Beading Techniques & Tips
- Many beaders begin with stringing projects because all that it requires is a selection of beads, beading wire or cord, and some way to fasten the stringing material to a clasp. Beaders fasten wire to clasps using crimp beads and a crimping tool to flatten them. Stringing is so popular that an entire magazine by that name is dedicated to the technique.
A more advanced technique is beadweaving. These projects use seed beads, so called because they are often as small as seeds. Use strong beading thread, such as Nymo or Dandyline for beadweaving projects. Similar to sewing, use a needle to pass thread through beads in a pattern, gradually adding new beads. In this way, a fabric of beads is assembled.
Tubular beadweaving projects produce a cord made of beads. These projects are perfect for making bracelets or necklaces out of seed beads. Common beadweaving patterns include peyote, square stitch, brick stitch, and spirals.
Wirework is another approach to beading. Using pliers along with hard wire made of silver, gold, brass or copper, beaders form a chain of beads. The process is much like making chain by hand, except that beads will be embedded in the links of the chain. Wirework is not difficult, but learning to form the loops so that they are round and symmetrical takes practice. - Stringing is easy to learn.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
1) Avoid making your projects too taut by including one or two seed beads just before you add the clasp. After the project is finished, squeeze the seed beads with pliers to break them off the wire. This adds a little bit of empty space to your design so that beads can move freely.
2) Keep knots on cord from coming untied by dabbing them with a bit of clear nail polish.
3) Make illusion necklaces by leaving some cord or flexible wire bare of beads. Cut a drinking straw to the correct length and string it where you want a blank space. For wire, crimp beads before and after the straw to keep the area free of other beads. For cord, tie knots before and after the straw. Remove the straw and re-use it for each blank space to be sure they are all the same size. - 1) Avoid tangled thread by using a thread conditioner such as Thread Heaven or a cake of beeswax. Pull the thread through the conditioner to lightly coat it. Conditioned thread is also less likely to fray.
2) File sharp edges on bugle beads before using them in beadweaving projects. The sharp edges can slice through thread and make your project unravel.
3) Plan your own designs by using beadweaving graph paper, widely available on the Internet. Choose the right kind of graph paper for the stitch you intend to use. Color the graph paper to sketch out your vision in advance. - 1) Wear goggles when cutting wire. Stray bits can fly out in unexpected directions. It is important to protect your eyes.
2) Avoid scratching your wire by covering the jaws of your pliers with duct tape. When the tape begins to fray, replace it. Scratches on your finished jewelry pieces mar their appearance.
3) Store silver wire or silver-plated wire in an airtight plastic bag to help prevent tarnishing. Press all the air out of the bag before storing it. Use anti-tarnish strips, available at low cost from most beading stores, for extra protection.
