Category

Jewellery Making Tips and Advice

09/09/2021

Nymo Threads Explained

Nymo thread is a slightly waxed, lightly twisted flat nylon thread. It is available in 5 sizes: 00, 0, B, D, F. Choose your sizing depending on the hole size of your beads & needles, but also consider the weight of the items you are threading; the lighter the beads, the less over all tensile strength you will require.  Nymo is a popular choice for on & off loom work, bead weaving with seed beads and embroidery crafts. Use with flexible beading needles & big eye needles. Nymo thread is... Read More

03/11/2020
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Understanding Seed Beads

Seed beads are a wonderfully versitile product that once mastered, open up an entire universe of possibilities. There is a plethora of weaving techniques to practice and learn, but knowing where to start can be intimidating. Seed beads are the smallest of all the beads and require the correct needles and threads to complete even the smallest of tasks successfully. Traditionally, seed beads are meassured in something called ‘aughts’ or colloquially refered to as ‘oh’s’ as you would say ‘zero’. When written numerically, this meassurement is depicted as 11/0, 8/0,... Read More

03/08/2020
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How To … Turn loop

The making of a turn loop can prove to be more difficult in reality than it is in theory. Using a pair of round nose pliers, follow the straightforward steps below to master the turn loop technique, which usually takes a little practice.  To control the length of your stem, position the wire on the thick area of the pliers; now bend the wire away from you to make a right angle. Step 1 Then trim the head pin, leaving approx 1 cm distance from the bend. Grip the pin... Read More

30/07/2020
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The Beginners Guide to Jewellery Findings…

Before the Basics… ‘Jewellery findings’ are the bare bones of any piece of jewellery. The term ‘findings’ is a collective way to describe any individual component that falls under this category. Jewellery findings are used to link, hold, or secure jewellery items together to create a complete piece of jewellery. Choosing which beads you like is often the easy part. Selecting the right findings, however, can be a difficult task for any beginner. So, here is a full guide to all your jewellery findings and what they can be used for to... Read More

16/07/2020
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Jewellery Making Tools for Beginners

If you are reading this for the first time chances are you have decided to embark on a new hobby. You have scanned the internet, created boards on Pinterest and drooled over handmade jewellery designs on Instagram. So many possibilities, so little time.    If this sounds familiar to you, then firstly – welcome to the exciting new world of jewellery making. We want to make your entrance as smooth as possible. Good news! It isn’t necessary to spend money on lots of fancy tools. Invest in good quality basics... Read More

Kids Crafts | Beads Online 23/06/2016
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Top 5 Kids’ Crafts to Keep Them Busy This Summer

Entertaining kids in the summer months can be challenging, particularly on those rainy days when playing out isn’t an option. We recommend stocking up on craft supplies and having a few of these rainy day activities in the bank for when the storm clouds roll in. Buy beads online in bulk and you’ll have enough to keep your little ones entertained whatever the weather. Button bracelets These are an easy and fun way to teach sewing techniques, and they’ll have a fun and colourful bracelet to wear at the end,... Read More

Beads Online | The Bead Shop 04/05/2016
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5 Steps for Embellishing Your Clothes with Beads!

Beads aren’t just great for creating jewellery. You can also customise your outfits by embellishing them with beads and sequins. Not only is it incredibly fun and easy, allowing you to feel like a real fashion designer, it also gives you a great reason to recycle that old jumper or skirt!   What do I need? Beads of your own choice (make sure they can go on a 40C wash) Pencil Paper Tailor’s chalk Ruler An old piece of clothing Cotton thread A beading needle Scissors Step 1: First decide... Read More

Make Tassels 24/03/2016

How to Make Tassels

A fun way to liven up your handmade jewellery is to attach little tassels to them. Nope, they don’t just look good on curtains and tablecloths, they’re great on jewellery as well – especially now festival season is coming up! Unfortunately tassels can be quite expensive, but not to worry: every DIY-fanatic will know that they’re very fun and super easy to make! Follow our tutorial below to see how you can create your own. We’ve chosen for embroidery floss because it comes in hundreds different colours and textures, so you... Read More

04/01/2016
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The Benefits of Making Your Own Jewellery

If you’re tempted to start the New Year with a brand new hobby, beading could be perfect! In this post we’ll share some of the main benefits to making your own jewellery. Therapeutic Jewellery making can be an incredibly therapeutic hobby that can help you to unwind after a long day. Whether you make a Kumihimo bracelet using Swarovski beads while watching your favourite soaps on TV or you prefer to sit in silence while you create a beaded choker, jewellery making can be a really relaxing way to pass... Read More

28/10/2015

Essential Jewellery Making Tools

Whether you’ve started making jewellery as a hobby or you’re a jewellery-making pro, it can be a good idea to create your own beading tool kit so you always have everything you need to hand! Here are just a few of the tools we use on a regular basis to make our own jewellery: Pliers Pliers are a must for any beading project. However, it’s easy to get confused by the various types available. Flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers and wire cutters are some of the most... Read More

Jewellery Findings 07/10/2015

Jewellery Findings Explained

Making your own jewellery can be a great way to create personalised accessories that suit your own personal taste and style. However, if you’re new to the art of beading, it can be difficult to know where to start. Choosing which beads you like is the easy part. Selecting the right findings, however, can be a difficult task for beginners. Here are just a few of the most popular jewellery findings to consider using on your next creation: Jump rings Jump rings are metal rings that can be closed shut to... Read More

Jewellery Making Kit | The Bead Shop 15/09/2015

How to Start Making Money from Your Jewellery Making Hobby!

