How to Choose Beads
It's easy to find the beads you need when you have a specific project in mind, complete with instructions and a supply list. When you walk into the jewelry-making section of your local craft store or a specialty bead store, the sheer number of choices can be mind-boggling. Knowing some of the factors to consider when creating your own project or just window shopping can help prevent impulse buys and increase the likelihood that your purchases will become finished objects. Here are ways to go about it.
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Instructions
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Materials
Different materials make for different projects. Plastic beads are great for kids' crafts and some home decor projects. Glass, precious and semi-precious beads, along with crystals, are excellent for fine jewelry work, while clay, wood and bone work best for more ethnic and earthy jewelry. Metal beads and findings work with almost all other types, but make sure the ones you use will not cause an allergic reaction in the wearer. -
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Sizes
Seed beads are generally measured in aughts--believed to be how many would fit on an inch of thread, though it's more like 4/5 of an inch these days. Notated #/0, the number in the place of the pound sign shows the size of the beads. The higher the number, the smaller the beads. 15/0 (sometimes written as 15o ) are also known as charlottes, 6/0 as e-beads and 11/0 are the most common size found in craft stores, also labeled as rocailles (though this term can apply to almost any sort of round, short bead). Millimeters are useful for the length and width of larger beads or ones that are not perfectly round. -
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Shapes
Pairing shapes is a matter of design choice. Bead weaving should, ideally, be done with beads all the same shape (and size) for the sake of uniformity. For more decorative stringing, balancing squares with rounds and bicones with bugles gives enough contrast that each bead shape has a chance to shine. Stone chips are good for an organic feel, mixed in with seed beads to stretch them out a bit. Drops, druks and briollettes are just some of the many top-drilled shapes that will take you beyond basic strands. -
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Color
If you do a lot of bead weaving with seed beads, ordering color charts from the major manufacturers is a good idea. For other work, a color wheel that shows not only the basic primary and secondary colors, but also various shades and saturations will help you pair beads with other materials. -
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Price
It is somewhat true that you get what you pay for. The large bulk bags of beads tend to have a lot of irregularities, that depending on your project, could get in the way. Smaller beads bought in tubes usually yield a more uniform selection, but hanks are even better--you can examine the strands for the best pick. Focal beads should be bought from the same batch if possible, as the artist will generally try to match pairs and sets to get the best price.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Jennifer Walker
