The Amazing Seed Beads – All You Need To Know
Seed beads are tiny and are often used to accessorize different beading projects. They are made from all types of materials and the most widely known material for them is glass. Glass seed beads are used in many different ways. They are used in between large beads in making various beading designs; they are also can be used as spacers after a crimp and before inserting the main bead. Most often, they are used to finish an accessory or use it as an end bead.
Other techniques that use seed beads are often stringing them to form a multiple strand beaded accessory and in peyote stitching with the use of five to seven strands to form a bulk necklace or bracelet. You’ll find that these pieces of art are most commonly made from manipulated glass which is wound to form tiny beads. They are heated to a point that the bead makers are able to mold them into small drops of glass.
They come in different colors and designs but most of the time, their shape remains from round to rice grain shaped. Overtime, beaded accessory designers have learned to make different accessories from these little wonders. Let us explore some of the most elegant looking beading accessories made from these great pieces of art.
Glass Seed beading
The main difference between a conventional seed bead and glass seed beads is the process used when creating each of them. What makes the latter unique is that they are handmade and often have intricate designs that are created by skilled artisans in the craft. Although seed beads appear to be small and difficult to use, threading them in bulk can create a very elegant and complex design.
They are very versatile because they can be converted into almost any type of beaded accessory. Various necklace, bracelets, earrings, and pendants can be made from these little beauties that are very colorful and stylish as well. Aside from using multiple looped clasps for multiple strand beading, a single metal ring can be used to make elegant pieces using these tiny works of art.
A long threaded set of seeds can be stitched in a manner that the color combinations are emphasized. Beading stitches can also be used to create beautiful beaded accessories with the use of large beads. Some bead makers often make pendants made from weaving these little glass gems together. Three-dimensional weaving techniques can be applied to create a heart-shaped pattern or a star-shaped pendant that is entirely made from seed beads.
Overall, these great objects are the most widely used beads in creating wonderful pieces and almost all beading projects that use gems or other precious stones makes use of these little glass wonders to some extent.
Buying glass seed beads
When looking to buy these beautiful objects, it is important to choose neutral colored or solid colored groups of these great works of art. This way, they can be used in almost all types of design projects.
There are different glass seed beads according to their shape and the great thing is they can all be used to enhance a design. Look for the best deals of glass seed beads in your local bead shop or online and learn to start beading with the use of these great works of art.
Check out this definitive guide to seed beads