Micheles Tribal Inspirations Jewelry blog

Beading Tips for Beginners – Start Your First Beading Project

Beading is a fantastic way to do something creative yourself and spend fun time with your kids. And some beading techniques are very easy. You can easily make your own beaded ascessories. Here are several beading tips and instructions for beginner beaders that will help you avoid common mistakes and make your beading projects easier and more fun.

1 Remember – spacing your beads makes your project look professional

Many beads especially semi-precious, Swarovski, glass and pearl beads require a spacer between them. There are two ways to do so - make a simple knot between your beads, or insert a decorative spacer. I prefer spacers, because they make the design more interesting. It is best to use silver or gold spacers with expensive beads – they won’t loose the shine as they age.

2 A beading layout board will keep all your beads from running all over the place

Before starting your project lay them out on a jewelry layout board. You can buy these boards in any shop that sells, craft supplies, beads and beading tools. The board lets you see, how your design will work before you connect everything. If you don’t have a board, use a plain light bath towel, so your beads don’t scatter.

3 The simpliest way to prevent your beads from rolling

Even if you use a beading board, it is a good idea to cover the table you work on with a towel. Beads rolling all over the table can drive you crazy, but you can stop it by using a fluffy bath towel. Also, if you have a cat, cover your work with another towel, if you leave even for a few minutes. My cat can destroy hours of work in less then 30 seconds.

4 Cut enough string

If you are going to use knots, then cut the string 4 times longer than finished project plus a few extra inches, otherwise 2 times longer. Also you can fold your string twice or even four times, to make it stronger. This is particularly true if you use heavy glass beads and large beads.

5 String color is important

Your don’t always have to use white string, buy a string that matches the color of your beads for this project. If you can’t find a string in that particular shade, take a white one and dye it, you don’t need to use an expensive special die – use kids markers instead.

6 Remember, that your string will probably strech under beads weight

In my first beaded necklaces I always had this problem – you finish a necklace, than after a day of wearing it the string stretches and beads are no longer tight together, looks awful. To avoid this, after all the beads are on, hang your necklace for a day or so, than do the final knotting or attach clasps.

7 Be careful, when hiding the ends of your work

Final knots are important, it is best to use square knots and tighten them firmly. Then apply some jewelers glue to your knots and only after that cut the loose ends

8 Strong lamp is a must have for beading

Beading for several hours can give you a bad eye strain, especially if you are working with seed beads. Never work in a dim room without a good light, a desk lamp is best. Another useful tool would be a magnifying glass for beading. It will also help keep your project neat and help to avoid small mistakes.

Tatiana Turner is a publisher of Beading Patterns.org where you can find beading ideas and everything you need to know about beading

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