Tools and Materials to Get Started Beading

Beading is a great craft because it is not very difficult (if you can sew, you can bead), nor is it very expensive to get started. Typically all you need are some beads, thread, needles and scissors. And don't forget things to stay healthy while doing it like bright lighting, good readers and a substantial amount of patience and humor.

With just those few things, you can get started stringing beads, exploring color and patterns, and making jewelry. You can also experiment or learn a few beadwork stitches to expand your knowledge. 

Of course, you might experience frustration in the beginning if your needle is too thick for your beads, or your thread is fraying or breaking, or you can't get a knot to hold and your project falls apart within days (or hours) of you proudly wearing it. Those are just some of my beginner experiences, but it was before the days of internet and online stores to be able to quickly find answers or help. 

I hope this is one of those articles that I wish I found in the early years - a list and details of what you need and where to get it to get off on the right foot. Plus some links to other helpful beginner information sprinkled in like fairy dust.

Butterfly Beadwork Pattern for Loom or Square Stitch

Whether it's Spring, or you just wish it was, this cheery butterfly pattern is a quick beading square stitch project, especially for beginners. If you're more comfortable using a beading loom, the design will work for that too, but you will be tying in a lot more threads.

Have you tried square stitch beading before? If not, you may want to check out my square stitch tutorial before moving on to this project. This project assumes you know square stitch and focuses more on following a beadwork pattern and other techniques to create the finished pendant and necklace.

Square Stitch Beading Tutorial

Square stitch beading looks just like it was made on a beading loom

Square stitch is an off-loom bead-weaving stitch that looks like loom beadwork, with beads that are stacked both vertically and horizontally in rows and columns. Square stitch is perfect to make smaller beadwork components where it would be more time consuming to warp a loom and weave in multiple thread ends.

Tubular Herringbone Bead Stitch Bracelet Tutorial

Herringbone bead stitch forms a pattern where the beads join in a V shape similar to the central spine of a fish. 

There are several different versions including flat herringbone bead stitch, tubular herringbone bead stitch (this tutorial), twisted tubular herringbone stitch and circular herringbone stitch. 

Herringbone bead stitch is also sometimes known as Ndebele stitch after the African tribe that specializes in the stitch.

4 Knots Every Jewelry Maker or Beader Needs

Knots are important in beadwork and other jewelry making such as bead stringing to secure thread and cord or can be used decoratively as in macrame jewelry or Chinese knotting.

In beadwork, knots are often used when adding or securing thread. The type of knots used vary depending on the bead stitch you are using, the type of thread and the bead sizes. Using the right knot and making it correctly can help prevent your thread from unraveling and make your beadwork last longer.

Antique Steel Cut Bead Fringe Brick Stitch Earrings

 The details of how I reclaimed, cleaned and readied these antique steel beads is a story for another post. This one provides the details of the brick stitch fringe earrings, mostly so I can make another pair in case I lose the information that I scratched out on a sticky note.

DIY Wire Bow Charm or Clasp

Who doesn't love to get a gift with a glittering bow on top? Making wire jewelry is a gift you give yourself (or others), so use this tutorial to "put a bow on it". The bow charm is perfect as the centerpiece to a bracelet or necklace, make a pair for earrings or I also used it with a handmade wire hook to make it into a clasp. I'm sure you'll find other options too.

Make every day an excuse to celebrate, just choose some jewelry wire and pick up a few basic wire jewelry tools. My projects use 20 gauge jeweler's brass (gold colored) or twisted sterling silver wire. Use thicker 18 gauge wire if you are rough on your jewelry or prefer a less dainty look.

Free American Flag Beaded Peyote Ring Pattern

American flag stars and stripes peyote ring by Lisa Yang Jewelry

This peyote ring was made to celebrate the 4th of July, but there are so many days and reasons to wear  American flag jewelry. It is a great way to honor the courageous service people and remind ourselves of the freedoms we are so lucky to have. And you can show your spirit during World Cup sports events or the Olympics.

The pattern was designed using BeadTool 4 beading design software. The word chart, including the delica bead numbers and detailed pattern is provided at the end of the step by step beaded ring tutorial.