by Ruth Hodnett

This article gives a brief introduction on how to do beading. Beads are HOT! You see them everywhere, in jewelry, handbags, even trimmings on clothing, shoes, and home accessories. We have even seen coffee tables completely covered with a woven-bead fabric constructed of larger wooden beads. Museums are competing for ancient, medieval, and modern bead artifacts. Some of the most beautiful beaded objects come from Africa.

Easy Projects
It's so easy to make jewelry. Most designs are quite simple. Dangle earrings take about 5 minutes to assemble. Bracelets take about 10 minutes to string. A simple necklace takes about 20 minutes to assemble and string, after you have decided on a design.

Getting Started With Beads

What You Need:   To make jewelry you need tools and findings as well as beads.

Tools:   A pair of jewelry pliers: Needlenose are best if you only plan to purchase one pair of pliers. They are around $14 each. Alternatively round-nose pliers for turning nice round loops in wire, cost about the same.

Wire cutters or nippers:   Small size, needed to cut wire.

Earring Findings:   For earrings you need earring wires and headpins. The shepherd hook style for pierced ears is the usual style. These come in silverplate or goldplate, or sterling, or 14k goldfill.

Stringing Cord:  For necklaces and bracelets you need something to string the beads on. Something like Beadalon 7, a strong, supple steel cord. Also stretch cord for bracelets. Beadalon 49 is very strong and flexible for heavier beads.

Crimps:   You also need crimps and a clasp.Plated and sterling or gold clasps and crimps are widely available.

Bead Board:   If you will be doing a lot of stringing, you should get a bead board. It really helps organize your design with everything in one place, and is easy to take with you. Other useful findings, helpers like tiny zip top baggies, and unusual clasps, are easy to obtain from suppliers.

Bead Sizes

A wide selection of beads will allow you to create original designs which are unique to you. Bead sizes come in millimeters (mm). They range in size from 3mm to an inch.Beads sized 3mm (smallest) up to 16mm are available. A 12mm bead is about a half inch.

Metal Beads, Gold, Silver, Brass

Metal spacer beads are extremely popular. They are available in a 4mm size, in gold or silverplated finish over brass, and they will never tarnish. You can get these as well as other metal beads–enamel, cloisonne, filigree, flexible fish pendants from any reliable supplier.

Gemstone Beads

Semiprecious gemstone beads are a very popular jewelry item. There are hundreds of different gemstones in bead or pendant shapes available fom suppliers. Gemstone leaf shapes, scarabs, carved ovals, nuggets, buffalo, fish, horses, and other amulets, in peridot, citrine, jasper, garnet, amethyst, carnelian, jade, pearl, agate, tiger eye, and other gemstones, all from any good supplier.

Many suppliers provide a Starter Kit if you wish to begin your creative journey into how to do beading.

For much more free information about beading and related crafts, visit: http://blueascend.com/hobbies/make-a-hemp-necklace.html

About the Author

Ruth Hodnett resides in UK