In this video, I will discuss seed beads: Sizes commonly used, measurements of the common sizes, brands and the differences between brands, types of seed beads and their uses.
I am a 70 year old woman from the generation of peace rallies and beading!! I had been a dedicated beader thru my teens and into my 30's, life gets in the way and I picked up beading again in my 50's. Jumped back in the pool like I never left. Due to multiple reasons I have been away from beading for at least 8 or 10 years, I remember a lot, but found I had forgot some of the finer aspects of working with beads, along with my mojo. I have been struggeling trying to get back to it, making something and ripping it out because it just wasn't right. My dear husband understood my frustration and pain and seached for beading groups or classes near us. We live in Maine and therefore very few were available. But he did! And although it is an hour away he takes me to see this very accomplished beader/store owner for support and to retrain my head and renew my passion. Your videos are such a pleasure, your teaching is clear, informative, and non biased. Nothing is worse than a bead snob. THANK YOU from the bottom of this old hippies heart, I have made files with your instructions. I refer to them often. Again, thank you and peace.
Hi! So nice to hear from you. I love that you have begun beading again and what a great, supportive husband you have! I am so happy my videos are helpful and that you have found a place to commune with other Beaders. It does my heart good to hear it.❤️
I am so glad I found your videos! I am 68 years old and even though I am from the generation of people who made and wore a lot of beaded jewelry, I never got into doing it back then. Now, I have suddenly developed an interest and have so much to learn!
Wow!! I’ve been interested in the seed beads since I started making jewelry about 6 months ago and I have soooo much to learn!! I’m very happy I found you and your videos because when it comes to bead weaving I’m lost!! So I will continue to watch your videos and learn all I can. Thank you again for sharing your talents.
Hi Gina I'm another newbie to beading and I can't thank you enough for these videos for beginners, I've always been a knitter from I was a kid and since retiring I started to learn crocheting and now I'm obsessed with beading, l love your tutorials and I'm learning so very much, it definitely proves the old adage you can always teach an old dog new tricks, I'm nearly 70 by the way, please please please keep teaching all the people an art that shouldn't be forgotten, what a wonderful teacher you are, thanks again Carol, x
Hi Carol, it’s so nice to know you are out there! Beading is an awesome hobby, useful, and inspiring. You can wear and sell it, you can do infinite styles, patterns, colors...no wonder it is so addictive. Thank you for the nice comment. I am so happy you find these videos helpful!
Thank you is much. I am interested in beading and watching a ton of youtube videos. Mainly tutorials. Interestingly enough, yours is the only one that explains the differences and not just listing names to use. This is going to be so helpful when I am ready to start. THANK YOU!
Thanks Gina that really helped me a lot. When I started I bought trash beads which I was very angry at myself but now I know that I can used them on something cause I was going to throw them away as I was not using them. Thanks again for the video and I think that even if you are a good beader you will always find something that you did not know before.
+Doris Deguara Hello, my friend, yes they can be used. I too bought a bunch of them when I was a newbie. I think we all do. But, I will post some tutorials that we will use this in.😜
GGC's Beginning Beaders hi I've got trash beads as well can you help me find your tutorials on what to do with them I tried a bracelet just recently ( only to practice) but as some beads were thicker then others it just didn't work. I'm reluctant to throw them out so help needed p,ease. I'm on a pension so hate waste 💅🏻
Thank you so much for this video series..Learnt a lot about seeds for the first time. As a newbie I was looking for something like this bcos I like to do the groundwork before I put my head into something :) I am blessed to have found you here. Thanks again.
Thank you. This is my first time learning about seed beads. I have not worked with beads and now think I have begun at a good place in learning. I ESPECIALLY like you textbook style of laying this type of information out for us, and because you did then I was able to take easy flowing notes. Thanks for that! Now I'm off to look for vid #2.
