How to String Beads

Learning how to string beads is pretty easy. Just get some string and put some beads on it right? Well... you could do it that way, (and I have, I must admit,) but to get a really professional finished look, you have to have a little more technique and know-how.

Getting started with bead stringing is really easy though. Before you begin to learn how to string beads, you only need a handful of tools and materials. Pretty painless in terms of initial outlay too. You could easily make a beautiful strung necklace tools and all for less than $50. If you use Wal-mart supplies, I bet you could make an awesome beginner necklace for less than $30 - including tools!

As with any other medium, bead stringing can be simple and easy, or challenging and awe-inspiring - especially when you start getting into the real art jewelry.

Professional quality bead stringing is an art unto itself. You don't really realize it until you start trying to learn it yourself, but stringing beads properly requires a fair amount of specialized knowledge and attention to detail. And of course, there are tips and tricks to how to string beads, as with everything else.

Ready to start learning? Let's begin with materials:

Stringing Techniques by Stringing Material

There are a number of different techniques used to string beads. I've grouped stringing techniques by the type of thread, wire, or cable used to string the beads.

Memory Wire

The easiest way to string a professional looking piece of jewelry. Tools and materials are minimal. Read more about bead stringing on memory wire here.

Stranded Stringing Cable and Tigertail

My stringing technique of choice. I like using cable rather than threads or fishing line because they are pretty unbreakable and don't need tiny fiddly needles or seed beads to finish them off. The most common brands are Acculon, Softflex, and Beadalon. To learn more about stringing cable and which type to use for your project, click here.

For a bare bones shopping guide for beginners, click here.

For a great beginner's project, click here to learn how to string a basic bracelet. (free basic stringing tutorial)

Other Materials for Stringing

These are some other stringing materials you might like to try.

Beading Thread - for bead weaving
Silk Thread (and synthetic silk-type thread) - the traditional choice for pearls
Elastic or Stretch Thread - for stretchy things, naturally
Fishing Line - like Fireline.
Leather - for large hole beads
Rubber cording - ditto
Fine chain - think Pandora Bracelets
Hand-dyed silk ribbon, fibre - for artsy art jewelry and quick pendant necklaces (I have some hand-dyed silk that I just hang neat pendants on and tie in a bow at the back of my neck.)