Jewelry made of beads

History of Beads

According to archeologists, beads have been in existence for 20,000 years. Small stone cones that were shaped have been found in archeological digs. The cones are identified as beads because each one has a hole purposely pierced into its top.

After all these years, the enchantment with beads still attracts our attention, practically calling out to us. Beadwork is a soothing, seductive process, a process of one bead then another, rhythmically proceeding forward, compelled by the beader’s urge to see the finished creation.

Browse our Photo Gallery for more beaded creations or Check out the Free Bead Project

Bead Jewelry Making

Bead jewelry making has a vast and beautiful collection of handmade beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more. Find and learn about Handmade beaded jewelry or other beaded items. Pick up and learn beading skills from basic jewelry making techniques to more advance beading stitches and like the Peyote stitch, Ladder stitch, Brick stitch, Square stitch, Herringbone Stitch, Right angle weave, Daisy chain beading, French flower beading, bead embroidery, bead crochet, bead knitting, bead tatting, loom beading, 3D beading and many more.

Find beading tutorials or simply browse the wide collection of beaded jewelry and items created here.

Why buy a gift for somebody or yourself when you can make your own unique and exquisite beaded jewelry, ornaments or even flowers! Beading not only lets you learn a new skill, adopt a new hobby, create unique beaded items as gift, it can even help you set up a small business of either teaching the beading skills you learned or selling your exquisite bead jewelry to earn money from.

Bead art that got into the Guinness World Book of records

1. The longest chain of beads is 10,380.27 m (34,056 ft), and was achieved by Maryann Corey (USA) in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA on 10 March 2018. The necklace was created over four months with the help of more than 4,000 students to bring awareness to Lonakana, a non profit offering free cancer retreats for women and children.

2. The largest bead mosaic (image) measures 81.55 mВІ (877 ftВІ 114 inВІ) and was achieved by CГЎmara de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo de Guadalajara (Mexico), at the XXV Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la CharrerГ­a, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, on 20 August 2018. In order to create the mosaic 15 artists worked for about 780 hours, using 30 kg (66.13 lb) of glue to hold in place the 450 kg (992.08 lb) of beads.

Basic beading materials includes

— Beads (there’s so many different sizes, types, materials, colors of beads that you can choose from)

— Needle (This is optional as it depends on the bead size you are using, it is only useful for very small beads or bead embroidery)

— Other tools like cutter, pliers, scissor, burner, tweezers, clips, reamer and more.

Beading Designs

Beading designs can be the most gratifying part of making jewelry. These pieces are your babies. The imagination and images from your mind’s eye are what you give birth.

Beading designs are what make you a ‘handmade jewelry designer’. The designs and possible combinations are countless.

But. what if you don’t see yourself as a jewelry designer? What if you don’t think you’re creative? What will you do for inspiration? We are all different in the arena of creativity.

Several have come through our classes hitting the ground running with loads of beading design ideas before they even leave class. Others just want to move onto learning the next technique, the next step and allow designing to come in it’s own time. Understanding the concept and get a better grip of what they are doing is their goal.

We are all creative in some way. When it comes to making jewelry there are those that like to just work with their hands, simulating other’s creations. And yet others have original ideas racing through their heads ready to give their ideas life.

Let’s discuss it a little further here, jewelry making ideas and where to find the creativity for beading designs.

Discover Your Creativity in Beading Designs

Discovering your creativity in beading designs begins with how you think, what your interests are and how you view fashion.

Let’s focus for a moment on some topics that lead to beading designs. These topics provide a few effective guidelines to assist in your thinking, shaping and molding your thought process while becoming a jewelry designer.

Let’s talk just a bit about each of these to get your creative juices primed.

Beading Patterns

Beading patterns can be the start to all great beading designs. Creating beaded jewelry patterns is the combinations of beads and components. There are 4 different types of patterns and an example of each.

Irregular, unpremeditated pattern with no rhyme or reason.

A repetitive pattern; large, small, large, small, large, small, etc.

A center focal with each side identical creates a mirrored pattern equal in balance and proportion

An off center pattern. A focal point is moved off from the center for a disproportionate balance.

Bead combinations and materials are endless but these will be the basis to the start of your design. Do you lean to one pattern more than another? How will you differ with each piece you create? Time will tell.

Jewelry Style

Are you a fashion guru? Do you watch the trend in styles and change with the times? Are you influenced by what’s being worn by celebrities or are you more of a ‘your own style’ type of person?

Style is a very personal mode of fashion. It speaks to what that person is about and their taste in fashion. Styles are used as expressing oneself and the genre one likes to exude. Styles can be classic and simple, big and bold, brass and sassy, fun and festive, chic or funky, current or retro. Varieties, options, choices and interest are all factors played in your taste of style. Style can also represent the type of jewelry you wear; i.e. hoop earrings vs. dangle earrings, both can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the event or occasion.

