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An Encyclopedia of Beads
Learn about the favorite styles of beads used by artists and crafters with this in-depth guide. It's everything beaders, collectors and artists want to know about many types of beads from all over the world.
Contents at a Glance
Glass Beads
Beads made from glass
Lampwork Beads are great as accent or focal beads, but if strung side-by-side, spacer beads should be used to protect the glass beads from wear and breakage.
Also known as flameworking, lampworking refers to the art of melting glass to create shapes. Before the butane torch, artits used lamps to heat the glass for shaping.
Good quality lampwork beads are made individually by experienced artists. The process is slow, making them some of the more expensive beads on the market.
Cheap lampworked beads are more likely to break with very little wear. Often, the are not properly annealed. This refers to cooling the glass slowly, for a stronger, more durable piece. All good quality beads are annealed.
Reaming is another essential bead making process for cleaning the inside of beads, to remove any of the chemicals used in the flameworking. Good quality beads will be reamed prior to sale, and should have no residue within the bead holes.
Dichroic Glass is a unique material used in lampworking. Quartz crystal and metal oxides are vapourised with an electron beam to create a multi-layered affect. The main color and reflected color are different, and so beads made from dichroic glass and coatings are particularily stunning.Another very popular style of glass bead is the Czech fire polish. Like crystals, they come in a wide range of styles, sizes, colors and finishes. They are great for stringing projects, and the smaller sizes are also ideal for stitching.
Fire polished beads are very good quality, but can be a more affordable alternative to crystals and gemstones.
Other types of glass beads include cane glass, blown glass, crystals and seed beads.
Some glass beads come in the form of cabochons, which have no holes.Also made from shell, rock, or gemstone, cabochons are dome shaped, with a smooth underside. They are often used as focal points in bead embroidery. They can also be jacketed in seed beads - called a bezel - and used as pendants or other components.
The glass drops or nuggets pictured here can be used as cabochons in bead embroidery. Usually, they are glued to a fabric backing, and seed beads are added around the glass using various stitches, such as peyote.
Glass Bead Making
Adventures in Lampworking
"Glass Bead Making" features a musical soundtrack, so you can listen in while you read on about additional bead varieties.
Glass Bead Essentials
Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads
Learn to use wirework, stringing, sewing, and a variety of knotting techniques to create bracelets, necklaces, brooches and more. Includes 20 step by step projects.
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/07/2009) 
The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking
This complete step by step guide shows in full color how to flamework glass into beautiful beads with a variety of techniques.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Czech Fire Polish Beads 8mm Round Aqua Azuro (25 Beads)
Amazon Price: $2.89 (as of 11/07/2009)
Czech Glass Flat Smooth Oval 8mm X 6mm Tortoise Brown (25 Beads)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Create Jewelry: Glass: Brilliant Designs to Make and Wear (Create Jewelry series)
Learn to use all types of glass beads with 21 stunning projects that include stringing, wireworking, stitching, knotting, and bead weaving.
Amazon Price: $17.90 (as of 11/07/2009)
Seed Beads
Tiny beads of glass
These small glass beads can be used for stitching, stringing and embroidery. They come in a variety of styles, colors, sizes and finishes. Because these tiny beads are so versatile, the possibilties for seed bead projects are endless.Good quality seed beads are uniform in size and shape; though lesser quality beads can be a budget friendly choice for practice pieces. When purchasing quality seeds, look for beads that are made in Japan or Czech.
Most seed beads are labeled with sizes 15o, 11o, 10o, 8o, and 6o. The larger the number, the smaller the bead, with 6o being the largest size.
The 10o or 11o sizes are most common in bead stitching and embroidery. They are fine enough to create polished pieces, and large enough to take several passes of thread when necessary.
The 8o and 6o sizes can be used for stitching, but are more commonly used as embellishments or spacer beads.
The three most common types of seed beads are:
Delicas or Japanese seed beads - These are usually preferred for stitching because they are very uniform in shape and size. The cylindrical shape is ideal for most types of beadwork, and create a very polished look. They are sometimes referred to as Miyukis - after a popular bead manufacturer. Some Japanese seed bead makers also offer tiny beads with cube or triangle shapes.
Czech seed beads - These beads are generally bagel shaped, with slight differences in shape between makes and colors. Some styles are very rounded and flat, while others are longer or more cylindrical. Czech beads are sometimes referred to as rocailles, but are generally what is meant by the term "seed beads".
