Craft Blog

In order to answer the question, “What are the best beads for jewelry?” we would need to take a look at the different bead types, as the best beads for jewelry really depend on what your taste is, and what type of jewelry you are making. There are tons of beads you can use for jewelry:

Plastic beads: These are the best beads for jewelry for kids, especially when the kids are the ones making the jewelry. Jewelry making is a popular activity, and a fun craft to get your kids involved in. So, for the best beads for kids jewelry, look to plastic. It is durable, does not break, chip, or crack, and will withstand the abuse kids put their accessories through on the playground.

Wooden beads: This is great for the casual fun jewelry. If you are looking for earthy, unique, or light weight, wood jewelry is the way to go.

Swarovski crystal: This is a very popular bead choice for jewelry. They are popular because they look great, are high quality. Many people love Swarovski crystal beads because of the sheer variety and quality you get. Swarovski is top of the line, and while a little pricey, makes beautiful, quality jewelry that looks great with jeans or formals. Also, because there are plenty of options to choose from, you are sure to find something for every jewelry lover, no matter what their style.

Glass: Glass beads are the best type of beads for jewelry for babies. Little glass seed beads are the most popular option as they are uniform in size, and come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Glass beads are also great for adult jewelry. They are a little heavier option, but they come in unique colors and shapes. They are great for making jewelry to dress up any outfit.

Gemstone beads: Gemstone beads are the best beads for higher end jewelry, as they closely compare to Swarovski crystal beads. Gemstone beads are a lot of fun. You get things like cat’s eye beads, to onyx, and garnet. There is so much variety, and so many different sizes, the only problem becomes narrowing down the choices.

Metal: Metal beads are popular in male and teenage jewelry. Because there is a variety of metal colors, metal beads can suit almost any taste. Most people use metal beads to accent other bead types when making beaded jewelry. So, alone, metal is not the best bead for making jewelry.

Fimo (clay): Many people equate Fimo, or clay beads with the more hippie style generation, and do not consider them a great bead type for the more high class or top of the line jewelry, and they are right. Fimo beads are the best beads for jewelry if you are making fun and funky jewelry to wear on a daily basis. They are not very good for dressing up, however, depending on the style, and colors you choose, you could pull off wearing a fimo piece of jewelry with a formal attire, but you would need to have the right personality for it.

So which beads are the best for jewelry?

That depends on your taste. The above are some of the uses and looks you get with each type. By reading through the above descriptions it is up to you to determine which is the best bead for jewelry for you, as all work equally well for creating jewelry, the jewelry just looks different etc. So, find your style, and you will find YOUR best bead for jewelry.

     Trying to find a bead wholesaler may have you feeling a bit like Dorothy in Munchkin land. You may find other “munchkin beaders” pointing you down a road in which the “great wholesaler” awaits with rock bottom prices and beads as far as the eye can see. But many times behind “that curtain” is just another bead supplier claiming to be the great and powerful wholesaler. Then again you may come across finding a wholesaler of beads can feel like “Aladdins cave of wonders”, a secret password to which only a select few  “beaders” know the magic words and so far to your dismay “open sesame” is not working.

         Finding beads at wholesale prices may be just looking in your own backyard. There are many places to look for wholesale beads, but first lets make sure wholesale is really what you have been wishing for. Bead prices at wholesale may seem a bargain but if beading is an activity you are new to, wholesale may not be the best money saving road to follow. You may find low prices but many wholesalers sale beads in large quantities and if beading happens to not be your cup of tea you may find yourself  at the end of the rainbow with a pot full of beads instead of gold. So until you finish a bead project or two you may want to take a look at local craft stores, many offer beads on sale and some at clearance prices without having to purchase a “pot” full.

           The internet is always a great place to look. Search engines are always useful, but joining a “beaders” forum is fast, easy and could be a lot of fun. No having to fight dragons at the gate to join many just want a valid email address. Many of these forums offer ideas for projects and helpful hints. And many offer advice on an array of beading subjects from what beads are best used for a certain project to buying those beads at wholesale prices.

              You may also take a trip to your local magazine shop or stand and buy a craft magazine, mainly about beading of course. Not only do these magazines offer ideas for projects but many companies advertise among the pages. And if the magazine is something you find useful and informative take out a subscription and your mailbox is as far as you need to go.

