BEADING WIRE

Your choice of stringing material is important in so many ways. It can affect the look of your design as well as its strength and structure. You will choose your stringing material based on how you would like to design and construct your piece. Below is information about several popular types of stringing materials.

Flexible Beading Wire (brands include Soft Flex & Bead Smith's Flex Rite)
This is a flexible wire that is made of stainless steel and coated with nylon. The nylon coating can be clear, revealing the natural gray color of steel, or the nylon may be colored to give you more options for your designs. Most brands offer flexible wire in steel gray, bright silver (either sterling silver of silver plated wire), gold, bronze and copper. In addition, certain brands also offer a non-metallic colors in all tones such as blue, green, yellow, pink, and purple.

Flexible beading wire like Soft Flex or Flex Rite comes in different thicknesses ranging from fine to medium, to heavy. Medium is the most commonly used, as it offers strength and compatibility with most beads. Fine may be required when stringing gemstones or pearls, which are beads that typically have very small holes. Heavy wire can be used with heavy beads such as large glass lampwork beads or metal beads.

Using flexible beading wire requires crimps and a crimp tool in order to fasten on clasps and jump rings. Bead Bee provides detailed instructions on Using a Crimp Tool. Note that crimp beads are available in base metals, plated metals or sterling silver and gold filled. The best option for durability and aesthetics is sterling silver or gold filled beads. Round base metal crimps cannot be used with a crimp tool

Gossamer Stretch Cord
This is a great option for creating one size fits all bracelets. Stretch cord is often a preferred choice of stringing material because crimps and clasps are needed. All you need to do is tie a knot to finish the bracelet. This is a great option for young children who may have trouble with small crimps and using a crimp tool.

Monofilament
Is similar to fishing line, and actually, many people do use fishing line. We recommend using monofilament that is sold specifically for jewelry making. Monofilament is most often a milky white color and comes in several weights in varying strengths.