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Making Beaded Jewelry and Accessories
115
items Jewelry design supplies, inspiration, advice and more for creating strung bead and other types of beadwork accessories.
Sections
11
Types of Beads
Stringing, Wire, and Wrapping Materials
Findings / Notions
Kits and DIY Sets
Tools
Adhesive Solutions
Types of Beads
There are so many types of beads and even more ways to work with them. I can't include them all, but these bead varieties are top picks for creative beadwork.
Seed beads are wonderful for so many different things, they are usually made of glass and have a few sizes to pay attention to, but all are very small to remain part of this category. Buying seed beads in bulk will allow you to save money and make ma...
Wholesale Bulk Lot 10 Bags SEED BEADS 6MM Over 1 POUND ASSORTED COLORS
Spacer beads are meant to fit snuggly between beads and can be used to separate sections of designs, create patterns or add a different material to your project. They come in many different materials and shapes and sizes but are most often thin/flat,...
Spacer Beads - Etsy
Polymer Clay beads can be a fun addition to your jewelry. Sometimes they have intricate designs, look good for bold keychains since they are pretty durable, and you can even learn to make them yourself in your home oven.
7" Multicolor Flower Clay Beads by hildie & jo | JOANN
Heishi beads are a style of thin, circular flat beads. They often come in shell, Clay and gemstone material.
Pink Shell Heishi Beads, 5mm, Full or Half Strand, Natural Shell, Pale Pink, Shell, Pink Shell, Rondelle, Heishi Beads, Shell Beads, Natural
Carved gemstone beads are unique and whimsical.
AAA Iridescent Carved Natural White Mother of Pearl Shell Cute Bunny Rabbit Beads Choose from 5pcs, 10pcs
Lava stone beads are great for adding texture and functionality to your work as they are used for aromatherapy. Add essential oils for another beading benefit.
Lava Beads | Rainbow | Multicolor Round Diffuser Beads - 6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm 14mm 16mm 18mm 20mm Available
Bead caps and metal filigree can be nice accents for your beads.
120ct Shiny Silver Filigree Metal Bead Caps by hildie & jo | JOANN
Faceted beads add shimmer to your creations and are often layered in multiple strands for dramatic effects. If you want bulk try looking on eBay.
Bead, Celestial Crystal®, opaque black AB, 4mm faceted bicone. Sold per 15-1/2" to 16" strand, approximately 100 beads.
Ceramic beads come in a bunch of styles from natural glazes to molded figurines. They can add an air of earthiness or refinement to your work depending on style and larger beads make great center pieces for statement jewelry.
Blue Daisy Ceramic Round Beads, 8mm by Bead Landing™
Gemstone beads come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and styles from wispy, delicate natural forms, to simple spheres, carved animals and faceted works of beauty. Make sure your beads holes are the correct size for your stringing materials and have an a...
Icy Blue & Purple Sea Sediment Imperial Jasper Beads Grade AAA Gemstone Round Loose Beads 4MM 6MM 8MM 10MM 12MM Bulk Lot Options
Beads made ethically from bone or horn can make versatile, visually stimulating jewelry.
Bone Bead, Handcut Hairpipe, White & Antique Brown, 1-1/2" or Black and White, 1” | Carved Long Tube Beads for DIY Southwestern, 5pcs
Wooden beads can be finely carved or very simple and plain. Some woods are chatoyant and when polished have an inner shine like tiger eye gems. Wood can be light weight making it good for earrings or stacking bracelet sets.
Natural Wood Carved Lotus/Dragon/OM loose Beads 20 mm,Wood Spacer Beads,Mala Making,Buddhism Beads,DIY Jewelry,Mala Beads,Prayer Beads
Alphabet beads are a popular way to include names and messages in your jewelry. Easily create custom, personalized pieces with individual letters or word blocks.
White Round Alphabet Beads by Creatology™
For festival, rave or concert gear, or just something really fun for kids or adults try glow in the dark beads.
