Thank ya! 

When buying the heads shown in the pic on the Janns site Blue posted earlier, I like to connect the hook eye direct to the blade without the use of a split ring. Gives a great vibration.

When buying the heads shown in the pic on the Janns site Blue posted earlier, I like to connect the hook eye direct to the blade without the use of a split ring. Gives a great vibration.

Correct, the hook eye is open so you don't need a split ring and I wouldn't suggest using one if you don't need to. One downside to using the split ring like I do is it occasionally jams either in the hook eye or inside the blade and prevents the blade from working. Usually a quick snap of the rod tip will remedy this situation but sometimes it doesn't. It's a minor annoyance that I'm willing to put up with though.  With those heads, adding a split ring would end up with the blade laying on it's side and not working correctly during the retrieve as well. 

Has anyone ever tried to make their own blades out of big Colorado blades? I have some laying around might try it.

I need to start making my own. I like fishing them but if I get them anywhere close to cover I hang them up.

If you hit them with a hammer to make them flat, then cut out the shape with a dremel it would work just fine. I've made them out of sheet aluminum before. They bent too easily but the vibration was amazing. Sheet steel and a dremel would get the job done nicely!