BEADING BASICS

Beading is fun and easy.  It’s a great way to relieve stress and bring out your creative side.  With all the types and colors of beads to be found , the sky’s the limit.  Let your imagination take hold.

Beads and beading supplies can be purchased at your local craft store, hobby/art store, even some department stores sell beading supplies.

Basic supplies

• Needle-nose pliers

• Round pliers

• Wire cutters

• Tweezers

• Beads

• Crimp beads

• Wire/String

• Findings

• Trays/Bead board

• Containers

• Scissors

Beads

Try starting with cheaper plastic or wooden beads until you get the hang of it.  Then you have a very large selection of beautiful glass, ceramic, crystal, shell, precious/semi-precious, the list goes on and on.

Findings

There are a wide variety of clasps or closures available.  These are called findings, or finishing’s.  Again, choose cheaper findings to start, and then work up to more expensive or elaborate ways to finish your work.

 Types of closures include; lobster claws, barrel clasps, hook and eye, toggle clasps.  You will also need some spring rings or jump rings.

Wire/String

Often it is a personal preference which type of line you wish to use.  Try several types to see which you prefer.  Beading wire, thread and plastic line come in various gauges/thicknesses.  Make sure the beads you choose fit through the line you select as beads have different sizes of holes.  You can even use heavy thread or fishing line to get started.  Other types of string that can be used are leather/rawhide, hemp, ribbon, even colored cord.

With these basic supplies you are going to be off and running.

Happy Beading!