| Stringing beads is a fun way to reduce stress and | | | | beads but also to hold the components while working |
| explore your creative side. Put a colorful necklace | | | | with them. Flat nosed pliers also come in handy. |
| together or create a beautiful matching set with a | | | | Remember to select a pair that will allow you to |
| bracelet and a pair of earrings. Wear your creations, | | | | crimp. |
| sell them, or wrap them in tissue paper and give | | | | Trays or Boards |
| them to your friends. | | | | Using a beading tray is not mandatory but it makes it |
| Basic beading is easy, fun, and relatively inexpensive. | | | | easier to preselect and measure your beads. Most |
| You will find beading supplies at most craft shops, art | | | | trays are made of plastic and incorporate a |
| supply stores, and discount stores, in addition to the | | | | measuring device either in inches, millimeters, or both. |
| beading boutiques that often specialize in more | | | | Wire, Line or String |
| expensive beads. | | | | Again, depending on budget and preference, there is |
| Here is a checklist of the basic tools and supplies you | | | | a wide variety of wire, line and string to choose |
| will need to begin working on your new hobby: | | | | from. Before purchasing, be sure that it is the correct |
| Beads | | | | size to fit the beads you have selected, or vice |
| You will find an abundance of different sizes, shapes | | | | versa. Some beads have large holes to accommodate |
| and styles to choose from. Start off with a few | | | | thick string while others, such as seed beads, have |
| favorite colors using plastic beads so you can | | | | tiny holes that only thread or wire will fit through. |
| become familiar with color coordination and putting on | | | | You could even use fishing line to practice on, but |
| the finishing touches. This way, mistakes will not be | | | | beading wire is better it does not have a tendency |
| so costly. Work your way toward the finer glass, | | | | to curl, shrink and distort the way plastic lines do. |
| semiprecious, handpainted, wood and cloisonne beads. | | | | You could also use string, rawhide or thread. When |
| Clasps | | | | beading with string or thread, use a special big eye or |
| There is a wide variety of clamps, closures and | | | | curved needle. |
| clasps, also called findings. Again, do not be seduced | | | | Children can also take part in stringing beads. Look |
| into purchasing the best and the brightest in the | | | | for childrens beading supplies at most craft stores, |
| beginning. Most products will have the instructions | | | | generally alongside the adult supplies. Beading is a |
| included on the front or back of the package, but if | | | | great way to teach children coordination skills, and to |
| you run into a problem, consult a beading magazine | | | | keep them happy and occupied while you are |
| or catalog, which you can find either online or at craft | | | | working on your beading projects. Keep in mind that |
| shops. | | | | many of these items should be kept away from |
| Containers | | | | babies and small toddlers. |
| Depending on your budget and preference, you can | | | | Bead supply warehouses will often send color |
| use either the standard, flat containers or go up a | | | | catalogs by request, listing hundreds of different |
| notch to the drawer compartments that many | | | | products, along with accompanying images. Or you |
| people use in their workshops for nuts, bolts and | | | | may want to subscribe to a beading magazine where |
| screws. Any containers will do, but, while working, | | | | you will learn different techniques and methods used |
| you will want your beads to be easily accessible. | | | | by professionals. |
| Storing beads in dark, confined areas makes them | | | | Check online or at your local craft store for lots of |
| more difficult to work with and to color coordinate. | | | | great, free beading patterns and beading ideas. Once |
| Crimping Beads | | | | you have mastered the art of beading, you will be |
| These are an important element in beadmaking. They | | | | making attractive jewelry, and you will naturally |
| are simply beads constructed of a flexible metal, | | | | gravitate to other beading projects. You may even |
| which help keep the clasp attached to the necklace. | | | | start to decorate your handbags, create charming |
| Crimping beads come in gold and silver and in several | | | | wall art, and make lovely bookmarks, suncatchers, |
| different sizes. | | | | key chains or plant holders. There are so many |
| Round Tipped Pliers | | | | amazing things you can do with beads, you will |
| Invest in a good pair of round tipped pliers. You will | | | | wonder what ever took you so long to discover |
| need to use them often not only for picking up | | | | them. |