Beads

Beads: Beads come in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes and thicknesses.

Made from a variety of materials: pearls, crystals, glass, metal, plastic, gold, silver, clay, wood, semi-precious stones, etc.

Common Bead: A bead shared by 2 loops on a string of beads that keeps them connected.

           It is the bead that a needle is sewn through to join sections of a pattern.

Seed beads and cylinder beads' sizes range from 5/0 to 25/0.  The 0 after the number stands for the word ought.

          The higher the number the smaller the bead.  Other beads are measured in millimeters (mm).  1 inch = 25.4mm

Delica beads: a form of seed beads.  They may be are dyed, galvanized or plated.

Matte finish: on a seed bead it is a finish with a solid, flat appearance.

Beading needles: Used with silk threads to string beads. Sizes range from 10 through 16.

          The higher the number the thinner the needle.

Crimp Beads: Special beads, used for securing projects.  Crimp beads comes in a variety of sizes and are made of metal.

           Strung at the end of each string of beads, before toggles or clasps, crimped with a crimping tool lock wires or other materials.

Crimper:  Tool used to flatten and secure crimp bead.

Findings: Necessary for creating finished projects.  Includes a variety of item.

          Clasps, jump-rings, earring hooks, spring-rings, toggles, head pins, ect.

Pliers:  Come in sizes and types: flat nose, round nose, chain nose.

Used to bend wires for shaping and grasping.

Threads:  Used for string beads. May be waxed or un-waxed.  Silks are best.

           Sizes range from AAA to G. The higher the letter the thicker the corresponding thread.

Wires: Used for string beads.  Wire comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses.

           May be flexible with a protective coating. Silks, fabric strips, yarn, ribbon and leather may also be used to string beads.

	Wire Cutter: Tool used to cut wire.
	Necklace Lengths:

Women's Sizes: Collar - 12 to 13 inches, Choker - 14 to 16 inches, Princess - 17 to 19 inches,

Matinee - 20 to 24 inches, Opera - 28 to 34 inches, Lariat (Rope) - 45 inches or longer.

Men's Sizes: Small - 18 inches, Medium - 20 to 22 inches, Large - 24 inches or more for larger men.