Consider style with your beading designs.

Fashion Trends

Trends go hand in hand with style but trends are changeable, whereas styles remain a constant. We suggest that some trends of previous years seem to make a comeback and in turn become set styles.

Trends come and go based on taste, crazes, fads, themes and moods. What trends do you see today? Can you remember other trends from the past that still lend themselves to today’s styles? Do you have a trend you follow or like to wear? Think of some of these as you begin to think beading designs.

Canvas of Color

Color stimulates our senses. When you think about creating a design do you think in color?

Do you have a favorite color or a least favorite color? Do you find specific colors exciting and alluring or boring and dull? Colors speak to us, set our moods, lift our spirits or calm us down. Colors can make us hungry or subdue our appetites, make us happy or sad, confident or disinclined.

Did we say that color stimulates our senses? There are classes and studies and books and lectures on how colors affect our human senses. There are charts on what moods and emotions color create in us.

Our birth months are represented by colored gemstones. Every school and sports team is represented by colors. A change of seasons brings about a new palette of colors.

Color is all around us. We live with it and in it every day, with everything we do. For most, even our dreams are in color. Have you noticed that for yourself? Colors are an important factor to designing beaded jewelry and may rule in your personal process of designing.

A little video we thought you may find helpful on using a color wheel for beading designs and helping with your thought process.

How do you use color in your everyday life? How will you use color as you move forward beading designs? Share your thoughts and comments with us.

Special Occasions or Events

Designing jewelry based on a special occasion or event on your calendar can also play in this game of designing jewelry. How much jewelry do you wear on a regular basis? Does it depend on an event?

What type of occasions do you attend that lends itself to wear jewelry; church, work, sports events, plays, the movies, dinner out or just every day?

What about when you are physically active? Do you wear jewelry working out in the yard, doing your laundry, exercising, swimming or maybe playing sports? The style of jewelry worn may depend on the occasion as well.

The earrings pictured here were created for door prizes for a KY Derby party. The design inspiration came from what the KY Derby is known for. horses, hats, and hooch. The signature drink, the infamous mint julep was our focus. The beads used, citrine chips, spoke to us looking very similar to the main ingredient, bourbon colored crushed ice minus the sprig of mint. We chose a horse head charm draped with a flower garland and completing the look using a bead and cap at the top representing the hat of the design.

Keep the occasion in mind as you begin to gather the components to create that jewelry design that speaks to the event. When designing jewelry based on events, allow it to talk to you. It will help in your creations, a bracelet may be designed to go with that little black dress but still lend itself to the jeans and jacket event. The possibilities are endless. What does it say to you?

Beads [a.k.a. ‘Eye Candy’]

Beads can be a very inspiring when creating jewelry, especially focal beads. Either a style or type of bead can play an important role in your creativity.

Maybe you have seen a beautiful focal bead that you may like to incorporate into a design. That would mean the whole design would revolve around that one focal beads. Pictured here is one of our favorite focal beads we love creating designs around. We call her our ‘bead-at-home-mom’ beads, although it could be green hair but we see curlers. She is a fun bead regardless.

Be assured with the variety of beads, especially focal beads that are available, your assortment and choices are endless.

Does the bead speak to you? Does it lend itself to a particular style or perhaps it’s a stand-alone design? There are many factors that will play into this type of designing that each creation will be a unique one of a kind [OOAK] and don’t you just love unique. You may lean toward this type of designing if you buy handmade beads from artist or if you should decide to learn to make beads yourself.

We expand more about beads as a general overview to introduce you to the vast variety that await you when you begin your own designing. Take a visit now if you are looking for more information about these delicious eye candies. Just be sure to come back and finish up here before roaming to far away. Promise?

Price Point

Then what will you do with your creations? Will they be for you, gifts to family and friends or a means to earn extra money?

If you accumulate inventory to sell your designs there will be the added cost in marketing and packaging as well. All of this can play a huge factor on the type of designs you create or at least create in the beginning.

You can always start small and work your way up reinvesting in materials to build your inventory to resell until you have a good cash flow and can work with more expensive supplies. Jewelry can be made for a dollar or less and still produce a very nice piece of costume jewelry with quality stones.

But if fine jewelry is your taste with gemstones and precious metals, then cost and price point will play into purchasing those higher-end supplies.

