Beading A-B-C's

by Judy Ellis

Whether you are a beginner or experienced beader, it's always good to know the basics. This week we'll explore the A-B-C's of beads and beading.

What is Beadwork?

The craft of making things out of beads is called beadwork.

There are many different beadwork techniques and they can be broadly categorized below:

A: Bead stringing isStringing beads involves sliding them onto a thread-like medium.

This can be simple, like a single bead on string, silk thread, leather strap, thin wire, multi-stranded beading wire, or soft flexible wire.

It can also create complex designs with multiple strands or interwoven levels.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Bead String

B: Bead embroidery is a type of beadwork that uses a needle and thread to stitch beads to a surface of fabric, suede, or leather.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Bead Embroidery

C: Bead crochet is a crochet technique that incorporates beads into a crochet fabric.

The technique is used to produce decorative effects in women's fashion accessories.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Crocheted Necklace

D: Beaded knitting is a type of knitting in which the stitches are decorated with ceramic or glass beads.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Knitting with beads

E: Bead weaving using seed beads can be done either on a loom or using one of a number of off-loom stitches.

F: Off-loom bead weaving

Bead weaving is a family of techniques.

Seed beads are woven together into a flat fabric.

It can also form three-dimensional objects like a ball, clasp, box, or jewelry piece.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Basket weave with beads.

What's in a bead?

The word bead comes from the Anglo Saxon words bidden (to pray) and bede (prayer.) Beads have been around since the first known civilizations.

The oldest known jewelry is a 100,000-year-old pair of beads from sea snail shells.

Beads serve many uses beyond jewelry and adornment.

They appear in religious purposes, good luck talismans, and curative agents.

Two perforated shell beads were found in what is now Israel. They formed a shell necklace.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Shell beads from Israel

Beads were likely the first durable ornaments humans possessed.

Their deep connection to owners shows in ancient graves, where beads are common finds.

In many tribal cultures, certain beads are worn from birth until death.

They are buried with owners for the afterlife.

Prayer beads help recite prayers worldwide and track sequence and number.

Worry beads ease the mind, aid decisions, and occupy hands.

Throughout history, beads served as protective talismans and amulets for wisdom and fortune.

What are beads made from?

Beads can be made from a wide variety of materials, though glass, plastic, and stone are the most common.

They are also crafted from bone, horn, shell, ivory, coral, pearl, metal, gemstones, polymer clay, metal clay, resin, wood, ceramic, fiber, paper, seeds, and synthetic materials.

As you can see, the options are nearly endless when choosing what materials you'd like to work with.

Terminology: "Seed bead" is a generic term that is often applied to any small bead, so don't get confused by the ter. It doesn't necessarily mean that the bead is made from seeds, which some beads are.

Beads and their Symbology:

There are a number of symbols used the world over in beads and other objects, and it's useful to know the meanings of these. Symbolism, too, entails a huge body of work. Below are a few interesting meanings.

A. Spiral: a symbol of being, knowing or becoming.

B. Circle: totality, perfection, unity, eternity.

C. Eye: occult 3rd eye, or eye of the heart can mean spiritual perception. Sometimes an eye is painted on an object to protect against the evil eye. Blue is a favorite color for these.

D. Dots: are also called eye beads and were used to protect against the evil eye.

E. White: purity, innocence, truth, sacred or divine

F. Black: loss, absence

G. Red: life, strength, vitality, physical nature

H. Yellow: intellect, mind

I. Green: harmony, sympathy, higher mental plane

J. Blue: inspiration, devotion, the spiritual nature

A-B-C's of Essential Tools:

A. Round nose pliers:Round nose pliers are essential for bending wire and making loops.

This will likely be one of the most-used tools in your beading projects.

Make sure to buy jewelry-making pliers, not hardware store pliers, which are usually too large and not suited for delicate work.

If you plan to use your round nose pliers often, it's worth investing in a high-quality pair.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Round nose pliers

B. Chain or flat nose pliers: Chain nose and flat nose pliers are used for almost everything else, from holding your pieces to opening and closing chain links and jump rings.

These two pliers can do more or less the same job, but sometimes you might need a longer nose plier to get into tight spaces.

In that case, the chain nose might be a better option.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Chain nose pliers

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Flat nose pliers

C. Wire or side cutters: Wire or side cutters are used to cut stringing material and light gauge wire.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Side cutters

Other Useful tools:

A. Crimping pliers: Crimping pliers are specially designed for crimping beads.

This comes in handy when you want to make sure your beads are securely in place.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Crimp pliers

B. Scissors: Small sharp scissors can be very useful for all beading projects.

C. Awl: An awl is a beading tool used for knotting.

The awl makes it easier for you to make consistent and tight knots.

Picture here is our Knotting tool as well as an awl

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Knotting tool

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Awl or straight pick

D. Bead board:

Bead boards feature a curved groove with a measuring scale alongside.

Compartments hold beads while you work.

This ends frustration from beads spilling onto the floor.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Bead board

E. Adhesives: Resin based glues are ideal for use with metal, china and glass.

All purpose clear, strong adhesives are useful for sticking non-metal items such as wooden beads.

F. Tweezers: Tweezers can be one of the handiest tools for picking up tiny beads when stringing.

G. Hammer: A hammer can be used to flatten wire which will harden the wire and will therefore keep its form better.

H. Beading needles: You will need a beading needle when you are working with thin thread and tiny beads.

I. Measuring stick: Some or other form of measurement is always useful.

A metal ruler with inches on one side and mm, cm on the other side is perfect for the beader.

Beading today:

Today, beads play an important role in modern fashion, much like they did in the early days of bead stringing.

Beading has risen and fallen in popularity over time, returning again and again with fresh styles and new creative twists.

In today's trends, beads are widely used in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

Designers continue to impress and inspire with bold contrasts of colored gemstones, silver, gold, or copper, and beads carved into beautiful shapes.

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Palmyre Couture jeweled strapless evening gown designed by Christian Dior, 1952

Judy Ellis's Beading A-B-C's - , Beading, Beads, , , Alyce Paris couture 2013

Wrapping it up:

Whether you are beading for personal enjoyment, spending time with friends, or beading as a profession; this ancient craft is a long standing form of expression.

I hope that you enjoy your journey into the wonderful world of beading!

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