Bead Hints

• Seed Beads

• Needle

• Wire Sizes

• Thread

• Flex Wire

• Findings

• What's a Bead?

• Bead Weaving

• Buying Beads

• Jump verses Split Ring

• Choosing your pliers

• Beading on Fabric

• Beading on Fabric Techniques

• Hide that Knot!

• Matching bead Colors

• Beads Will Travel

• Sterling Silver Wire and Findings

• Bead Size

• Fringe

• Necklace Lengths

• Bead Quality

Seed Beads

What are seed beads? These tiny beads have been used throughout history by many cultures to adorn themselves and objects, thus leaving behind a record of the creative heritage of our ancestors .

Seed beads are very small glass beads that come in various sizes and finishes. 

Seed beads are measured by aught (0 or 1/2 centimeter).  The smaller the number, the larger the bead -- 11/0 bead is smaller than a 8/0 bead.  The most common sizes of seed beads are 14/0, 11/0, 8/0, and 6/0.

Seed beads are commonly used in bead weaving because of the variety of colors and finishes, but can also be used as fillers in stringing projects.

Needle Hint

Types of needles used in beadwork.

Twisted Wire needles are used in stringing projects. These have large eyes and blunt ends.

Beading needles are thin sharp needles used in bead weaving projects.  The smaller the needle the larger the number size. #12 needle is good overall size for most projects. For very small holedbeads a #15 may be required.

Tapestry needles are a good choice for children, they have large eyes and blunt ends and work well with large holed beads.

Wire Size Hint

Wire is normally sized by gauge or millimeters (mm).

If the wire is sized by gauge, the larger the wire the smaller the gauge. A 24 gauge wire is smaller than a 16 gauge wire.

If the wire is sized by millimeters the larger the millimeter, the larger the size. A .4mm wire is smaller than .8mm wire.

Conversion chart:    .4mm wire = 26 gauge

                                    .6mm wire = approximately 24 gauge

                                    .8mm wire = 20 gauge

                                    1.0 mm wire = 18 gauge

Thread Hint

Thread is used is jewelry making for stringing and bead weaving projects.

Thread is available on spools, bobbins and cards and a variety of materials such as silk, cotton, and nylon.

Thread sizes are noted either by number or letter.   size #4 =F, Size #3 = D, and size #2 = B.  The smaller the number the thinner the thread.

Silk and nylon are best used for stringing necklaces in sizes F and D.

Size B is best suited for bead weaving.

Cotton works well for macramé.

Flex Wire Hint

Flex wire is good for bracelets and anytime you need to give up the flexibility of thread for the strength of wire.

It is nylon coated wire cable that is available is various sizes.

The most common sizes are .19, .14 and .10 (thinnest).

Number of stands range from 7 strand to 49.   The more strands in the cable the greater the strength.

Flex wire must be crimped not knotted. 

Findings Hint

What are findings?

A finding is anything that is not a bead and is used to finish off a piece of jewelry.

Findings include clasps, earring wires, post, ear clips, crimps, bead tips, French wire, cones, pin backs, head pins, split and jump rings, bails, separator bars, etc.

Findings can be found in a variety of materials from Sterling Silver, Gold Filled and base metals with copper or nickel.

The use of the proper findings adds to the design and professional look of your jewelry.

What's a Bead Hint

What 's a bead without a hole?  Not much.

The hole of the bead dictates the character and use of the bead.

Holes can be drilled along the height or width of the bead, offset of center, such as top-drilled as in teardrops, or diagonal .  The direction of the hole creates the lay of the bead as it is strung or attached to an object.

Holes can be machine drilled or hand drilled.  The method often determines the uniformity of the location, size and shape of the hole.

The size of the hole, not the bead, determines the size and stringing material best suited for the bead.

Bead Weaving Hint

Do you want to embellish or cover objects, create free standing forms, or add texture and imagination to other jewelry making techniques?  Bead weaving is the answer.

Bead weaving is the manipulation of beads into a piece of "fabric" or object.

Bead weaving can be done off-loom (hand held) or on-loom, creating a simple or intricate pattern with a variety of bead weaving techniques.

