Seed Beads are a popular choice of material when it comes to needle projects and DIY fashion jewelry. That said, these beads are generally so small that working with them intimidates people. However, you need not let its’ small size be why you shy away from using them in your work.
In this article, we’ll go over some useful advice on using seed beads without running into hassles that you’re probably worried about.
How small are seed beads?
Seed beads are available in a range of sizes written in the “x/0” format. The higher the x value, the smaller the beads. Hence, as you might imagine, seed beads marketed like 30/0 will be extremely tiny. On the other hand, beads marketed as sa, 10/0 will be bigger in comparison and more comfortable to work with. Hence you’d want to choose a size that is appropriate to your experience and skill level.
Choosing the right size of beading needle
Beading needles are the key to making life easier when working with seed beads. That said, it’s essential to choose the right size. After all, the needle needs to be small enough to fit through the bead without damage.
If you are purchasing a needle from a place where you can’t directly compare it’s sized to the seed beads that you’d be using it on, then aim to get at least one size smaller than the x variety of the pieces that you are working with. For instance, when you are dealing with a number 10/0 bead, select a #9 needle. Forcing a Threaded Needle through a thin hole can damage both the bead and the needle. Doing so can also cause injury, especially if the seed beads are made of glass.
How to string your beads?
When stringing seed Beads, there are a lot of various products that you can choose from, including waxed thread, elastic nylon, and thin, versatile beading wire.
Consider the following guidelines:
- Elastic nylon is excellent if you want to achieve a vibrant and colorful look.
- Waxed thread is fantastic if you want to use a material that is durable, yet versatile.
- Beading wire is useful if you are making something that requires to have structure. These wires are also sized accordingly, so make sure that you choose one that fits through your seed beads.
One of the less known methods for stringing seed beads is to pour a big of them into a shallow container. You can then dip the needle (with the string attached) to the container, and the beads will thread themselves unto it. Hence, there’s no need to string the beads individually, which can be a tedious and eye-squinting process. Our apologies that the stock is a bit low. We are finding it hard to get stock as our suppliers wait for shipments from overseas. Australia Post is working hard, with so many online orders parcels are taking much longer than usual to arrive. Needlework is a wonderful and rewarding pastime—one where you create treasures that will last for generations. We are proud to be your source for all things cross stitch in Australia. We stock a wide variety of cross stitch patterns, quilt patterns and threads
If you’ve got the budget for it, another option is to buy what’s known as a bead spinner — an automatic threading device. The latter will let you thread even the smallest beads with relative ease. You have to be using many seed beads in your needle projects to make the cost of the acquisition worth it.
