How to Bead

Beading is generally divided into two categories: bead stringing, and bead weaving. In this introduction, you'll be introduced to basic bead stringing, rather than the more complicated bead weaving.

1. Collect the beads that you want to use.

    

2. Find a type of cord that fits your beads. Fishing line or elastic cord are common first choices, because neither requires a needle. (Popular professional stringing materials include: silk cord, nylon needle-end cord, hemp twine, waxed cotton, satin cord, Beadalon, SoftFlex or Acculon stringing cable, clear SuppleMax and more.)
3. Determine the length. If making a necklace, will you add a clasp, or make the bracelet long enough to go over your head?
4. Use scissors to cut cord approximately 3" longer than the desired length.
5. Lay out beads in desired pattern on a washcloth or hand towel.
6. To keep beads from falling off the end of the cord, tie one bead approximately 1" from the end, using an overhand knot or better yet a square knot. (Tie-an-Overhand-Knot) Pull the knot tight enough that it will stay in place, but loose enough that you can remove and use this bead later if you want to.
7. Add beads to the cord in desired pattern.
8. Double check overall length. Add/subtract beads as necessary.
9. If you are not adding a clasp, finish ends by tying them together in a surgeon's knot. Pull knot tight and add a dab of superglue to the knot. When the glue is dry, use scissors to trim cord ends.
10. If adding a clasp, determine if you need other components to securely connect your clasp to the cord. You might be able to tie your cord directly to the clasp using a few overhand knots, but more often you need one or more pairs of jump rings, split rings, crimp beads, or fold-over bead tips to securely attach the cord to the clasp. Fold-over (or clamshell) bead tips have a metal loop that attaches to the clasp, or to a jump ring and THEN a clasp, and have a hollow cup/bead to hide your knot inside.
11. If adding a clasp, also determine if you need to remove a few beads to account for the total length of the clasp and related components.
12. If using fold-over bead tips: String the end of your cord through the small hole in the bead tip, and bring the cord to the cupped section. Securely knot the cord in such a way that the knot is too big to go back through the hole, but small enough to hide inside the cup. If you have a bead tiny enough to fit inside the cup, tie your knot(s) on this tiny bead. Hide the knot by carefully closing the 2 cupped halves of the bead tip toward each other.
13. Use round needle-nose pliers to attach the other end of the bead tip to the clasp, or to a jump ring which you will attach to the clasp.
14. Repeat at other end.

     

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   How to open and close jump rings
  Whenever opening jump rings, twist them to the sides; don't pull them open into an oval shape or they will be much harder to align properly.
• Related links:
  • How to Weave with Seed Beads on a bead loom
  • How to Use Crimp Beads (on beading cable)
  • How to Measure Thread for Beading (also includes tips about picking the right cord, and keeping it untangled)
• To keep beads from falling off, try using a clothespin on one end.

• When beading with small children, make sure the children do not eat the beads. Always warn children to keep jewelry out of their mouths. Not only are beads a choking hazard, but also: jewelry components can contain lead, phthalates, and other elements and compounds not intended to be ingested.

• Beads, cord and scissors
• Optional: Superglue, needle-nose pliers, clothes hanger
• Optional: Clasp, jump rings, fold-over bead tips