Learn from someone who has ‘been there, done that’. In the beginning we rushed out, bought a bunch of beads without knowing anything about beads or their quality. We had a fresh taste for making jewelry and dove right in head first. We were attracted to how they looked behind the packaging and the price tag. Once we got our treasures, called beads, home we ripped into them. Couldn’t wait to get them out of their packaging. Disappointment immediately followed. They were not what we were expecting, but then we didn’t really know what to expect, we had no experience.

We kept them to use for practice but a big lesson was learned that day. Temptation to these tantalizing treats are very real!! Start slow, get to know your supplies, build your stash a little at a time.

Allow yourself time to become familiar with available product before investing very much money.

Resist temptation of the price tag. Set a budget and stick to it.

In Conclusion.

There are many facets to incorporate in your beading designs to be an effective jewelry designer whether you are designing for yourself or others, making gifts or product to sell.

Learn what speaks to you.

There will also be those times that the design you have in your mind’s eye doesn’t turn out quite like you expected. Will you be flexible enough with your designing to change your course mid-stream? Every facet to designing will not necessarily play into the equation with each piece of jewelry you create. Use it as a check list or just for reference.

The more you create, the more beading designs and ideas will flow from you. But what if you hit a bump in the road? What if you are not feeling creative or don’t want to design, then what? Explore the topic more in this article ‘5 Ways to Find Inspiration for Jewelry Making Ideas’. We explore with you some avenues to consider when trying to get those creative juices flowing with your beading designs.

Now where to go from here? You have options for continuing your path learning to make jewelry.

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Beading Jewelry Blog

Grab your favorite drink and join us as we discuss beading jewelry. Every day is ours’ to explore and discover creativity in the comfort of our home.

What is Beading?

What is beading? Learn and understand different aspects to beading to narrow your search for what you want to learn.

Beading For Beginners

Beading for beginners starts right here. Setting you on your path to learning how to bead starting with the basics.

What is Beading?

So just what is beading or bead work? Do you have a pre-conceived idea? There may be more to making jewelry then you originally thought.

Shall we discover some of the possibilities all that involves the making jewelry?

There are different types of techniques and methods of bead work. Do you know what the differences are? Are you sure what type of beading you want to learn?

What is beading?

The word ‘beading’ is a general term and we’ll delve more into this topic as well as see examples to give you a clearer idea. This will hopefully provide you with a better perspective or it may give you a.

Change of Perspective

When first beginning to learn how to make beaded jewelry you may have just one certain idea in mind as to what beaded jewelry may be.

We found there was more than what originally thought. Boy were we surprised what we discovered. The word ‘beading jewelry’ gave us a whole new perspective.

Basic bead stringing was the goal. but what is yours? Would you care to take a closer look at some options ahead of you?

What is beading? Beading is.

Bead Stringing

What is bead stringing? Well. basically, it’s stringing beads on a cord, wire or ‘string’, to create either a piece of jewelry or an accessory.

You string the beads and you close your project to secure the beads. Voil`a. you have a piece of jewelry or accessory. Beads can be strung on a variety of materials, but regardless it’s still just basic stringing. This seems to be the most common method for beginners to start with.

It’s simple, easy to understand, affordable and doesn’t leave much room for error. This is our area of interest and we take you on an exploration of the topic. We look closer at the beading supplies, techniques and tools needed for each project as you progress through.

What is beading? Beading is.

Bead Embroidery

Bead embroidery is a type of bead work that incorporates sewing with beads, stitching seed beads to a variety of items or garments, creating an embellished look that enhances the appearance.

So beading is not merely for jewelry making but also embellishing non-jewelry items. It is still considered beading and bead work all the same.

Embellishing garments such as a wedding dress or an evening gown and fashion accessories may require sewing or gluing the beads to your project. There would be specialized materials specific to that type of project that would be needed.

This type of bead work will be a time investment project but well worth the effort to achieve the bling and effects the added dimension can offer your wardrobe. Here is a taste.

What is beading? Beading is.

Bead Weaving

Bead weaving is a type of bead work that incorporates sewing, stitching and weaving beads together to create beaded patterns. Bead weaving is done both on a bead loom and off a bead loom.

Off loom bead weaving introduces a variety of beading patterns based on a variety of specific stitches used for your project.

Some of these bead weaving stitches are.

Each specific stitch done in a repetitive series creates different looking beading patterns.

The one picture above is a sample from a bead artist I follow. She does beautiful work and by the looks of it she knows what she is doing.

Bead weaving can be created using seed beads or a variety of other beads, opening a whole new topic of beading supplies as well. You will learn about needles, beading thread, and a variety of other topics to cover this type of beading thoroughly.

Perhaps in the future you may see more beading instructions and tutorials on bead weaving from Bead At Home. Be sure to stay tuned and in touch as we continue to grow.

For now, let’s look at bead weaving on a beading loom.