POP! Possibilities Glow in the Dark Assorted Pony Beads | JOANN
Handmade paper beads can give your design a story, aid in recycling and support mindful creativity.
150+ Loose Paper Beads Made by Women Refugees in Uganda Africa
Metal beads, especially precious metals are really versatile beading options. Simple metal beads used for spacers or as the main components can match many styles and outfits. Precious metals are hypoallergenic and having a few sterling silver or text...
6MM Sterling Silver Spacer Beads Round 10 Pcs (63951-2182)
Lampwork beads are glass beads usually crafted by skilled artisans and can be anything their imagination dreams up and abilities can create. They are really fun, can be made into charms and add quirkiness to any beadwork. Find small glass and lampwo...
Pink Raspberry Glass Bead 1 realistic, popular right now, Beads for Jewelry Making, Pink fruit berries, Lampwork Handmade, SRA, Murano beads
Teardrop beads are always a stunning part of jewelry design. They can be made with vertical holes to drip along your bead strand or horizontal holes to dangle off your work with a more pendant like effect.
Teardrop Glass Beads - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
Slider beads can exist in open forms with room for thick straps or cords, they can be narrow spacers and can have slots or holes to guide strands through on multi strand jewelry.
10 Slider Beads, bracelet making supplies, Leather Cord Slider, Bracelet Slider Beads, Bracelet Findings, Jewelry Findings, ZM624as
The beauty of beads with natural forms like freshwater pearls or unshaped coral is something unto itself.
Pearl mix, cultured freshwater (natural / bleached), white / peach / mauve, 5-7mm rice, C- grade, Mohs hardness 2-1/2 to 4. Sold per pkg of (6) 15-inch strands.
Millefiore beads are glass beads with a pattern created within them, often flowers.
Millefiori Glass Flat Square Beads, 8mm by Bead Landing™
Drilled cabochons can be found in many sizes and strung on your designs. A huge selection can be found on Etsy and some shops offer you the choice of custom drilling allowing you to choose the placement and direction of the hole.
Natural Marcasite Fancy Shape Drilled Cabochon Matching Pairs, Semi-Precious Gemstones For Jewelry Making
Stringing, Wire, and Wrapping Materials
What you need to string your beads.
This is bead stringing wire, the main thing to use for making simple strands of beads. Make sure it is the right gauge for the the holes in your beads and you're ready to start. It also comes other colors and finishes, such as copper, bronze and less...
Beadalon® 7 Strand Bright Bead Stringing Wire, 0.15", 100 ft.
This clear, nylon filament cord is great when you don't want anything but your beadwork to stand out. It is good for making illusion jewelry, drapes nicely when strung and knots easily when you are tying off your work.
Beadalon® Supplemax™ Monofilament Illusion Cord, Clear, 0.25mm
If you'd like to make stretchy bracelets or other jewelry you can slip on that doesn't necessarily need a clasp try this stretchy cord.
Stretch Magic® Bead & Jewelry Cord, 0.5mm
If you want to weave your beads this fire line is what you're looking for.
Beadalon® WildFire™ Bead Weaving Thread, 008"
Another stringing option that can be good for knotting as well. Youay want to use this for larger accent beads or minimal jewelry.
Black Rattail Cord by Bead Landing™
This linen cord is waxed and is also good for knotting.
Black Waxed Linen Cord by Bead Landing™
Beading thread is another stringing alternative.
Beadalon® Nymo® Nylon Thread, Earth Tone
A delicate wire to wrap beads and attach them to things like hair clips or bar pins.
Bead Landing™ Beading Wire, Silver
Wire can be used in many beading situations, decorative and utilitarian. Understand gauge and metal type for pliability.
Wire Elements 18 Gauge 10yds Tarnish Resistant Wire Silver | JOANN
Heavy leather cord can be attractive with larger beads and hardware. You can find it in different thicknesses though so it doesn't always have to be so weighted.
Black Leather Cord by Bead Landing™
Another type of leather cord lace suede has a softer feel and appearance and is better for larger beads or knots.
