Creative Beading

What is a good beading “thread” that’s inexpensive?

I’m looking for a good value beading thread, type, not really brand. It will be used for bookmarks, jewelery and lampshade fringe. It will need to be thin to go through the small glass beads. I was thinking Soft Flex FINE Gauge http://store.goodybeads.com/store/beads-and-supplies/Softflex-Beading-Wire.html

I would not use this for the bookmarks and lampshade fringe, wire would be too stiff and and you won’t get that “swingy” effect.

Maybe for jewelry depending on what look you are trying to achieve.

Let me do a little more research and I’ll edit this later with some alternatives that might work better for what you are doing.

Edit: Ok, here goes…I did not see what I was looking for at the Goodybead website – you want something like fishing line (I agree with the person ahead of me on that one), but I would not recommend dental floss, it will deteriorate quickly and is fairly easy to tear. You should be able to find inexpensive fishing line at Kmart, Walmart and maybe Target. This is a good option because it is very strong, fine enough to pass through small beads, will last a long time, and is easy to work with for this application. Wire is very hard to work with and unless you are very good with it, it tends to look stiff, awkward and like it’s just not laying properly. I was sort of guessing with the lampshade fringe that you wanted short strings of beads that would dangle from the bottom of the shade, wire would be like a bad hair day on a lampshade with that style.

For bookmarks, I was not sure what you were trying to do exactly. The Goodybeads website had forms that you buy and bead. For something a lot less expensive to make, try posterboard or cover stock (65 lb.) paper – both are available at the same stores listed above in the office supplies aisles. If you are doing something on the computer with this project, use the cover stock, it should run through any printer just fine. You might find a better deal on the cover stock at a store like Office Max or Office Depot. You can also buy sheets of clear laminating film (this is like a clear, stiff , plasticky sheet of paper that will have adhesive on one side) – if you choose to use this, put it on both sides of the printed bookmarks before you cut them. It will help to protect and prolong the life of your bookmarks. Next step is cut them out – use either straight scissors, pinking shears, or any fancy edge you like. Then use a one-hole punch to place a hole near one end to run ribbon or strung beads through. The best materials for this are inexpensive nylon fabric spool ribbon (the one that looks satiny) – don’t use plastic ribbon or curling ribbon or that polyester fabric stuff that shreds and disintegrates as soon as you put the scissors near it. I’ve used 1/16″ inch spool ribbon for a number of beading projects, it may even come in 1/32″ or 1/64″ – Walmart and Kmart carry this on sale like 2 or 3 spools for a $1. You could also string beads on fishing line or embroidery floss (leave several strands of the floss together if you can for added durability). You can use either ribbons, strung beads, or a combo. Just gather up a few (I like to mix mine up) and slide them through the hole, then secure with a knot. Sometimes just a tassel of floss looks really pretty too.

I don’t have as much experience with jewelry (except maybe earrings). I have done some necklaces with wooden beads that I handpainted and strung on leather cord. I tried a few things with wire and clay but could never get them to work quite how I wanted them to.

Hope this was of some help to you!

how to make perler bead glasses part 1

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