When Bead Holes are Too Large

by Judy Larson

You have some beautiful charm beads that you want to string with gemstone beads. However, since the holes in the charm beads are so large, they will not hang nicely in line with other beads on the beading wire. The solution? Add more beads!

Instructions

Find a small bead that will fit inside the larger hole. The small beads inside these designer glass bead holes are slightly smaller than the holes. Stack several small beads to fill the length of the hole. These added beads will keep large hole beads in better alignment with the other beads on the bead stringing wire.

Judy Larson's When Bead Holes are Too Large - , Beading, Beads, when bead holes are too large

This sterling silver spacer bead had a very large hole which made it difficult to use in the project it was purchased for. The sterling silver round bead that fit inside that large hole protruded from each side of the spacer bead so it was hammered on each side of the spacer bead until it was the same thickness as the spacer bead. No soldering was needed to hold the flattened round bead in place.

What about large hole gemstone beads purchased to use on leather cord? There must be a way to use them with beading wire. Metal tubing is available in a variety of sizes. It is a simple matter of cutting the lengths needed to fit the beads being used. Even crimp tubes come in a variety of sizes which can be inserted inside some beads to make them easier to use in your designs.

Materials

Sterling Silver Crimp Beads 2x2mm - Pack of 100

K10-22

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.82
Gold Club Price: $7.37

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Sterling Silver Crimp Beads 2x3mm - Pack of 25

K10-23

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.12
Gold Club Price: $3.09

Add to Bag

Soft Touch by Soft Flex Wire--Fine--.014

BDC-400.14

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

Out of Stock

Soft Flex Beading Wire--Medium--.019

BDC-419.00

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.50
Gold Club Price: $11.63

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Tools

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Category: Beading
Technique(s): Beading

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

When Bead Holes are Too Large

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