Suede Leather Lace by ArtMinds™
Sometimes you want to make jewelry that really maintains it's shape without extra hardware. Use memory wire to string your beads onto a form maintaining wire. Make sure you buy the appropriate diameter and curve for your project. The wire really won'...
Beadalon Memory Wire Bracelet .50 Oz Silver Plated | JOANN
Findings / Notions
What you need to make your designs complete.
Crimp beads are small metal rings that you squeeze closed on beading wire and stringing materials to end off your project. The size of the crimp beads you will need will depend on the thickness of the stringing material, the size of the bead hole nea...
2mm Silver Metal Crimp Beads 300pc by hildie & jo | JOANN
I like having crimp bead options for different stringing materials. This is a great pack of different sizes.
Assorted Metal Crimp Beads, 600ct. by Bead Landing™
If you are stringing on thinner wire or using heavier beads a crimp tube instead of a regular crimp bead can make your jewelry more secure with added length.
60ct Silver Assorted Metal Crimp Tubes by hildie & jo | JOANN
For a more polished finished design use crimp bead covers to hide your crimp beads. Get ones a couple of sizes up from the size of the crimp beads to make sure they cover them completely. Slip them over the closed crimp bead after you squeeze it and ...
Beadalon 4mm Crimp Covers 20PK Silver Plated | JOANN
There are many types of clasps and closures to pick from, it's all up to you and your desires. This kit includes a few options for different styles, but there are tons more out there.
Findings Kit by Bead Landing™
If you are looking for hypoallergenic options Stainless Steel is usually a good bet.
Stainless Steel Lobster Clasps by Bead Landing™
When choosing jump rings try to keep in mind the size relates to the clasp you are using. Make sure your jump rings' thickness will fit comfortably into your clasps and that their diameter is the right proportion to your design. Heavy rings and clasp...
8mm Sterling Silver Plated Jump Rings 25pk by hildie & jo | JOANN
Post pins can be found as simple as these or they can have fancier designs. Slip your beads on one with a base bigger than your bead holes and use your rounded or cylindrical pliers to create an eye at the top of the beads or twist the extra wire aro...
2" Silver Head Pins 40pk by hildie & jo | JOANN
Eye pins allow you to get creative with your finish. String your beads on and make another loop for charms, spiral the wire, or make your own shapes for a unique look.
1" Sterling Silver Plated Eye Pins 18pk by hildie & jo | JOANN
Toggle clasps can be a vibrant solution for closure on your jewelry, they work best for necklaces with some weight or more form fitting jewelry.
18pk Shiny Silver Medium Metal Wrap Toggle Clasps by hildie & jo | JOANN
You might want to add some extra length to a design without fuss, in that case premade extenders are available.
70mm Chain Extender by Bead Landing™
Maybe you want to add a custom amount of length to one of your designs or use chain with an accent of beadwork. There are many chain options to choose from. If you are using it as an extender make sure the links are wide enough to accommodate your cl...
60" Rolo Chain by Bead Landing™
Some premade ring blanks are great for adding beads like this adjustable ring base.
Adjustable Ring Blank for 6mm 8mm 10mm Round Beads/Pearls Gold Plated 925 Silver Ring Base Round Beads Ring Setting R1275B
Bails allow pendants to hang neatly or keep charms at chosen intervals in your beadwork.
Silver Tube Bails by Bead Landing™
Lockets are charms that allow you to add a bit more personalization to your designs. Cherished keepsakes lockets usually contain pictures, locks of hair, or other tiny treasured items that can be added, accessed easily and changed at will.
Sale - 50 Pieces Assorted Lockets Lot various sizes and styles Limited Offer
Making beaded fringed earrings with these is a great idea, they keep the strands separated and have plenty of room for stringing.
Silver Double Hoop Connectors, 4ct. by Bead Landing™
There are quite a few styles of ear hooks to choose from when making beaded earrings. Sterling silver will not cause allergy problems like other metals and makes your designs a higher quality grade. Solid .0925 Sterling is better than plated metals a...
