Beading wire is one of the most essential materials for any beading project, especially when it comes to beaded jewelry and similar items. There are many different sizes, styles and colors of beading wire that you can choose from, as well as a variety of different companies that offer it.
Knowing What Your Best Options Are
One of the best companies to buy beading wire from is Beading USA, a company which offers you all of the supplies that you need to make your own beaded jewelry. They have wire, catches, spacers, beads and much more, and as well offer a great customer service center so if at any time you have any questions or comments to make you can do so and you will receive an immediate response.
Then there is also the Jewelry Supply, which is a company that offers beading wire as well as a variety of other related items, including: Swarovski crystals, beads, jewelry findings, beading supplies, stringing materials, pendants, charms, jewelry tools, jewelry displays, jewelry boxes, craft suppliers, magnifiers, wire and chain and more.
Their prices are extremely competitive, and they are constantly updating their stock, so you should make sure to check back with them frequently to see what else they have brought in. If there is something that you are looking for that you cannot find with their company, you can inform them of this and they will try their hardest to find and order in the particular item that you are looking for.
Another great company that offers beading wire and other beading supplies is Contenti. Although they are not as well known as the two previously mentioned beading companies, they offer a large and varied selection nonetheless.
Contenti is a company that stocks all of the essential supplies for bead weaving and wire wrapping projects, and some of their best-selling items are: beaded jewelry books, storage trays, beeswax, and of course their selection of beading wire.
Figuring Out What You Need
Before you go out to any beading store and purchase any item, you should make sure that you know what you need. This means finding the project that you are going to complete, reading the list of materials and equipment that you are going to require, and making a list.
Now you are aware of everything that you need to complete the project and you will be able to be much more productive in terms of finding a store and getting what you need.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Beading Tips Help Keep Projects Together
One of the biggest issues faced by beaders is how to store all the supplies they use on a regular basis. Having everything handy when they need makes their hobby considerably more fun and a few beading tips can help devise a space for the different items used. Keeping the beads organized and easily accessible can be the result of combining many different beading tips developed by those who have doing this for many years.
Other beading tips include how to work with several strands of smaller beads being used to make a larger piece. In some cases there could be numerous strands of different sized beads strung together and will have to sit to the side until all strands are completed. Using a cushioned hair curler to wrap the strands can keep them from unraveling or getting tangled. These are the rollers with the foam cover and plastic clip that folds down over the hair, in this case beads, to hold them securely in place.
Lap trays are often used when working with beads and a little work can make them perfect for this hobby. By using tray dividers, often used in the silverware drawer, inside the lap tray for holding tools or the small containers of beads keeps them all in one place. If beads do accidentally tips, the beads will be captured in the tray before they can hit your lap.
Little Glue Can Go A Long Way
One of the other tough jobs faced by beaders is securing the last bead on the project. Whether necklace, bracelet or a bead covering on a purse, when the beads are on a string making sure the final one does not come loose usually is done by use of beading tips, designed for this purpose. Some are like clam-shell beads and once the string is through the hole are clamped shut. Before closing the bead and crimping it with pliers, place a small drop of glue on the inside to be assured the bead will remain closed.
Those who tie each bead on a necklace to provide additional security seldom use clam shell beading tips on the last strand, preferring the cup-tips to hide the final knot. Essentially, the cup-tip is a half bead through which the string is passed and knotted. A second cup-shaped bead is placed over the first one to make it appear as a bead that is part of the strand. While many snap together, it may be wise to use a spot of glue to keep it from popping apart.
Other beading tips include how to work with several strands of smaller beads being used to make a larger piece. In some cases there could be numerous strands of different sized beads strung together and will have to sit to the side until all strands are completed. Using a cushioned hair curler to wrap the strands can keep them from unraveling or getting tangled. These are the rollers with the foam cover and plastic clip that folds down over the hair, in this case beads, to hold them securely in place.
Lap trays are often used when working with beads and a little work can make them perfect for this hobby. By using tray dividers, often used in the silverware drawer, inside the lap tray for holding tools or the small containers of beads keeps them all in one place. If beads do accidentally tips, the beads will be captured in the tray before they can hit your lap.
Little Glue Can Go A Long Way
One of the other tough jobs faced by beaders is securing the last bead on the project. Whether necklace, bracelet or a bead covering on a purse, when the beads are on a string making sure the final one does not come loose usually is done by use of beading tips, designed for this purpose. Some are like clam-shell beads and once the string is through the hole are clamped shut. Before closing the bead and crimping it with pliers, place a small drop of glue on the inside to be assured the bead will remain closed.
Those who tie each bead on a necklace to provide additional security seldom use clam shell beading tips on the last strand, preferring the cup-tips to hide the final knot. Essentially, the cup-tip is a half bead through which the string is passed and knotted. A second cup-shaped bead is placed over the first one to make it appear as a bead that is part of the strand. While many snap together, it may be wise to use a spot of glue to keep it from popping apart.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Finding Children's Beading Classes
There are many adults who participate in beading activities, but it should be known that children can very well participate here as well. In fact, children's beading, although relatively unheard of in the past, has really taken an incredibly positive turn over the past few years in particular. Children more than ever are becoming engrossed with the hobby of beading, and there are now various children's beading classes and organizations that are available to supply the demand.
What Beading is
Beading is a hobby that is not only fun and enjoyable but can be profitable as well, depending on what you want to get out of it. You can just bead for fun with your friends and family in your spare time or you can sell your beading creations and make yourself some money. If you are interested in the latter, then you will want to make sure that you have enough time and effort to spare in order to be able to actually produce any profit.