+RU-vid User thank you for commenting,I appreciate that you've watched and that you have let me know that you enjoyed the video. If you have any suggestions about content of other videos, something you would like to learn, please let me know. 🌸
Excellent first video. I've been beading for about a year now and I thought I knew all about seed beads already, but after watching this video, I learned some things I didn't know. I love when that happens. Learning new things is always fun and you presented it so well and were so thorough. Great job!
+Psychosis The Artist Thank you, I love learning new things about stuff I thought I knew pretty well also. I am learning more everyday just preparing for these videos. If I don't know an answer to a question, I research it. I am learning too, it's a win win.
Thank you for this extra tidbit. I too learned the hard way, but thankfully most of the videos I watched were yours, and a few other very talented beaders. When I realized that I had some yuck beads I sat one day and sorted one of the colors I needed into two groups: Uniform and Wonky. I used the uniform where I could get away with them and the wonky ones I used in pieces that needed to have the natural/handmade unique look to it. I'm not anywhere near the crafter that you all are when it comes to beading. I'm actually a crochet junkie, but thanks to you and the other beaders I have become a bead junkie too. Thanks for the input to the differences in beads. It still helps to hear what I was hoping that I have been learning along the way. I'm still a beginner beader but your videos help to make the venture a whole lot easier to stumble forward into the unknown and I'm loving it!!
Yes, I understand. When I first started beading, I didn’t have the slightest clue about stringing materials, thread, what size meant what, I didn’t even know how to thread a beading needle. I learned it all by trial and error. Sometimes I did well, sometimes nothing I tried would work. I learned from books and videos, but mostly just from playing with stuff that I bought, making it work one way or another. I used everything I bought. Even the yuck beads. As I advanced I discovered better quality beads. Now. I understand the difference, at the time I did not. There are still some beads I need to try, it certainly helps to get info from experienced beaders. I consider myself moderately experienced; I am not a beginner, but not an expert either.
I'd say you covered that well !!! I know when I first started beading I was so frustrated with using seed beads for a lot of the reasons you mentioned... and not knowing these things ordering the wrong seed beads like Delicas instead of Round, I didn't know the difference between the two ...so you hit a lot of good points that beginners need to know ... I think this is a great idea Gina !!!
+Toni Earnest I hope so. I tried to. Touch on things that are issues I personally ran into as a newbie. I also want to erase some of the silly rules that some designers have put out there that really aren't true. Beading is an art form, there should be no rules about what you can and can't use, just guidelines that the artist can blur if she/he so wishes.
Hey Gina. Thank you for your videos addressing and explaining about the different seed beads threads and needles. There is so much more to learn than just making the pieces. I appreciate your channel.
Very true, there are many things to learn, but it becomes easier as you begin to use the products, you develop a sense about what works for what project.
I thought this was going to be dull. (my bad) I learned sooo much. I've been beading for years and did not know all this information on the seed beads. This has answered so many of my questions and issues.
I loved your video I’m only on video #1 I’m going to watch the others. I’m pretty new to beading & you really broke it down for me! No confusion at all!! Thank you thank you!!!!!
OMG, your video here has been the most helpful of all others I have found regarding brands and types of seed beads. You are an angel for putting this fabulous educational video up. Thank you so much.😀
Penny Halbert you are so welcome, I am glad you found it helpful! I am not an expert on seed beads, but, I am glad to share what I have learned through experience.😁
+janie marie I did the same thing when I started, I had fun too. Then I learned about better beads, then I really loved my pieces and it all grew from there.
Gina, how nice of you to consider beginners also. I have followed you now since I discovered the wonders of You Tube. I teach beginners at the Senior Center in my area and I am definitely going to have them watch your videos. P.S. You do wonderful work!!!!!!
Dottie Dolan how sweet, it’s so nice hearing from you. I am very happy you would recommend my videos to your students, that is a great compliment. I am glad you like the new channel.
Hiya Gina, I hope you are well. Thank you for your videos and channel. Given the tough economic situation and also egged by the creative side in me, I chose to give beading a try. I do hope this works. It seems so overwhelming with all this information concerning the beads. Your videos are a great help though. Thank you very much!
