There are so many different types of beads on the market that you will actually make your life much easier by using beading patterns.
The people who write the patterns have tested the designs using the recommended materials and will usually publish a picture of their results.
You can work confidently knowing that once you follow the pattern your results should be similar.
So what type of beads should you use? The answer will depend on what is recommended in the beading patterns.
Some beads are more suited to certain projects than others.
For example it is more usual to use seed pearls to decorate a wedding dress than it would be to use wooden beads.
Seed beads are one of the most commonly used in beadwork.
These are tiny round glass beads available in a variety of sizes and colors.
The better ones are made in Japan or the Czech Republic where controls are tighter than in China or India.
You can buy cylinders, hexagons and triangles depending on the needs of the project.
Crystal beads are also very popular and can vary from relatively inexpensive mass produced items to the select brand names.
Most are machine cut to give them a multi faceted finish which helps add sparkle.
You can buy them in a number of different shapes and also as larger pieces to form the centrepiece for a pendant or as charms for a bracelet.
They work well with other types of beads and can be made into beautiful gifts for family and friends.
Some people like to use beading patterns to create gifts that impart good will or good fortune onto their wearers.
Beads date back thousands of years in history and as such have attracted a following of people who are naturally superstitious and believe that certain stones, minerals or metals can attract health, wealth and spiritual blessings.