Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Adding a Focal to Patricia Healey Chain”:“I am a really gigantic fan of Patricia Healey's designs. I really love it that she…” read »
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“It would probably be best if you visit Christi Friesen's site & ask the question there.…” read »
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“Can the patina's or Swellegant line be mixed with epoxy to make a color for inlay?…” read »
- on “Crimping Basics”:
“thank you so much for this tutorial! you guys are great! love your site love your…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“I like the twine chosen. The varied pastel colors look so soft and pretty.…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“Leave it up to LIMA BEADS to bring us the latest, coolest and best findings and…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads...…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Love your site. Your selection of charms, beads, and supplies is a feast for jewelry artists.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Using Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm Tibetan Agate matte 8mm, African Turq 6mm Joesphine macrame knot …” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Love this knot! It holds the bead in place and keeps it from spinning when I…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Wow this is gonna be fun learning!…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“I will definitely try this. Tana R -- Thanks for the heads up.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“8mm gemstone rounds that 2 strands did not fit through that I tried: African Turquoise Tibetan Agate…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Got my order today to make bracelets using 8mm gemstone rounds, Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm using…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“I am definitely going to try this! I love the look of knotted work, but have…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oooooohhhhh ... this looks so cool, absolutely something I'll try.
…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Thank you for the written and visual instructions for the snake knot! I found the…” read »
- on “Using a Helicopter Punch”:
“I'm using alcohol inks on your blanks and having a great time, experimenting.…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Who knew? A fork of all things! Looks like a fun way to make pom poms.…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Depending on where you tie it, you could make tiny tassels too. Thanks for the…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Brilliant, with a greater chance of uniformity than i am used to!…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“A fork?! Of course! Brilliant! These are too cute! Time to go check out the bakers…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“What an easy way to make pompoms!…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Adorable! I bet these would make cute earrings.…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I am excited to start using alcohol inks and especially on metel.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Hi! Do you have any suggestions on a way to possibly tighten my threat on a…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great video instructions but I wondered if you have ever created a PDF for it? I…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Alas, I've tried Gamsol too, with the same poor results - grainy, thinly tinted Gamsol. …” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Great tips maybe my covers won't look so horrible now thanks a lot. Lisa Aceto…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I have been looking for what to do with my…” read »
on “How to Use Colorful Enamel Accents”:“Would love it if they also came in metallics-gold, silver, copper, etc. I'd use a…” read »
- on “Using Tassel Caps”:
“How would you attach a bead/tiny crystal tassel to a tassel cap that does not have…” read »
- on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“I love this. I could make a great pair of earrings with this way of…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank goodness you have examples of how to use your products.That puts you head and shoulders…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“These instructions are so easy. I had followed some others, and they were awful! …” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I've been making these for years, but never thought to glue both overhand sections of the…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I love making stretch bracelets. They are super easy and so stylish. I have not…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“A friend gave me a bunch of beads and asked me to make some stretch bracelets…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you for the tip , I always wondered how to string it. Very helpful.
…” read » - on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“I love it. Can you use this technique with glass and crystal beads? I'm a fenatic…” read »
About this Tip:
Here we'll make a simple bracelet using beading wire and some of our new Czech Glass beads.
Things to keep in mind:
The medium wire used in this video works will with most beads. I really like the 6-8mm beads purely for the aesthetic appeal. This wire is not, however, a good fit for our Pearl selection (the hole is too small!). All the beads featured here fit the bill!
Wire protectors do just that-- protect your wire's durability while the clasp that you attach rubs the wire as you wear your bracelet. These are going to help reinforce the medium wire and smaller. As you string the protector, you may need to spread the two ends further so it gives you more room to give you space for your clasp.
Crimpers have several "settings", use middle portion for initial crimp (creates valley), use end setting to finalize crimp.
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On Aug 22, 2012 at 3:16 pm #
Lois D says:As a novice beader, I’m anxious to watch this video, but am having trouble with it loading. Anyone else, or is it just me? (It usual is – LOL)
I love the colors of all the beads selected for the bracelet. Some folks have all the talent – and others like me, well, we stand in awe
On Aug 24, 2012 at 6:02 am #
Tim Hyland says:From another novice beader: Sorry that you can’t load the video Lois, but don’t go assuming it’s something you are doing wrong. Unfortunately the technology continues to outpace the typical user’s ability to stay current enough for some features. Maybe that’s all it is in your situation, and if so that’s not your fault.
If you’re using a (relatively) older computer perhaps it can’t open an MP4 file, or the 67mb size is an issue. I hate my local rip-off cable company, but I love having a high speed internet connection, which is almost a requirement these days.
Good luck, and with a bit of just doing some beading I’ll bet you’ll find that you had the talent all along.
Oh yeah, find some teenage hotshot who knows computers and can at least diagnose your problem. Lots of them around these days.
On Aug 31, 2012 at 5:50 pm #
Lois D says:Hello Tim,
Thanks for the advice about my computer glitch, and also the encouraging words about beading. Very much appreciated.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while, and so it seems I have discovered – quite by accident – the reason behind my inability to view the video.
I did a ‘right click’ on the video itself, and chose “Settings” from the menu display. This brought up a box for “Adobe Flash Player Settings”. I then ‘de-selected’ the”Enable Hardware Acceleration”.
Like magic, the video started playing
Now it’s time to enjoy the show.
Regards,
Lois
On Dec 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm #
B Whitacre says:I typed a long message, where did it go?
On Mar 21, 2013 at 1:22 pm #
C Novak says:Love the tips and comments: all very helpful. Thanks to all!
On Jul 25, 2013 at 5:24 pm #
jabbajane says:wait. what kind of beading wire? what size crimp tube or bead? what size holes in my beads should I use for the size and kind of wire? uggg. so confused. I guess I’ll keep searching videos for the answers to my questions.
On Aug 05, 2013 at 2:36 pm #
Kate says:@jabbajane: we’re using the medium beading wire (see products listed above). This wire should accommodate nearly any drill hole bead we offer.
On Aug 13, 2013 at 4:02 pm #
jabbajane says:Thanks Kate~! I appreciate the attention! I have another question. At 2:15 she says it is important to string a 6mm or an 8mm bead on first. Why is that important? sorry for all the questions but I am just learning and my stuff comes out will all kinds of mistakes that I only realize after I have crimped the last crimp bead and clasp! They don’t look bad, but I know it’s there. and I contemplate taking them all apart. and another mistake I have made is that I have already used sterling silver crimp beads, wire, etc. and now that is wasted if I take them apart. I’ve learned it saves money if you practice with cheaper findings! thanks for your help.
On Aug 14, 2013 at 1:39 pm #
Kate says:@jabbajane: I think she just meant to make sure the first (and last) bead that you string allows for 2 strands of wire to go through the drill hole, because you’re doubling up the wire on the ends.
The only way you learn to perfect your craft is by doing! Don’t take early mistakes too hard. In fact, I always keep my “first project” to remind myself of how far I’ve come…it works!
On Sep 26, 2014 at 12:52 pm #
Jo g says:why is the “valley” in the crimp bead important before crimping finally? why do wires need to be separated before crimping? i never understood this!