Start Beading with a Simple, Quick Bead Bracelet
Crafting is a huge industry these days. Women, especially, are getting into this hobby as a way to express creativity and also to make things that are useful. One of the most popular crafting pastimes is beading. Producing beautiful pieces out of colorful plastic, glass, crystal, wood, metal or clay beads can be a rewarding activity that can also add style and glamour to your wardrobe. An easy project to start with is creating a bead bracelet. With the right tools and materials, you can make a beautiful piece to suit your personal style.
Certain tools are necessary to start beading, but none are very expensive or difficult to find. You will need string or metal wire. String is used to create a loose, movable bracelet and wire for making something rigid that cannot move. Use wire if you want to create a specific shape. You will also need clasps to fasten your bracelets. Alternatively, you can string the beads with elastic in which case clasps are unnecessary. Also useful for beading are needle-nosed pliers, a needle for stringing beads, and of course, beads!
There are a plethora of choices when it comes to choosing beads for your first bracelet. Acrylic is the most common and versatile material. Acrylic, or plastic, beads are inexpensive, durable and can be found in almost any color, size and shape. Small, round acrylic beads are great for creating an intricate, woven bracelet. Wooden beads are more expensive, but give jewelry a really natural, organic look. Metal beads can complement wooden ones by adding shine and visual interest. Glass and crystal beads can be pricey and easily breakable, but also very glamorous and fun. Beautiful Venetian glass beads are colorful and add glitz to any piece. For a fancier look, try crystal beads. Made from cut glass, these can resemble more expensive gemstones and really catch the light.
Another great choice of material for making a bead bracelet is clay. Clay beads can be a little costly, which means they are best suited to a smaller jewelry piece, like a bead bracelet. Another good thing about clay is that you can have fun making your own. With different colors of polymer clay, you can create interesting and detailed patterns and pictures. Making some of these intricate beads can be difficult at first, but with practice, you should be able to create something that is jewelry-worthy.
Once you have assembled the appropriate tools and found the perfect beads, the fun begins! Start with a design. Look at your wardrobe for inspiration and decide on a color palette and the type of style and feel you want to convey with your piece. Next, decide if you want a simple strand of beads or something more elaborate. For a simple, loose strand, simply put beads on a string using the needle and attach the clasp to either end. If you have more time to devote, try weaving together small acrylic beads with string to make an intricate pattern and a wider bracelet. For a specific shape, use pliers to bend metal wire into any outline, and then put the beads on it. Be sure to leave room at each end to attach a clasp.
Making your own jewelry can be a fun and rewarding experience. Beading is a great project to work on with friends. Share beads with each other and you will have a much larger pool to choose from and have a great time socializing with your friends. No matter what your style or tastes, creating a bead bracelet can be a fun way to enhance any look.