Hi Gina! I see this video is 6yrs old. But I am new. And I thought I knew all I needed to know about seed beads. You have taught me otherwise!😂 I have a ? I have 2 hex cut beads. And thought they might add flair to my beaded earrings. However I have found they aren't what I thought they were. And I am racking my brain as to what I could do with them. I am learning to make Native American style earrings. And want to make chokers. I also want to wrap & weave with wire. Making rings, bracelets, pendants etc. What kind of work would you suggest I do with my two hex cut beads? They are size 11. Which is the bead size I am starting with. I hope to add to my collection someday. For now I have the hex cut, Miyuki/delica, Toho, and the not so even yuck seed beads. My favorite are Miyuki. I can better afford toho. Thank you for your very informative videos! I plan on watching & liking more. I am subscribed now too! Thanks again! Sorry for the long note. Most appreciative~ Jen
+Sandy Luther yes, I can't wait todo them either, these intro to beading videos are boring! Ha! But a few more of them and I am off to the making an actual project party!
good morning Gina. To be honest with you, I love everything about your bead work. I love this new channel. your step by step teaching make it easier to understand. keep up the good work. can you make a tutorial on Dutch spiral necklace on this channel please. I love you.
Im using the cheaper garbage beads in that I'm only creating single strand seedbead to accomodate my rather unusually pretty mineral pendant which are the focal point of my necklaces. As you said the irregularity of sizes on a single strand necklace adds interest just as you remarked about the junk beads.
oldasa yes, they are perfect for something like that, Boho pieces work well with them too. There are uses for all types of seed beads. Thank you for your note, I love to hear that people are creative enough to use what they have and make nice pieces regardless of the brand of beads
I have noticed that the black label in toho are better beads than the silver label tubes. I have used both and found I would have to discard one out of three beads from the silver label tubes.
Hi! Let me know if I’m ok , Miyuki-delica, Toho-treasure , miyuki round is roncalle ? , Tzech beads is a brand ? Which one iin gold is good ? Because I read some of them change the color when you use in rings for example , thank you soooo much , you are amazing , I love your videos :)
My comment here tells you that there is no end to learning. I have been beading as a hobby and learned a lot by watching this video. One question I have is when a project is asking for 3mm bead can I use 6/0?
Well, Czech would be the best, though I am not sure about the finishes. Metallic finishes tend to be the ones that wear off. I have never had an issue with the other types.. but, if you like irregular shapes, it’s really the only option, Japanese seed beads are very regular in size.
I learned the hard way but this helped a lot. Didn't know Toho's were treasures. I like Toho's better than miyuki's. Could you do a video similar to this one about Pearls?
Yes, I too learned the hard way. I am more than happy to share what I know. I am no expert now. But it does help to have at least a little bit of knowledge from someone who’s experienced and learned the hard way. As far as pearls are concerned I am not sure I know that much where they are concerned. I mean, there’s natural, glass and crystal pearls. Some are nicer than others but I am not sure I know enough to make a video on them.
Hello I have bought 2mm seed beads so i'm totally confused about what "0" size they are and what size needle I should use. Can you please advise me. Thank you.
They are probably 11/0, use a size 10 English beading needle, use 6 or 8lb Fireline as thread. Watch my video on threading a beading needle Video #4 Threading a beading needle and adding thread to a project ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HycMjqV_DCM.html
How can one shop for quality, i.e., consistency in size, finish, and shape; when shopping online and have only a picture and general description to go by?
The quality will generally be known by brand. This includes consistency in size and shape. You will know by the brand you choose what to expect. Japanese seed beads will be consistent in these qualities, if you stay with one brand. If you buy two brands in the same size you will find that the size is slightly different. Finishes are pretty well described when purchasing. Read whether it is permanent finish or not. The colors can be more difficult to discern as they are subject to change according to the monitor you are viewing on. But mostly, it comes with experience, the more you buy and use the beads, the more you come to know what to expect.
Do a search on the web, there are many sites that sell them. One of the sites is auntiesbeadsdirect.com or auracrystals.com but there are many, many more.