Sterling Silver .925 Hook Ear Wires & French Ear Wires 15 Styles+10Pc-20Pc-50Pc FREE SHIPPING
Thin wire hoops allow you to slip on beads with ease.
Beadalon 20mm Small Ear Wire Beading Hoops 14PK Silver Plated | JOANN
These types of hoops allow for multiple uses. They are great for dream catcher designs and fringe too. They are lightweight bases for your ideas.
Silver Assorted Bead Hoops, 8ct. by Bead Landing™
If you want to keep your big beads in place on thicker cord or end off with a loop to attach closures use these.
Spring Coil Mix by Bead Landing
Cord end crimps can give a polished look to cord and lace projects.
3.4mm Cord End Crimps, 26ct. by Bead Landing™
Some cord ends can be really streamlined and are meant to be glued on with appropriate adhesive.
7mm Cord End Cap Closure Sets by Bead Landing™
Multi strand connectors allow you to create layered strung bead necklaces with spacing and a nice base to begin with.
Multi-Strand Connectors by Bead Landing™
Spacer bars keep multi strand jewelry from separating and drooping or tangling. You can evenly space your sections or increase the number of beads between each the spaces on each strand consecutively for a strung bead collar that fans.
14K Solid Yellow Gold or Sterling Silver 2-3-4 Strand Flat Spacer Bars Bead String Chain Separator
Tassels or even pom poms can add movement and color to beaded accessories.
Multiple Thread Tassels By Bead Landing™
Small bottles or vials with hanging hardware can be added to jewelry with your choice of filler, such as seed beads, colorful sand, tiny shells or flowers, mineral oil with food coloring and glitter, mini origami, or miniature polymer clay sculptures...
38mm x 12mm Glass Bottles With Cork Charm 2pk by hildie & jo | JOANN
Kits and DIY Sets
If you want a project that has been set up in one package or a gift idea.
Etsy has amazing beadinf kit selections. This one is a beautiful design for those with a bit of experience.
MARGO FILIGREE Drop Hoop Beaded Earring Kit, Seed Bead Earring Kit
Learning how to make beads out of polymer clay can give you a lot more freedom in your designs and you can ask your beads for other makers to use as well. This kit can help you learn, you will have to buy the clay separately.
Sculpey Tools™ Bead Making Kit
Crafting your own holiday ornaments can make them feel more special. This kit helps you create pretty icicle ornaments for the holidays.
Holiday Beaded Ornament Kit - Pearl Icicles, Makes 6
Making jewelry to meditate can be part of the meditation.
DIY Mala Necklace Kit, Make your own Mala, DIY Jewelry kit, diy kits for adults, diy necklace kit, make your own mala kit
This kit involves beaded embroidery and gives you the supplies and instructions you need to make these really sweet hair clips.
Beaded Hair Clip DIY kit "Watermelon slice"/ Beaded Barrette/ A01 Abris Art Bead Embroidered Hair Clip /
Tools
Tools of the Trade
This is my favorite type of wire cutter. I use it for snipping multiple types of material but it's perfect for beading wire and the slender tip is easier to manipulate.
The Beadsmith® Wire Knot Cutter
It is important to note that your pliers can leave marks if they have a texture on the inside. It will leave the texture on metal when you use them to crimp beads or bend wire posts. Try to find pliers that are smooth on the inner parts and are a com...
Long Flat Nose Pliers with Soft Grip Handle | JOANN
If you want a convenient compact tool set with the basic necessities this is a nice kit with a case.
Jewelry Tool Set by Bead Landing™
When working with soft materials or metals you want to ensure you avoid marking nylon jaw pliers can help maintain smooth appearances.
Beadalon Nylon Jaw Pliers
When you are using crimp beads to finish your accessories this tool can make it easier to close them properly and attractively.
ImpressArt Bead Crimper | JOANN
A bead tray allows you to lay out your designs and ensure correct measurement before you start working, or you can just use it to organize your beads and keep them in one place as you go.
