Beading wire plays an important part in jewelry making projects. The wire, made up of flexible nylon-coated multi-strand steel, have to be chosen wisely depending on the project you will undertake. The larger the beads, the thicker the wire, the smaller the holes, the thinner the beading wire. When you’re using beading wire for your jewelry projects, you are guaranteed that the product will be durable. There are basic guidelines when it comes to beading wireÕs shape, hardness and size that would greatly affect the success of your project.
The dead soft wire, half hard wire and hard wire are the three classification of beading wire’s hardness.

Dead soft wire can be described as soft and flexible. Sterling silver is an example of this, especially many feel it is not up to the standards of beading projects.  Pendant dangles and earring charms are made up of dead soft wire.

A characteristic of half-hard wire is it is stiffer than dead soft wire. It is also good for loops and for wrapping around itself, since it maintains it shape despite being under stress.

Hard wire is stiff, can hold its shape and excellent for clasps.

There are various beading wire shapes that can be found in the market, from round, half round, twisted square and even to triangles. The wire that you choose will depend on what type of jewelry you would be making.

When selecting for the beading wire size, pick the biggest that would fit in the hole of the beads you want to string.

Always use wire cutters when you are cutting beading wire. Take into consideration of adding a few inches of space when cutting beading wire so you will have an allowance for clasps and knots.

What are Tapestries?

Tapestries are forms of textile art, and they are typically woven by hand on a vertical loom. Colorful patterns and images are created by the weft-face weaving technique that is used, in which all the warp threads are hidden in the completed work. This is much different from cloth work, in which both the warp and weft threads are usually visible.

There are numerous famous tapestries in the world which can be used as examples, such as the Apocalypse Tapestry, which is the longest tapestry in the world at 140m long. Then there is also the Sampul tapestry, the Hestia tapestry, the Bayeux tapestry, and the Hunt of the Unicorn, which is a seven piece tapestry from 1495 to 1505, and which is currently being displayed at the Cloisters, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Tapestry Beading

Tapestry beading occurs when beads are placed over top of these bright and beautiful types of designs, and although tapestry beading can be quite a demanding project in terms of time and effort, it creates stunning results in the end.

There are certain materials that you need to use for this particular sort of beading, and in particular you need very sharp needles. Tightly woven tapestries will require an especially sharp needle in order to be able to penetrate the weave, while looser fabrics require a blunt tipped needle. This is because the blunt needles basically just push aside the fabric threads that you are beading on and go in between them.

Determining the proper thread size is also very important when working on tapestries, and the thread that you are using will decide how large an eye you are going to need. Typically your pattern will let you know what type of thread you need, or you can do your own research and learn about the particular type of tapestry that you are working on if it is pre-made.

You also always want to be sure of what it is that you want to accomplish, before you get started. After all you do not want to ruin a tapestry by making a mistake, especially if it is a more expensive one, and so taking the time and putting in the effort beforehand to plan carefully is critical.

Then there is galvanized beading wire, which is a dull silver color and which is harder than the more commonly used silver wire. Sterling silver beading wire is another of the fan favorites, namely because it is so universal. Sterling will tarnish however, and so it is best to keep it in zip lock bags or sealed containers when you are not using it.

Fine silver is the highest quality silver beading wire that you can get, and is made of 99.9% pure silver. It has fewer alloys and so it does not tarnish as quickly as sterling silver does.

As well there is gold-filled beading wire that you can use, which, although it has many layers of gold, is not actually made of pure gold, and this is important to remember because gold-filled jewelry is not nearly as expensive as jewelry that is made from real gold. The real gold beading wire is available in various karats, from 10-24 for example, and even different colors, but this wire tends to be the most expensive.

Soft Flex Beading Wire

Soft flex beading wire is a type of beading wire that is manufactured by the Soft Flex Company, and soft flex beading wire is one of the most commonly used beading wires in the world.

When it comes to buying soft flex beading wire, there are a few factors that you are going to have to take into consideration before you can make a final decision. One is determining what diameter wire you are going to need for your project, and the options are: .010”, .014”, .019”, and .024”. The larger diameter you go with, the larger and heavier beads you will be able to use.

You also need to understand the difference between soft flex beading wire and soft touch beading wire. Basically soft flex is the original line, and it was actually the first stainless steel wire to be knotted and it truly revolutionized the bead stringing industry. It is definitely one of your best options of all when it comes to beading wire.

Packaging

There are two different types of seed beading package sizes. The first is called a hank, which is about the size of a small Ziploc bag full of seed beads. Usually, these hanks have about twelve to twenty strands of beads inside of them. The second style of packaging is by grams, which to me is much easier to understand. However, selling beads by weight seems to be purely a Japanese trend.

Does Price Affect Quality?

