How to Start a Seed Bead Project
Jewelry making has become a very popular hobby. One of the more popular types of this craft is seed bead jewelry. Seed beads are tiny colorful beads used to make intricate designs and patterns, and making seed bead jewelry is certainly more fun and less expensive than buying it.
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Things You'll Need
- Seed beads
- Beading thread
- Scissors or thread nippers
- Jewelry needle
- Conditioning material
Instructions
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Designate an area for jewelry making. Make sure there is enough surface area for all the supplies. A card table makes a good workstation.
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Purchase needles made specifically for beading. Sewing needles are often too large to accommodate tiny seed beads. Size 10 and 12 work very well for seed bead projects, the size 12 being smaller.
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Pick up nylon jewelry making thread at a bead supply store or crafts store. Thread sizes range from 00, which is very fine, to size F, which is very thick. Sizes B and D are the most commonly used for projects of all types.
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Obtain conditioning material. This is used to prevent knots and tangles in the thread. Thread Heaven is a good choice. Use microcrystalline synthetic wax or bee's wax for a project that requires stiffness. Bee's wax will sometimes crack over time.
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Keep a thread nipper or a sharp pair of scissors handy.
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Select different colors and sizes of seed beads. These can be ordered online or purchased in specialty bead stores and even craft stores.
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Tips & Warnings
Pick up a ceramic dish for watercolor painting at a crafts store for a great bead separator.
Stretch the thread before working with it.
