Bead Map

Do-It-Yourself Decorating

Bracelet and Necklace

 And here is the bead palette in use. After choosing the beads I want to use for a matching bracelet and necklace, I sorted them out in the little dividers. Then I arranged them, exactly how they will be strung on the bracelet, in the handy little grooves on the palette. How much easier could it be to play around with the arrangement until it's just perfectly how you want? After stringing the beads, I can measure the bracelet length at the top to make sure it's the right fit. Since all the leftover beads from the bracelet are still in the palette, it's easy to come up with a matching necklace. Well, that's all for now on making hand-beaded jewelry. Stay tuned!

Bead Palette

Do-It-Yourself Decorating

The Beader's Friend

This nifty tool not only makes beading easier, but it almost turns it from a hobby into a science. The bead palette has multiple grooves for lining up beads for a necklace or bracelet. It allows you to arrange and rearrange before you actually start stringing, making sure you have exactly the pattern you like. There are also measurements along the sides so you can make it come out the length you want. Finally, the holes in the middle hold extra beads for your particular design, so they aren't rolling all over the kitchen floor. Well, are you sold on the bead palette yet?

To be ethical, I guess I should mention that a folded terrycloth towel works almost as well for arranging beads on...but still, it's just not the same.

Bead Separators

Do-It-Yourself Decorating



A Touch of Gold and Silver



There's more to beautiful bracelets than just the big pretty beads. You don't want all your lovely beads crammed together on a string that won't even bend around your wrist! Bead separators, as they are called, are usually gold or silver. They make any color of beads pop. They come in all shapes and patterns and really make your jewelry look "professional." Always use pretty small ones, even half the size of your largest beads, for a bracelet. Small seed beads in neutral or pastel colors can also serve as bead separators. It all depends on the look you want.

Bead Shapes

Do-It-Yourself Decorating

Beads of Every Color

There are countless varieties of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from in the bead selection. Above are some of the more unusual ones. Multi-colored beads like the one on the right side are a great place to find the color scheme of your bracelet or necklace. Choose them first, and then find smaller beads matching some or all of the colors. All of these beads make good "focal beads" for jewelry. The white seed beads behind them are some of the smallest you can get, about 2 mm, so you can see how large the colored ones really are.

Filler Beads

Small filler beads come in many different shapes. The round ones at the top make good accent beads, spaced at regular intervals in between your largest, fanciest beads. The blue oval beads and maroon seed-shaped beads are nice to use as fillers in between the large beads. They are more nondescript and add length when you need it. A good rule is to use your dominant colors for the larger beads, and keep the filler beads lighter and in the background. Finally, the red tear-drop beads add an interesting shape and almost dangle off the bracelet.

Beading

Do-It-Yourself Decorating

Handmade Bracelet

Jewelry can not only be expensive to buy, but also difficult to find. Locating your favorite style is hard enough; finding it in exactly the right color to complement that new outfit can be almost impossible! But, do not despair; as always, there is a do-it-yourself solution! Making your own beaded bracelets and necklaces is much easier than it looks. There is an endless variety of beads, fittings, and out-of-the-ordinary embellishments to choose from. And the best part is, it's fun!

Bead Selection

The most important of the supplies is, well, beads. You can find beautiful beads at any hobby or craft store; even large department stores like Wal-mart are carrying a nice selection now. Choose the ones that you like. It is no fun working with beads you don't like! I love these divided boxes, which you can also find at the craft store, for storing the beads. The sections are just the right size for easy viewing and grabbing.