Bead Board 8.75"X12.25" | JOANN
When working with small beads or fine stringing materials these needles can save you a lot of grief.
Beadalon® Fine Collapsible Eye Needles
When you have completed your piece, are done handling it, are preparing it for gifting or display it helps to have some basic jewelry cloths on hand. Wiping down your designs will keep and oils, make up, perfumes or other stuff from damaging the fini...
Bead Buddy 9.25''x6'' Jewelry Polishing Cloth | JOANN
Some beading thread, such as cotton cord, may need to be conditioned with beeswax to make it supple. Beeswax can also help with needle threading stubborn string.
BeadSmith Beeswax Thread Conditioner
If you are looking for something more complicated than stringing beads or simple weaving you can try loom weaving as another way to create amazing beadwork. Try this loom set which comes with some basic tools and instructions to give yourself a new s...
Loom starter set, steel / rubber tree wood / glass, 12 x 2-1/2 inches with 7-inch looming length. Sold per 9-piece set.
Making consistent, even loops can be tricky. If you'd like to try a different method that may make things easier this Looper tool is an option.
The Bead Buddy E Z Looper Tool | JOANN
If you want to make interesting beaded wire designs or your clasps and closures this tool might help. Stick pegs in holes on the tool pad to create a guide to bend wires around to create curved, angular, spiral, (etc.) designs with your metal.
Wire-wrapping tool, Peg Leg™, aluminum and wood, 5-3/4 inches with 8 pins. Sold individually.
If you want make your own roller paper beads this tool will save you effort.
Paper bead roller set of 2, paper beads, diy adult craft kit
Adhesive Solutions
Remember never to use superglue with cotton as it is flammable and will react.
For enforcing knots on certain stringing materials you can use superglue, especially if the knot will be hidden by a bead. Its best to find a glue that dries more clear if your end knots will be visible.
Gorilla Glue Clear Super Glue Gel 3g Mini Tubes, 2 Count
This adhesive works on a variety of surfaces and dries clear.
Eclectic E6000 Advesive Glue, Industrial Strength, Clear, 237032, 2 fl. oz.
Where to Buy Materials
Places to find supplies that weren't already listed.
On Ebay you can find all sorts of amazing materials, beads and bulk items if you need larger quantities for better prices.
Seed Jewelry Making Beads for sale | eBay
House of Gems on Etsy has so many great findings and notions you will realize how important your jewelry hardware is to your designs. They have reliable products in many materials.
HouseOfGemsInc - Etsy
If you are looking for gemstone beads JLDreamworks on Etsy has so many dazzling options you may just want to keep everything you make for yourself.
JLDreamWorks - Etsy
CreatingUnkamen on Etsy has many fantastic findings and supplies to make sure you are prepared and your stockpile is abundant.
CreatingUnkamen - Etsy
When you want charms visit CharmingMaggie on Etsy and you will find so many delights.
CharmingMaggie - Etsy
Findingsstation on Etsy has beads, charms, clasps and chains, findings and more. One stop shopping!
Findingsstation - Etsy
Some shops like BeadGalleryA2 on Etsy make shopping for beads as fun as making things with them.
TheBeadGalleryA2 - Etsy
Vintage beads have a weight and spirit to them that bring something special to a jewelry design. Check Etsy and eBay for rare antique finds and the best prices.
Vintage glass beads, grab bag, 150 grams, mixed beads, mix of premium beads
Beaded Accessory Ideas
If you are interested in trying something besides average jewelry options.
Zipper pulls give you another chance to display your beading skills. Some people like make beaded zipper pull talismen, name tags, and even light up charms.
Coats & Clark Silver Pop Top Zipper Pull
If you want to make beaded accessories besides jewelry you can create keychains and bag charms that clip on to straps or zippers. There are many styles to choose from, basic to fancy, industrial clips or lightweight hardware.
Premium Metals Rhodium Keyring Lobsters by Bead Landing™
Another accessory choice is beaded pins. Whether you weave, sew, hang, string or wrap your beadwork, a pin is a unique accessory that can be placed on a variety of indoor and outdoor clothing.
