Beading Basics I: Getting Started

Beading is Fun! Making jewelry is a wonderful hobby, and can even be a lucrative business. But how do you get started?

There are three basic things you need:

  1. Beads
  2. Stringing material
  3. Findings

Sound simple? It is really. Let's take it step by step.

  1. A bead is almost anything with a hole in it... and can be made of glass, gemstone, acrylic, wood, shell, metal, polymer clay, even paper! So the first step is to gather some beads that are appealing to you. If you've bought one of our kits, then the collection is already done for you.
  1. After gathering the beads, you need to decide what kind of stringing material to use. DO NOT USE SEWING THREAD! It isn't strong enough. The kind of stringing material you use depends on the type of beads you chose. If they are lightweight, you can use a nylon thread such as Nymo to string them on. If they are heavy or have sharp edges you may want to use wire of some sort or fishing line. There is also silk, waxed linen, all types of cording, leather, and plastic coated wire (such as Soft Flex).
  2. The final decision you have to make is how to finish your piece, that is, what sort of findings to use. There are various kinds of clasps on the market, box clasps, toggle clasps, S hooks, lobster clasps, barrel clasps, and so on. (The necklace pictured above has an S hook.) The simplest way to create a closure for your piece is to make a loop of wire or beads that goes around another bead or button.

Beading Basics 1: Getting Started
Beading Basics 2: Prepare to Bead!
Beading Basics 3: Finishing
Beading Basics 4: More Info
Beading Basics 5: Seed Beads
Beading Basics 6: Beaded Fringe

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    Please note: these instructions are copyrighted and may not be given, shared, or sold to anyone.  These instructions remain the property of Karleen Page and may not be used to manufacture products for sale. ©2005, Karleen E. Wickham Page, All rights reserved.