Common off-loom techniques include: peyote, brick, square, netted, and right angle stitches.

Bead weaving is usually done with seed beads or Delicas,  but many types of bead can be incorporated into this techniques.

Buying Beads Hint

How To Buy Beads

Walk into Beadworks the first time and it becomes a little over- whelming.  You will see tables, walls and racks covered with beads.  Just pick up a tray (loaded with a pen and plastic bags) and start shopping! And the staff is here to help.

Beads are sold individually, on strands, or in vials.

Beads sold individually will be in wooden boxes with prices on the front. 

Vials of beads line the walls. The vials contain seed beads of various sizes, Delicas, and squares.

Strands of semi-precious stones and glass beads fill the display cabinets and cover the walls.   Strands are temporally strung matching beads and are priced per strand. Stone strands are normally 16" long, but can vary.  Czech bead stands usually have approximately 25 or 50 beads, depending on the size.

For all items, not marked, just write the number of beads selected and price per item on the bag. And you are ready to move on.

Still in a quandary? Our staff is here to help.

Jump verses Split Ring Hint

A Jump ring is a single wire circle or oval  used to attach or connect findings or loops. They have a cut which you can twist to the side to open.  To close - reverse the motion.  Never spread ends apart.

A Split ring is a double wire circle also used to attach findings and charms.  The cut end can be spread slightly and attachment slipped into place between the circles and turned.   They looks like a baby key ring.

Tool Hints - Choosing your pliers.

Chain nose pliers have smooth inside jaws and taper to a point for fine detail work. They are used to grip and open and close rings.

Flat nose pliers have  smooth inside jaws and has a broader tip. They are good for grasping and forming wider wire angles.

Round nose pliers have smooth tapered conical jaws.  These are used to form loops.

Beading on Fabric Hint

Want to decorate a handbag or embellish an article of clothing?  Here are a few things to remember.

Beads that work well on fabric include small crystals, glass or seed beads, Delicas, small flat beads (resemble sequins) .  The function of the item will determine how durable the bead must be.

Choose fabric that will support your choice of beads. A fusible interfacing can be applied to the back side to stabilize the fabric  and support the beaded design.

When practical, apply pattern and bead design to fabric before item is assembled.

Use beading needles and poly- cotton or nylon thread to attach beads.  Thread material and working tension is very important , it must be able to "give" a little as the fabric moves.

 Beading on Fabric Technique Hints

Want to decorate a handbag or embellish an article of clothing?  Here are a few stitched that can be used.

Beads can be added to the fabric by single bead or in multiples with a straight up an down stitch directly over your pattern line.  This is the most secure- if thread should break, only a few beads would be lost.

Strung beads can be tacked onto place with a second thread, by laying the string of beads on pattern and tacking. Bring needle from wrong side directly on pattern line, needle is brought over the thread of strung beads and returned at same spot, back to wrong side, catching only the thread on the top side.  Skip a short space and repeat.

Flat beads can be applied by using a stop bead on top.  Bring your thread from wrong side of fabric at point you wish to add the bead.  Place the flat bead on needle, then a seed bead, take needle around seed bead and back through the flat bead hole and straight down through same fabric hole.

Designs are often outlined with beads then filled in.  Fills can be in random or lined patterns, using any of the above techniques.

Hide that Knot! Hint

When stringing beads with thread use a bead tip to finish your creation with a professional look.

A bead tip is a small hollow ball, split almost in half with a small hole in the still attached bottom area and a open loop on top of one side.

Run thread through the hole with needle pointing towards the loop.  Tie and slip knot as close to inside bottom of ball as possible, pull  knot tight, dab a drop of glue on knot, let dry and snip thread end.

Carefully close ball with chain nose pliers and place clasp in and close loop.

Your knot is hidden, your clasp is attached and your creation is ready to wear.

Matching Bead Colors  Hint

When matching colors, it is best to buy the amount you need to finish a project. Manufacturers color codes or names may vary slightly by dye lot.  If you do need to match a bead, it is easiest to bring in a sample.