Bead weaving with a bead loom requires a special tool called. you guessed it. a beading loom frame. It’s resembles other type of weaving looms that I’m sure you have seen demonstrated some time or other in your adventures.

Bead looms are available in a variety of styles, quality and price range. Since this is not our expertise, we turn to other beading buddies that have more experience to share their knowledge with you. This should give you a taste of bead weaving on a bead loom to see if it’s something you might pursue

We hope you found this video helpful and gave you some insight as to what to expect should this type of beading or bead work catches your interest. Now let’s continue down our quest to find out.

What is beading? Beading is.

Beaded MacramГ©

Beaded macramГ© is also a type of bead weaving and knotting that you may have been introduced to as a child either through girl scouts or some craft class. It is an old art and craft favorite that has been given new life with a new feel.

MacramГ© is a technique using a series of knots by weaving cord in and out of itself creating different looks.

Some of these knots will be:

In addition to a variety of braiding and decorative knots.

Using parachute cord, hemp cord and a variety of other suitable cords will create this fun and appealing styled jewelry for any age group. Examples of this type of weaving can be found in the currently popular friendship bracelets, shamballa bracelets or survival bracelets.

No special tools and no sewing is required to achieve these very popular designs. The knot pictured here is the square knot and very, very easy to achieve with just a little practice. MacramГ© is an affordable, simple way to create jewelry

Incorporating beads can be added to the process providing more detail and interest to your design plus giving you countless creations for your collection.

It is basic and fun to do if you love working with your hands. The updated colorful materials that are available can make for some rather uptown designs so be watching for more.

For now let’s move onto a different concept to beading and bead work and that is actually making beads.

What is beading? Beading is.

Bead Making

Making beads is another form of bead work. There are a variety of methods and a variety of materials that can be used. Some materials include but are not limited to:

Finding the right medium that suites you will take some experimentation or perhaps trying your hand with all of them if your interest turns this way. Bead making can be a very creative outlet just by the examples you see here.

If you decide to create beads using clay or by melting glass canes, each technique will have it’s own set of specific tools, instructions and techniques to accomplish the project and master the process. The result will be the same. artistic beading.

With the finished beads you can apply the simple basic stringing techniques shared here at ‘Beading Jewelry 101’ to take your handmade beads to the next level. Or you have the option to sell them, offering others the opportunity to create from your inspiration.

If all of these are beyond your ideas of beading then let’s simplify it back to.

What is beading? Beading is.

Beading Craft for Kids

Beading craft for kids is a whole different direction in one sense and a large topic in itself. Yet it is still considered beading. The stereo typical beading craft for kids may consist of the large holed plastic craft beads or pony beads strung onto a thick plastic thread, like you see in this picture here.

So much more is possible having done several children’s classes. Using glass beads or novelty beads make great jewelry projects for kids as well using the right stringing materials.

The bracelet pictured to the right, was a project done for a first grade class for Mother’s Day. How would you like to get this from your first grader? Not bad, huh?

Keep an open mind there is more to bead crafting for kids then plastic large holed beads. There are lots of selection that children can easily use. The reality is that basic bead stringing taught here is suitable for kids of any age, 6-92. We would know. that has been the age range of students in our classes over the years.

Bead stringing is great for eye and hand coordination for children of any age with adult supervision as much as it is for elderly to stay alert and agile. If they can hold it in their hand, they can string it.

Beading Safety Tip:

Keep those precious little ones safe with a dult supervision at all times!

How to Make Beaded Jewelry

Want to know how to make a beaded necklace or earrings? Browse the beginner-friendly instructions and tutorials below to find out!

Basic Techniques for Jewelry Making

How to Use Beading Wire for Stringing Beads Into Jewelry

Learn how to make easy beaded necklaces and bracelets with beading wire like Acculon and Soft-flex.

How to Make Wire Jewelry

Wire jewelry is about putting different components together in a beautiful way. You can make a simple but elegant necklace, bracelet, or anklet just by putting some beads on some wire and attaching them to some chain.

How to Make Hemp Jewelry

Hemp macrame jewelry is easy to make doesn’t require a lot of extra tools. Learn how to make flat and spiral weave, how to add beads, and how to finish your necklace.

How to Add a Clasp Using Crimp Beads

Create a polished finish for your beaded jewelry by using crimp beads to add your clasp.

What Supplies Do I Need to Make Jewelry?

Beading on a Budget

Beading as a hobby can quickly add up. Here are some strategies to save money without sacrificing quality.

Bead Stringing: What Supplies Do I Need?

Supplies for stringing beads with thread, beading wire, and cord.

Wire Jewelry: What Supplies Do I Need?

Learn what supplies are needed for making jewelry with wire.

