Whether you are a novice or a seasoned professional, help is here. The Bead Doctor is on call to answer all your beading questions.
If you have any burning beady issues, please ask your question in the comments box and our bead doctor Gemma will aim to help. Alternatively, you may have your own top tips you have discovered. Please impart your knowledge here and help a fellow beader!
Top Tip 16th February 2011 – Bead Design Board
FAQ – It looks very handy but how on earth do I use a bead design board?
The Bead Doctor replies -
A real time saver!
The bead design board is a fantastic piece of kit, solving a whole host of problems. First of all, you need to decide what length necklace you want. There are measurement markers on the board so you simply arrange your beads in the groove between these markers until you’re happy with your design. The brilliant thing about this is that there’s no re-stringing if you change your mind as you’ll have it all worked out beforehand. Plus, the handy groove and flock surface keeps those lively little beads in check and where they are supposed to be – on the board as opposed to your living room floor! When you are totally satisfied, you can begin stringing. Make sure you choose a thread or wire that’ll fit through the smallest bead you’ve chosen and remember to leave a few centimetres extra length to add a clasp. Job done!
Top Tip 2nd February 2011 – Thread Heaven
FAQ - How do I stop myself from hurling my hard work across the room when it gets tangled in a knot for the umpteenth time?
The Bead Doctor replies -
- An air of serenity will reign with this box of magic!
The answer to this used to be take several deep breaths, put the kettle on, start again or go and do something less taxing. Not anymore! Thread Heaven is a brilliant product which conditions your thread in a unique way. It leaves no waxy residue, so it stays a nice bright white, unlike waxed threads which go a yukky grey after a few minutes of handling. It helps stop fraying at the ends and will protect your finished masterpiece against wear and tear using an invisible coating. It also helps to stop knotting and tangling. Apparently it does this by using electricity. Don’t ask me how, I’ve had it explained but find myself drifting and thinking of kittens or wine or cake. As long as it works and cuts out the beading tantrums it’s fine by me!
Top Tip 28th Jan 2011 – Elasticity
FAQ – What is the best type of knot to use with elasticity to stop my beads cascading to the floor when I’m running for the no.49 bus?
Avoid embarrassing situations at the bus stop with a sturdy surgeon's knot!
The Bead Doctor replies – Oh yes, I’ve been there – watching my beads roll gently away from me down the High St. But not anymore! Tying elasticity securely is one of the questions that comes up time and again. My advice is to use a surgeon’s knot. Simply do a common or garden overhand knot but pass your elasticity through twice instead of once. Then, for extra security I always do an overhand knot to finish off. Push your elasticity ends back through the beads for a neat finish. You can add a dab of glue to your knot as well but it shouldn’t really be necessary with this trusty finishing technique.
Top Tip 23rd Jan 2011 – Crimping pliers
FAQ – Handy crimping pliers give your work the air of professionalism but how on earth do you use them?
Conquer the crimping pliers
The Bead Doctor replies - First of all I should say, they do take a bit of practice, but the results are well worth it.
Thread your crimp onto your beading wire. Use the hole nearest the plier handles to make a ‘v’ shape.
Then use the other hole to make it round and neat. Squeeze tightly.
For an even more professional finish you can use crimp covers to hide your crimp, giving the look of a small bead.
Posted by: Gemma
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Hi Gemma,
I have recently started trying to make tiaras and wedding jewellery, but I have found that all the twisting and twirling of the wire to make the “sprigs” of the tiara is really hurting my thumbs!! Are there any tips or objects I can use to relieve some of the pressure on my sore thumbs?
Thank you!
Linden x
Hi gemma,
I started beading last year. I just do beaded bracelets and necklaces, nothing too elaborate. One necklace I made for someone broke recently (I was really embarassed). I think it broke becarse the beads were on the wire quite tightly. I use calottes and crimps to finish off the piece and I’m never sure if they are supposed to sit flush against the bead, or whether it is best to leave a bit of wire between the last bead and calotte so there is a bit of movemebt. I think the former looks better, but think this may have been why the necklace broke.
I’ve tried googling and looking in books,but haven’t found an answer. What would you suggest.
Thanks
Jo
Hi Linden,
I have done a lot of tiara making, so I know just what you mean! As far as I know there isn’t anything specific to stop sore thumbs when wire twisting, however there are a couple of things i’ve tried. Firstly, I have wrapped a plaster around my thumb before which helps protect them, acting like a soft thimble. I’ve never actually tried using a rubber thimble but I guess it could work. The other thing I do is hold the folded end of the wire with my thumb and forefinger and hold the other ends with a pair of flat nosed pliers. I then use the pliers to twist *so that i’m not actually having to move my fingers on the wire at all. I hope this helps and your thumbs are back to normal soon!
Hi Jo,
You didn’t mention what kind of wire you used, Was it proper beading wire? Assuming that it was the actual wire that snapped or was the crimp just not on tightly enough? Please expand and i’ll try and help a bit more.
Hi gemma,
I’ve looked back and don’t think it was clear – sorry. I have some beadalon wire, the middle range one, can’t remember what it is called. The necklace snapped in the middle of the wire, which made me think that the beads were too tight or close and that is why it broke. Don’t think the wore wire was damaged.
This is why I thought it might be better to leave a bit more space before finishing something off (but I think it looks better if all the beads and calottes are flush together).
Thank you
Jo x
Hi again Jo,
The most likely cause is that you had an abrasive bead on there which simply wore through or snagged the wire. Beadalon wire is pretty tough. If it’s the Beadalon 19 wire you had it has a break strength of 26lb so I don’t think having your beads a bit close together is going to be the problem!
Unfortunately these things just sometimes happen through wear and tear although having all your beads suddenly cascade to the floor, I agree, can be a tad embarrassing!
Really nice graphic to show how crimp pliers work, however, you should show the two wires on either side of the middle bend before the fold-over step.
Hi Mona, Thanks for the compliment on the graphic. I’m not quite sure what you mean about the wire bending though. I attach crimps along floating necklaces for instance and the wire stays straight. Do you mean when you double the wire up and pass it back through when adding a clasp?
I’m loving this tip series. I’ll be linking.
Thank you Rachel, there’ll be regular updates so keep an eye out!
When I was making twisted wire and crystal garlands for centerpieces my fingers were getting quite sore. To remedy this I bought old leather gloves at the thrift store, cut off the tips of the fingers about an inch long and used them to protect my poor fingers. It worked very well for me.
Great idea Toni! Like having a thimble for each finger.
Hi Gemma,
I love making bracelets as presents but often find the length hard to judge as I only have small wrists. Any suggestions without having to ask the person how big their wrists are??
Hi Claire, Standard length is 7 inches or just under 18cm in metric. Hope this helps.
Hi, a friend of mine has asked me to make her some sparkly black earrings for an evening out. What beads are the best to go for?
Claire
Hi Claire,
If you want something really special, Swarovski will add a real sparkle. For something a little cheaper, moon beads are a good choice, the faceted ones really catch the light. Here are links to both for you to take a look. Hope this helps!
Swarovski – http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/home/search.php?searchfor=Swarovski&x=16&y=15
Moon beads – http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/home/search.php?searchfor=AB+moon&searchbutton=Search