Beading Basics: What you Need to Know to Get Started Beading
Stringing beads is a fun way to reduce stress and
explore your creative side. Put a colourful necklace together or
create a beautiful matching set with a bracelet and a pair of
earrings. Wear your creations, sell them, or wrap them in tissue
paper and give them to your friends.
Basic beading is easy, fun, and relatively inexpensive. You will
find beading supplies at most craft shops, art supply stores,
and discount stores, in addition to the beading boutiques that
often specialize in more expensive beads.
Here is a checklist of the basic tools and supplies you will
need to begin working on your new hobby:
Beads
You will find an abundance of different sizes, shapes and styles
to choose from. Start off with a few favourite colours using
plastic beads so you can become familiar with colour
coordination and putting on the finishing touches. This way,
mistakes will not be so costly. Work your way toward the finer
glass, semiprecious, handpainted, wood and cloisonne beads.
Clasps
There is a wide variety of clamps, closures and clasps, also
called findings. Again, do not be seduced into purchasing the
best and the brightest in the beginning. Most products will have
the instructions included on the front or back of the package,
but if you run into a problem, consult a beading magazine or
catalogue, which you can find either online or at craft shops.
Containers
Depending on your budget and preference, you can use either the
standard, flat containers or go up a notch to the drawer
compartments that many people use in their workshops for nuts,
bolts and screws. Any containers will do, but, while working,
you will want your beads to be easily accessible. Storing beads
in dark, confined areas makes them more difficult to work with
and to colour coordinate.
Crimping Beads
These are an important element in bead making. They are simply
beads constructed of a flexible metal, which help keep the clasp
attached to the necklace. Crimping beads come in gold and silver
and in several different sizes.
Round Tipped Pliers
Invest in a good pair of round tipped pliers. You will need to
use them often not only for picking up beads but also to hold
the components while working with them. Flat nosed pliers also
come in handy. Remember to select a pair that will allow you to
crimp.
Trays or Boards
Using a beading tray is not mandatory but it makes it easier to
pre-select and measure your beads. Most trays are made of
plastic and incorporate a measuring device either in inches,
millimeters, or both.
Wire, Line or String
Again, depending on budget and preference, there is a wide
variety of wire, line and string to choose from. Before
purchasing, be sure that it is the correct size to fit the beads
you have selected, or vice versa. Some beads have large holes to
accommodate thick string while others, such as seed beads, have
tiny holes that only thread or wire will fit through. You could
even use fishing line to practice on, but beading wire is better
it does not have a tendency to curl, shrink and distort the way
plastic lines do. You could also use string, rawhide or thread.
When beading with string or thread, use a special big eye or
curved needle.
Children can also take part in stringing beads. Look for
children's beading supplies at most craft stores, generally
alongside the adult supplies. Beading is a great way to teach
children coordination skills, and to keep them happy and
occupied while you are working on your beading projects. Keep in
mind that many of these items should be kept away from babies
and small toddlers.
Bead supply warehouses will often send color catalogs by
request, listing hundreds of different products, along with
accompanying images. Or you may want to subscribe to a beading
magazine where you will learn different techniques and methods
used by professionals.
Check online or at your local craft store for lots of great,
free beading patterns and beading ideas. Once you have mastered
the art of beading, you will be making attractive jewelry, and
you will naturally gravitate to other beading projects. You may
even start to decorate your handbags, create charming wall art,
and make lovely bookmarks, sun catchers, key chains or plant
holders. There are so many amazing things you can do with beads,
you will wonder what ever took you so long to discover them.
About the Author
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape at http://www.momscape.com . Visit today for the latest Online Coupon Codes including coupons for discount art supplies.