Beginner’s Guide to Beading

The basic items needed to start you on your beading journey.

Leana Barnes

I NTRODUCTION

How many times have you walked into a beading or craft shop and simply been overwhelmed by it all, wanting so much to create, but not knowing where to start?

I know that feeling well. In fact, I’ve been down that road. Now here I am with my own successful beading business saying to you, ‘If I can do it, you can too.’ It’s that easy. Once you learn how to bead, the rest depends on your creative flair.

Here's your perfect opportunity to create necklaces, bracelets and earrings from scratch. Whether it’s to add that perfect fashion accessory to your wardrobe, or as that personal handmade gift for friends and family, you’ll be so glad you did.

You don’t need a lot of tools and materials to start. That will come later when you get the hang of things. In this guide, I will show you the basics.

The photographs on the cover of this book are projects that I have personally designed for my business TRB Designs. Also jewellery pictured on the following pages, are also my own creation. Pg4 (Tools), pg5, pg16, pg17, pg18, pg19 & pg20.

Beginners Guide to BeadingLeana BarnesCopyright 2013No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission.Smashwords Edition

C ONTENTS

1 - Introduction

2 - Tools

3 - Materials

4 - Findings

5 - Glues

6 - Beads

7 - Organisers

8 - How to

9 - Acknowledgements

10 - References

T OOLS

To purchase these items, I recommend you visit a beading shop. Spotlight or Lincraft will have what you need.

Chain Nose Pliers - used as extra fingers for a variety of tasks, such as holding jewellery components or bending metal and wire.

Round Nose Pliers - for creating loops.

Wire Cutters - for cutting wire and other stringing materials.

Beading Board - I like the beading board because the measurements on the side make it much easier to work out desired stringing length. It’s also good for holding your beads and findings (will explain findings further into this book). Alternatively you can purchase a bead mat or improvise with a dish towel, piece of fabric, felt or fleece.

M ATERIALS

There are many different types of stringing. The following tend to be the most popular.

Tiger Tail - is available in different sized rolls and various colours. Choose one that will match your project.

Elastic - is great for bracelets. You don’t need to worry about crimps or clasps.

Chains - As seen below, chain is also available in different shapes and thickness. Colours are also varied.

F INDINGS

Jewellery findings are the parts used to join jewellery components together to form a completed article.

Such as: Clasps to complete necklaces and bracelets. Ear hooks to link earrings.

There are a range of findings that can be used. Some are specifically used for completing your project, others, for making your project look beautiful. For now, I will talk about the findings that will help you finish off your project.

Head Pins

Eye Pins

Eye Pins

Head pins and eye pins are available in long or short wire with a cap or loop at one end. We use them to stop beads, stones or crystals from falling off at the end of the wire.

Just be aware that head pins and eye pins come in various sizes, so I suggest you choose carefully when purchasing these. This all depends of course on what size holes your beads have. Don’t worry if you don’t purchase the eye pins, as you can still loop using the head pins.

Ear Hooks

Ear hooks are used in earring crafting and come in different styles.

Crimp Beads

Crimp Covers

Crimp beads and tubes are tiny metal beads that can be flattened with pliers to clamp two pieces of beading wire together securely.

These come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Importantly, make sure the crimp covers you acquire are going to fit.

Wire Protectors

Wire protectors are used to guard stringing material from every day wear and tear, usually caused by clasps or other findings. Wire protectors also ensure that you have neat looking loops at each end.

Jump Rings

Jump rings are extremely useful for connecting jewellery components together.

Beading Tips

The beading tip is another great way to hide your crimps or knots (depending on what you use).

An assortment of Clasps

There are so many different clasps you can choose from so it’s important to use the one that

suits your project needs.

G LUES

The most common glue used for beading is Adhesive E-6000. Not only is it waterproof once dry, it is also flexible too.

This is great for finishing up your bracelet. Just place a small amount of E-6000 on the knot and wait until it dries.

Once you get the hang of making jewellery, you can start using Epoxy, Resin Epoxy stickers (the work has been done for you), Mod Podge, Glossy Accents or Diamond Glaze, as it adds another dimension to your work. It gives your project a clear coat or you can make a dome shape on the top to magnify what you have underneath. (I have included the ring in the illustration below as an example).

B EADS

Now the fun part. Choosing what beads to use.

As you can imagine, there are so many different varieties, sizes and colours of beads that range from $1 to over $30 a strand.

It’s best to use cheaper beads, until you get the hang of things. When you have the confidence, then you can try out different bead styles.