Beadweaving: What Supplies Do I Need?

Supplies needed for beadweaving, for both on and off-loom techniques.

What Are Jewelry Findings?

Findings are small components used to make a collection of beads into jewelry. This includes clasps, headpins, jump rings, bead tips, crimp beads, and more. Usually these are metal, but they can also be made of wood, stone, or other materials.

What Types of Beads are Used to Make Jewelry?

Beads are the foundation of making beaded jewelry–here is an introduction to common bead types.

How to Organize Bead Supplies

In the wonderful world of beads, it can be pretty easy to become overwhelmed (so many beads, so much wire, so many findings!), especially if you are just starting out. Here are some tips on how to organize all the beading supplies you have–and those you will acquire.

Designing Beaded Jewelry

Jewelry Lengths

Necklaces 12-15″ – Choker 18″ – Princess 24″ – Matinee 30-36″ – Opera Anklets 9-11″ – Womens Bracelets 7-9″ Womens 9-11″ Mens

Recycling Old Jewelry Into New Pieces

Do you have a bunch of jewelry you never wear cluttering up your jewelry box? Time to get out your pliers and retrieve some beads to put to better use!

How to Upcycle Plain or Boring Jewelry

Jewelry is never set in stone–here’s how to disassemble and reassemble jewelry into something very different, and much more “you”.

Making Friends With Color in Jewelry Design

Color is one of the most impactful elements of design. It can also seem scary and mysterious–here are some tips to help you make friends with color.

Choosing Beads That Work Together

Color and texture are the main components of great jewelry design. Here is how to choose colors and textures of beads that complement each other and come together in a truly great piece of jewelry.

Step-by-Step Jewelry Making Projects

Shell Memory Wire Bracelet

Summer is fleeting fast, but it’s not too late to create wonderful summer jewelry like this shell bracelet, and few things are easier than memory wire. Let’s get started! Supplies Tools chain nose pliers round nose pliers wire cutters Materials shell pieces memory wire Instructions The trick with this bracelet is you’ll be threading the […]

Oval Hematite Bead Bracelet

Note: I’m using Hematine here, which is a synthetic equivalent of Hematite and virtually identical. Either will work for this project. I used the word Hematite in the title because it is a much more common word for both materials. This classy double-stranded bracelet is an easy to wear, year round favorite. It won’t take […]

Floating Illusion Bracelet

This is a fun way to create sparkle without using color–which means it goes with everything!

Make a Wire-Wrapped Ring

This ring is fast and easy, with very few tools needed.

Two Tone Wire Wrapped Jump Ring Bracelet

This is a classy bracelet you can make with just jump rings and wire!

Jagged Little Necklace

This super-simple necklace is easy to make, and fun to wear!

Double Chain and Pendant Necklace

Like chain? Here’s an easy project that adds life to ordinary chain.

Jamaican Shell Set

Explore color, texture, and contrast with this beaded shell necklace and earring tutorial. The necklace is strung using beading wire, and earrings use hoops with spots to attach dangles.

Wire Wrapped Toe Ring

With summer sandals, toe rings let you show off a little bit of your creativity! Here’s a fun and basic design to get you started.

Easy Chain Necklace

This sophisticated necklace and matching earrings have classic appeal for those who enjoy more understated accessories. And it’s very easy to create!

Easy Triangle-Bead Bracelet

This unique bracelet is a simple beading project that’s a little artsy and loaded with style.

Summer Pearls Anklet

Nothing says warm weather jewelry like anklets and toe rings. This simple beaded pearl anklet in white and silver is easy to make and will pair well with many outfits. Supplies Tools chain nose pliers round nose pliers wire cutters Materials silver chain jump rings headpins 6, 8, and 10mm glass pearls spiral bead cages lobster claw clasp Techniques How […]

Easy Ribbon Necklace

This necklace is a breeze to make!

Easy Offset Bead Necklace & Earring Set

This is a simple project that calls for very basic skills; you’ll only need a good dose of patience for stringing these wonderful little beads.

Blue Skies Earrings

Blue is just a great color — versatile and cheery, and hard to grow tired of. I knew at once when I spotted these heart-shaped glass beads that they’d make great earrings. Supplies Tools chain nose pliers round nose pliers wire cutters Materials 2 earwires 4 eyepins 4 flat spacer beads 2 round glass beads 2 […]

How to Make a Cluster Bracelet

A variation of the classic charm bracelet, this style is fun and has a lot of movement to it. It looks complex, but it uses the same basic wire-wrapping skills of our other projects.

