How to insert Eyelets & Brads

What is an Eyelet? Eyelets are small metal circular objects with a hollow center. The holes you thread your shoelaces through is bordered with an eyelet. They have become a popular embellishment for scrapbooks.

Eyelets and rivets are usually metal, so you want to be sure that no part of the eyelet comes in contact with your photo. They are however, acid-free and considered safe for use in scrapbook albums. Putting your page in a page protector will help prevent exposure to sunlight and humidity which could cause some eyelets to rust.

Eyelets commonly are round, but can be found in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, such as flowers, stars and hearts. The size of the eyelet refers to the diameter of the hole. They can be 1/16”, 1/8”, 3/16” or other sizes. The front side of the eyelet is the side that shows the design. The back side of an eyelet is usually not painted, and has an extended end. This end will be hammered and flattened to secure the eyelet.

Eyelets are a great way to attach embellishment to a scrapbook page. They add color and interest to your layout like a bullet point does in text. Eyelets are not difficult to insert. Follow these instructions, and practice on scrap paper until you are confident.

Materials needed:

Hammer
Anywhere hole punch by Making Memories (Or other eyelet hole punch)
Eyelet Setter
Self-healing mat
Eyelets

Step 1
Gather your materials.

Step 2
To start, make a hole using your Anywhere hole punch. This punch has a round, hollow tip at one end that cuts a hole through the paper. Place this sharp edge of the punch where you want the hole to be and then give a tap with your hammer. (Be sure to have your self-healing mat underneath, so you do not damage your work surface.)

Step 3
Once you have made the hole, insert the eyelet through from the front to the back, so the nice rounded edge of the eyelet is on the front of your project.

Step 4
Turn your project over and place the eyelet setting tool against the straight end of the eyelet. Tap the end of the tool with a hammer. A few short taps (rather than one big smash) is recommended. Some like to finish setting the eyelet with the finishing tool. This step is not totally necessary but does give a smoother finish to the back of the eyelet. The tool has a concave end that you place over the backside of the set eyelet. You tap it with the hammer just like you did with the setting tool.

Here's the finished product.

Eyelets can be used many different ways. Try using them for corners of borders, edges of pages, on your journaling tags, hang deco squares or punch art items with craft wire through the hole, eyes for animals, and to decorate punch art, such as Christmas trees with ornaments.

They can also be used for feeding ribbon, craft fibers, beads & string or other materials through the eyelets. Try connecting alphabet letters together. Use your imagination!

Inserting Brads

Using brads is a simple technique that can really add some dimension to your scrapbook pages, greeting cards and other craft projects.

Mini brads measure about 1/8” in diameter and have a ¼” prong, like those on paper fasteners. Brads come in different shapes, the most common being a circle. Other shapes and sizes are available such as flowers, fish, buttons, and stars..

To Insert a Brad:

Mark the spot where you wish to place the brad with a pencil or pen. It should be a small mark, but will disappear when you make the hole.

Some crafters will simply insert the sharp prong of the brad through the paper or cardstock. We recommend making a small hole with either a craft knife or hole punch to avoid bending the brad or tearing the paper.

Once you have made the hole, insert the brad.

Turn over the paper and spread the prongs in opposite directions. It is best to use a craft knife to separate the prongs. They are tiny and sharp to use fingers. You can finish off the project by covering the prongs with paper and tape or adhesive to protect the prongs from scratching up against anything you might put behind it.

Brads can be used to:
* Hold photo mattes in place (with or without adhesive)
* Attach vellum without any additional adhesive showing through
* Hang tags
* Secure other embellishments such as fibers, die cuts, ribbon, mesh, screen, etc.

Scrapbook Brads

Brads and eyelets are a very thrifty way to liven up your scrapbook pages. You get multiple brads and eyelets in one package for a very low cost.

Happy "Thrifty" Scrapbooking!

Be sure to visit The Thrifty Scrapbook Store for economical scrapbook products.

All material