From the article: 10 Essential Beadweaving Supplies
Over time as beaders, we develop our own preferences for beading tools and materials. Is there a tool you couldn't live without? A particular brand that you love, or don't love so much? Share your advice!
Special plier
- When I first looked for a job (beeing a teenager), one of the options was a jewelry studio. The artist gave me a plier and rings to practice. Eventually I didn't take the job, yet kept the plier which serves me till now. It is a fine one, easy to work with. can't find a similar one!
- —Guest Ora
Owner of Bead Rock
- My wholesaler has recently started supplying beading needles from China and they are horrible. Japanese needles are far superior.
- —Guest beadrock@rogers.com
Thread
- I dislike Nymo because it shreds easily. I use Silamide exclusively because of the way it handles and drapes. Fireline knots so easily and makes bad fringe. Why do you recommend Nymo without a mention of Silamide?
- —Fericia
Beading mat alternative
- I keep my beads in old prescription pill bottles and use the lids as trays when using them. The lids screw on and the bottles are transparent which is good for storage. Because the lids are shallow, its easier to pick up beads with your needle compared to mats and those little felt triangular trays. Its also easy to pour beads back into the bottle.
- —Guest beading mat alternative
Rose
- Bead tubes and a funnel to fill them with beads that come in plastic bags.
- —Guest Rose
curling monafiliment string
- When I need to straighten my monafiliment string to begin a beading project, I lay it under a heating pad and slowly pull it through leaving me with a straight length of string.
- —Guest Sandy
lost beads
- When I accidently drop beads onto my carpet, I get out my lint roller and roll over the carpet. It picks them up including the ones that I didn't know I dropped!
- —Guest Sandy
Tulip Needles Size 13
- Just to clarify, so that other readers are not misled.... Size 13 Tulip brand needles do NOT hold up. This size is THE most expensive of all the Tulip needles. I broke quite a few...some even broke at the needle's eye! I will no longer purchase them. I'll continue using the less expensive John James needles when I need a size 13. One thing I can't live without, is my Ott Lite w/magnifier.
- —Guest Carol
Needle Nose Pliers
- Fantastic for getting rid of that extra bead you picked up by mistake when bead weaving - just crush the little devil. Wearing glasses is a good idea!
- —Tipatina
Indispensable Supplies
- I have two additional essentials: a small, shallow cookie sheet and Glad Press & Seal. When I have to set a project aside I cover the tray with the Wrap & Seal so nothing spills.
- —crazycheryl
Tulip Needles - Not Like Any Other!
- I bought a package of 20 Tulip beading needles last May, and wouldn't you know, I'm STILL using them! All of them! One of them bent a bit when I was using it to make a cubic right-angle weave bracelet with metal 2mm copper rounds. But the others are still pretty much just as straight as they were right out of the package and I haven't snapped or broken a single one! Yes, they cost more than the other beading needles, but really - spend $20 on 20 needles, and you'll be using them for at least a year!
- —VanBeads
Blue Painters Tape
- I use it to quickly pick up spilled beads. It is just tacky enough to hold the beads but they brush off easily when you are ready to put them into your dish.
- —Guest Barbara
bead surface
- I like to line my shallow bead holders (I use small box lids) with velour (fuzzy) paper. I find my needles often get stuck in fabric like Vellux, but never in the paper. Check scrapbooking or art supply stores for the paper.
- —mouselady2002
Tulip Needles!!
- These are fantastic new beading needles. Easy to thread, rarely bends and break, and flexible!! I think I've only broke one tulip needle & I've been using them for about4-5 months now. Can't live without them!!
- —Guest Cathy