Ocean Breeze Crystal Earrings

These cool and breezy earrings are a warm weather delight you’re sure to enjoy all year round, and they’re as simple to make as they are pretty! Supplies Tools chain nose pliers round nose pliers wire cutters Materials two earwires four 10mm jump rings four eyepins eight headpins two blue faceted glass beads two turquoise […]

Chunky Bracelet and Earring Set

Artsy meets sophisticated in this simple but unique bracelet and earring set. Supplies Tools chain nose pliers round nose pliers wire cutters crimping pliers Materials beading wire crimp beads toggle clasp small gold-colored round glass beads ceramic beads in 2 or 3 shapes and sizes gold earwires gold eyepins Instructions With this set, placement of […]

Three Strand Floating Illusion Necklace

Make a three-strand floating illusion necklace using crimp beads and a few tools.

Variable Strand Necklace

This necklace has three strands that weave in and out of the beads at irregular intervals, creating an interesting bohemian look.

Easy Bracelet and Earring Set

A simple beaded bracelet and wire earrings.

Wire Wrapped Rings Necklace

This is a simple project with a lovely result! The key to this design is to keep certain dimensions the same–the color of the jump rings, the color of the beads–and varying other dimensions–the size and style of the jump rings, the size and style of the beads.

How to Make Easy Drop Earrings

Earrings make a great project for beginners because they are easy and give instant satisfaction. This tutorial shows step by step how to create simple drop earrings with a few beads and tools.

Senegal Sunset Necklace

If you have an eye for color and a taste for the bold (yet classic!) you’re going to love this necklace. Supplies Tools chain nose pliers crimping pliers wire cutters Materials gold beading wire gold hook clasp crimp beads gold spacers amber faceted glass beads round orange glass beads orange and brown speckled ceramic beads […]

Double-Stranded Necklace

Learn how to make a parallel double-stranded necklace using beading wire.

Simple Wire Wrapped Bead Necklace

This necklaces uses basic wire-wrapping techniques, and is the perfect way to show off a unique collection of beads. If you want to dive into wire, this is a great place to start.

Moss Jasper Necklace Set

This set is easy to create, is subtly classic, but sure to grab attention, too.

Wire Wrapped Beaded Hair Clip

This hairclip uses similar techniques as our wire wrapped earrings. It also makes a fun (supervised) project for kids.

Simple Wire Wrapped Earrings

Want to get started with wire? This is a simple project with only a few supplies needed – just gather a few pretty beads, headpins, wire, then grab your tools and get started.

Triple Layered Chain Beaded Necklace

This stylish and colorful three-chain necklace is put together using simple techniques. With a little patience and good bead selection, you’ll be proud to say you made this piece!

Filigree Link Bracelet

I was drawn to these filigree pieces for their antique gold finish. That same day, I picked up some heavy chain in that same antique gold finish. Later the idea came to pair the chain and the filigree pieces, and it was a simple process to create this charming bracelet.

Eclectic and Earthy Leather Necklace

Eclectic meets earthy in this easy to make funky necklace.

Beaded Watch Bracelet Jewelry Project

Beaded watch bands are a fun and easy DIY jewelry project. Follow our step by step instructions to make your own custom watchband using beads.

Beaded Chain Eyeglass Holder

This is an easy and useful project that will jazz up your glasses while keeping them from getting lost.

55 Different types of BEADS for bead embroidery and jewelry making

Do you know that beads have been found in graves of men who died a long time ago – like thousands of years ago. Check out a recent report here in Huffingtonpost.com – Researchers have discovered three glass beads from a Fifth Century burial site in Japan. In Africa glass beads have been found which date back to 300 BC. Beads are always in fashion.

Even today one way or the other designers try to incorporate the incandescence of beads into their creations. Bead embellishments are done on Bags, jackets, tops, brooches, pendants, purses belts, hats and even shoes – you name a clothing / accessory and you will find beads decorating it, making it look special.

It is not only the top couture designers who are fascinated by beads. Ordinary men and women like you and me have been attempting to make beautiful creations – jewelry and embellishments as per their imagination and creativity, on their own.

Beads come in different types, sizes and materials. They are made of wood, shell, plastic, ceramics, metal and even bone.

Beads can be categorized according to their shape, surface finish as well as the type of materials they are made of.

Check out the different types of beads we popularly use.

Types of Beads

Bead types according to the material they are made of.

1. Seed Beads

These are small round shaped beads which are made of glass. They come in a wide variety of colours, clear, iridescent or silver lined. They are regularly used for making jewelry, bead weaving and also for needle work.

2. Lampwork Beads

Lampwork beads are handcrafted glass beads which are exquisitely beautiful. They are made by melting glass with a torch. The process of making the lampwork beads is very labourious; different colours of glass are melted together to form the patterns visible on the surface of the beads.

