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Never, in all my years of being a crafter, have I come across a single craft that has as many followers, or should I say addicted followers, as that of beading. Beads come in various shapes and sizes. Materials range from plastic to glass to bone to clay, even paper. Finishes are as varied as the actual beads. Seed beads alone encompass so many different sizes and finishes that one wonders how anyone can keep them straight! Until they have ventured into this addictive hobby themselves, they will never know. Beaders themselves are as varied as the beads. Some will work with different types, while some focus on only one or two kinds of beads. This is intended for seed bead lovers everywhere.
Basic material needed for the beginner beader using seed beads:
Needles
Thread
Seed Beads (Glass beads should always be used to ensure quality of finished work)
Thread magic or bees’ wax
Graph paper (If you will be designing your own graphs)
This appears to be a very short list, but be warned, it is nearly impossible to just purchase a ‘few’ beads. Beads are sold in ‘hanks’ or strands, by the ounce, or actual number of beads. I usually purchase by the hank. A guide I follow to estimate bead amounts:
Size 10 = 130 beads per sq. inch
Size 10 = 3100 beads per hank
Size 11 = 188 beads per sq. inch
Size 11 = 4000 beads per hank
Size 12 = 230 beads per sq. inch
Size 12 = 4500 beads per hank
This is only an example chart, but try this formula:
If I were going to bead a strip that were 5 X 10, this would equal 50 sq. inches of beadwork. If I were using a size 12 beads, I would multiply 50 X 230, this would equal 11,500 beads needed, or 3 hanks…2 hanks would only equal 9000 beads, 3 would be 13,500.
Needles should be matched to the size of bead they are going to be used with. If beading with a size 15 bead, a size 15 needle should be used. Seed beading needles are very flexible, long and thin. While they are flexible, they do break, so make sure, and always have an extra pack on hand.
Beading thread comes in cotton and nylon. Nylon should be used for seed beading except when using a loom, and then the warp threads should use cotton. This will keep your beadwork from stretching and sagging. Thread is sold on cones, spools, or bobbins. Again, as in needles, you should pick a thread that will fit the bead size you are working with. Thread starts with a size 00, very fine, up to size F. Thread size and approximate bead size to correspond follows:
Thread size 00 – Bead size 15 to 12
Thread size 0 – Also bead sizes 15 to 12, but being thicker, you will not be able to easily work the thread in and out as many times, especially on the tinier beads
Thread size B – Bead size 11 to 10
Thread size D – Bead size 10 to 5
Thread size F – Bead size 8 to 5
Sizes:
Seed beads come in several different sizes. Keep in mind, the larger the number, the smaller the bead. Common bead sizes include:
Size 15
Size 13
Size 12
Size 11
Size 10
Size 9
Size 8
Sizes 5 - also referred to as a pony bead. Do not confuse with the larger crow bead, which is also referred to by some as a pony bead.
Thread magic or bees’ wax is necessary for every beader. It will keep the thread from fraying, prevent tangles, and add strength to the finished project. After cutting your thread to desired length, run it through the wax at least twice, once each way.
Graph paper is available at your local craft or office supply store. Once you are comfortable beading others designs you will want to try your hand at some designs of your own. Just fill in the graph with colored pencils to match the colors of the beads and see what you can come up with. Some Beaders find this as fun as the beading process itself. Color book designs can be graphed easily, just lay behind the graph paper, put up to a light or window, and fill in the graph to correspond to picture.
Finishes:
Luster – Rich colored with a shiny appearance due in part to a metallic silver sheen
Transparent – See through glass
Lined – A transparent bead in various colors with a silver lining in the center of each
Opaque – solid color bead, light does not show through
Pearl – An opaque color that appears to have been glazed with a ‘pearl’ coating
Matte- Non-glare finish, while not shiny, a very soft, pretty finish
Iris, Rainbow, Aurora Borealis – A base color with a variegated surface of purples, greens, reds, blues, yellows
Metallic – Beads that appear to be copper, brass, gold, or silver, accomplished through a coating over glass beads
After you have been beading a while, a few more items that you may find indispensable to be without will include storage containers for your growing supply of beads. These are available in many sizes, shapes, and configurations. Screw together, spill safe jars are common. Containers that have numerous, separated compartments are also nice. Some seed Beaders will bead on a loom, though others never use a loom at all. Additional beads will top your list, though. Be warned that once you start beading, it is hard to stop. Happy Beading!
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