A string of beads can come in handy as a tieback. If you don't have hooks for the tieback, simply stick a safety into the back of the curtain to hold the beads. Add some beads to the bottom of a vase before placing the flowers. The beads double up as a decorative feature and also helps to hold the flowers. Be sure to use glass beads as plastic ones will float to the top – which isn't always a bad idea. Draping a string or two of pearls over an old or wedding photo, adds to the romance of the occasion. Place loose beads, either in a single colour or mixed, in a glass bowl on your coffee or side tables. (Not if you have small children in the house.)



If you have a slightly bland looking wall clock, glue some beads onto it where the numbers should be. Stick brooches onto throw cushions. Just make sure that they stay closed so as not to prick anyone. Brooches can also be used to hold back net curtaining drapes on windows. Glue beads onto plain frames to bring them back to life. String some beads through the loop in a key. Makes a plain key in a door look so much more interesting. A string of beads make a really quick and easy bookmark.

Use larger beads in your soap dish to keep the soap from becoming soggy. Fold up larger towels and roll up smaller ones as well as facecloths. Loosely wrap a string of beads around the rolled up towels and leave ends to drape onto the folded towels.

When decorating a table for a dinner party, spread strings of beads in your desired colour scheme around the table. Wrap strings of beads around folded napkins as ‘napkin holders'. Use costume jewellery bracelets as napkin rings. Use a collection of small glass vases for flowers and place some bracelets around them.

To create some romantic lighting, drape a piece of lace or soft cloth over a lamp. Make sure that the fabric does not touch the light globe itself. Drape some beads over that – not plastic as they might melt and then you'll have more heat than you bargained for! Instead of hiding all your beads in a jewellery box on the dressing table, let them drape out of the box like treasure from a pirate's chest. Strings of beads can also be hung over your mirror or a picture frame

A string of beads with a clasp can also double up as a belt – if the string is long and the waist small. Otherwise clip them onto the left and right belt hoops so the beads hang over the stomach area. Braid (plait) a string of beads into your hair or if you want to leave your hair loose, simply use hairclips. For this I would rather recommend plastic / light beads so as not to cause headaches from the weight. Clip on earrings can be clipped onto the front of shoes.

Right, now you know that beads are not limited to jewellery, so go and have fun!