Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
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 »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“How can I buy the bezel tag? I cannot find it on your site! …” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Wonderfully easy to follow tutorial! Love the design results! Will be trying this knot.…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“Does the cord used have to be Chinese Knotting Cord or would C-Lon work?…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“Love the idea, where can I find the bezel tag. Every time I search for bezel…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“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 »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Are the coloured glass domes actually available to sell on lima beads? I can't imagine…” read »
on “Wrap Loom Basics”:“Love the inked cork cord ideas! I just signed up for your newsletter. I read some…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“Tassels always add a "je ne sais quoi" to ANY piece of jewelry, whether made of…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Thank you for this video!!!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“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”:
“Where can I find a photo of the finished project? I like the colors and elements.…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Nice design. Thank you. Do you have a video showing HOW you got all those threads…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“THANKS FOR ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND IDEAS,SOON I'LL BE SHARING A FEW OF MY…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“How do you attach the tassel?…” read »
- on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
“How can I print the snake knot instructions?…” read »
- on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
“I want to print the snake knot, but for some reason I can't. All would allow…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I forgot to get my Medical ID bracelet engraving enhanced when I ordered. Will alcohol…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“I have a small blue stone, unusual shape, and several small opals, no-holes. I bought…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Thanks…” read »
on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:“Beautiful Bolo necklaces Ms.Ali
thanks for supplies for every jewelry makers needs Lima Beadsyour awsome…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“I know I’m waaaaaaay late to the game here on this post but I thought I’d…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“I've been using GP for several years, with no sealer, and the smell goes away fast.…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“What size of cording to use for 6mm stone beads? Thank you in advance! Respectfully, ~Denise~…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Very nice tutorial, and the information is wonderful. I am wondering if you could use…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I'm looking for something to add a wash of color to a silver charm, rather like…” read »
- on “Using the Beadalon Jump Ring Maker”:
“Will the 18 gauge German wire work with this?…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I am very new to beading and love tutorials online.…” read »
on “How to Finish 10mm & 20mm Hand Tooled Leather Straps”:“I love these bracelets !! I think they're really cool !!…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Love the video. I had been intimidated by the seed bead projects until I saw…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“where to find the supplie…” read »
on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:“Love, love Lima Beads! Huge selection, such original designs!…” read »
- on “Crystal Clay”:
“I'm thinking about using this material to line a 'yerba mate gourd' made out of wood.…” read »
on “Non-Identical Twins”:“I've always had a "thing" about earrings having to match -- my new idea is for…” 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.
Buy Products from this Technique
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| Package of 10 | $1.50 | OUT OF STOCK |
| Package of 20 | $2.70 | OUT OF STOCK |
| 1 gram (approx. 40 pieces) | $3.20 |
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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!