Children's Beading Classes
Children's beading classes are a really great opportunity, a way for children to learn the basics of beading and then expand their knowledge as they go. They also get to meet other children that are interested in beading as well, which will in turn increase their socialization skills. Not only that, but the children can learn to work together, trading their own beading tips and tricks with the others.
Children's beading classes are usually quite inexpensive, and the trickiest part is actually finding out where these children's beading classes are located in your area. The first place you will want to go to is your child's school. Speak to the principal or even a teacher there and ask if they offer any sort of children's beading classes. If not, then perhaps they may know whether there is a community or other center in your area that does.
Otherwise you can search on the Internet, and by doing even a quick five minute search you should be able to come up with some great results. Use any search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, and then type in the search phrase 'children's beading classes'. You will be referred to a page of links leading you to the various options in your generalized area.
If you wind up with more than one option, take a bit of time to compare and contrast between them, taking issues such as location and price into consideration to help you make your decision. The most important thing is that your children are going to have a lot of fun learning about the hobby of beading while at the same time making some great new friends.
What Beading is
Beading is a hobby that is not only fun and enjoyable but can be profitable as well, depending on what you want to get out of it. You can just bead for fun with your friends and family in your spare time or you can sell your beading creations and make yourself some money. If you are interested in the latter, then you will want to make sure that you have enough time and effort to spare in order to be able to actually produce any profit.
Children's Beading Classes
Children's beading classes are a really great opportunity, a way for children to learn the basics of beading and then expand their knowledge as they go. They also get to meet other children that are interested in beading as well, which will in turn increase their socialization skills. Not only that, but the children can learn to work together, trading their own beading tips and tricks with the others.
Children's beading classes are usually quite inexpensive, and the trickiest part is actually finding out where these children's beading classes are located in your area. The first place you will want to go to is your child's school. Speak to the principal or even a teacher there and ask if they offer any sort of children's beading classes. If not, then perhaps they may know whether there is a community or other center in your area that does.
Otherwise you can search on the Internet, and by doing even a quick five minute search you should be able to come up with some great results. Use any search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, and then type in the search phrase 'children's beading classes'. You will be referred to a page of links leading you to the various options in your generalized area.
If you wind up with more than one option, take a bit of time to compare and contrast between them, taking issues such as location and price into consideration to help you make your decision. The most important thing is that your children are going to have a lot of fun learning about the hobby of beading while at the same time making some great new friends.
Beading Tools Make Hobby Or Business Easier
Whether you make necklaces, bracelets or use beads to add embellishment to clothing, beading tools can make life simpler. Many of the beads you work with may be quite small and difficult to get a grip on and holding them between your fingers while threading the wire can be like threading a needle blindfolded. Having the right beading tools for the job you are involved is an important step to a quality product.
When using some of the smaller beads with small needles, it may be necessary to use a needle threader and is one of the beading tools that no one should be without. While the needles can be stored in traditional pin cushions, storing them in a needle case made of wood will keep the handy. Additionally, if you have more than one size needle, having a separate case for each size can help keep them organized.
While technically not one of the beading tools, running a thread through bees wax can simplify the beading process and reduce the tension on the thread as it passes through the smallest beads. Gold and silver French wire is commonly used to finish off a string of pearl or other beads and this fine wire should be kept with all the other beading tools in your kit.
Protect Beading Projects From Tarnishing
For those who work with metal as well as plastic and glass beads, protecting the materials from moisture in the air can help maintain the material’s shine. With anti-tarnishing carbon strips in your beading tools box, all the jewelry you make will show off the shine as well as your ability and attention to detail.
When using thin thread for beads, many people knot every bead on the thread. In order to keep the knot tight without breaking, dig into the beading tools box and use a small pair of pliers, or the ones with a slight bend in them to help hold one side of the string while tightening the knot on the other side. Although not everyone will tie each bead, if the string breaks it limits the number of beads that will be bouncing around the floor.
Beading tools can be especially useful when handling small items such as the smallest beads or even wire and string, but should be kept in good repair and maintained properly. If they sit in an area of high humidity between uses, rust could be a problem and there is nothing wrong with storing them on anti-tarnishing strips to help keep them operational.
When using some of the smaller beads with small needles, it may be necessary to use a needle threader and is one of the beading tools that no one should be without. While the needles can be stored in traditional pin cushions, storing them in a needle case made of wood will keep the handy. Additionally, if you have more than one size needle, having a separate case for each size can help keep them organized.
While technically not one of the beading tools, running a thread through bees wax can simplify the beading process and reduce the tension on the thread as it passes through the smallest beads. Gold and silver French wire is commonly used to finish off a string of pearl or other beads and this fine wire should be kept with all the other beading tools in your kit.
Protect Beading Projects From Tarnishing
For those who work with metal as well as plastic and glass beads, protecting the materials from moisture in the air can help maintain the material’s shine. With anti-tarnishing carbon strips in your beading tools box, all the jewelry you make will show off the shine as well as your ability and attention to detail.
When using thin thread for beads, many people knot every bead on the thread. In order to keep the knot tight without breaking, dig into the beading tools box and use a small pair of pliers, or the ones with a slight bend in them to help hold one side of the string while tightening the knot on the other side. Although not everyone will tie each bead, if the string breaks it limits the number of beads that will be bouncing around the floor.
Beading tools can be especially useful when handling small items such as the smallest beads or even wire and string, but should be kept in good repair and maintained properly. If they sit in an area of high humidity between uses, rust could be a problem and there is nothing wrong with storing them on anti-tarnishing strips to help keep them operational.
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