1" Bar Pin by Bead Landing™
Beaded hair accessories with various types of clip options are a great way to show off beadwork or weave strands or beads into your hair.
Alligator Clip by Bead Landing™, 36ct.
Unexpectedly, Mason jars have another cool use in the decor world. They can be filled with solutions of certain paints, glitter, and BEADS to create a sensory decoration for your home or kids' entertainment. Directions on making a Galaxy Jar in the T...
Ball 4ct 4oz Mini Storage Jar with Metal Lid
If you think there's a car out there that needs some pizzazz try beading up some car charms. This page refers you to some ideas and tutorials but taking into consideration the car and mirror size you're making the charms for you can come up with a lo...
Customize Your Ride: DIY Mirror Charms for Your Car
Resources and Tutorials
When you have questions, need advice or information.
Reddit has a lot of great communities for advice. The jewelry making reddit is one place to find answers from real people if you need advice or just want to share your work.
Reddit - Jewelry Making
Fire Mountain Gems has a large learning section on their website with info, tutorials and more. It's a great place to learn how to use materials and things like birthstones the month and lore about gems.
Jewelry Maker's Resource Center - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
If you are working with gemstone beads or aren't sure which ones to buy check out Crystal Vaults Gemstone Encyclopedia to learn properties, legends and histories of many types of crystals.
Crystal Encyclopedia Index - Crystal Vaults
When you know how to wire wrap beads you can expand your designs and create charms or pendants from beads as well. This article helps you know which supplies you'll need and how to proceed.
How To Wire Wrap A Bead | Kernowcraft
Wire wrapping beads into pendants and rings brings your jewelry making skills and beads to new frontiers.
DIY Wire Wrap Spiral Beads // Tip Tuesday
DIY Cocoabeads YouTube channel has many great tutorials for wire wrapping your beads and more than simple stringing.
DIY Cocoa Beads English
If you have a watch you want a new band for you could make it just to your liking beading along with this tutorial.
How to Make a Beaded Watch Band
Add sparkling or iridescent seed beads to this into make it a beading project and use up malformed or damaged beads you may be saving.
DIY GALAXY IN A JAR
A really popular and simple design to make flower themed jewelry is the seed bead daisy chain. Follow this YouTube tutorial to learn this cute pattern.
How to: Daisy Chain Stitch with Seed Beads (Version 4) - Easy!
You might have a special bouquet or flower arrangement you want to preserve in a different way. Dried flowers can be added to a mixture and made into beads if you are interested in this method.
How to Make Funeral Flowers Beads
Make your own paper beads from old magazines and recycle something into a new design.
Paper Beads You Can Make in Minutes
Inspiration, Creators, Ideas
When you ned a muse or a push past creative block.
These bead creations really, actually look good enough to eat.
Instagram (@shopdreamsong)
For complicated and gorgeous designs check out NomadCulture406 on Instagram.
Instagram (@nomadculture406)
For eye candy in the area of earrings design b_u_beads is there for you.
Instagram (@b_u_beads)
Speaking_in_rainbows makes a ton of cool art but also amazing charms you'll want to add into your beadwork any chance you get.
Instagram (@speaking_in_rainbows)
You can get lost on Beadwork Pinterest in a welcoming sea of ideas, design inspo, advice, creative community and suppliers.
Pinterest - Beadwork
For tons of wirewrapping beadwork ideas, inspo and tutorials check out the Boho Beach Bum on TikTok.
TheBohoBeachBum's Creator Profile
The artist behind the beaded bags and designs on this site has also provided kits you can purchase to put together some jewelry yourself.
All
Books
For physical reference.
A well rounded collection of techniques can lead to more ideas and satisfaction with your work.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to... book by Lucinda Ganderton
A good beginner's book.
The Basics of Bead Stringing book by Kanan
Making chain mail involves linking jump rings together and this book shows you how to add your beads as well.
Beaded Chain Mail Jewelry: Timeless Techniques