Bugle beads - These long tubular beads come in a variety of lengths, and have rounded, square, or twisted shapes. Even the best quality bugle beads can be sharp on the edges, so it is a good idea to use heavy or doubled thread when stitching with them. Very sharp beads should be capped with a seed bead on either side when possible to protect the thread from fraying or breakage.
Seed beads come in hundreds of colors and different finishes for an endless possibility of looks.
Opaque - Simple chromatic beads in classic colors. Some varieties are coated with color, so beware of faded looking beads if color fastness is important for your project.
Pearlized or Ceylon - Pale colored beads with a slight sheen.
Galvanized or Metallic - Beads with a great shiny finish that stands out. Some are just coated with color, however, and may fade with handling and wear.
Silver-lined or Foil-lined - Beautiful seed beads with a crystal-like glitter due to the metallic lining of the bead. Some manufacturers also offer gold-lined and copper-lined beads.
Color-lined - Usually clear on the outside, these beads get their color from within, and have a nice shiny quality. Some manufacturers also offer color-lined beads with tinted outer layers.
Translucent and Transparent - Simple clear glass beads in a variety of tints. Some have a shiny 'oil-slick' finish, called Aurora Borealis, or AB for short.
Frosted or Matte - Beads with a worn glass look. The rough finish can make close stitches like peyote a bit awkward, but the results are beautiful.
Seed Bead Essentials
Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques
This informative book includes tips and techniques for every beading skill level, as well as tutorials for common and rare stitches.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/07/2009)
Getting Started with Seed Beads (Getting Started series)
Reknowned beader Dustin Wedekind offers up his wisdom to new beaders in this full color handbook.
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 11/07/2009)
Czech Seed Beads 6/0 ''Devil's Food'' Red Mix (1 Ounce)
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
Miyuki Delica Seed Beads 11/0 DB721 Opaque Yellow 8 Grams
Amazon Price: $4.49 (as of 11/07/2009)
Miyuki 4mm Glass Cube Beads Transparent Frosted Capri Blue AB #149FR 10 Grams
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
Gems and Crystals
Beads made from precious materials
Many beaders use the high quality Swarovski crystals, which come in a variety of colors and coatings.
Crystals do contain lead, but are still considered safe for normal use and wear. The chemicals do not transfer from the beads to the skin in toxic, or significant amounts.
Precious and semi-precious gems are most commonly used for stringing. Gemstones can also be used as accent or focal beads in jewelry projects.
Some examples of common gemstone beads used in beadwork are turquoise, carnelian, garnet, and amber. If uncut or polished, these varieties of stone can be very affordable.More expensive varieties of beads such as amethyst, ruby and emerald are also available to beaders with high quality tastes.
Well researched shoppers will be able to find good quality stones that are traded ethically. Laboratory made stones are a great alternative to the mined variety, as they have less impact on the environment. They are also more ethical, because they are made by trained and paid professionals, and therefore are traded fairly.
Gems and gem colored crystals are often used to make birthstone jewelry. Each month of the year is represented by a different precious or semi-precious stone. Crystal and Gemstone Essentials
Beading with Crystals: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques
Learn the basics of working with crystal beads in this easy to understand tutorial guide.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Beading with Gemstones: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques
Make the most of your precious stones and design fantastic bead jewelry with the techniques in this handy guide.
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 11/07/2009)
Swarovski Crystal Heart Pendant 6202 10mm "Garnet" (6)
Amazon Price: $2.55 (as of 11/07/2009)
Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads: Stringing Instructions and Techniques for Necklaces, Bracelets, and Much More
This luscious book from Interweave Press (Beading Daily) offers 75 stringing projects using stones, pearls and other semi-precious beads.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Natural Beads
Beads from the Earth
Wood and bone beads are usually carved into unique shapes such as animals and faces. They can also be dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Their light quality allows them to be used in abundance, and they are great for hypo-allergenic jewelry.
It's easy to create your own wood or bone beads, but they can also be purchased from artisans and eco-charities. The best natural beads are made from sustainable materials such as dead wood, nuts or other plant by-products.
Oceanic beads such as mother of pearl, abalone shell, and red coral are usually found in the form of bead chips. These rough cut beads make the most of the materials, because no specific shape is desired. Heishi beads or disk beads are another common shape for shells.
Some popular natural beads such as abalone are only available as vintage, because harvesting of them is no longer permitted for conservation purposes.
Abalone shells can be colorful and iridescent, making it an ideal material for jewelry and art. Sadly, because of disease and over harvesting, many species of abalone are endangered, and it is now illegal to harvest or trade these animals.
Ranging in color from salmon pink to deep red, the skeletons of red coral have been used in jewelry for thousands of years.