When buying seed beading supplies it is a good idea to go straight to the company and buy direct, rather than buying store brand beads. Most stores brands like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kroger, Food Lion, and Piggy-Wiggly sell their own, cheaper beads, but for something that doesn’t cost that much to start with it makes no sense to save that extra few dollars by buying these cheaper knock-offs when really their quality is so poor that not even all the beads in the same pack may be the same size, let alone be without imperfections. Cheap plastic may be okay for your Boy Scout troops and your Craft Day at school, but when you are seriously using seed beading to create forms of artwork there should be no doubt in your mind on which type of beads to purchase.

The Ironic Wordplay Of Seed Beads

If I was an Agriculture teacher, I would tell my students that we were going to spend the class doing seed beading. Then, I would send them all out into the oak forest behind the high school to collect acorns. Using a power drill, I would show them how to make a neat hole through each of the acorns without crushing the outer shell. I’d tell them to thread the wire through, and when they were all done I would send my entire class to the art teacher’s room, to show her our seed beading techniques.

The Different Types of Beading Looms

You can make your own loom or you can purchase one at a beading store. Most looms are quite inexpensive but if you buy a larger one you are going to end up paying a bit more. Most people stick with the smaller looms because they are sufficient for most beading projects, such as bracelets and belts.

Learning About Loom Wood Beading

For a basic loom wood beading project you will need: a bead loom, scissors, seed or pony beads, linen or nylon thread, a needle, and bead patterns. The first step involved in loom wood beading is to thread the loom. You do this by unrolling two or three yards of beading thread from the spool, and then you wrap one end of the thread around one of the screws on the loom a couple of times.

Make sure that you are holding the thread tightly, and then slide the long end of the thread through a center slit. Now you want to wind it around the other screw, return it through the opposite center slit, and so on, making sure that you keep the tension even while going through all of the necessary slits. Once you have finished this part of the loom wood beading process, you need to begin bead weaving.

You want to cut off a one-yard length of your beading thread, and thread one end of it through until the length is almost halved, then tie the long end of the thread to the outside warp thread on the loom, making sure to leave at least an inch or two of thread free.

Now you use your needle to pick up the first row of beads, choosing the colors that are specified in your particular pattern. Once you have all of the beads on the needle, you slip them down the thread to the bottom, ensuring that they are snug against the beading threads. Pass the needle now underneath the warp threads, and then pass it through the beads from the opposite direction but this time putting it over top of the warp threads, and this will lock your beads into place for row one.

Then all you do from here is repeat this process for each row, and as you near the end of your thread, you need to run it through the bead row a third time and cut it off, then start the next thread by threading it through the same row a fourth time, then you continue as before, and tie off by leaving just enough of the warp thread to be able to tie a secure knot with your fingers.

There are many different places that you can go to when you want to find loom beading patterns, however there are several in particular that are especially worthwhile, of which will be discussed in detail here.

Your Best Options

One of the best places to go for loom beading patterns is Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, which is actually one of the largest and most well established beading supply companies in the world. Besides loom beading patterns, their selection includes: Swarovski crystal and crystal components, gemstone beads, glass beads, metal beads, natural beads, pearls, acrylic beads, seed and bugle beads, wood beads and celestial crystal.

They also offer a wealth of other valuable beading information including tips and tricks of the trade that you can use to become a more advanced and experienced beader.

Another great option for beading patterns is Pin’s Patterns, which is a company that is a very low key, family owned and operated business. They offer advice and information relating to beading that the average person would be interested in, especially beginners. As well, all of their patterns are free and so you do not have to feel hesitant about trying a bunch of different ones out to see which ones are your favorites.

If you do decide to pay for your beading patterns, you want to be absolutely positive before you put any money down on them that they are patterns that you are actually going to end up using. After all, you may find ones here and there that are interesting, but if you are never going to complete the pattern or going to have a use for the resulting creation, then there is really no point in spending money on the pattern.

You should typically only pay money for a pattern if it is one that is unique, or one that you cannot find anywhere else. Otherwise, you are better off just using the various free beading patterns that are available to you, and this way you are not putting yourself at any risk of losing money.

The most important thing is to ensure that the company is legit, and you can do this by conducting a background check on the business. You also want to see how long they have been in business for, what products they are offering, and for what price. By comparing and contrasting between a few different companies you will be able to save yourself a great deal of money and as well get the best overall value that you possibly can.

Glass Rods for Beading

There are many different beading supplies to choose from, but glass rods for beading are some of the most popular. This is because glass rods for beading are so adaptable and useable – you can make them work in almost any jewelry design. Glass rods for beading are also great because you can use them as spacers, meaning that you put them in between other beads on the jewelry to space them out.

Your Options

If you are looking for companies that sell glass rods for beading, there are a few in particular that you are going to want to check out. One is Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. If you are already an avid beader, then odds are you have heard of the Fire Mountain Company before.