3. Glass crackle Beads

Glass beads with a crackle effect. The light reflecting from the internal cracks create a very interesting effect.

4. Pony Beads

Pony beads are inexpensive slightly oval shaped beads mostly made of plastic. They are generally used in craft projects and for kids to make jewellery. These beads are available as a single colour or in a mixed set. These beads are sometimes called an “E” bead; Most are sized about 3-1/2 to 4mm.

5. Sugar beads

Very small, sugar granule sized beads.

6. Acrylic fancy beads

7. Ceramic Beads

These are beads made of clay.

8. Wood beads

9. Semi precious beads /Precious Gemstones

Precious stones are rare and costly gems like diamonds, rubies etc. Semi precious stones are not as expensive or rare as precious stones.

Beads can be made of organic materials (Amber, Pearls). If you want beige and white stones you have Picture Jasper, Leopardskin Jasper, Howlite; If you want red and brown stones you have Tiger Eye, Poppy Jasper,Garnet, Goldstone; If you want blue and green stones you have Sodalite, Blue Howlite, Lilac Howlite, Grape Fossilbead, Malachite, Unakite, Labradorite; If you want black stones you can get Hematite, Black onyx, Snowflake and obsidian.

10. Cultured pearls

These are fine quality pearls harvested from farmed mussels. Cultured pearls may be bred freshwater or saltwater; The term covers all pearls on the market today like Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian,and freshwater pearls. Pearls cultured in saltwater are more valued than freshwater pearls. But freshwater pearls are moderately priced and hence much in demand

11. Costume pearls

Also known as faux pearls or plastic pearls or imitation. They can be made of glass, plastic or fish-scales which are coated with a material which makes them look like pearl. They lack the depth of colour and beauty of the original pearl. These pearls are inexpensive, lightweight and hence used in beading on fabric.

Plastic pearls can be of many shapes. Round shaped pearls are the most common. Oat pearls are oblong in shape; then there are teardrop-shaped pearls and pear-shaped pearls, which are tapered on one end.

12. Faux beads

These are imitation beads that look exactly like real gemstones/ivory.

13. Crystal Beads

These are cut glass beads made with approximately 30% lead, giving it a highly refractive quality.(Crystal Bicone beads)

Swarovski crystal beads are the finest cut (precision cut) crystal beads you can get for beads work. They were originally made in Austria and are renowned for their brilliance and quality. They come in a variety of sizes shapes and colors ( more than 50 colors and 15 effects) ; They can be made into fine jewelry as well as sewn into fabric as an embellishment

Rhinestones which are made of crystals / glass but are not Swarovski are generally called Austrian crystals.

14. Perler beads (fuse beads)

These are heat activated beads usually used for fun craft bead projects for kids.

15. Metal Beads

Out of all metal beads, silver is very popular. If you want pure silver beads you will have to look for beads marked as Sterling silver – the purity of silver can be tested with an ammonia test. Usually metal beads are used along with glass beads as spacer beads.

16. Paper Beads/Fabric beads

These beads are made by rolling small pieces of paper or fabric.

17. Pebble beads

Flat shaped beads with holes on either sides. It could also be pebbles which are hand cut and drilled to make holes.

18. Beaded bead

A beaded bead is made by weaving small beads onto a single bigger bead. Check out this tutorial to make your own beaded beads.

19. Lava beads

These natural beads are made of lava stone.

20. Beads made of natural materials

Beads can be crafted out of animal horn, turtle shell, and deer hooves ; sea shells make beautiful beads. Hard seeds are sometimes used as beads

Bead types according to the shape of the beads.

21. Cylinder bead

This is a tube-shaped bead with a large hole; Also goes by names Toho bead, Delica bead

22. Pinch Beads

These are 3 sided oval shaped beads with a single hole – the 3 sides are flattened.

23. Pellet beads

These are single hole cylinder shaped beads with an indent in the middle that makes them look somewhat like hourglass.

24. Bugle Beads

These are long glass beads which are shaped like a tube. They are either smooth or with 6 sides. The sizes of bugle beads range from 2mm to 40mm.

25. Roundel beads

Roundel beads are flat donut shaped beads usually used as a spacer bead. Glass Roundel (also called roundelle) usually come with many faces but some are available smooth too.

26. Triangular bead

This is a bead shaped like a triangle. It usually has two holes along one side.

27. Drop Beads (Fringe beads)

Drop beads are shaped like a pear or raindrop; they have a hole through the bead or at times at the narrow end of the bead

Drop duo is a drop shaped bead with two holes on the sides.

28. Faceted Beads

29. True cut seed beads

True cut seed beads are seed beads with one or 2 facets cut into them resulting in a shimmery appearance. 3X (3 cuts) Beads are seed beads that are multi-faceted; they have an extra sparkle glitter and shine due to the cut of the bead and also due to the silver lining on the holes.

