thank you for posting!

Please post a pic of the beading tool, so I can get one the next time Joann's has a 50% off coupon.

Here's the tool that I used:
http://www.createandcraft.com/pp/co.../en_us/categories@lt;{3}/brand_ca@gt;{cousin}
It cuts, crimps and bends wire.

 

[gorgeoushair]

You did a good job!

 

[overtherainbow]

You did a good job!

Thanks! They are really addicting to make!

 

[whiteoleander91]

Those are really pretty! Pretty hair, too. :3

 

[overtherainbow]

Those are really pretty! Pretty hair, too. :3

Thanks!

 

[ajargon02]

Hmmmm maybe I will try my hand at making these! They look beautiful, you did a great job!

 

[overtherainbow]

Hmmmm maybe I will try my hand at making these! They look beautiful, you did a great job!

Thanks! They are soo easy to make too. I never worked with beads before and found it really relaxing and satisfying. Also, they work a lot better than the regular flexor 8s because the stick is unattached so you have a lot more wiggle room and a comfier updo.

 

[happycakes]

These are nice enough to sell OP.

So love flexi 8s but I hate paying for them. I don't mind giving them as gifts, but I protective style a lot and at $40 a piece for the mega XXL, I can't afford to buy as many as I need. So I made some today out of beading wire, beads, and remains from cheap jewelry that I never wore.

I used a hair stick that I found at sallys months ago to secure them to my hair. They are a lot more comfy than the traditional flexi 8s and secure my French twists a lot easier. It cost me roughly $20 to create 3 xxl flexi "fakes", and half of that price went to a beading multi tool that I bought from Joann's. (The multi tool was nice to have, but I could have gotten away with good old needle nose pliers)

To make them, I started at the bottom of the left loop, worked my way to the center, used a bead with 4 holes and threaded my wire straight across the bead (not in a figure 8!), made my way around again, through the center bead and interlocked the two ends. I then threaded the remaining wire back through the beads to make a somewhat neat finish. They take about 10 mins to make!
I hope this helped someone!

ETA: the last pic is really really crooked! Whoops!

 

[overtherainbow]

These are nice enough to sell OP.

Thanks! I love making them, the husband is trying to convince me to sell them, but I dunno how lilla rose would feel about that.

Also I made two more because I'm officially addicted:

 

[nyeredzi]

those are very pretty. what kind of wire did you use?

 

[overtherainbow]

Thanks!
I use 19 or 20 gauge silver or copper wire from the beading dept of walmart. I don't know the specific type, I just grab whatever they have on sale at the time. I prefer the 19 gauge because it's easier to work with , but there isn't a difference when it comes to the finish product.

 

[nyeredzi]

Thanks!
I use 19 or 20 gauge silver or copper wire from the beading dept of walmart. I don't know the specific type, I just grab whatever they have on sale at the time. I prefer the 19 gauge because it's easier to work with , but there isn't a difference when it comes to the finish product.

I'm about to be at Michael's today then, lol.

 

[overtherainbow]

I'm about to be at Michael's today then, lol.

Please post pics of your finished flexis if you can!

I just bought some really nice gemstone beads from an upcycle art supply shop in my city. The prices were amazing though I had to do some digging. I also plan on knitting one in black silk eventually....

 

[Misseyl]

After reading this I went ahead and bought three xxl clips for when my hair grows longer. I have smaller ones but since I went natural I will need the xxls for my natural hair. I just adore them.

 

[krissyprissy]

I'm taking notes. I love flexi 8 clips but they are so pricey. I once beaded my own wedding hairpiece with $7 in supplies and everyone thought I spent a lot of money on it.

 

[Allandra]

Wow. These are very nice. I have several flexi 8 clips that I purchased some years ago.