Beading Crafts Difficulty Rating:
Beginner

Materials Needed:
Thick elastic cording
Gemstone beads, 8mm
Three-holed bead
Scissors

Beading Crafts Instructions:
Cut the elastic cord to the size of your wrist plus 4 inches. String the beads onto the cord. You may want to secure one end of the cord with a heavy book or other object to prevent the beads from sliding off while stringing.

Push each end of the cord through one hole of the three-holed bead. Pull both ends up through the third hole. Tie an overhand knot on top of the three-hold bead to finish the bracelet.

Tips:
If you can’t find a three-holed bead for beading crafts, you can use a larger bead with only one larger hole. In this instance, simply thread both ends of the cord through the large hole and tie above using an overhand knot to finish.

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Beading Crafts Basket

Create a beading crafts gift basket. Your local craft store should have everything you need. For the beginner, tools including round nose pliers and wire cutters, a beading board, memory wire or silver jewelry wire, clasps and findings, a storage box and an assortment of beads would make a fantastic last minute gift.

For the more experienced beader, new supplies are always appreciated. Create a basket including an assortment of beads, jewelry wire and some patterns or advanced beading books. You’ll make someone a very happy crafter!

Themed Fantasy Bead Box

Enthusiasts of beading crafts would love to have a storage box filled with unique beads. Pick a theme and head off to your local craft store. For example, if the person is interested in parrots, you could find beads in bright, tropical colors, tiny birds, exotic rainforest beads, etc. Organize them into a storage box and top with a bow for a fantastic last minute gift. If you wanted, you could add colored cording or other beading crafts supplies that correspond with your theme.

Beading Kits

If you aren’t very good at compiling themes, try a beading kit that is already put together. For example, Bead Bazaar offers fantastic themed beading kits that include a variety of glass and ceramic beads, string, findings and instruction book. Try Bead Bazaar Bead Symphony Bead Kit - Rojo Alegro or Bead Bazaar Bead Symphony Bead Kit - Springtime Arietta.

Beading Crafts Gift Ideas for Kids

For the young beading enthusiast, try one of the many beading kits made just for kids. Melissa & Doug make fantastic kits that include beads, laces and storage box. Try the Sweet Hearts Bead Set. Many craft stores also carry similar products.

Whatever the circumstance, beading crafts offer some wonderful last minute gift ideas that kids and adults alike are sure to love. Happy holidays!

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The museum has a permanent exhibit detailing the timeline of beads and beading crafts, and various shows that run at different times of the year.

I had no idea there was a museum dedicated to beads and beading crafts but I can’t wait to visit! Check it out by reading the full article here:

Museum Strings Together History of Beads

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Beading Crafts Difficulty Rating:
Beginner

Materials Needed:
1 eyepin
3 headpins
1 focal bead (8mm or 10mm)
5 metal spacer beads
5 crystal beads (6mm)
3 crystal beads (4mm)
Cell phone strap
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers

Beading Crafts Instructions:
1.) String a 6mm crystal bead, spacer bead and 4mm crystal bead onto each of the headpins. Make a loop using the pliers directly above the beads to keep the beads from slipping off.

2.) Open the loop of the eyepin gently with the pliers to one side. Add all three crystal drops you made in the previous step by the loops. Close the eyepin with the pliers.

3.) String a 6mm crystal bead, spacer bead, focal bead, spacer bead and the last 6mm crystal bead onto the eyepin above the drops. Make a loop above the beads with the excess eyepin wire to prevent beads from slipping off.

4.) Open the loop you just made gently to the side with the pliers. Add the ring of the cell phone strap. Close the loop with the pliers. Now hook onto the phone and go show off your awesome new beading crafts cell phone charm!

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BeadforLife is an organization that helps women in Uganda support their families by selling their beading crafts in the United States. The organization was founded by three American women who traveled in Uganda and discovered the beautiful beading crafts made by the local women.

The jewelry they create is made by dipping rolled, recycled paper bits into varnish, resulting in beautiful beading crafts that are unique to Uganda. When the founders of BeadforLife, Devin Hibbard, Torkin Wakefield, and Ginny Jordan, saw the bead making process, they were inspired to help the women sell their beading crafts and use the proceeds for healthcare, education, housing and other needs.

Women all over America hold beading parties, where they sell the jewelry beading crafts and send the profits back to Uganda. For more information on this wonderful organization, visit BeadforLife.org.

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Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers are the most essential tool you’ll need in beading crafts. They will be used frequently for bending and shaping wire. They can be found in hardware stores or hobby shops. To guarantee you get the best quality, it is recommended that you purchase a pair made specifically for jewelry making.

Flat Nose Pliers

Like the round nose pliers, flat nose will also be used extensively in beading crafts. Again, try to find them at a jewelry store or in the jewelry making department of craft and hobby stores. These will be used for more intricate beading crafts in which round nose pliers are too large.

Wire Cutters

Wire cutters are used in beading crafts to trim wire, specifically in jewelry making but you may find many other uses for them as well. Find the smallest pair you can get, as beading crafts require you work with small pieces. If your wire cutters are too large, you will find them very difficult to work with.

Tweezers

Tweezers are essential for beading crafts using very small and delicate beads. They will help you pick up tiny beads that may be difficult to handle with your fingers. Any pair of all-purpose tweezers will work just fine.

Findings

This is a rather broad term encompassing items such as clasps, crimps, earwires, head pins and eye pins. You can begin with just a few or even one of these, depending on what beading crafts you’ll be making. If you know you want to begin making earrings, for example, you might want to get earwires and head pins, then buy more specific supplies as you go.

Stringing Material

You’ll need some sort of bead stringing material for your beading crafts. If you want to begin with something easy, try stretch material or memory wire. These materials can be used to make necklaces and bracelets. There are many other things you could use, including cord or wire. Choose depending on the type of beading crafts you are interested in and your level of experience.

Beads

Last, but not least, you need beads! Pick up beads as you find them to use in your beading crafts. Believe me, you can never have too many. You can find beads very inexpensively in many different shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Typically, glass and plastic beads are good for the beginner because they are abundant and low in price. The bottom line, however, is to use what you like and what you can find.

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Bead Crafts Difficulty Rating:
Intermediate

Materials Needed:
Glass beads (You choose the shapes, sizes, colors and materials)
Ear wires (hooks)
Head pins
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters

Bead Crafts Instructions:
1.) With head pin facing down, arrange the beads on the pin. This looks best if you place the largest bead on the bottom but you may need to place a smaller bead on first to ensure they don’t slip off.

2.) Once all the beads are arranged to your liking, bend the excess wire over 90 degrees using the needle nose pliers.

3.) Wrap the excess wire around the ear wire in a circular motion until it can’t be bent anymore. Use the wire cutters to clip the wire. (Watch your fingers! Bead crafts can cause injury if you aren’t careful!)

4.) Repeat with the other head pin and ear wire. This process, as with most bead crafts, can take a few tries before you get it right. Practice a few times with undesirable beads.

For a visual demonstration, view the corresponding beading crafts video.

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Modern beading crafts include making jewelry and accessories, embellishing clothing, artwork and more. The only limit to what can be done with beads is the imagination. Beads can be found in a vast array of shapes, colors, sizes and materials. Beading crafts are a great hobby for children and adults of all ages.

Beading crafts don’t require much equipment and are typically easy for even the absolute beginner. This is what makes beading such a popular hobby – you can reap the rewards of your work in very little time.

Of course, there are also advanced beading crafts, techniques and patterns for more experienced beaders. This is a hobby that allows you to progress, with new, more challenging projects always ahead. So, young and old, beginner or expert, come on in and join the beading party!

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