                 Swap meets/flea markets and second hand stores is one more way to find beads at wholesale, maybe even below wholesale prices. Swap meets and flea markets bring many different types of vendor, selling a wide variety of new and used goods. Many times costume jewelry being sold for nickels and dimes has beads that can be used for a project that you create. Several vendors offer new merchandise and if you have brought along a lepercauhn luck may find a vendor dealing in beads at low prices. If you can’t find a lepercauhn bring along Toto in a picnic basket but leave those ruby red slippers at home. Second hand stores many times will have jewelry among the many items to purchase. Many second hand stores will sell big bags of jewelry at a low price. Whether you find yourself at the flea market or second hand store don’t be afraid to “haggle” over the price. This is rarely considered an insult, the only insult would be not bringing along your handsome prince to pay for all the treasures you have found.

      Keep in mind the kingdom of wholesale prices may sound good with all its promises of money saving but sometimes what you have been searching for is in your own backyard and there is no place like home.
           
          

Fimo beads are very popular in creating jewelry, as well as for embellishing a variety of items. You can buy such beads from various stores, websites, etc. or you can make them yourself. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to make Fimo beads, then today is your lucky day because it is not too hard, and the following tells you how, and guides you through each step with ease.

First, you will need to get all of the items necessary in order to make Fimo beads. Here are the materials you’ll need for the job:

• Clay
• A roller
• Cake tin
• Peeling knife
• Wooden stick
• Leaf metal
• Kitchen oven

Now that you have the needed materials, here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make Fimo beads.

Step one: Warm the clay a little (this can be done with your body heat, by leaving it in the sun, or heating it a little in the microwave, it just needs to be warm so that it is easy to work with).

Step two: Take the caly in your hands and knead it until it is pliable.

Step three: Take the clay and shape balls of the whatever size beads you want to make.

Step four: Let them cool a bit and then put them on to a wooden stick, this is what creates the hole in the center which makes them beads.

Step five: Hang this wooden stick over a cake tin to prevent pressure denting. This way the Fimo beads do not touch anything as they dry.

Step six: Create different types of beads, such as round and tube form by kneading a roll to the right size then putting it onto a stick.

Step seven: Experiment some with your bead sizes, styles, and what not. You will probably want a variety of beads to choose from when making your jewelry.

Step eight: Finishing touches. Depending on what you want your Fimo beads to look like, you will want to utilize any of the following techniques:

• For a crazing technique, roll some of the beads in paper-thin leaf-metal
• For a smooth golden or silvery look you must use the leaf-metal on hardened surfaces
• For a really unique look, and one that can’t be exactly duplicated, bend and press a roll of clay covered with this leaf-metal as this will cause nice irregular cracks in the surface.
• You will want to use your roller to press the leaf metal onto your Fimo beads.

Step nine: Hardening your Fimo beads is the next step. Once your beads are where you want them color and look wise, you will want to harden them in the oven at 265 F/130 C. This hardening is still done in a hanging position to prevent pressure denting, so basically keep them in the cake tin. The typical hardening time is about 30 minutes.

Step ten: Varnishing. After hardening your Fimo beads, it is essential to protect the beads with a coat of varnish.

You can paint these beads, add layers, materials, metals, etc. They are very open to interpretation, you can make them whatever way you want, just remember to warm the clay, shape how you want, make your hole, and dry hanging so that there are not pressure dents to ruin your lovely creation. Once they are finished, have fun embellishing all sorts of items. You can even make fun jewelry for you and your friends.

People use beads for all sorts of crafts and projects, from wedding dresses to embellishing picture frames. However, one great thing to do with beads is make earrings. Earrings are great projects, because with a few tools, and some beads you love, you can have a finished piece in a matter of minutes. In today’s world, instant gratification is key!

So, how do you make earrings using beads? Well, start by following the steps below to learn the basics of earring construction.
What you need:

• Beads of choice
• A headpin
• Wire snips
• Needle nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Ear wire
• Ear post
• Backing

1. Choose an assortment of beads for your earring. You will want to mix color, size, and texture for a fun, sophisticated, and luxurious look. Of course your bead choice will depend on your personality. You could use glass beads, swavorski crystal beads, plastic beads, wood beads, Fimo beads, etc. It really does not matter, just choose some you think would make nice earrings.

