If you haven’t heard of beads, then we’re about to change your life. Beads are tiny bits of glassy goodness used for making jewelry. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny seed beads to enormous crystal cubes.
But no matter what their size or shape, they all have one thing in common: They’re really fun to work with!
With this guide on the different types of beads available today, you’ll be able to find exactly what you need for your next project without breaking the bank.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Different types of beads can be used for various crafting and jewelry-making projects. |
| – Seed beads, crystal beads, wood beads, and metal beads are some of the most commonly used types of beads in jewelry making. |
| – Bead weaving is a fun and creative way to use beads to make beautiful and intricate jewelry pieces. |
| – When making handmade jewelry or crafting with beads, it’s essential to choose the right type of bead for your project to achieve the desired outcome. |
| – Learning new beading and threading techniques can help you create unique and individualized pieces that express your personal style. |
Seed Beads
Seed beads are small, round beads made of glass, plastic or metal. The main use for seed beads is in jewelry making. They come in many different sizes and colors and can be used to create patterns and textures in jewelry pieces.
A basic seed bead pattern will consist of three parts: the bead itself (the focal), a wire wrap that holds it into place, and a chain that allows you to hang it on your wrist or around your neck. Beads come in all shapes, sizes and colors but there’s one thing they have in common: their round shape!
This makes them ideal for creating interesting patterns without having to worry about matching up holes on each piece of stringing material like you would with wires which all have different diameters.
Bead Weaving 101: The Basics You Need to Know: Learning bead weaving can open up a whole new world of creativity. Whether you’re interested in creating intricate jewelry pieces or beautiful accessories, our guide on Bead Weaving 101 can give you the foundation you need to get started.
Bugle Beads
Bugle beads are long, thin and have a slight curve. They have a smooth surface and are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors.
This makes them suitable for making necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. You can even use them to create an eye-catching bracelet with charms that match your outfit!
These beads are usually made out of glass, although they’re sometimes made out of plastic as well (this is called “acrylic”).
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Shape | Long and thin with a slight curve |
| Surface | Smooth |
| Sizes | Available in a wide variety of sizes |
| Colors | Available in a variety of colors, including gold, silver, black, white, and more. |
| Materials | Can be made from glass, plastic, metal, and other materials. |
Bugle beads are a popular type of bead that is long and thin with a slight curve. They have a smooth surface and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and materials, including glass, plastic, and metal. Some popular brands that offer bugle beads include Miyuki, Toho, and Preciosa.
Pearls
Pearls are the most classic and elegant of all bead types, making them a popular choice for brides.
They can be used in many different ways to add both color and texture to your wedding look, ranging from simple pearl earrings or necklaces to intricate beaded headpieces.
Pearls are formed when an irritant gets into an oyster’s shell and causes it to secrete nacre (mother-of-pearl) around it.
It makes sense then that pearls come in an array of colors including white, pink, black, blue and green these colors result from the different types of irritants a mollusk may encounter! These natural variations make each pearl unique; no two will look exactly alike!
In terms of style there are many options available such as freshwater versus saltwater (freshwater varieties tend to have more even luster than their saltwater counterparts).
As with any type of jewelry purchase you should consider where it comes from so that you can ensure that no animals were harmed in its creation process (there’s nothing wrong with buying synthetic!)
If you want something truly special try looking for pieces made with organic dyes which tend not only be more beautiful but also environmentally friendly too!
Unleash Your Inner Artist: How to Make Handmade Jewelry: Handmade jewelry makes a great statement piece and is perfect for expressing your personal style. With our tips for making handmade jewelry, you can learn how to create pieces that are unique and meaningful to you.
Firepolished Beads
Firepolished beads are made by heating glass, which gives them a smooth and shiny appearance. The process is called “flaming” and it takes place in large kilns that are held at temperatures between 1,400°F and 2,000°F.
This makes the bead rounded on the outside while keeping its center soft so that it can be shaped easily or drilled with holes.
The firepolished bead was invented around 1920 by Dale DeArmond, who worked at Fenton Art Glass Company in Ohio.
He created this method of making glass because he wanted to make gem-like beads from cheap materials that could be sold cheaply as well and he succeeded!
Today there are many companies who produce this type of bead for use in jewelry projects like bracelets, earrings and necklaces.
DIY Jewelry Making: Tips and Tricks for Crafting Your Own Pieces: Crafting your own jewelry can be a fun and rewarding experience. If you’re new to the world of jewelry making, our guide to DIY jewelry making can give you the tips and tricks you need to start creating beautiful pieces that are all your own.
Cubes
Cubes are a type of bead that can be used for making jewelry, beaded flowers and other crafts. Cubes come in many different sizes and shapes.
They can be used to create interesting pieces when paired with other beads or added to the center of a necklace or bracelet design.
For instance, if you want to make a colorful beaded flower necklace, cubes would work well as the main part of your design along with smaller round beads around them.
