By: Gary Capps Beaded jewelry, clothing and accessories are back in fashion and are quite popular with people of all ages. Beading is fun, relieves stress and is an excellent outlet for your creative flair. Colorful beaded items are fun to wear, and your beautiful creations make wonderful gifts your family and friends. You can also earn a little extra money by selling even the most simple of your beaded works. What a great way to have extra “mad money” on hand!Inexpensive basic beading supplies are easy to find and available in art or craft supply stores, discount stores and specialty boutiques where you will find basic beads and supplies along with the more expensive gemstone, ivory and other non-plastic beads. They are also sold on Internet web sites that are easily found by doing a simple search for “beading supplies,” and many beading supply warehouse will send you free color catalogues upon request.To help you get started on your new beading hobby, here is a checklist of the tools and supplies you need to purchase: Beads: Start simple. A common mistake made by beginning beaders is buying the more expensive beads, either hand-painted or made from wood, glass, gemstones or other more exotic materials. Inexpensive plastic beads are made in a large variety of colors, shapes, styles and sizes, and mistakes made using them are far less costly. You will also learn to better coordinate colors and how to put on nice finishing touches.Clasps: “Findings” is another name for jewelry clasps, clamps and closures, and can be purchased at most stores that sell beading supplies, both off- and online. There is a wide variety from which to choose, and beginners should start with the less expensive findings. Most findings products have instructions on the package, but, again, advice can be found in beading catalogues or magazines sold online or in crafts stores. Crimping Beads: Made of flexible metal, silver and gold crimping beads are essential in making bead jewelry. They are made in various sizes, and are used to help keep clasps attached to jewelry.Tools: Round-tipped pliers are necessary for beading, and it’s not a bad idea to have flat—not serrated--needle-nosed pliers on hand, too. Choose pliers and tools that are the right size and fit for your hands, and are not too strong for your grip. You may also want to invest in other jeweler’s tools that can come in quite handy: jeweler’s tweezers for picking up and holding beads and clasps in place as you work with them; a light wire cutter; a wire straightener, and a bead crimper. If you can afford only one tool, choose round-tipped pliers that can also be used for crimping.Beading Boards: Beading boards make pre-selecting and measuring beads and working with multiple strands much easier. Most beading boards are made of plastic and are equipped with a device that measures in inches, millimeters, or both. Although any segmented plastic tray can be used, a beading board is highly recommended.Stringing Materials: Stringing materials are made of nylon, silk, coated wire, leather cord, and a variety of other strings and threads. Beaders new to the art may begin with the less expensive monofilaments (simple fishing line), but coated wire thread is more flexible and easier to work with. Choose a string that will fit through the hole of the beads you are using, and is suitable to the type of beads you are using; hematite, glass or gemstone beads can cut through fabric and plastic or nylon threads. Beginners should also purchase large-eye and curved needles made especially for stringing beads.Stringing beads for pleasure or profit is not restricted to just one gender, or to a specific age group. Of course, beading supplies must be kept away from babies and toddlers, but often supply packages will have a minimum recommended age listed. Beading is a great way to spend quality time with your children; just give them a few beads and some string and let them create their own jewelry! It keeps them occupied and allows you to work without having to constantly stop to check on them. Children’s beading kits and supplies are usually found near those used by adults. Senior adults also enjoy beading. It gives them a sense of purpose, and they can take pride in their ability to create beautiful beaded items. With the variety of tools and other aids available, people with diminished hand strength or coordination, or those with vision problems can find aids that will allow them to pursue their beading hobby.Beading pattern books and magazines can be purchased at craft stores or online. Free patterns can be found on the Internet, on beading forums, message boards and pattern sharing web sites. You will also find tutorials and help with new techniques on these sites, as well as tips and tricks for using tools more efficiently. Beading projects aren’t limited to just jewelry; you can make lovely beaded handbags and clothing, and home décor items, such as bead curtains, plant hangers and sun catchers. Save money by making your own lovely bead creations! Beaded items are in high demand and many beaders are able to earn supplemental income by selling their projects. Whether you bead for love or money, though, you will always have the satisfaction of creating beautiful bead crafts with your own two hands, and when people ask, you can say, “I made this!”
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