2. After you’ve chosen the beads you want for your earrings, stack them onto a headpin in the order you desire. You may choose to put a large bead, followed by some really small beads, then a mid sized bead, and more small beads. You may just want one bead, you may want a stack of similar. Play around with your options and determine what arrangement of bead colors, sizes, and texture you like best. However, remember, if the earring gets too heavy, it may be uncomfortable to wear.

3. Leave about 1/4" of headpin above the top bead. Then, trim the headpin if necessary with side cutters (wire snips). So, in other words, if more than a quarter inch is showing above the top bead, you will want to add beads, or trim the headpin.

4. Using needle nose pliers, bend the top of the headpin at a right angle. This is the same thing as a ninety degree angle. This will keep the beads from sliding off.

5. Then, using round nose pliers, turn the headpin into a loop that sits squarely above the top bead. You will want the hole in the top bead to enclose the wire.

6. Straighten out the loop if necessary using whichever set of pliers seems appropriate for the task. You want it to be nice and straight so that your earrings will hang strait from your ears.

7. Using the needlenose pliers, open the loop just enough to attach your earwire, earpost, or other earring finding (this means if you are making clip on earrings, the item you attach will be different.

8. Close the loop and your earring is complete! So, now you can wear it proudly.

Obviously there are other variations of how to make earring using beads, and every different type of bead will give you a unique look and feel to your earrings. You can usually purchase everything you need to make earrings using beads at your local craft store, or you can order the materials online. It can be very fun to make your own jewelry, and very rewarding to tell your friends, when they complement your jewelry, that you made it yourself. Who knows, maybe you could even start selling your home made earrings for profit. What you do with the earrings after you make them is up to you, but at least now you know how.

When trying to weigh the pros and cons of glass beads you may want to take in consideration the project in which the glass beads are to be used. For instance, the cost of glass beads can be expensive compared to beads made from plastic or wood, but glass beads are much more exquisite and more durable than beads made from other materials. Depending on the project cost can be both a pro and a con.

If you are going to make bead jewelry to sell, cost can be a major factor. Beautiful bead jewelry, along with high quality material, may be what your customers are looking for, but consider the cost to make this fine jewelry and the price customers are willing to pay for the exquisite jewelry you have created. Can a profit still be made? 

Maybe your bead project is intended for children or a project in which children will be creating the craft. Beads made from plastic or wood should be considered not only because of the cost but also the weight. Some glass beads can be heavy depending on the size, and thus are difficult for children to work with. Thus, the weight of glass beads should also be considered a pro and a con, again depending on the project.

Children’s jewelry made with glass beads may be too heavy for little ones. But children’s jewelry made with glass beads would be more durable than those made from plastic.

The weight of glass beads may also play a part in shipping costs whether it be buying the glass beads for your projects or selling the projects created using these glass beads.

Then again weight may be what your project is all about such as tablecloth weights, which of course should be some what heavy but glass beads used for tablecloth weights most likely wouldn’t be the best choice for wine goblet charms.

If your project is intended to be a gift to a friend or loved one or even a “gift” for yourself consider the gift itself along with the recipient. Glass beads may be the best choice when the gift is tablecloth weights, picture frames, and jewelry. If the gift is wine goblet charms, cell phone charms, or the gift recipient is a child, glass beads may not be the best choice.

If cost and weight are not factors whether to use glass beads in a project or not that decision will need to made by the product creator. Glass beads are beautiful and do seem to add a touch of style to any project. There are a wide range of styles, sizes, and shapes to choose from when it comes to glass beads. Many times using glass beads in a project can add a unique quality. Beads make of other materials such as plastic and wood also come in a side variety of sizes, styles and shapes to choose from.

Sometimes distinguishing glass beads and plastic beads from afar can be a difficult task. Plastic beads are also durable sometimes even more durable than glass beads. A con that makes plastic beads better…plastic beads tend not to chip or crack like glass beads do. Therefore if the project is one a child will be creating plastic beads may be the best choice.

As durable as glass beads are and as careful as little hands try to be cracks and chips come more easily to beads of glass than those of plastic. When attempting to create a new design, plastic beads in different sizes, colors, and shapes in place of glass beads may be a better choice until the new design is finished. Kits containing plastic beads in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes seem to always come with more beads at a lower price than kits containing a variety of glass beads. Whether glass beads or plastic beads are used the success of that project mainly depends on your creativity, so relax, have fun and let the sparks fly.

