BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Beadwork Beginner

Hi there, I'm new here and would like to take up beading so I can make lanyards...badge holder thingies. Do you guys think that's too advanced for a beginner? Do you have any recommendations on where someone starting out could go. Books or what have you?

Hi, I'm going to be a beginner also - I'm taking a class through parks and recreation. I think Michaels or a place like that might have books and beads. I have to run by our local store and pick up some beads for the first night.

I may have to just take a trip to Michaels and see what they have....I see you're in VA too!

My class begins in February so I have time to gather some beads. I'm in the Richmond area.

Cool! I'm about 40 mins away North...if you've heard of Fredericksburg, I'm 15 miles south of there. Such a small world!

One of the engineers in my office is from Bolling Green. That's near you.

Yep! My parents live about 10 mins from Bowling Green....I'm about 30 mins or so.

Hi Brandy,

I think a name tag lanyard is a good project to start with. I usually use a beading wire such as Acculon or Beadalon. I use the heaviest weight. I crimp to a 3/4" split ring or soldered ring that the name tag can clip onto. (You can also use this ring for hanging your glasses.) I use 2x2 crimps. While you can just smash the crimp onto the wire with a chain nose (needle nose) pliers, using a crimping tool makes a nicer looking crimp. A beginner beading class could be very helpful. They would teach you how to use the crimping tool. (You can also see how to use it at the beadalon.com site. They have an animated tutorial.)

Happy Beading!

Kathy S

I think Michaels is having a sale this week on beads.

I saw a great beading project on Martha last week that made me want to take up beading. A heart pendant using swarowski crystals. There are instructions on her website also for matching bracelet. I think a beginner can do it very easily. Ages ago when flower chains were popular (everyone was making them when I was in HS. I made tons for friends myself. Do you think I can rememeber how to make these now...NO...even with instructions on line (which quite somehow don't seem to make it happen either. Also the beads have changed. I can't seem to find the size and type I use to use. They are all glittery now instead of a plain flat color bead)