In addition, some people choose to use cubes as spacers between larger beads on bracelets and necklaces because they provide more room than regular-sized spacers do while still allowing wiggle room so that they don’t fall out while wearing your piece day after day
Bicone Beads
Bicone beads are cone shaped and often used in bead weaving. They’re also called “hanging beads,” because they’re small enough to be strung on wire or cord and hung from other things, like jewelry.
Bicone beads are typically made of glass or plastic, which means they come in a range of colors, but the most common color is clear.
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Druk Beads
Druk beads are made from the same material as Druk beads. They are used in jewelry making and can be found in a wide variety of colors and shapes. They’re a great addition to any jewelry making project!
Druk beads have become quite popular recently, due to their unique shape and vibrant colors. They’re made from plastic, but they look like glass because they’re transparent with a few swirls on them that make them appear glass-like.
Druk beads are similar in appearance to Swarovski crystals or other types of fancy beads; however, they don’t cost nearly as much money per piece because they’re made by hand by artisans who use recycled materials instead of precious ones like diamonds or gold (which would cost thousands).
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass |
| Shape | Various shapes, including round, oval, and cube |
| Colors | Wide variety of colors, including opaque and transparent |
| Use | Jewelry making |
| Brands | Preciosa Ornela, Matubo |
Druk beads are a type of glass bead that come in various shapes, colors and sizes, perfect for jewelry making projects. They are made by brands such as Preciosa Ornela and Matubo.
Tile Beads
Tile beads are square, rectangular or hexagonal in shape and can be made from a variety of materials including glass, porcelain and ceramic. They’re often used in jewellery making as spacers between larger beads.
Tile beads can also be used for other craft projects like making picture frames or creating mosaics with your kids.
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Rounds
Round beads are small, smooth beads with a round shape. They come in many sizes and colors, and can be used to create a wide range of projects.
Round beads can be used to make stringing materials (such as necklaces) by stringing them onto thread or wire. They can also be used to make jewelry like bracelets, earrings and rings.
Flatrounds (Also Known As “Pony” Beads)
Flatrounds are small, flat beads that are usually used in bead weaving. Flatrounds can be a popular alternative to round beads. Flatrounds can be used in a variety of bead weaving projects and come in numerous colors, patterns and finishes.
Crystal beads (also known as “chandelier” or “faceted” beads)
Crystal beads are popularly known as “chandelier” or “faceted” beads. They’re made of glass or plastic that’s been molded into a crystal shape to catch the light and reflect it back in different directions. Crystal beads can be used in jewelry making, crafts, and other applications like mosaics.
Hemp And Hemp Twine
Hemp is a strong and durable material that makes a great base for jewelry. It’s also flexible, meaning it can be bent into shapes without breaking.
Hemp twine is made from hemp fibers, which are twisted together to form strong threads. These threads are then woven into ropes or used as stringing material for jewelry making.
Hemp twine is durable enough to hold its shape but flexible enough not to break easily or cut your fingers when working with it!
You can use hemp twine in other crafts such as macramé projects or even making belts with decorative stitching at the ends of each strand!
Conclusion
With such a wide array of different beads, it can be hard to choose which ones are right for your project. But remember, there is no wrong answer! If you find the perfect bead for your needs and like it, that’s all that really matters.
If you’re still unsure about what kind of bead will work best for what you want to make then don’t worry too much because we’re here to help guide you through this process.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on the topic of different types of beads:
Types of Beads – Sew Guide: This comprehensive guide discusses various types of beads and their characteristics along with their uses in detail.
Types of Beads for Jewellery Making – Kernow Craft: This article talks about different types of beads used for making jewelry, including how to choose the right beads for your projects.
Types of Beads for Crafting and Jewelry – VerbNow: This article provides an overview of different types of beads along with useful tips on how to incorporate beads into your crafting and jewelry-making projects.
FAQs
What are the different types of beads?
There are various types of beads, including seed beads, glass beads, crystal beads, wood beads, metal beads, plastic beads, and more. Each type of bead has its unique characteristics and uses.
What are seed beads?
Seed beads are small, cylindrical beads that are commonly used in jewelry making and embroidery. They come in a variety of materials, colors, shapes, and sizes.
What are crystal beads?
Crystal beads are high-quality glass beads that are manufactured to simulate the look of natural crystals. They are often used in fine jewelry making and come in various shapes and colors.
What are wood beads?
Wood beads are lightweight and eco-friendly beads made from various types of wood. They are popular in jewelry making and come in a range of natural colors and shapes.
What are metal beads?
Metal beads are beads made from various metals, such as copper, brass, silver, and gold. They are often used in jewelry making and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes.
Hellen James is the creator of Unified Crafts and has been crafting since she was a kid accompanied by her mom to the craft store, where she was free to choose whatever ignited her imagination.
