Size and types of beads

The art of beadwork has existed for several millennia on different continents. Recently, it again began to gain popularity among both small and among adult masters. And it is not surprising, because this ancient craft is very beautiful and fascinating.

New technologies of processing of a material have led to that there were all kinds of beads. Small beads differ in size, color, shape, material and country-producer. Such a variety of bright grains allows you to create unique and really impressive products that are not even a shame to give.

Bead sizes

The size of beads has its own special designation, which was laid back in ancient times. The tiniest beads were assigned the figure 0. Later, even smaller beads appeared. It was marked with two zeros. And so it was on the increase. When the zeros became difficult to count, they were replaced by numbers. Then the size designation system took the following form: 6/0, 7/0 and so on. That is, the first digit is the number of zeros. And the larger this number, the smaller the beads will be. Usually the size is from 1.4 to 4.2 millimeters. Also, the first digit before zero indicates the number of beads that fit in one inch.

However, not all manufacturers are equal to the generally accepted system of bead sizes. The marking of one firm may be very different from that of another firm. At this point, it is worth paying special attention to the purchase of the material. Especially it concerns those cases when the surface should be perfectly smooth. Because of the different size of the beads, the product can turn out to be crooked and uneven.

Color range of beads

The modern technique of making beads allows you to paint it in a variety of colors and shades. But besides this, it differs from other properties.

So, according to optical parameters, you can select a transparent, translucent and opaque beads. It is made of different types of glass, which diffuse light.

Types of beads and beads can be considered from the side effects that are used to create a unique shine. The color can be matte, shiny, pearly, metallic and gasoline.

Also, different methods of staining are used. Beads are coated with any color completely, only from the outer or inner surface. The beads are additionally painted with a hole in gold, silver, bronze or copper tones. From this effect, the product has a mirror, sparkling coating. The beads can be covered with small grooves. From this, it becomes like a silk fabric or a tiger's eye stone. Also there are beads with various inclusions from all kinds of points and strips.

What are they made of?

The material is distinguished by a number of types of beads. Photo in the article is clearly demonstrates. Today, most often small beads are made of glass or polymers. In the scale of production, plastic is welded onto the thread, and in home handmade they use the "lampwork" technique.

The material for beads, in principle, can serve anything. Stone, metal, wood, bones, tusks, amber, seashells, pearls, corals, precious stones, ceramics, grain of plants. Some wizards manage to make beads even from paper or fiber.

Types and names of beads according to the form

Manufacturers produce beads in three main forms.

1. Round beads. It is their custom to call beads.
2. Cutting. These are short sticks.
3. Bugle. These are already long tubes.

Of course, there are other varieties and forms. But only three major ones will be considered, since they are the most popular.

Round beads

The round form is the most familiar for all needlewomen, and it is present in all traditional ornaments. These are small beads the size of the number from 6/0 to 15/0. The hole can be round or square with fused edges. This kind of beads today are made of glass, which is heated to a liquid state. After that, dyes are melted inside - chemicals and metals. Of the still hot glass, balls are formed. After cooling, sort by size. Each company packs beads in its own way, independently determining the size and number of beads in a bag.

Deck

In another way, this bead is called chopped. These are short tubes (about two millimeters in length), which are cut off from both ends. In size they correspond to round beads 11/0. A variety of this species is faceted cutting. These rods are not round, but angular. Usually have the form of a five- or a hexagon.

Felling is special in that it has rather thin walls and a wide opening. Also, it has the same shape and size, while round beads in this plan have small errors. That's why chopped beads are ideal for weaving in the technique of "brick stitch" and "mosaic". Also, because of the wide center, this kind of bead is great for those cases when the thread needs to be passed several times through one hole.

Bugle

Bugle is also chopped tubules, but longer than that - from 2 millimeters to 2.5 centimeters. On sale you can find even more oblong sticks, but they are extremely rare. The bugle can be round, faceted and twisted. These varieties of producers also combine with each other.

In beadwork, the most popular bead is two, six and twelve millimeters. It is used most often for decoration of brushes and embroidery. Also, long tubes are good for decorating products woven on a loom or by hand.

Classification by producer countries

Beads differ not only in color, size and shape, but also in quality. It is from him will depend on how smooth, neat and beautiful will the product.

The most common producers of beads are three countries:

• China.
• Czech Republic.
• Japan.

Depending on the type of beadwork, beads should choose a certain quality. Of course, the highest is always better, but expensive beads not everyone can afford. Yes, and why overpay when cheaper replacement is useful.

Chinese beads

These are the most inexpensive and affordable beads, which are often purchased by novice craftsmen to practice. The Chinese manufacturer has a limited choice of shapes, sizes and colors. In the sale most often comes completely colored beads (transparent and opaque) and with internal silvering. But even bright colors fade with time.

Beads from one sachet always differ in size, shape, and this is noticeable. They are uneven and too fragile, so they are often broken in half in work. Bugles and felling edges are so sharp that they can damage the thread, which will be threaded.

Because of all the listed shortcomings and low price. But this does not mean that such a bead is not worth buying at all. He is good at children's creativity, for training and creating festive costumes (as easy).

Czech beads

At needlewomen the beads of Czech manufacture are most popular for any kind of weaving. Catalog of its species is very diverse in shape, size and colors. Beads are considered moderately expensive, high-quality, but not without flaws. The same shade in different batches may differ, although it is important when creating the product. By the size and shape of the beads are basically the same, but sometimes you still have to do the calibration. Some beads burst in the work or meet with a too narrow hole, because of what the needle just does not get through.

The listed shortcomings are encountered, but not as often as the Chinese counterparts, which are much cheaper. For this reason, needlewomen often prefer Czech beads.

Japanese Beads

This manufacturer is not so common in stores for creativity. Most likely, this fact can be explained by too high a cost for consumers. Although this is the case when the price is justified by quality.

Almost entirely Japanese beads are smooth and smooth. Therefore, before weaving it is not necessary to touch it. If any irregularities are found, they are not visible to the unaided eye and do not spoil the finished product. The color palette is clearly fixed, and even the slightest errors in the shade are not encountered. The edges of the beads are well melted, so it does not cut the thread. The walls are very thin, due to which Japanese beads weigh less than Chinese and Czech counterparts.

Now you know what kind of beads. There are so many kinds on sale that any needlewoman will be able to choose for herself the suitable option both in appearance and in cost.