30. Charlotte seed bead

Charlotte is a faceted size 13 seed bead, with one hand-cut side on each bead. Cut of this bead is distinctive.

31. E bead

E beads are size 6 seed beads.

32. Sequins

Sequins are disk shaped beads; they are available in any number of shapes, sizes and colours. They are mostly round in shape with a bowl like center with a hole. Some are flat.

Paillets are very big sequins which have holes near the edge rather than the center. These sequins are used to embellish fabric edges; they are frequently used in dance costumes. Checkout the different ways to stitch sequins on to your clothes.

33. Flatback beads

You get all kinds of flat back beads. They can be sewn-in or adhered with the help of glue.

Rhinestones are flat back crystal beads with holes, through which you can sew to attach them to fabric. There are rhinestones which can be glued onto fabric as well. They have many facets and the light reflected on them makes them look like diamonds. Checkout this post on many ways to fix rhinestones on your fabric

34. Donut beads (Ring beads) O-beads

Beads shaped like donuts /rings ofcourse.

35. Piggy beads

These beads look like a curved button with two holes. When you look at it might seem like a pig’s nose; hence the name

36. Tila beads

These are flat, square or rectangular tile-shaped 2-hole seed beads.

37. Bead stud

This is a bead shaped like a pyramid – it is used as a center piece in pendants

38. Rulla beads

These are cylinder shaped beads with holes on either side. Can be used as spacer beads for finishing rows of bead weaving

39. Oblong shaped beads

There are many types of oblong shaped beads. Dagger beads are long beads. Rizo beads are rice sized and shaped. Spike is another long bead. Magatama beads are beautifull oblong shaped beads.

40. Magatama beads

These are curved comma shaped beads with two holes – they are shaped like the ethnic Japanese Magatama beads.

Bead types According to the position of the holes.

41.Twin beads /Superduo beads

These are beads with two holes.

42. Briolette beads

All beads with top drilled holes are called briolette beads – usually they are drop beads.

43. Rocaille seed bead

Rocaille is a silver or gold lined seed bead with a square hole.

44. Guru beads

These beads have 3 holes and they are used as pendants for prayer necklaces.

Bead types according to patterns

45. Eye beads

These beads will have a circle or many circles in the middle with the look of an eye. Also called evil eye beads – they are blue in color.

46. Chevron beads

These are large barrel shaped beads made of opaque glass, with a chevron pattern made of different colors.

47. Dichroic beads

These are lampworked glass beads in iridescent metallic colors in two tones (the bead will seem like that of two colors when looked at from different directions).

48. Mosaic beads

These beads are made of glass with beautiful colourful patterns ingrained on them. (Millefiori beads)

49. Foil Beads

These are transparent or translucent beads with metallic foil inside the bead.

50. Cloisonne beads

These are beautiful metal beads with intricate designs on the surface. It has an enameled surface with metal wires embedded to create the delicate looking designs

51. Givre beads

These beads are clear or translucent but their middle portion will have a cloud of color.

Bead types according to ethnicity

These beads are native to certain places in the world. Bali beads, Indian Rudraksha beads are examples.

52. Bali Beads

Bail beads are hand made, sterling silver made originally in Bali, Indonesia. They are often used as spacers when making jewelry. These beads are intricately worked in silver and are beautiful

53. Rudraksha Bead

This is a bead made of dried berries, used in the Indian subcontinent as a prayer bead. It is used to make prayer necklaces and is considered holy.

54. African Trade Beads

These are chunky and colorful beads that were once used as currency in the African continent

55. Findings turned into Beads

You can turn many things into beads – coconut shells. sea shells including, whelks, conch shells, wood carvings, metal nuts, rubber and plastic tube.

Bead types according to the different finishes of the beads are.

Transparent beads – clear or colored glass beads that allow light to pass through the surface

Opaque beads – Beads that do not allow light to pass through

Lustre finish – This is a high gloss finish on a transparent bead

Matte finish – This is a non-shiny texture. It has a smooth velvety finish

Satin finish – A shimmery finish

Silver lined – Beads with a mirror-like lining inside

Supra finish – frosted looking finish

Firepolish finish – Heat treated beads with a glossy finish

Galvanised finish – A metallic finish that can get a worn-off look after sometime

Iris finish – This finish gives beads an iridescent coating. Called Aurora Borealis finish when one side has this finish

Ghost finish – A matt finish with a rainbow effect

Colour lined beads – Two-toned beads with one color on the outside and another on the inside

Ceylon finish – A pearly finish mostly in a soft pastel color, usually on an opaque bead.

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