CHOOSING THE CORRECT STRINGING MATERIAL FOR YOUR BEADS

When you make the decision to create your own beaded jewelry, choosing which beads to use is the fun part, but there is more to creating that perfect necklace than just selecting some gorgeous beads. You still must decide what material to use on to which you will string these fantastic beads and findings.

Selecting the correct type of stringing material for your jewelry projects is the most important decision you will make when creating your own pieces. You will need to take into consideration the type of jewelry you will be making: necklace? bracelet? earrings? You will want to consider the overall look and style you plan to create with your design. Finally, you must be certain your choice for stringing material is a good fit for the type and size of beads you will be using.

To help you with this most important decision, we have put together a list of some of the most popular stringing materials.

We hope you find this helpful and it gives you some inspiration to try new materials and techniques!

Most of the threads and materials featured below are available to purchase on our website. You can also find all of the jewelry making supplies, including tools, findings and beads you need to complete your designs online too.

The most popular stringing material is bead stringing wire. More commonly known as “Tigertail” This wire is made up of tiny stainless-steel cables twisted together and covered with a nylon coating. The nylon cover prevents the cables from tarnishing.

Beading wire is sized according to the number of strands it has. The higher the number, the more flexible the wire will be. You will need to consider the diameter of the holes in your beads as well. Beading wire varies by diameter, with the smaller wire used for lightweight beads like small pearls or seed beads. You will need a larger diameter wire for bigger beads.

Beading wire can tend to kink, and, once there is a kink in place, it is almost impossible to straighten out completely.

This is a flexible, stretchable cord, also called "Crystal Tec" or "Crystal String" that does not require any findings to finish off a jewelry piece made with it. This Elastic Thread can be easily secured with a simple knot and glue, or fused together with heat at the ends. Elastic cord is popular with informal types of jewelry and is especially useful when designing children’s jewelry. It also comes in different thicknesses and colors.

Elastic is a popular threading material for affordable beaded jewelry designs, especially at the start of your jewelry making journey where minimal skill is needed. Usually available as a clear color, this stretchy cord is great for creating stretch bracelets and this inexpensive threading material is great for children wishing to have a go at jewelry making - with adult supervision of course! We recommend opting for the thickest cord you can to work with your chosen beads to add security to your design.

If you are going for an authentic, traditional look, then silk thread is what you will need. Silk thread is great for stringing pearls, for example, if you need to knot between the pearls. Silk thread is softer and easier to tie into knots than any other type of thread.

Silk has its drawbacks, however. Silk will tend to fray, and can stretch over time, usually between three to five years. Because of this feature of the silk, it is usually better not to use silk with the heavier beads. You will need to be prepared to restring your jewelry after a few years.

Nylon Cord is the modern substitute for silk thread. In fact, nylon is more popular as the beading string of choice than silk. Nylon alleviates the risk of fraying, and it does not stretch as much as natural silk. You can get Nylon Beading Cord in a variety of colors and thicknesses.

Waxed Cotton Cord is an economical alternative when making necklaces, bracelets or macramé. Waxed cord consists of multiple cotton strands woven into a tube around two strands of nylon. This gives the cord body and shape, making it great for detailed knots and necklaces that hold their basic shape. The wax prevents fraying and the wax is not sticky or tacky. Waxed Cotton cord is a great choice for beading, hanging pendants and making bracelets. It is available in a range of vibrant colors and can easily be knotted to create interesting designs. Our Waxed Cotton Cord is easy to use without pulling or slipping. This cord Is well-loved for its consistent color and even shape with a great tensile strength and little to no stretch. This cord is wonderful for a variety of uses, including wrapping bottles, gifts, cables and gourds, or wind chimes, and mandalas. The uses of Waxed Cotton Cord are expansive, and even include floral arrangements, scrapbooks and journals, hanging plants, and making bookmarks.

Micro Fibre Suede Cord

If you are going for a rustic look with your jewelry design, you may want to look at simulated suede cord and Leather Cords as your stringing material. Leather cording is used mostly for stringing the larger, bulkier beads and pendants because of its strength and durability. Suede cord does not require any findings to close the necklace. It can be tied with a knot and worn as a pendant. If you prefer findings to close off the end of your necklace, you can use coil or leather crimps. Simulated suede is generally more popular than leather because it is softer, and it can be obtained in a variety of dyed colors.

Another favorite of ours is Memory Wire! This is a great material that makes it so easy for creating single or multi-loop eye-catching bracelets, chokers and even rings. Memory Wire is a coil of tempered stainless-steel wire. It is extraordinarily strong and holds its circular shape when stretched. It can stay on your wrist or neck without a clasp, and is great for combining with your favorite Gemstone Beads and Metal Beads.

It's also really easy to finish the ends, you could simply glue on memory wire end beads or your choice of half drilled beads. Or alternatively, you can use Round Nose Pliers  (NOT side cutters!) to create a loop at the end of the wire to act as a stopper, which you can also use to dangle Charms from!

Remember to wear your eye protection when cutting memory wire.