For seed beads - the vial will usually have a color code number. Each manufacturer has its own color coding.

Crystals or Czech strands note the color, size and shape when originals are purchases, or bring your bead .

Semi-precious stone vary greatly in color depending on area mined, conditions when forming, other minerals in the stone, plus many other factors. To match your stone you will need to bring in a sample.

Beads Will Travel Hint

Thanks to Denise McMullen for sharing her traveling tip.  

Denise refused to waste productive beading time while waiting  for appointments and came up with this great pouch for on-the-go beaders.  This idea is perfect for moms at soccer practice, music or dance lessons, etc.

Divide our favorite foam mat into 3rds, lengthwise. First 1/3 is flap, middle 1/3 is base and lower 1/3 flips up to make envelope.

Sew smooth side Velcro strips on center 1/3 on both sides.

Sew looped side Velcro strips on lower 1/3 on both sides.

Attach Velcro or button in center of top flap and connecting piece in center of  folded bottom edge when flap is Velcroed into place.

Mat lays flat for beading and folds into envelope to hold those projects in progress.

Sterling Silver  Wire and Findings Hint

Sterling Silver is .925 Silver and .075 other metal. These metals are melted together, forming a consistent composition throughout and are then molded or extruded into the desired form.

Sterling is used in good jewelry, is easy to work with and provides a lasting silver finish.

Sterling Silver wire is normally sized by gauge.  The smaller the number the larger the wire, for example, 24 gauge wire is larger than 26 gauge.

Sterling wire is available in dead soft and half hard which is determined by the annealing (cooking) process.

Dead soft is more pliable, less "springy" and a little easier to work with more decorative pieces.

Half hard provides a stiffer, more structured feel and works well with larger beads or stones.

Bead Size Hint

Bead size is normally stated in millimeters. A bead is measured across the widest point on the outside of the bead.

The most accurate measurements use a micrometer  or caliper and would be necessary when sizing precious stones, etc.  A printed bead chart is a useful tool when "eyeballing" bead sizes for matching or a quick reference.

Round and square beads will have a single measurement, for example: 6mm.

Oval, rectangle, marquis or tear drop shapes will have two measurements. The first number will the width and the second number will be the length of the bead, for example : 6X12 mm

For seed bead sizing, review to the Bead Hint Archive: Seed Beads

Fringe Hint

Fringe is a creative way to add interest, color, size and movement to an object.

Fringe can be added throughout as you construct the design , or added as a finishing touch to complete the project.

Several type of Fringe include: straight, looped, branch, patterned or plain, and structural .

The fringe length is dictated by your design. Anything goes! as long as the base is strong enough to support the length. 

Any small bead such as seed beads, Delicas,  or crystals make good rows.  Patterns can be added, simply by changing colors. Specialty beads such  as, flowers, hearts, or fun shapes add interest and teardrops make a perfect ending.

The tension on each row should be snug, but not pulled tight. You do not want bare thread showing or pulled so tight the row won't hang straight.

Necklace Lengths

A Choker is usually about 15 to 16 inches long so that it rests on the neck right to top of the clavicle.

An 18 inch necklace is called the Princess length and sits just below the little indentation of the throat.

20 to 24 inches is the Matinee length and is usually just above the bust line.

The Opera length is typically 28 to 30 inches and does not go below the center of the bust.

A Lariat is 45 inches or longer and can wrap around the neck multiple times.

Bead Quality

General guidelines in semiprecious stones are color, clarity and also the polish (the quality of the finish). In addition, the quality of the hole drilling is important. Good quality beads will have symmetrical holes and the edges of the holes will also be smooth, not jagged. With respect to size, it is generally true that the larger the bead, the more it costs, however this is not always the case. It can be more difficult to polish many tiny beads, thus some of the smaller beads can actually cost more. Since semi-precious gemstone beads are often sold on temporary strands, another factor that is unique to buying beads is whether or not they are properly matched. 

Attractive (or even rare) color

Shiny, highly polished,

Smooth symmetrical shape

Evenly and completely drilled holes

Accurate sizes 

Careful consideration of these factors will make for more beautiful and valuable jewelry.