How to Make Rubber Beads

Rubber tubing comes coiled, they same way you buy beads or lace.

Beading, or making jewelry with beads, has become an intense hobby for men and women. People have gotten so experienced with making their own jewelry, they have opened shops to sell their wares. Rubber beads add texture to necklaces, bracelets, chokers and earrings. Rubber tubing comes in dozens of colors and several sizes. Rubber tubing can be cut into longer pieces to thread over memory wire or to use as spacers between colors. With all beading, a little patience is needed until the skill is acquired. Expect to lose a few beads during the process.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber tubing
• Flat-nose wire cutters or snips

Instructions

1. 

   Tubing comes in various sizes and colors.

   Purchase rubber tubing in desired lengths, diameters and colors for your design. Uncoil enough of the tubing to cut all of the beads for your project. Cut off this length from the coil. For example, you would cut approximately 18 inches of rubber tubing to make a 16-inch necklace, all the same color without added accents.

2. 

   Snips are small, sharp scissors used in crafting.

   Hold the tubing in one hand with your fingers close to the end you will be cutting. Pinch the rubber tube with your thumb and forefinger, as you snip. Keep the middle finger touching the end of the tubing, to keep it from flying off, after you make the cut.

3. Cut the tubing until you have enough beads to complete your project. Practice will make it easier to judge the proper length to cut every time, as you want all the beads to be a uniform length. Larger pieces also can be cut to use as spacers in the necklace.

4. 

   Rubber tubing beads used with larger accent pieces make unique jewelry.

   Cut old bicycle inner tubes to make flat rubber beads that can be sewn using a large needle, by threading through the center, as you hold the one, two or three-inch rubber tubing together. The effect will look much like a bow when threaded between sections of 6-mm diameter beads.

Tips & Warnings

• Try cutting beads of one color all the same size and using another color rubber tubing to make larger beads as accent pieces.

• String two or three-inch lengths of rubber tubing onto memory wire, to make chokers, capping the ends of the wire with rubber end-caps.

• Use a craft needle with a large eye to string beads onto vinyl stretch cord.

• Flat-nose pliers work well in cutting rubber tubing.

• Snips must be kept sharp to cut small beads, and your fingers must be kept close to the snips, as you make the cut. Always cut slowly, and keep your eyes on your work, to prevent serious injuries to your fingers.

• Keep beading away from infants and small children, to prevent choking hazards.