Dawnmorningstar’s Weblog

Can anyone have too many beads?  I don’t think so!  Beads are the heart and soul of the earrings. They can make or break the look you are trying to achieve.

The beads we will be using in our earrings are mainly seed beads and bugle beads of different sizes, shapes, and colors.  The size used is really a matter of personal preference.  I use and recommend size 11 seed beads because they are quite versatile and easy to obtain in many colors.  A few of the projects we do will use a little larger size beads on the dangle for effect and accent.  Sometimes when I’m learning a new stitch or pattern, I do a practice piece in larger beads so that I can hold it easier and don’t feel like I’m all thumbs.

When you’re buying seed beads you’ll find that the larger the number the smaller the bead.  For example a size 15/0 bead is much smaller than a size 6/0 bead.  However, if you think that an 11/0 bead is always the same size you’ll be wrong.  There are slight differences when comparing an 11/0 bead from one manufacturer to an 11/0 bead from another manufacturer.  The shape may be slightly different, too.  One may be very round while another is squared round.

No matter what size beads you use, sort through them and use those that are the most uniform in size and shape so that the beadwork will look neat and the dangles will have good movement.  That is especially important if you’re making something really dressy to wear in the evening, maybe in black and silver or gold.  However, if I’m making earrings with a more traditional American Indian look, maybe using lots of turquoise, coral, and silver, I don’t mind if there are a few slight variations in some of the beads because I think this enhances the handcrafted look.

Bugle beads come plain or with a spiral or twist.  They come in sizes #2 (3/16″),  #3 (1/4″),  #5 (1/2″), on up to #25 (1″), and longer.  These can all be used with size 11 seed beads.  The longer bugle beads can be used in the dangles, as can other larger beads which are available in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.

There is more information about bead sizes at the Beadworks site.

Speaking of colors, there are an infinite variety of them.  Seed beads are made from glass.  They start out either transparent or opaque, then either the outside or the inside surface can be treated to change the look of the bead.  Some of these treatments are gilt or silver lined, color lined, gold or copper plated, galvanized, dyed, luster, gold luster, frosted, matte, rainbow or iris, metallic, and pearl.  The more you work with beads the more you’ll understand what you need to buy for a specific look or project.

Beads, like yarn, come in dye lots, so be sure you have enough of each color to complete the whole design before beginning to bead.  Both seed beads and bugle beads are sold in strung bunches called hanks or loose by the ounce or 1/4 pound or whole pound.

There are good bead shops and mail order catalogs all over the world.  I get most of my beads from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

The photo above shows only a part of my bead stash.  Just have fun and take it one bead at a time.