The Beader's Handbook 2017

As we wrap up one year and get a fresh start in the next, it’s time, once again, to re-evaluate priorities and set goals for those often just-out-of-reach desires. I don’t know how it is for you, but this year’s goals are sounding kind of familiar. The 10 pounds I wanted to lose in 2016? Well, it’s 15 now. And my house? Sad to say, but it’s no tidier than it was last January. Now, I’m not advocating we give up on making resolutions — quite the contrary. But it occurs to me that maybe if I set goals for things that I actually enjoy, I will be more likely to attain them. So this year, I hope you’ll join me and resolve to spend more time in this fascinating…

Today’s beaders have more threads and cords to choose from than ever before. The majority of them fall into one of two camps — nylon and gel-spun polyethylene (GSP, Spectra Fiber, and Dyneema are some of he names this material is marketed under). Some other products, notably aramid and polyester, are available as well. No thread is perfect for all beading projects. Each product has its strengths and weaknesses, and some are better than others for certain applications. The chart below describes the general characteristics of many of the available products. Note the different methods used to describe the size, weight, or strength of these threads. The chart at right shows approximate equivalents in diameter between the various products.…

1 Start with stretches Cut the thread, hold one end in each hand, and pull. If you’re working with Nymo, condition it. This relaxes the thread’s kinks and curls, making it easier to use. 2 Shear the edge Trim the end of your thread on an angle using very sharp scissors. A tapered edge free of stray fibers will slide gracefully through the needle’s eye. 3 Sink your teeth into it Flatten the thread’s cut edge to its thinnest profile by pressing it with your fingernails, squeezing it with pliers, or biting it gently with your teeth. 4 Bring needle to thread Hold the needle in your dominant hand, and grab the thread close to the cut edge with your other hand. Move the needle to the thread, sliding the eye over the…

Seed beads Round: Don’t be fooled by the name; round seed beads are not perfect spheres. They’re more donut shaped, and their profile varies by manufacturer. Seed beads made by Japanese manufacturers Miyuki and Toho tend to be taller and have larger holes, while Czech-made versions are flatter with smaller holes. Round seed beads occasionally have square holes, and sometimes you’ll see round seed beads called “rocailles.” Charlotte: Traditionally, Charlottes are 130 round seed beads that have a single facet ground into the side to catch the light and dazzle the eye. Beads of other sizes are also made in this shape and are sometimes called “one-cuts” or “true-cuts.” Demi beads: Brand new from Toho in 2016, Demis are the same diameter as 110 and 80 seed beads but only half the height. Cylinder:…

STANDARD FINISHES Glass type Transparent Clear or colored glass that transmits light Opaque Colored glass that does not transmit light Color-lined Colored or clear transparent glass and has an opaque colored lining on the inside Metal-lined Clear or colored transparent glass with a core of real metal or metallic-colored paint. The metallic lining gives these beads extra sparkle. Some have a square hole, which increases the sparkle. Metallic A baked-on paint or electroplated finish resembling metal. Many are stable, but some wear off over time. To test for permanence, soak them in bleach or acetone. To prolong the life of the finish, spray the beads with an acrylic fixative such as Krylon (test first to make sure the fixative doesn’t affect the color of the beads). Finish AB An iridescent finish resembling an oil slick; sometimes called iris, rainbow, or aurora borealis. Luster A transparent glaze…

Rows of beadwork per inch It’s one thing to know how many beads there are in an inch of strung beads but do you know how many rows of beadwork are in an inch? If you can figure that out, you’ll be able to tell the length of a finished project just by counting rows in a graph — if the bead pattern is fairly straight-forward. At right is a chart showing approximately how many rows there are in an inch of beadwork, listed by stitch and bead size. (Note: This is a general guideline as bead sizes vary somewhat by manufacturer.) How many seed beads in a gram Knowing how many individual beads you need is only marginally helpful when talking about seed beads, which are usually sold in tubes or packages…