Like many marine organisms, pollution and other human activities can sometimes threaten this resource, though they are still harvested in many areas.
In bead form, coral is usually found as small, irregular chips or cubes.
Saltwater pearls are one of the most recognized bead types all over the world. They have been used in jewelry and clothing for centuries, and a string of pearls was once considered a status symbol.The value of pearls is determined by their overall appearance. Perfectly round pearls with consistent coloring are the most expensive.
Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Popular shades include pink, lavender and gray or black. Although they are cultured or grown in the same manner as marine pearls, they are still much more affordable. This makes them ideal for beading and jewelry making.
Natural Beading Essentials
Beading with Pearls: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques (A Lark Jewelry Book)
Learn the basics needed to create stunning jewelry with your favorite pearls. This isn't just your grandmother's pearl knotting!
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 11/07/2009)
Hemp Masters: Ancient Hippie Secrets for Knotting Hip Hemp Jewelry
Wooded and shell beads are perfect when paired with plain or dyed hemp cord. With a variety of macrame and knotting techniques, your beads will stand out!
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/07/2009)
Olive Green Oval Cultured Pearls 5mm x 4mm / 15.5 Inch Strand
Amazon Price: $2.54 (as of 11/07/2009)
Create Jewelry: Pearls: Luxurious Designs to Make and Wear (Create Jewelry series)
This guide from Interweave (Beading Daily, Beadwork Magazine) shows beaders from beginner to expert how to turn all types of pearl beads into stunning jewelry. Twenty projects include earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/07/2009)
Plastic Beads
Beads made from plastic
Many types of acrylic beads mimic the same styles as popular crystals, such as the bicone or cube shapes. There are also many varieties of matte colored beads and even patterned beads for all types of crafts and artwork.
Professional quality lucite beads are most commonly used by jewelry designers. These beads are seamless because they are carved or extruded, rather than molded plastic. Because beads are no longer manufactured in this way, they are often referred to as vintage beads.
Many crafters are familiar with the common pony beads. In addition to being a versatile craft supply, these large beads were also fashionable hair accessories during the 80's and 90's. Today many people still use them for weaving colorful keychains and dangles.
Although many artisan beaders and jewelry designers that favor gemstones and crystals tend to frown upon plastic beads, there are still a great many bead lovers that have marvelous collections of acrylic and lucite beads. They can be just as beautiful as more expensive bead varieties, and are not too dear to use for experimental projects.
Clay Beads
Beads sculpted from clay
With several available colors, and endless blending possibilities, polymer clay beads offer a wealth of design freedom.
Beads and other items can be sculpted into all manner of shapes and designs. Polymer clay charms and pendants make wonderful focal beads, and clay can even make up an entire piece of art jewelry.
To produce many copies of a design, artists create canes of color that are sliced to create beads or finishes. This technique can be used to create the popular millefiori beads. Originally made with glass, they are a classic style of bead adorned with "a thousand flowers".
Polymer clay is easy to use, and can be hardened in a regular home oven. A heat-sink is recommended to keep the heating process steady - a large ceramic tile or planter tray is an inexpensive option.
Polymer clay is sometimes referred to as Fimo , after a popular clay brand made by Eberhard Faber.
Precious metal clay (PMC) is another sculpting option for making custom beads and findings. It can be stamped, sculpted and given a variety of finishes, and is a great way to make personalized pendants and tags. Unlike polymer clay, PMC is fired in a kiln.
Polymer Clay Essentials
Get Started with Polymer Clay
To get started with this versatile material, you should have a pasta roller for creating blends, and a great tutorial guide.
Polymer Clay Jewelry
This great book offers 15 step by step projects as well as a color gallery for beading inspiration.
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/07/2009)
Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration
Learn 20 methods for making fabulous polymer clay beads for art jewelry projects.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Prime Pacific Stainless Steel Pasta Machine
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
13 Jewelers Wax Picks Carvers Polymer Clay Ceramic Tool
Amazon Price: $37.04 (as of 11/07/2009)
Sculpey III Multipack - Classic Collection
Amazon Price: $11.29 (as of 11/07/2009)
Cloisonné Beads
Art Metal Beads
Today's cloisonné beads are most commonly made in China, though the origins and quality of beads can vary.The beads and other cloisonné objects are made by fusing silver wire to a metal base, such as copper or bronze. The wire is used to shape the outlines of various designs, creating compartments which will later be filled in with color.
Once the piece has been fired and all the pieces sealed together, colored enamels are added and fired repeatedly, until the compartments are filled completely with color. Electroplating and polishing complete the cloisonné process to create a beautiful finish.
