Using Crystal Beads in Your Next Beading Project? Read This First

The glittering, glossy and bright aura of crystal beads is surely mesmerizing. This mesmerizing effect can be amalgamated with myriad designs to form exquisite jewelry and several other little creations. There is a wide selection of styles and designs which can be created using crystal beads, the options are inexhaustible and the color choices are innumerable. The gorgeous crystal beads can also be woven into design patterns which can then be used to glorify an old purse, a plain stole and even laptops and phone covers. Amongs the innumerable choices available, creating jewelry with crystal beads is perhaps the most familiar choice.

Crystal beads are available in every illuminating shade of the spectrum and they come in various shapes and sizes. The perfect piece of beaded embroidery or a beaded design can be created by selecting the appropriate size of the beads and also the right kind of thread. Thread plays the vital role of holding these glittering pieces together. Hence, a sturdy thread is a wise choice because the sharp edges of the crystals are brutal enough to snap a weak thread. A thread which is sturdier than nylon is recommended for holding the beaded design perfectly. Moreover, preventing the beads from coming in direct contact with the thread will guarantee the longevity of the crystal design. This can be initiated by introducing other smaller beads which will help guard the thread and on the other hand will help preserve the beauty of the whole design. Small glass beads and pearl beads work as the best protector beads.

The lucid and less complicated beading projects available on our website will guide you step by step to create the most spectacular beaded designs. The step by step technique of our beaded projects will enable both amateurs and experts alike to create their very own embroidery pieces. The foundations demonstrated on our website are elaborate and they will guide you throughout the very end of your project. The rustic sophistication of the leather base, the elegant texture of the suede base and the chic look of the cloth base will portray a few profound foundations to assemble your selection of beads to create your signature style beaded design. These bases will give you the neatest look because they do not scrimmage when cut to form different shapes. The shapes can then be stitched to the main body to derive the finished product with a touch of lovely beads. It is always advisable to assemble your crystal beads on the base cloth upon a flat surface. This will eliminate unnecessary distortions to your design and will help you stitch faster.

Crystal beads can be wonderfully used to accentuate the beauty of an old monotonous item. It can revamp the look of a plain item with its illuminating luster. Create your very own crystal masterpiece with one of our available foundations, participate in our fun projects and let your creativity soar high!

Variety is the Spice of Beading Life

When you explore the world of beads there are many styles,sizes and materials to choose from. Whether you are working on a simple strand of beads for a necklace or something more intricate like a memory wire bracelet, key chain or earrings developing a style for the piece is both a challenge and a pleasure.

Pony Beads are usually made of plastic and are a wonderful and expensive way for children to exercise creativity in many craft projects. These beads are available in a number of color schemes like neon or primary colors, as well as different shapes, swirled color patterns or glittered. Beaded activities help children develop a sense of style, teach them about complimentary colors and help develop hand-eye coördination.

Beading for adults can range from a therapy, hobby, or business. For more adult projects the most common materials are glass, crystal, pearl, metallic, wood, and gems and stones. Beads come in a range of sizes from seed beads that are minute to large wood and glass beads as larger or larger than a shooter marble.

Glass beads come in plain colors and shapes like cubes, round beads, leaves and more. Another style of glass bead is the lamp work bead which are available in figures like small owls and flowers, patterned with stripes, spots, polka dots and others.

Common styles for beads in a range of materials include seed beads, cylinder beads, cube beads, Cut or faceted beads like Swarovski crystals, drop beads, Magatama beads, Farfalle beads and bugle beads.

In recent years Pandora beads, which are European Style large hole beads, have become increasingly popular because they allow for personalization of bracelets, necklaces and allowing people to choose them as gifts that are tailored to specific individuals and their likes and experiences.

Beading projects can be tailored to people of all ages and sexes and offer a wonderful opportunity to learn, create and individual. There is no end to the possibilities when beading from simple necklaces, to creating animal figures of wire and beads and even intricate bead embroidery projects the sky is the limit. Don't be afraid to explore and experiment to find the perfect combinations for yourself and others.   

Convertible Jewelry: Simple, Elegant and Versatile

Making beaded jewelry can be as simple as stringing a single strand of beads, or it can be as complicated as embroidering beads on to fabric or leather. Indeed, complex beading techniques have been used to create some incredibly beautiful pieces. It does not necessarily follow, however, that beaded jewelry needs to be complicated in order to be lovely. The truth is there is elegance in simplicity. A simple design can be classy or add a touch of drama to any outfit.

A simple design can provide versatility. This sort of versatility is seen in convertible jewelry. Too Cute Beads offers the perfect example of a simple, versatile design. They have a selection of antique silver clasps that provide a nice compliment to their curved pave bead. When strung on a leather cord they create an understated piece of jewelry that can be used to dress up a pair of jeans or accent a more upscale outfit.

The best thing about this type of jewelry is that it is easy to create and can be made quickly. A bracelet can be made with a single leather cord, a curved tube bead and a clasp. With a longer length of cord you have a necklace. Your necklace can double as a two or three strand bracelet. You can add beads and length to increase the number of strands to your necklace or bracelet. All of this is easily accomplished. Once you have measured the cord and strung the beads, you just use the Super New Glue to affix the clasp to the ends of the leather cord. In no time at all you can have an elegant accessory that you created yourself.

Check out Too Cute Beads for more ideas.

Watch our latest Video on How to Make a Shamballa Necklace!

Our latest instructional video will teach you how to build our Shamballa Necklace Kit. The Kit can be found here!



