When jewellery-making, choosing the right type of beading wire or thread
is incredibly important. The structural basis of your beading project, the
beading wire you choose will make a huge difference to the outcome.
Knowing how to use beading wire is an important part of any project. In
this blog, we’ll discuss how to properly use bead stringing wire and give some
tips on how to use it most effectively to make sure your projects are in
tip-top shape.
1.
Choose the right beading wire for your project
Choosing the right
type of beading wire for your particular project is very
important. There are plenty of options available, each with their own
strengths.
7-strand wire for
beading is made up of 7 strands twisted together, and 19-strand and 49-strand
wire the same respectively. Each of the three types have their strands incorporated
within a protected, abrasion-resistant nylon coating.
7-stand beading
wire is generally best for beginners or those just starting out. It is most
economical, and best for simple designs with standard beads.
19-strand is a
great combination of strength, flexibility, and price. IT has excellent drape
and is softer and more supple than the 7-strand.
49-strand wire for
beading is the highest quality of wire available. This is the ideal wire type
for professional designers and for projects that use semi-precious or more
expensive beads. It features maximum drape, kink-resistance, strength, and
more.
The thicker the jewellery
beading wire, the stronger it is, with less resistance to kinks. Other
materials include sterling silver (used for finer quality jewellery, often
with precious stones), and titanium wire.
We’ve covered
exactly how to choose the
best beading wire for your project on our blog.
2.
Avoid kinks and tangles
For the best
results with your beading wire, it’s best to avoid getting kinks and tangles in
your wire. To do this, ensure you’re storing your wire properly and treating
with care while in use. For example, keep your wire stored on a spool when not
in immediate use, and avoid twists and tangles as much as possible. Don’t force
your wire back on itself while unravelling, and make sure to keep your beading
wire flat when working with it.
Some types of wire
for beading are better at kinks and tangles resistance than others. Titanium wire by Beadalon, for example, is the world’s
first kink-free elastic beading wire.
3.
Use Wire Guardians to avoid wear
Wire Guardians are
metal findings that can be used to protect your beading wire and jewellery
projects from classic wear and tear. No jewellery is exempt from breaking or showing
general signs of wear. One of the most common areas where this happens is at
the clasps and closure points. A great way to prolong the lifecycle of your
jewellery is to use Wire Guardians. These slip on over the end of your beading
wire and allow you to feed the wire around the loop and back down before you
can crimp it. The wire guardian provides a buffer between the wire itself and your clasp.
4.
Use multiple strands for extra strength
For projects that
require that extra level of strength and integrity, try using multiple strands
of beading wire. As long as your beads and fixings have the room to play with,
it allows for a stronger connection and more resistance to wear and tear.
5.
Keep tension consistent throughout
For an even finish and better final results with your
jewellery projects, make sure to keep the level of tension with your jewellery
beading wire consistent. It can be easy to forget this step, but the difference
made on the final look of your work can be huge.
One of the most popular brands of beading wire that
we stock here at CJ Beaders is Beadalon, which comes in
various types and sizes. From 7-strand to 19 and 49-strand, sterling silver and
even Titanium wire, shop our collection of beading wire online or visit our store. For
more information and inspiration for your jewellery projects, visit our blog.