                If you’ve mastered the art of making your own jewellery and your friends and family are constantly asking you to make them everything from Shamballa bracelets to ear cuffs, perhaps it’s time to take your talent to the next level and set up your own business. Turning your hobby into a money-making scheme can be a little daunting at first, but if you’re passionate about making your own jewellery and your creations are in demand, you may as well get paid for... Read More

Glass Beads | Wholesale Beads | The Bead Shop 10/09/2015

The Beginners Guide to Bead Shapes

If you’ve just started out in jewellery making, it can be tricky trying to get to grips with all of the lingo that goes along with it! To give you a little nudge in the right direction, we have documented all of the basic bead shapes that you may come across along the way. With everything from faceted to rondelle – we have you covered! All of the beads you can see below are available to buy from our website, whether you are looking for glass beads or wooden beads,... Read More

Kumihimo | Kumihimo Supplies | The Bead Shop 22/07/2015
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The Secret to Kumihimo Success

We are huge fans of Kumihimo braiding at The Bead Shop, but we know that it can look a little daunting to someone who is just starting out in jewellery making. Kumihimo braiding is a traditional Japanese technique that is continuing to grow in popularity, as more of us are creating or our custom pieces of jewellery.   You can make gorgeous Kumihimo jewellery with just a few simple supplies, that won’t cost you the earth. With this you can create beautiful necklaces, bracelets, anklets and more. If you’ve already... Read More

Seed Beads | Toho Seed Beads | The Bead Shop 16/07/2015
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Five Ways With Seed Beads

                    Seed beads are one of the most versatile beads when it comes to jewellery making and crafts. They are teeny, tiny little beads that can be used in endless ways. Unlike many other types of beads, their size means they can’t be sold by number, so they are sold on weight instead. Sizes generally range from half millimetre to around 2 millimetres in length. One of the reasons they are so versatile, is the huge range of colours and shapes... Read More

How to make a charm bracelet | jewellery making | The Bead Shop 08/07/2015
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Jewellery Making for Beginners: How to Make a Charm Bracelet

When it comes to buying a gift for a loved one, charm bracelets are always high on the agenda. But they are so much more meaningful when they are hand crafted and contain charms that have a personal meaning, or memory attached to them. There are no restrictions when it comes to choosing your charms, so you can be as inventive as you like. These bracelets are so easy to make, you will find yourself creating new ones for every occasion!                  ... Read More

Swarovski Pearl Beads | Jewellery Making | The Bead Shop 03/07/2015

How to Make a Stunning Swarovski Anklet

                    Whether you’re a beading beginner or expert, this how-to guide will give you all the tools you need to create a beautiful anklet – the perfect accessory now that the sun is shining. Swarovski beads are perfect for adding a little glitz, however they also work great with seed beads or glass beads. What are anklets? Anklets are exactly what they say on the tin, bracelets that are worn around the ankle. They are perfect for warm weather jaunts and... Read More

18/06/2015

Decorating Your Garden Space with Beaded Wind Chimes

Now that summer is just around the corner, there’s not doubt we will be spending more time in the garden trying to make the most of the great British sunshine. If like us you are one of those people who love spending time in the garden, we have some great ways for you to add boho chic accessories to your space. Wind chimes are a lovely addition to any garden, or window, making a colourful statement, whilst playing you soothing melodies as the wind blows. To give you inspiration, we... Read More

Jewellery Making Tips | Jewellery Making Tips | The Bead Shop 10/06/2015
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Get Festival Ready with a Handmade Flower Crown

Although we haven’t been lucky enough to see much sunny weather so far this year, festival season is still right around the corner. But if you haven’t managed to get your hands on any Glastonbury tickets, it doesn’t mean you can’t still rock that signature festival look. Daisy crowns fly off the shelves at this time of the year, but if you want to add a unique touch to yours, we can show you how to make something extra special. Making a flower crown couldn’t be any easier. You will... Read More

Swarovski How To DIY 24/02/2015
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What Can I Make With Swarovski Beads?

    Swarovski beads are a popular material for jewellery makers and bead lovers. The consistent high quality of the beads makes them the ideal choice for durability and longevity, creating the trends so that you can be ahead of the stylish curve. Swarovski beads come in a whole range of different shapes, sizes and colours so it can be often rather difficult to know where to begin!  The easiest way to pick your Swarovski is think about the piece you would like to make and the right Swarovski beads will... Read More