Seed beads

Metal beads

Pearl beads

Crystal beads

Semi-precious stone beads

Wooden beads

Plus many more!

O RGANISERS

There are a variety of organisers to choose from.

Carrying cases, bottles, vials and storage bags are but a few.

The idea is to find that particular one that is practical for your environment.

I do recommend a transparent organiser just to make it that little bit easier for you to access your materials.

As the mother of a pre-schooler, I find that childproofing my organiser helps considerably.

Remember that beads from a child’s eyes can be easily mistaken for lollies.

H OW TO

Now that you know what tools and materials you will need for your project.

I’m going to show you a few basic moves.

How to open and close a jump ring.

How not to open a jump ring.

How to make an eye/loop.

How to use a crimp and put on a crimp cover.

How to use a wire protector.

O PENING AND CLOSING A JUMP RING

1. With two pairs of pliers, place them near the split.2. Open by pushing the pliers apart sideways. One to the right, the other to the left.3. Attach your next link (jump ring, chain, clasp etc.) Once done close the same way you opened them.4. Make sure you close it so there is no visible space. If you do have a space, it may cause a link to come off.

H OW NOT TO OPEN A JUMP RING .

Never spread open a jump ring.You will deform it permanently.

M AKE AN EYE/LOOP

1. Bend the head pin to 90 degrees.2. Trim end with wire cutters but make sure it is not too short as you will not have the room to rotate it.3. Grab the end of the head pin with your round nose pliers, and then rotate it around to meet the other side. You may have to move your hand to get the rotation.4. You have now made an eye/loop.

H OW TO USE A CRIMP AND CRIMP COVER.

1. Thread though the tiger tail and then make a loop and return it back through the crimp.2. Using your Chain nose pliers, push down onto the crimp (make sure you have put your crimp in the right place, as you won’t be able to move it after)3. Place your crimp cover on top of your flattened crimp.4. Using your chain nose pliers again, carefully close the cover until it reaches the other, so there is no gap.

H OW TO USE A WIRE PROTECTOR

1. Thread the tiger tail through the crimp and then up through the hole of the wire protector.2. Bring the tiger tail back down through the other hole.3. Now you can attach your clasp (this will save you having to use a jump ring).4. Bring your crimp up close to the bottom of your wire protector and crimp it. (Don’t crimp too close as you need some room to attach your crimp cover if you are using one).5. The end result.

****

Now you have the basic skills for beading. The rest is up to you.

Enjoy your journey in the world of beading.

****

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to say thank you to my sister Angie, for suggesting I create this E-book and also for helping out during the process. Love you sis.

And to my gorgeous husband Ian. Thank you for supporting me throughout all my endeavours. I love you so much.

REFERENCES

Below are pages I have used for photo and word referencing only.

http://www.sunsetcrystals.com.au—picture of Bead Board

http://www.objectsandelements.com—picture of E-6000

http://beadsonline.com.au— picture of Diamond Glaze

http://jewelrymaking.about.com—picture of Bead Tip

http://4.bp.blogspot.com—pictures of different clasp

http://www.resinobsession.com/Sites/4/Media/com.austinmichael.commerce.model.catalog.Item/Large/5502-1322447860793.jpg

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/531208863/Free-shipping-1000pcs-lot-Oval-Resin-Epoxy-Sticker-fit-Cameo-Setting-13x18mm-jewelry-necessaries.jpg

http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/images/product/mod_podge_matt_236ml1230043048_679.jpg

http://www.jennykubeck.com/images/113148351356.jpg

http://www.thebeadsknees.co.uk

http://www.urbanfinds.com/kamsnaps/images/tutorials/storage/stackon2.jpg

http://byzarah.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Bead-Organizer-rolling-tote-storage.jpg

http://thinkcrafts.com/files/2008/09/zen1.jpg

http://www.kennygoodman.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding

http://www.ehow.com

http://www.cranberry.net.au/images/slideshow/SeedBeads.jpg

http://www.crystalbeadsandsupplies.com/images/swarovski-crystal-beads.jpg

http://www.queenslandbeadcompany.com.au/images/products/MP%20beads%20500g.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f648TqMJSgQ/TdJ7CMTyhII/AAAAAAAAADo/5WbQM3bhTeU/s400/51wlnrbly2L._SL500_AA300_%2Bgemstone%2Bbead%2Bmix.jpg

http://www.cnbeads.com/proimages/2008101304128906_.jpg

http://www.sinobeads.com/image-upload/hand-paint-wood-beads.jpg

http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles.daily/1007.resin_2D00_ring_2D00_project.JPG_2D00_550x0.jpg