|
| Tips, Info and Tutorials |
 |
|
 |
Infomation about Seed Beads and threads
What are seed beads
Seed beads are small beads made of glass. They are typically round, but do come in other shapes, such as cubes, drops and triangles.
Where do they come from
Todays seed beads predominantly come from 4 countries. India and China produce seed beads in a limited number of colours and finishes and the sizes tend to be irregular. The irregularity suits some types of beading well giving your work an organic look. The Czech Republic have been making seed beads for many years and produce a good range of colours, sizes and finishes. The sizes tend to be fairly regular, although the holes size can be on the small size. Japan produces the highest quality seed beads. They are a uniform size and tend to have a larger hole. There are 3 major manufacturers of seed beads in Japan and they offer the greatest range of colour, size, shape and finish possible.
Who makes them and what are the differences
Czech beads are made by many companies, they are often sold strung in hanks. Japanese beads are made by 3 manufacturers, Matsuno, Toho and Muykui, and are typically sold loose by weight. The Japanese produce similar, but slightly different ranges of seed beads. Each manufacturer promote their beads with different attributes, such as thinner walls or square holes.
How are they made
They are made by drawing out long tubes of glass and chopping them to size. Colour and special finishes are added either to the hot glass or after the glass has cooled.
Sizes and shapes
- Shapes, the most common shape of seed bead is round, like a miniature donut. Some round bead have an irregular cut on one side - this adds sparkle to the bead, these are known as Charlottes. There are slight variations in the shape of round seed bead - some have squarer corners that others, this depends on the finishing process and the manufacturer. Cylinder beads are also round, but tubular rather than donut shaped. Cylinder beads are sold under the brand name of Delica, made by Miyuki or Treasures/Aikos made by Toho. Cylinder beads are the most uniform of all seed beads and when used in flat Peyote or loom work create a fabulous fabric like feel to beadwork. Seed beads are also available in triangles, cubes, hex (6 sided), twisted hex and drops. Bugle beads are also included under seed beads and these are long tubular beads.
- Sizes, round seed beads come in mainly 4 sizes, the most popular are numbered from 15 (small) to 6 (large). Most commonly found is the size 11 round bead. The number does not tell you how big the bead is but is based on the old Aught system - you may sometimes see a ° after the number to denote this. To complicate the matter further a size 11 is not uniform across all manufacturers and finishes. An 11 round seed bead can be between 1.8mm to 2.2mm. A Czech size 11 tends to be generally smaller than Japanese size 11. A Delica 11 is smaller than a round 11 across its width. Any mixture of beads used together will not create a uniform look - that may be what you are after, it may be not. Unless you know what size you have purchased, it may be quite difficult to tell the difference between a 10 and 11. If you are following a pattern, try it with the beads you have and see how it comes out, experience teaches you a lot.
An approximation of round seed bead sizes
15° 1.3 to 1.5mm
11° 1.8 to 2.2mm
8° 2.6 to 3.1mm
6° 3.3 to 4.0mm
Shapes
Seed beads are not just round ! Let us look at a few of the other shapes on offer. Try doing peyote in hex beads, brick in triangles and Ndebele in cubes, or mix shapes and see what you get.
Hex beads - 6 sided beads available in size 8 or 11.
Hex twist beads - as above but twisted in size 10
Drops - tiny tear shaped beads, approx 3-4mm
Magatama - drop shaped, but more of a round bead with an offset hole
Cubes - 3 or 4mm cubes are the popular sizes, but smaller cubes are available. Some have rounded corners, others are squarer.
Triangles - size 5, 8, 10 or 11, again, some have rounded corners, others squarer corners.
Bugels - these are long seed beads, up to 20mm long as short as 3mm. These are sometimes twisted.
Finishes
Know your seed bead finishes.
A quick guide to many of the common finishes you will find associated with seed beads
Opaque - solid plain colours, no light shows through these, often combined with matte, AB or Lustre finishes.
Transparent - you can see through these colours, the degree of transparency depends on the colour.
Metallic - finished with a metal coating, usually dark rich colours, often combined with a matte finish.
Silverlined - The hole in these beads are lined with silver, making them bright and shiny, often combined with matte and AB finishes.
Gold or giltlined - Similar to silverlined but not as bright, more of a subtle glow.
Colourlined - Often a clear bead with a coloured lining which gives depth to the bead. Quite often the bead can be one colour and the lining a different which gives some unusual finishes. Sometimes combined with a matte finish.
Galvanised - coated in a non durable metallic finish, vibrant colours, but only to be used where contact with other beads and surfaces is minimal.
Galvanised, permanent finish - now available is a galvanised finish that does not rub off. Ensure you are buying the permanent finish to ensure durability.
Ceylon - Usually pale colours, a soft pearly finish.
Matte - a non shiny finish, depending on the underlying colour these can be vibrant or very subtle. Sometimes referred to as a frosted finish
Lustre - a bright shiny finish, beads with this finish stand out.
AB - Aurora Borealis, or sometimes referred to as a rainbow finish. A bright shiny "all colours of the rainbow" effect added to the bead.
Thread
Here are some of the more well known types of thread used in bead weaving.
Nymo thread is a favourite of beaders, originally used in the upholstery industry. Nymo is a strong nylon thread and comes in many colours and several sizes. Sizes range from 00, finest to F, thickest. Size B and D are most common and are good all-rounders. It has a tendency to stretch a little, which may be good or bad, depends on what you require. This is particularly suitable to general bead weaving projects.
C-lon is similar to Nymo, it has similar properties, and also comes in a wide range of colours.
SoNo, One G and KO threads are Japanese thread and similar to Nymo, but more fray resistant and less prone to tangling.
Silamide is a twisted 2 ply pre waxed nylon thread, again available in many colours.
Conso is a much thicker thread only for use with larger hole beads, the extra thickness adds to the strength.
Fireline is a product borrowed from the fishing industry. It is a braided gel-spun polyethylene and it is very strong and stretch resistant. It is available in several sizes but only 3 colours, smoke, green and white. This is particular suitable to bead weaving with sharp beads, such as crystals and bugles. There is no stretch in this, so pieces can be stiff - it depends on the application in hand.
T-Line is similar to Fireline and is produced by Toho, it comes in 3 sizes and is transparent
Power Pro is a strong synthetic thread, but only available in white and green
Coming Soon
Tips and Tricks
Tutorials
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 items |
|
|
|
 |
Quick Find |
|
|
|
Sign in |
|
|
|
Bestsellers |
|
|
|