Gemstone beads are often used for jewelry making. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the various gemstone beads:

Pros:

In general, the pros are that gemstone beads come in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes. So, you can use gem stone beads for all kinds of jewelry making, from necklaces, to earrings, and sometimes even for baby bracelets. And, because they come in a variety of shapes and colors, you get unique creations, and items that are difficult to duplicate, so you get some great pieces of jewelry that will be the envy of many. They are beads made from gems, and are cut by gem cutters, so they are nice, unique, and very beautiful. Gems are considered rare, and elite, so gemstone beads fall under that category, although they are not difficult to find and purchase.

Cons:

The cons are usually simply that size is limited as they must be cut from gems, and so you are limited to the size of gems, and they can be pricey. These are beads made from gem stones, so while they are often remnant pieces etc, they are still more expensive than glass, fimo, and other types of beads.

Obviously there are other pros and cons to gemstone beads, and those depend on who you are, and what you want them for. However, another big pro is that it is said that gemstones offer healing powers. Let’s take a look at some specifics:

Amazonite –

This type of gemstone bead is called the Goddess Stone. It is said to have healing powers in that is allows you to release self judgment and connect to your own power with joy and confidence. It is an empowering stone and can provide inner fulfillment when you recognize the power you hold within.

Amber –

Amber is made of fossilized botanical resin, (mostly tree sap). Amber is said to help you connect to the light. It brings warm, nurturing energy to the person who wears it. Amber is very solar connected and can bring a sense of warmth, health and well-being. It is the gem stone for courage and confidence.

Black Onyx –

This is great for jewelry, and is also an excellent stone for centering and grounding your being. It can help bring one back to their center when thrown off balance by others negative energies or stressful situations.

Black Tourmaline –

It is said that black tourmaline is a powerful protection stones that will repel and protect against negativity.

Creedite –

Creedite is a rare mineral from Mexico. It is said that this stone will help you be more aware, can assist in meditation, and is great for making you feel aware of life.

Garnet-

This is a popular gemstone that is known as a feminine energy stone. It stimulates the root chakra and the heart. This is a gem stone of physical love and the relationship between loving partners. So, you can see why it is so popular. It is an excellent stone to attract or invirgorate a love relationship.

Infinite-

This gem stone is a form of Serpentine from Africa. It is known as the Healer’s Stone. It is a stone that is said to give off gentle, loving angelic energy. It is meant to draw out any negative manifestations in your body.

Iolite –

This gem stone is for the artistic. It helps one to show creative expression of spiritual ideas. It will activate the creative side of the mind to allow one to access ideas and thoughts beyond this dimension.

Bracelets for babies have really gotten big. Most women start their baby girls off young with earrings, hair bows, and of course, cute little bracelets.

The cost of baby bracelets can be very expensive, some upwards of $20 or so. So, why not learn to make them yourself.

The best beads for making baby bracelets are glass seed beads.

What are glass seed beads?

They are small beads that are made of glass. They are called seed beads because they are very small like a seed.

Why are they great for baby bracelets?

Babies have small arms and wrists, so using beads that are equivalent and proportionate in size is important. You want your baby’s bracelet to look right on her arm, so using the right sized beads is important. Of all the different beads on the market, seed beads are the best.

Another huge advantage for using seed beads for babies is that they are rounded, so they will not scratch or bother your baby’s precious skin.

If you want to get the highest quality seed beads out there, go for the Japanese seed beads.
 
Seed beads are uniform in size, shape and color with large holes. This means that your baby’s bracelet won’t get caught on anything. The shapes are uniform, so your bracelet is going to look really nice. Also, because the holes are large, you will not have any trouble threading them on to your bracelet wire.

Another huge advantage of seed beads is that they come in a wide array of colors and finishes to help enhance your designs. So, you can make a big variety of bracelets that are still uniform in look, but have an enhanced design.

Another great advantage of seed beads is that they come in a variety of sizes. So, as your baby gets older, and her arm gets larger, you can create seed bead bracelets that are in proportion with your baby.