They offer one of the largest selections of glass rods for beading and other beading supplies, including: gemstone beads, glass beads, metal beads, natural beads, pearls, acrylic beads, wood beads, chains, clasps, charms, findings, pendants, beading wire, and more. They also offer very competitive prices, and you are not likely to find lower prices for the same high quality anywhere else.

Another worthy option here is Bead Babe. This company is smaller and not as well known as Fire Mountain, but they do offer a great selection for a very affordable price. They have been in the beading business for nearly two decades now, and they have some really great connections with large bead manufacturing companies, and so they save a lot when they buy their beads, and they pass those savings right on to you.

There are many other companies that offer glass rods for beading and other beading supplies, and you will definitely not ever have to worry about having no place to choose from. Just make sure that you take your time and put some thought into your decision, because of course you want to get the best quality and value that you can.

What Beading is

Beading is a hobby that is not only fun and enjoyable but can be profitable as well, depending on what you want to get out of it. You can just bead for fun with your friends and family in your spare time or you can sell your beading creations and make yourself some money. If you are interested in the latter, then you will want to make sure that you have enough time and effort to spare in order to be able to actually produce any profit.

Children’s Beading Classes

Children’s beading classes are a really great opportunity, a way for children to learn the basics of beading and then expand their knowledge as they go. They also get to meet other children that are interested in beading as well, which will in turn increase their socialization skills. Not only that, but the children can learn to work together, trading their own beading tips and tricks with the others.

Children’s beading classes are usually quite inexpensive, and the trickiest part is actually finding out where these children’s beading classes are located in your area. The first place you will want to go to is your child’s school. Speak to the principal or even a teacher there and ask if they offer any sort of children’s beading classes. If not, then perhaps they may know whether there is a community or other center in your area that does.

Otherwise you can search on the Internet, and by doing even a quick five minute search you should be able to come up with some great results. Use any search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, and then type in the search phrase ‘children’s beading classes’. You will be referred to a page of links leading you to the various options in your generalized area.

If you wind up with more than one option, take a bit of time to compare and contrast between them, taking issues such as location and price into consideration to help you make your decision. The most important thing is that your children are going to have a lot of fun learning about the hobby of beading while at the same time making some great new friends.

Making a Bookmark for Your Beading Books

The materials you are going to need for your bookmark for beading books are: a pewter bookmark, 1 looped pin, 2 jump rings, 1 pewter charm, chain nose pliers, a nipper, round nose pliers, and various glass beads or Swarovski beads.

Now comes the fun part, which is actually making the bookmark. The first thing you need to do is attach the pewter charm to the loop of the pin wire using a jump ring, then assemble the beads on the pin making sure to leave at least 1/2 inch space at the top free. Then you want to use the chain nose pliers and bend the leftover wire until it reaches a 90 degree angle. Remember that this bend should be just above the beads.

Now you want to use the round nose pliers to roll the wire at the end to create a loop, use a jump ring and attach the beaded pin to the loop of the bookmark, and you are finished.

This is a very basic design for a bookmark for beading books, and of course there are more complex ones that you can create. You can even take a design and personalize it even more by adding in your own special touches. Just make sure that you plan ahead, so that you don’t waste either your time or your materials. This means taking a bit of time beforehand and sketching out the design that you are interested in, or being sure on a pre-made design in a book before starting it.

You never want to just pick a random design because for one you may not end up liking it as much as you thought and there most likely would have been one you liked better, and as well you need to make sure that the supplies and materials you need for a particular design are accessible to you.

When using some of the smaller beads with small needles, it may be necessary to use a needle threader and is one of the beading tools that no one should be without. While the needles can be stored in traditional pin cushions, storing them in a needle case made of wood will keep the handy. Additionally, if you have more than one size needle, having a separate case for each size can help keep them organized.

While technically not one of the beading tools, running a thread through bees wax can simplify the beading process and reduce the tension on the thread as it passes through the smallest beads. Gold and silver French wire is commonly used to finish off a string of pearl or other beads and this fine wire should be kept with all the other beading tools in your kit.

Protect Beading Projects From Tarnishing

For those who work with metal as well as plastic and glass beads, protecting the materials from moisture in the air can help maintain the material’s shine. With anti-tarnishing carbon strips in your beading tools box, all the jewelry you make will show off the shine as well as your ability and attention to detail.

When using thin thread for beads, many people knot every bead on the thread. In order to keep the knot tight without breaking, dig into the beading tools box and use a small pair of pliers, or the ones with a slight bend in them to help hold one side of the string while tightening the knot on the other side. Although not everyone will tie each bead, if the string breaks it limits the number of beads that will be bouncing around the floor.

Beading tools can be especially useful when handling small items such as the smallest beads or even wire and string, but should be kept in good repair and maintained properly. If they sit in an area of high humidity between uses, rust could be a problem and there is nothing wrong with storing them on anti-tarnishing strips to help keep them operational.