Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Hi....my question is in regards to the ring used.....what is the gauge...or do you have it…” read »
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“Great tutorial, looks easy. Now I want to try it. Thanks Ali.…” read »
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“Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“I'M HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE WIRE PROTECTOR IN PLACE ...USING ECONOFLEX NYLON COATED .019IN. WIRE.CAN.T…” read »
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“I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my…” read »
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“I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give…” read »
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on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and getting so frustrated and wasting…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“B Tuttle - ibuse Fireline on a regular. It’s durable and can stand the pulling…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Gabriele P: the stretch cording comes in black and clear. They used black here.…” read »
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“best tutorial I've read in a long time. i'll be making some tonight!…” read »
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“I enjoy the tutorials.…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“I like the messy look! I think it's a lot more fun to create whimsical piece!…” read »
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“What about fireline? I know that the colors are not as plentiful as all the others.…” read »
on “Finishing Large Acrylic Chain”:“I love those! Thanks!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“The stretch material used in this tutorial doesn’t seem like the one listed. Can someone please…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“After watching the videos, I decided to purchase tool and components and try it myself. A…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Yikes, I’m having the worst time trying to string that 20mm African turquoise guru bead. This…” read »
on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:“They don’t carry it anymore:(…” read »
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“Wonderfully easy to follow tutorial! Love the design results! Will be trying this knot.…” read »
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“Does the cord used have to be Chinese Knotting Cord or would C-Lon work?…” read »
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“Love the idea, where can I find the bezel tag. Every time I search for bezel…” read »
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“Please try using customer service to ask your questions!…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“I want to dispense resin into small jewelry molds to look like real jewels, is there…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you, thank you thankyou!! It took a bit of wiggling the needle around to go…” read »
on “How to Prevent Bubbles in Your Resin”:“Great tip. Do you have any tips for Doming?…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than…” read »
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on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“Tassels always add a "je ne sais quoi" to ANY piece of jewelry, whether made of…” read »
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“Thank you for this video!!!…” read »
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“For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the…” read »
on “How to use Katiedid components”:“Interesting tool…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
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“Nice design. Thank you. Do you have a video showing HOW you got all those threads…” read »
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About this Tip:
In this tip, we'll show you how you string a guru bead onto a mala necklace. Start with a mala necklace that is finished except for the guru bead in the middle. Make sure there is enough cord
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Gather your materials. You'll need a mala necklace strung on 1mm cord, a thread burner (for nylon cord only), adhesive, collapsible needle, and your guru bead set. |
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Step 2: Curl the collapsable needle. Do this by pulling the needle between your thumb and finger nail. Repeat until the needle resembles a fishing hook. |
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Step 3: String the cord through your needle. Then string the needle through the side hole of the guru bead and down through the bottom hole. |
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Step 4: Pull the cord through the bead. |
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Step 5: With the other end of your cord, repeat Step 3 by stringing it through the opposite side hole of the guru bead and down through the bottom. |
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Step 6: Pull the cord through the bead so that both the tails are even. |
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Step 7: String on the bottom of the guru bead and slide the 2 parts of the guru bead up to the necklace. |
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Step 8: Secure the guru bead in place by knotting. |
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Step 9: Now that the guru bead is strung, finish your necklace. A thread burner can seal the ends of nylon cord, and a dap of adhesive on the knot will keep it strong. |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Aug 25, 2016 at 8:38 pm #
dolllady aka Pam says:This is a great tutorial! I saw a guru bead on another website a while back. The negative of it on that site…. there was not tutorial on how to put it together. Thank you, Ali! You always provide directions and samples. That’s why LB is my favorite and most used bead site.
On Aug 25, 2016 at 10:25 pm #
Nancy B 2 says:Excellent tutorial, always find you information very helpful. Thanks Nancy B
On Aug 26, 2016 at 1:37 pm #
S KatollakaSue says:Always wondered just how to do that. Now I know. Thanks!
On Jan 15, 2017 at 2:27 pm #
T klense says:Thank you for the tip , I always wondered how to string it. Very helpful.
On Feb 07, 2017 at 8:32 pm #
aunthatties says:Thank goodness you have examples of how to use your products.That puts you head and shoulders above a lot of other sites. Good on you,Lima Beads.
On Jul 08, 2017 at 10:01 pm #
Gisele L says:I have big Pearl wirh one hole and I want to use it as pendant on my bracelet. Do hou have the grip wirh a loop.
On Oct 31, 2017 at 3:12 pm #
R Fox says:Sooooo very helpful!! Thanks so much. Now that I finished my very first mala with a guru bead I’m going to order some more beads to start on number two!
On Jun 24, 2018 at 2:35 am #
ClovisakaLois says:Very nice tutorial, and the information is wonderful. I am wondering if you could use some beading wire, such as Beadalon, and double a short piece over the beading cord to pull the cord through the guru bead. The 49 strand wire with nylon coating is very flexible and I don’t know if I ever ordered a collapsible needle…I looked at them, but figured the beading wire would do the trick.
On Oct 28, 2018 at 7:20 pm #
L Jaworski says:How do you attach the tassel?
On Feb 14, 2019 at 12:22 pm #
wisdomwheelranch says:Thank you, thank you thankyou!! It took a bit of wiggling the needle around to go through the bottom hole, but patience prevailed. Thank you for your wonderful tutorials!
On Mar 23, 2019 at 12:14 am #
K Grande says:Yikes, I’m having the worst time trying to string that 20mm African turquoise guru bead. This is the second mala Ive tried to string it on and Im ready to give up again.