Beading Basics

When you enter a store is can be overwhelming to see all the different kind of beads so it is best to have some sort of plan.

 

Firstly think about what you want to make such as a necklace, bracelet or earrings and then decide upon the colours you would like.

 

Once you know what colours you are after look around and find the main beads that appeal to you. Using these beads you can then co-ordinate the other colours that you would like to use.

 

For example: you have chosen a pink glass bead, you may co-ordinate it with some silver beads, clear beads and other pink beads such as crystals or shells. Always buy more beads than you need !!!

 

You then need to buy the “findings” to go with the beads such as clasps, bead wire, crimps, jump rings or head pins. PS: Make sure that you have got the tools you need such as round nose pliers.

 

Take your beads home and on a piece of felt or thick fabric you can start to arrange your beads in the order you want them to be on threaded.

 

Thread a crimp bead onto beading wire. Insert wire through the end of clasp or bead. Thread wire back through the crimp bead. Apply gentle pressure to squeeze and flatten the crimp bead.

 

Thread desired beads onto head or eye pin. Bend the wire at top of pin to form a 45-degree angle. Trim wire approximately to 10mm from bend. Roll end of wire halfway around one prong of round-nose pliers. Release wire.

Pick up wire and continue rolling until complete circle is formed flush against last bead on wire.

 

Place beads on the head pin, making sure they go all the way down the shaft, and that the head of the pin is flush with the bead.

Using a pair of pliers, bend the wire right next to the bead away from you at a right angle.

 

Grasp the bent wire with your round nose pliers just beyond the bend. Pull the end of the wire back around the tip of the pliers. Go all the way around and make a loop around the tip of the pliers, until the wire points in the other direction.

Now that you have the loop formed, you may slip the chain, ear wire or other finding into the loop, so that you will be closing the wrapped loop with the item attached.

 

Grasp the top of the loop with your round nose pliers to hold it steady while you use your chainnose pliers to grasp the remaining free wire and wrap it twice around the wire below the loop.  Cut the remaining wire flush with the work, and press it against the wire gently, using the tip of your chainnose pliers. Use a small file to clean any rough edges from the cut.

 

Straighten the top of the loop gently, using the round nose pliers. Handle carefully to avoid scratching or marring the wire.

Place the completed wrapped headpin onto your ear wire or other piece, if you did not do so before you closed the loop.

 

Open jump rings using two pairs of pliers. Separate the jump ring by sliding the ends away from each other in opposite directions creating a half spiral. Slide the bead or clasp on and close the jump ring with the pliers.

 

By Helen Whitfield

Source: Creative Addiction