Beading Buying Guide
Beading is an often overlooked activity for kids and adult alike. For adults, beading can be a career or a hobby (or just a rainy day activity); for kids, beading can be educational and fun (and best of all - time consuming). Beading is an excellent way to showcase your creativity and personal style, develop your artistic taste and abilities, and devote some time and attention to yourself. Whether you're nine or ninety, there's something for you in beading.
Aside from an art project, beading is one of the most simple and affordable types of
jewellery making to get into. Plus, it is the most versatile when it comes to colour, style, and design. You can make a chunky, bohemian necklace or classy chandelier-style earrings. For beginners, it makes for an ideal place to start since all you need are beads, wire, and findings (clasps). Some basic tools, such as pliers and needles are also useful, among other accessories.
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The Basics
Before we get started, you should know that
beads are a '''choking hazard''' for infants and toddlers better safe than sorry!
Don't rush out and buy anything until you've decided what type of beading you want to do. The most common type of beading is stringing, in which you string beads on
thread or
wire. You can use a single string or several to create a variety of looks. Stringing can be used for making everything from
necklaces to
earrings,
bracelets, and more.
A beading technique that is a bit more elaborate is wire working. Using
seed beads to create stacked designs and patterns. Typical techniques associated with bead weaving are peyote, brick, and netting, just to name a few.
Bead weaving can also be done without a loom. You simply wind the thread back and forth through the beads to create the patterns. Spiraling beaded necklaces and waving beaded rows are just some of the things you can do.
Finally, there is embroidered beading. Embroidery employs the same techniques as
needlepoint, but with beads. You can apply beads to any material with a needle and thread, and this is embroidery.
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