Facts In Detail About Seed Beads

Beads are useful in various ways, especially with jewelry making, crafting, embellishing and accessorizing. You also can find many projects available online and can make use of such beads. However, using these beads is a bit complicated in jewelry as it has concerns regarding the beads shapes, sizes, styles and finishes. So, if you are considering seed beads to be used in your creations and lack the required information, you can find them the facts here, such that it helps in doing the projects with ease.

Sizing

Seed beads size range from 5/0 to 28/0. The arrangement is such that the larger is the bead, when smaller is the number. For instance the 28/0 bead is tiny. The commonly used bead size is 11/0. Generally, there are beads that are 4mm wide in 6/0 size and these are known as ‘Ebeads’ and these are extensively used in crochet and knit projects.   The beads are laid together to fit one inch and if the number of beads is 10 in an inch, then the measurement is 10/0, if the measurement fit 7 beads it is 7/0, respectively. Beads above 22/0 are used as antique.

Shapes

Seed beads in round shape are common and they come with an organic and softer finish. Cylindrical beads are also popular offering a geometric finish. The most inconsistent beads are the bugle beads as they come in twisted and round shapes. They also come with gold or silver lines making them outstanding. Triangles, teardrops and cubes are some of the other shapes available.

Beading Needles

Beading needles and beads use similar gauge. Thumb rule is to buy one size smaller than the actual size of beads. In case you are planning to work with 11/0 seed beads with holes, choose a #12 needle.

Finishes

The seed beads finishes are also very important to understand:

·         Standard  beads are  made from ordinary glass

·       Silky - finishing appearing on the beads are made using silk strands. These type of beads are highly reflective

·         Matte - finishing beads are plain and do not reflect light

·         Metallic - finishing looks same as gold or silver

·         Transparent does not permit light to pass through

·         Color lined is where the hole has another color

·         Opaque also restricts light to pass through beads

·         Metal lined has hole with reflective metals such as gold, silver or copper

·         Milky permits light passing through the holes

·         Iris is same as iridescent, though it is more towards metallic and bluer side

·         Iridescent permits light to reproduce various colors