How To Beading - The Difference Between Using Artistic Wire and Stretch Cord in Your Beaded Jewelry

The Difference Between Using Artistic Wire and Stretch Cord in Your Beaded Jewelry

Beaded jewelry comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It can be casual or formal, simple or intricate. One of the most important considerations when creating a piece is whether to use cord or wire. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits and Uses of Wire:

Artistic wire is one of the most popular types of wire for jewelry making:

1. It comes in fourteen sizes and fifty colors, making it possible to create a variety of looks. It is permanently colored and quite durable.

2. When creating jewelry with artistic wire, you can bend it into any shape you wish.

Bending it correctly requires some skill and practice, but you can create very intricate designs with it. Nice pieces can be created without using any beads at all. Beads can be added as accents, or they could be used throughout the piece.

3. Getting the correct beads is essential when using wire in your jewelry.

The beads must be the same gauge as the wire you're using. If the holes are too small, they won't fit onto the wire. If they're too large, they will slide around.

4. Artistic wire can be used to create virtually any type of jewelry.

It can be looped, wound, angled, and even woven. It does not stretch, so if making a necklace or bracelet, a clasp must be used. If the wearer has trouble with clasps, stretch cord might be a better choice.

Benefits and Uses of Stretch Cord

1. Stretch cord is not as durable as wire, but it can be used for different types of projects.

It's very easy to work with, making it great for beginners. It also makes it possible to make jewelry without clasps, which is good for children, the elderly, and anyone else who might have trouble with them.

2. Stretch cord is best suited to simple stringing.

It is usually completely covered with beads, so the cord itself is not visible unless stretched. It's possible to use it for more intricate designs, but if stretched too much during construction, it can cause the piece to become misshapen. Great care must be taken to prevent this.

3. Thread or cord that doesn't stretch might be more appropriate for beadweaving and other highly detailed projects.

Both stretch cord and wire can be used to create beautiful beaded jewelry:

Which one is best depends largely on the project and the skill level of the crafter.

• Stretch cord is easy to use and doesn't show in the finished piece.
  
• Wire is somewhat trickier to work with and is visible in most pieces.
  

Once you know the differences between them, choosing the right one for your project is usually pretty simple.

Beading for Beginners

Beading for Beginners is A New Artistic Beading e-Book that Teaches You the Quick and Easy Beading Steps You Need to take

Here is some of what you will learn:

• The hand-held finger-woven method
• Wire work or wire-weave
• Bias-weaving
• And the double-strand square-weave as well as:
• How to make a crown stitch bracelet
• How to make bugle beads and fringe
• How to make a bugle bead ladder
• How to make bead-woven bracelets
• How to make a beaded earring
• And much, much more!
  

Go and have a look at Beading For Beginners now. Access is instant. You can start beading almost instantly.

Have a look at Beading For Beginners!

Beading Crafts - Basics Needed to Get Started Making Beaded Jewelry

I hope you enjoy the pictures of my granddaughter parading her master pieces.

Beading Crafts - Basics Needed to Get Started Making Beaded Jewelry

Beading Crafts are very exiting and rewarding. When it comes to accessories, few are as versatile as beaded jewelry. Beaded pieces range from casual to formal, and many can be worn either way. It's no wonder that crafters love to create beaded pieces.

There are lots of different techniques that can be used to make beaded jewelry. They range from simple enough for young children to intricate and complex. Here are some of the techniques you can use, and the supplies you will need to get started on your hobby of beading crafts.

Stringing with Cord

Stringing beads is one of the simplest jewelry-making techniques, yet it can make lovely necklaces, bracelets and anklets. All you need to get started is:

• Beads
• Bead thread, beading elastic, or some other type of cord
• Beading needle
• Nail polish or glue (for sealing knots)
• Clasps

Stringing on Wire

Bead stringing may also be done on wire. The technique is similar to stringing with cord. Supplies needed include:

• Beads
• Beading wire
• Pliers
• Wire cutters
• Clasps

Wirework

Wirework involves carefully fashioning metal wire and adding beads to make jewelry. This makes beautiful rings and earrings, and can also be used to make pendants and charms. The supplies you'll need are:

• Beads
• Wire
• Wire cutters
• Roundnose and flatnose pliers

Beadweaving

As the name suggests, beadweaving involves stitching beads together so that they form something similar to a fabric. This technique is most often used to create bracelets and choker necklaces, but it may also be used on earrings, brooches and more. Supplies may include:

• Beads of uniform size
• Synthetic thread
• Beading needle
• Thread snips
• Loom, either made specifically for beading or made for traditional weaving but adapted for beading

To Stretch or Not to Stretch?

There are types of beading string that stretch, and types that do not. In some cases, which type you use is a matter of preference, and in others, the quality of your finished product depends on it.

If you're stringing beads, you could use either type. If you prefer not to use a clasp on your necklaces, bracelets and anklets, you could use a string that stretches to make them easy to put on. But if you plan to use a clasp, you might want to use a string that does not stretch to make your work sturdier. Non-stretch string knots better than stretchy string.

For embroidery and beadweaving, non-stretch string is usually better. If you use a string that is overly stretchy, it could cause your work to pucker. But if you want your pieces to stretch a little, stretchy string might work in some cases as long as you avoid over-stretching it during construction.

Doing beading crafts and making beaded jewelry is great for beginners and experienced crafters alike. Even simple techniques can create stunning pieces. More complex techniques will require some practice, but if you start off small you can work your way up in no time. So why not give creating your own jewelry a try?

For a good guide to help you Have A Look At Beading For Beginners!