Beading Guide BD001B

TM

taBle of contents

buying beads

Do you want to learn more about beads? Would you love to try new techniques, but don’t know where to start? This beading guide is jam-packed with photos, techniques and step-by-step illustrations that will help you learn new techniques and sharpen your existing skills. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced beader, this is a reference guide you will use again and again.

Beading GuiDe

Bead sizes

Bead quantity taBle

averaGe jewelry lenGths

use this simple table to estimate the number of

beads per inch.

IN C

H ES

M M

1 2

10 20 30 40 50

1mm 2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm

8mm 9mm 10mm 11mm 12mm

Beads can be bought in strands, by weight, by count

or individually.

Bracelet ....................................................... 7 inches

Anklet .......................................................... 9 inches

Choker....................................................... 16 inches

Princess length.......................................... 18 inches

Matinee length.......................................... 24 inches

Opera length............................................. 32 inches

Rope or lariat ............................................ 48 inches

Average Jewelry Lengths .......................2

Bead Sizes ...........................................2

Bead Quantity Table ............................2

Buying Beads .......................................2

Bead Types ..........................................3

Findings ...............................................6

Stringing Materials ................................8

Tools ....................................................9

Beading Basics How-To Guide ............ 12

Bead approx. Beads Per inch

#11 seed bead..................................................12–14

#8 seed bead ..........................................................8

#6 seed bead ..........................................................6

2mm bead ............................................................. 12

4mm bead ...............................................................6

6mm bead ...............................................................4

8mm bead ...............................................................3

10mm bead .............................................................2

12mm bead ..........................................................2

Beading Guide is published by DRG, 306 East Parr Road, Berne, IN 46711, (260) 589-4000. Printed in USA. Copyright © 2010 DRG. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the instructions in this pattern book are complete and accurate. We cannot, however, take responsibility for human error, typographical mistakes or variations in individual work.

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charms Charms come in a

variety of metals and are often

accentuated with enamel to

add a touch of color. Charms

are available in almost every

theme imaginable.

czech Glass Beads These

quality glass faceted beads

come in a variety of sizes,

shapes and stunning colors.

czech Glass fire-polished

Beads intense heat brings

the flame alive inside these

beautiful and colorful

beads. Fire-polished beads

come in a variety of sizes,

shapes and colors.

e Beads Also in the seed

bead category, this 4/0, 5/0

or 6/0 bead is often referred

to as an e bead, and will add

color and interest to your

beading projects.

acrylic Beads Available in a

variety of beautiful colors and

shapes, acrylic beads offer an

economical and lightweight

alternative to glass beads.

Bone & horn Beads inspired

by nature and beautifully

carved, these beads can serve

as a focal point in your de-

signer pieces or as the basis of

a simple, yet elegant design.

Bugle & cylinder Beads

Tube-shaped, these beads are

available in various sizes,

lengths and colors.

cabochons A cabochon

is a polished shaped stone

that is flat on the back for

mounting. The various sizes

and colors make them a

great design accessory.

bead types

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faceted Beads Faceted beads

are cut with multiple faces,

which reflect and refract light.

The more facets, the more

sparkle from the bead. Highly

faceted and polished beads

gleam from every angle and

serve to draw attention to a

certain area of your necklace

or the piece as a whole.

fringe Beads Small teardrop-

shaped beads with a horizon-

tal hole that allows the bead

to hang from thread or wire

like a small teardrop.

Gemstone Beads Once used

as currency, gemstone beads

offer variety in color from

sultry earthy tones to the

bright translucent tones of the

rainbow. Gemstone beads are

available in a wide variety of

sizes, shapes and grades.

turquoise Beads Turquoise

beads come in a variety of

colors, including yellow,

white, green, blue and laven-

der. A wide variety of shapes

and sizes add interest to this

mysterious stone.

There are many faux and dyed turquoise gemstones. They

can include white magnesite, howlite and mountain jade.

if you aren’t sure about the gems you are buying, always

ask the vendor.

Glass Beads Glass beads are

a broad category of beads,

including art glass, cane glass,

cat’s eye, chevron, crackle

glass, faceted, lampwork,

crow, cubic zirconia, dichroic

glass and foil-lined glass.

Metal Beads From sterling

silver to copper, and shiny

to antique, metal beads

are available in a variety of

finishes, shapes and sizes to

match your every design.

Pearls Whether cultured,

freshwater, crystal or glass,

pearls add a touch of so-

phistication to your jewelry

designs. The versatility of

pearls allows them to be

styled in both elegant and

contemporary designs. Real

pearls vary slightly in color,

shape and size.

bead types

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Pendants Pendants change

the look of your design im-

mediately. Add them to your

favorite necklace or incor-

porate them into your design

from the beginning.

Porcelain Beads Fine por-

celain beads add a designer

touch when mixed with

crystals in your designs.

seed Beads The most widely

used beads in jewelry design,

these beads can be used as

filler beads, be woven into

designs or to create intricate

patterns and shapes. Most

common sizes are 6, 8 and

11. The larger the number,

the smaller the bead.

shell Beads Derived of the

beautiful shells found in the

ocean, these beads come in

a variety of incredible colors,

sizes and shapes. Mixed with

crystals and other beads, they

add a dazzling array of color

to all your jewelry projects.

triangle Beads These small

triangular beads add big

impact to your designs. The

multisided beads catch and

reflect light adding motion

and dimension to all your

beading designs.

wood Beads Traditional and

non-traditional wood beads

can be dressed up with

crystals or matched up with

earthy stone colors for a more

natural and contemporary

look.

Bead shaPes

bead types

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Bails A bail is used to dis-

play a special stone or gem.

it’s function is to hold and

hang a pendant.

Bead caps Bead caps add

flair and dimension to your

bead projects and come in a

wide variety of sizes, shapes

and finishes to accommodate

all your design ideas. They

can also be used to serve as

protection from other beads.

chain Perk up your projects

with a beautiful chain. Avail-

able in large to small shaped

links, rope, serpentine, figaro,

flat and cable, chain adds spar-

kle to your projects and comes

in many finishes to coordinate

with your beads and findings.

clasps Clasps not only secure

your beading projects, they

can become part of the de-

sign as well. Clasps are avail-

able in bar-and-ring toggles,

barrel, bead, box, button,

filigree, fishhook, hook-and-

eye, lobster-claw, magnetic,

multistrand, S-hook, slide

lock, spring-ring, snap lock

and tube.

crimp Beads & tubes Crimps

are used at the beginning and

ends of you