This Weekend you can get the Kit for 40% OFF its retail price.  Take a look at the Promo Below!

Create Wonders With Pave-Bling-Beads

Creating beautiful pieces of jewelry is an art that is growing especially with Pave Bling Beads. Wonderful accessories can be matched to ones taste with unique combinations of pave bling beads, bling balls, bling tubes and bling ovals. The variety can be endless. With all sorts of colors and shapes one can imagine anything from earrings, bracelets and even necklaces. Gift giving is such a treat and knowing it was a hand made gift can increase the appreciation of the gifted.

The crystals on the pave bling beads are high quality and choosing can be hard since there are so many choices. The rich look of the crystals can capture the light and draw the eye to unique designed pieces. Pave bling tubes can make a bracelet curve just right. Intermediate pave bling ovals will break up a pattern and give the design an eye catching sparkle. A simple rope of bling balls can dress up any frock and give an outfit the bling it needs. Find all the beads your heart desires and create works of wonders.

Friends and family will cheer with delight over the time and attention given to their gift. A personal touch from you means you care and that makes the gift all the more special. Feel proud knowing you used a high quality professional looking bead to surprise everyone with. Each crystal bead is clear coated with high quality resin to ensure no crystals fall out. Just another reason to use these beads. A warning to all: these beads can be addictive and the imagination can run wild with all the choices. Feed your addiction and find all the bling you could ever want at Too Cute Beads today!

Using Crystal Beads in Beading Projects

Everyone needs a little sparkle in their life, and what better way to get it than by doing a project with crystal beads? Crystal beads come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, and their beauty and versatility make them fun to work with.

Jewelry making is probably the first thing you think of when it comes to crystal beads. You can buy beads that look like their real jewel counterparts, such as amethyst, topaz, opal or even turquoise. They come in sizes from around three millimeters to around ten millemeters, which is about two fifths of an inch. It's good to make sure your crystal beads have rounded edges around the thread hole, so if you use a thin thread they won't weaken it. It's also good to make sure your crystal beads are lead-free. Beads made in Europe are generally considered the best for clarity and for safety.

Jewelry making with crystal beads is not so different from other types of jewelry making. It requires some tools, such as scissors, wire cutters, tweezers, and a few different sizes of pliers. Of course it also requires fasteners and some kind of threading material. Since crystal beads come in a variety of sizes, you can use a variety of threading materials, including cord, wire and chain. This gives you a lot of design choices.

You can design your own bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants, or you can download jewelry patterns. There are a lot of free patterns available on the internet. When you're first starting out, you might like to use a pattern. After you've done a few projects and are feeling more confident, you'll want to explore your creativity. Some people like to use crystal beads with other types of beads to create contrast. Some people like to introduce other elements into their projects, such as keys, feathers, or ribbons, to make the gleaming facets of the crystal beads really stand out.

But jewelry isn't the only place where crystal beads feel at home. There's really no limit to their potential. They're especially nice in holiday decorations. They can be the ornaments on a Christmas tree, the icicles in a winter scene, or Rudolph's shiny nose. They can also decorate jewelry boxes or wedding presents. They can be glued onto T shirts and shoes for a one-of-a-kind look. For this you'll want craft or jewelry adhesive in a tube, with a narrow nozzle for doing fine work.

It's hard to look at those sparkly little beads and not think of great ways to use them. And the more you think about it, the more projects you want to do!

New Colorful Columns Earring Project & Jewelry Kit

Kit Available at www.toocutebeads.com Project Level: Intermidiate Tools needed Nipper Round nose Pliers Bent Nose or Chain Nose Pliers Materials Needed for this project 4 - 2" .925 Sterling Silver Eye Pins 1 Pair - .925 Sterling Silver Shell Leverbacks 1 Pair - 1" .925 Sterling Silver Box Chain Spacer 1 Pair - 1.5" .925 Sterling Silver Box Chain Spacer 1 Pair - 2" .925 Sterling Silver Box Chain Spacer 8 - 3.5mm .925 Sterling Silver Open Jumprings 8 - 3mm .925 Sterling Silver Seamless Round 2 - 10mm .925 Sterling Silver Open Jumprings 6 - Swarovski 19mm 2 Hole Column Beads

Instructions

• Take 1 eyepin, and load one of your 3mm seamless round beads followed by your 3 19mm Swarovski column beads.
• Load another 3mm seamless round on top.
• Wrap your eye pin, making the opening face the same direction as the bottom of your eye pin.
• Load a 3mm bead on your second eye pin.
• Insert your eye pin up through all 3 of your column beads
• Add another 3mm seamless round, and repeat your wrapping process (making sure your loop at the top, matches the loop at the bottom).

(this is how your project should look so far.)

• Open one of your 3.5mm jump rings
• load your chains in the following order
• 2mm
• 1.5mm
• 1mm
• insert your jump ring into the loop at the bottom of your eyepin.

(They should be hanging like this)

• Open another 3.5mm jump ring then take it through your chain in the following order
• 1mm
• 1.5mm
• 2mm
• insert your jump ring into the loop at the bottom of your eyepin (the opposite site to let the chains dangle).

(Make sure your curve is in the proper order)

Now comes the easy part.

• Open your 10mm jump ring
• Take it through the tops of your eye pins where you wrapped (tip: slightly push your eye pins towards each other. You will notice in the main photo the tops are slightly curved inward.)
• Load your shell leverback onto the jump ring
• Close the jump ring tightly