So, now that you know the best beads to use for a baby bracelet, let’s take a look at how to actually use these beads to create one:

The type of baby bracelet pattern is a double strand baby bracelet. It is unique and beautiful for your little princess.

The materials you need for the double strand baby bracelet are as follows:

1 roll of soft flex .014 gauge wire. This can be purchased at almost any craft store, or you can order it online from a variety of online jewelry making stores.

2 small 1mm crimp tubes.

140 small 1mm pink glass seed beads (or any other color, whatever your preference is).

6 medium 2mm pearl beads

2 4mm jump rings

1 lobster clasp, to close it once assembled.

Needle nose pliers (these beads are very small, so you will want these pliers to help you thread these beads.

Scissors, for cutting the wire, for opening packages, etc.

Directions:

1. You will want to cut two 8 inch strands of soft flex .014 gauge beading wire.

2. Take one strand, and then slide on a crimp tube one inch down.

3. With the needle nose pliers, grasp the one inch end of the wire, and then fold it over to create a small loop. Feed the end through the crimp tube so there is a short tail sticking out the other side.

4. Crimp using needle nose pliers. Repeat for the second strand.

5. Open a jump ring, and then slide on the two strands through the loops just created.

6. Slide on 10 small pink glass beads onto one strand, and then do the same for the other strands. Make sure the beads slide over the wire tail.

7. Slide on one medium pearl bead through both strands. Pull it so the beads are packed tight. Repeat this process six more times.

8. Close off each end by adding the crimp tubes, snipping the excess wire to one inch, and then feeding the ends through the tubes and through the holes of the beads on the strand. Crimp into place.

9. Attach the other jump ring, followed by the lobster clasp.

Your wedding may be the only time in your life you have the opportunity to have a garment custom made just for you! This means, take advantage of that, and enjoy every minute of your wedding dress selection and creation.

There are a lot of options for ways to make your wedding dress more beautiful. One great way is to bead your dress. However, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of beading your wedding dress:

Pros:

1. It makes your dress very beautiful. Beads can be an elegant way to make a simple and beautiful cut a little more elaborate and fun. Most brides want a simple and elegant cut for their dress, but also want it to be as beautiful as possible, and beading is a great way to make it more beautiful.

2. Beading can help make your wedding dress look more unique. Let’s face it, while there are hundreds of different styles etc. for wedding dresses, they pretty much all look similar, white, long, etc. You of course can go with something un-traditional, but what happens if you want a unique traditional dress? Beading can turn a typical dress into something entirely unique. It adds interest, beauty, and takes any wedding dress from the ordinary to the extraordinary. And, that is what your wedding dress is supposed to be, after all, you are only going to wear it once!

3. You can bead your wedding dress yourself. If you choose to do this you will want to make sure you choose a high quality fabric as it will need to be able to hold the weight of the beads. Alone they may not weigh much, but some wedding dresses have hundreds of beads, so make sure you choose a great material. You will then want to make sure you have a good design or pattern for your beading.

Cons:

1. Beads and beading on wedding dresses can be very expensive. While it is your wedding dress, and you want it to be perfect, too high of cost can make it a stress instead of something you love. So, consider the cost, or consider beading it yourself. Most of the cost of beading comes in the labor. It is very labor intensive. So, if you can find someone to help you, or can do it yourself, you can save a lot of cost and still get all of the benefits of beading.

2. Can make your dress very heavy. Most wedding dresses have long trains, and are really big dresses. That much fabric can be very heavy already, and seams have to be really well sewn or they could rip. If you add beading to your wedding dress, the dress becomes even heavier. You will be in the dress all day, so while you want comfortable shoes, you want a comfortable dress as well.

The following are some great options for adding beading to wedding dresses without over doing it, and in a way that will make your dress unique and beautiful:

Sew bead fringes and drops:

Embellishing wedding dress patterns with fringes and drops can add a distinctive touch without the need to deviate from the pattern. So, along necklines, hems, etc. or other obvious choices for beading, you can take your dress to another level of beauty.

Embellishing lace with beads, pearls, and sequins:
Many wedding dresses have lace. Make your lace on your wedding dress even more attractive by embellishing it with beads, pearls and sequins. They add elegance, charm and sophistication. An easy way to get creative with wedding dresses and to generate a look of elegance is to simply add some beading.