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Bead Tips, Tools, and
Links
These are meant to be general guidelines, not something that is
written in stone or should be considered to be expert information. There
are plenty of sites on the net that claim to have expert information, so
if you prefer those sites, feel free to bypass what is here. These are
just things that I've learned the past 15 years of beading that work for
me. I'm passing them along with hopes of helping the new beader who has
questions and cant seem to find the answers.
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Tools
Thread. The most typical threads used are Nymo [several sizes],
and Silamide. Both come in several colors. There are other types of thread
available, and you should use what you feel most comfortable using. Silamide
does not need to be waxed prior to using, but it does tangle at times.
Needles. There are several sizes and types of needles available.
There are some that are split, but the ones most used look like normal
needles, but are very thin. And they hurt if you stick yourself. I will
buy the short ones as well as the really long ones. All needles will break
eventually, so be sure to have a lot on hand just in case.
Flexible wire. There are also several types available. I use
Soft Flex and Accuflex. There are others. As always, use what you feel
most comfortable using.
Not-so-flexible wire. Memory wire makes great chokers and bracelets.
Called memory wire cuz it holds it's shape even when stretched out, as
when you put the choker or bracelet on. It will go back to the shape it
was, or as close as it can with it being around your neck or wrist.
Pliers. I use several different types of pliers. The ones I
use most are needle nose pliers that have a flat surface inside, needle
nose pliers that have a 'serrated' surface so I can grip the wire easier,
needle nose pliers that are round so I can easily bend wire into a circle.
I also have several different sizes and
types of wire cutters, some that cut harder wire, and some that cut
softer wire. I also have crimp pliers for closing crimp beads.
Findings. These include ear wires or earrings [pierced or non-pierced],
bead tips, clasps of all types for necklaces as well as bracelets, flat
head pins and round head pins, jump rings in different sizes and types
[you can buy closed jump rings or solder them yourself - use a hobby soldering
gun and jewelry solder, or you can get some that are 'double jump rings'].
As you progress, you will find that you use certain findings more than
others, and you will find that you use gold or silver more.
Bead reamer. This is a useful tool for cleaning out the holes
of some types of beads, to make them 'cleaner' or easier to put the needle
or wire thru as you work. Usually comes with several tips in different
sizes so you can use this tool with different size beads.
Delicas. Wonderful Japanese seed beads that are very uniform
in size, come in a wide range of colors, and are now in several different
sizes. Also available are hex cut beads and bugles.
Seed beads. Those tiny beads you cant imagine anyone working
with cuz the holes are so small. E beads [also known as size 8] are larger
than seed beads, and when worked with seed beads, they form a very interesting
and lovely piece, usually worked in free form beading but can also be used
with patterns.
Scissors. Sharp scissors are essential. I use scissors bought
in a craft shop in the paper cutting section. These have small blades but
they are very sharp and have sharp points. Never use your scissors to cut
anything other than thread. It will dull them, and could even put a nick
or dent in the blade, which will interfere with a clean cut on your thread.
Try to always cut your thread at an angle.
Bandaids and Peroxide. Keep close at hand in case you stab yourself
so bad you draw blood. No one likes to recieve a gift with blood soaked
thread. Eeeewwww.......
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Tips
1. If the thread you are using tangles, untangle it carefully,
then hold your work at arms length, as high as you can get it over
your head, letting the needle and thread dangle down. You don't want the
thread or needle to touch the floor during the time it's untwisting.
It will untwist on it's own, and will stop when it's done. You can
hold the needle above your head and let your work dangle, but from what
I've found, you get better results letting the needle dangle.
2. If the thread you use needs wax to work, be sure the wax
is not too hard to use. Color can be a give-away to that. If it's real
dark, it will be too hard. Light yellow seems to be the best, as it's soft.There
are several products on the market that take the place of wax. I've used
them and I don't like them, but this is entirely up to you. Use what you
find works best for you.
3. Don't believe anyone who tells you that Silamide will not
tangle. It does. Also don't believe anyone who tells you that their
needles don't break as often as 'the other brand'. They will.
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Links
If you are new to beading, would just like to try it, or cant seem
to find free patterns, here are some sites to help you out. Some have terrific
tutorials on the different stitches, some tell what basic supplies to gather,
and some even have free patterns to start you out. There are many more
tutorials on the net, and many more free patterns on the net. These are
just a few that I've found that I really like. Be sure to always look at
the links on each page you visit, as they may point you to more patterns
or tutorials. And be sure to check out my page of free bead patterns on
the net. There are more listed there than there are here.
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http://www.blackgiraffe.com/free.htm
free patterns; free graph paper in pdf format
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http://suzannecooper.com/classroom/classmain.html
great site for all bead stitches; also has a free pattern.
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http://www.beadyboop.com/instruct.htm
animated stitch instructions, other instructions.
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http://shala.addr.com/beads/resources/graphpaper/index.html
graph paper and patterns
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http://home.flash.net/~mjtafoya/patterns.htm
patterns; graph paper at bottom of page
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http://www.rings-things.com/PROJ1.HTM
patterns, projects, and catalog
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http://hometown.aol.com/beadsme99/BeadOrnamentindex.html
patterns to purchase.
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http://beadwork.about.com/hobbies/beadwork/mbody.htm
About.com bead site. Be forwarned: Disable Javascript before going
here, or use a pop-up ad killer. This site has many ads pop up, and one
of them contains a program called Gator that will install it's self on
your computer without you knowing it. If you dont have a pop up ad killer
or cant disable Javascript, then get Adaware, a free program that removes
spyware from your computer. The link for that program is on my Links
page.
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http://www.bead-wizard.com/
the bead graph program I use to make my patterns.
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Page created March 2002