Cloisonne Essentials
Cloisonne Enameling and Jewelry Making
Learn everything you need to know about the cloisonne process with this award winning book.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Jeweler's Directory of Decorative Finishes: From Enameling and Engraving to Inlay and Granulation
Learn to create gorgeous metal jewelry and beads with 15 different finishing techniques.
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/07/2009)
Found Objects
Beads made from Anything
The term found object refers to pieces of art made with objects that were not at all intended for use as art. In beading, the objects themselves can become beads, or a variety of items can come together with other art media to create a unique bead.Nearly anything that can be strung or drilled can be come a bead. And with creative use of clay, glue, wire or other media just about any everyday thing can end up as a piece of jewelry.
Found object beading is not only a wonderful expression of creativity and personality, but is also a from of recycling.
By keeping one's eyes open, a beader can find an unending supply of beading materials. Some examples of great found objects for beading are keys, washers, buttons, game pieces and tiles.
Found Object Essentials
Semiprecious Salvage: Creating Found Art Jewelry
This excellent book includes techniques for making brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and belts with assorted types of found objects.
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/07/2009)
Beaded Jewelry with Found Objects: Incorporate Anything from Buttons to Shells
Combine beads and found art with the techniques in this beautiful and informative guide.
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/07/2009)
Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry
Tips and techniques for transforming vintage and antique jewelry pieces into modern wearable art.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/07/2009)
Beyond The Bead: Making Jewelry With Unexpected Finds
Learn the wonderful art of mixed-media jewelry design from beading expert Margot "The Impatien Beader" Potter. With these step-by-step projects, anyone can learn to create gorgeous jewelry from new and used materials.
Amazon Price: $15.24 (as of 11/07/2009)
Mixed-Media Collage Jewelry: New Directions in Memory Jewelry
Take a love for scrapbooking and memory keeping and turn it into a passion for gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewelry. These unique step-by-step projects will show you how to create pieces from momentos and other curios, for a stunning collection of personalized jewelry.
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/07/2009)
Choosing Colors
How to take advantage of 100's of bead colors and finishes
If you're familiar with the color wheel, you know that it's usually best to choose combinations of colors that are side by side, or directly opposite each other on the wheel.Becoming familiar with the effects of contrasting and complimentary colors is essential for unique and exciting beadwork. Using color in beading can be both a complex process, or a matter of whim.
Using the color wheel and experimenting with different tones and shades can help you create some amazing color combinations. Color is often the most useful tool in beading inspiration.
But the possibilities don't end with the usual spectrum. Some colors are still meant for each other, regardless of their place on the color wheel. And one of the wonderful things about beads is that they are not limited to just standard chromatic colors.
For example:
Brown and Pink:
Chocolate browns in particular are great when paired with assorted shades of pink.
Black and Gold:
Classic and classy, these two colors are always gorgeous together.
Blue and White:
These colors bring to mind cloudy skies and are sure to please they eye every time.
To help with seed bead color selection, create swatches of your beads when you buy them. Use your favorite stitch to make a small piece of plain beadwork with a loop for each color in your stash. Keep your swatches on a string or other handy storage place, and match them up to create stunning bead combinations.
Color Essentials
The Beader's Guide to Color
Beading and color expert Margie Deeb explains the basics of designing with color and offers up 20 stunning projects to match.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Beader's Color Palette: 20 Creative Projects and 220 Inspired Combinations for Beaded and Gemstone Jewelry
Again Margie Deeb wows us with her color combinations. 20 more projects incorporate a wide range of example color palettes to try in your beadwork.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Beader's Color Mixing Directory: 200 failsafe color schemes for beautiul beadwork
With over 200 example color schemes and beadwork pieces, this essential beading guide explains how to mix bead colors for maximum effect.
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/07/2009)
Beading Inspiration: How to Use Color in Jewelry Design
From the pages of Bead and Button and Beadstyle, this guide offers up some excellent color palettes for fun beading and jewelry design.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/07/2009)
Online Bead Shops
There are hundreds of websites that sell beads and jewelry findings and ship across North America and around the world.
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Learn about New Beads Everyday
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Cloisonne Beads wrote
This is really interesting take on the concept. I never thought of it that way. I came across this site recently which I think will be of great use http://www.transpacificgems.com/. Have a look!
Posted September 15, 2009
hempnecklace wrote...
You are cordially invited to join my shopping group if you havn't done so already.
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thank you
David Depape
Posted April 21, 2009
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