Your Questions Answered
What Do I Need To Make Beadable Pens?
If you are new to making pens, don't worry, it's very easy and very fun! Don't over think it. There's no "exact number of beads that fit" because if you use different focals, they will all fit on the bars differently. So get a good variety to play with! The most common sizes to use on these are 15mm silicone, focals, 12mm silicone lentils, 14mm silicone abacus, and some fun rhinestones spacers! If you are using 15mm silicone beads, typically 2 of those, 1 silicone focal, and some sort of spacer (using the 12mm lentils or our different rhinestone spacer options) fills the space nicely.
**These work BEST with silicone beads. ANY of our silicone beads & focals will fit on beadable pens. If you want to use acrylic on these as well, we suggest you also purchase a bead reamer tool set, found here, to help widen any holes that aren't big enough to fit. Our acrylic beads have varying hole size. We do not guarantee, say, or imply in any way that everything on our website fits these! Trial and error! For best results, stick to silicone!
The holes on silicone beads are all the same, 2.5mm.
What Do I Need To Make Beadable Keychain Bars?
These are almost identical (in terms of what you can use and how many) to the beadable pens... just don't over think it- refer to the information above about the pens!
**These work BEST with silicone beads. ANY of our silicone beads & focals will fit on beadable pens. If you want to use acrylic on these as well, we suggest you also purchase a bead reamer tool set, found here, to help widen any holes that aren't big enough to fit. Our acrylic beads have varying hole size. We do not guarantee, say, or imply in any way that everything on our website fits these! Trial and error! For best results, stick to silicone!
The holes on silicone beads are all the same, 2.5mm.
What Do I Need To Make Silicone Wristlets?
For silicone wristlets, we suggest using anywhere from 17-22, 15mm silicone beads of your choice. If you want to add a focal, the amount of 15mm beads would be less. If you also add some spacers to your wristlet, you could use less 15mm beads.
We suggest you use our nylon cords (found here) to make wristlets. Having our 70mm beads needle (found here) and knot grippers (found here) handy are also very beneficial, but not necessary! If you get any tool at all for wristlets.... the beading needle will save your life! wink wink (Find more information about tools, below!)
The holes on silicone beads are all the same, 2.5mm.
**These work BEST with silicone beads. ANY of our silicone beads & focals will fit on beadable pens. If you want to use acrylic on these as well, we suggest you also purchase a bead reamer tool set, found here, to help widen any holes that aren't big enough to fit. Our acrylic beads have varying hole size. We do not guarantee, say, or imply in any way that everything on our website fits these! Trial and error! For best results, stick to silicone!
What Tools Do I Need?
you're wondering what "tools" you need to do bead projects, you've come to the right place! Lets talk about the options!
1- Large (Gray or Pink) Bead Boards: These boards making designing larger projects a breeze! With plenty of "compartments" to put beads, findings, etc you have everything you need at your finger tips! (Find them, here!)
2- Clear Acrylic Bead Boards: These boards are perfect for any project, especially wristlet projects. See your design before stringing it, with these perfectly measured options! This board features standard measurements, and extra "bars" to put beads you're working with! (Find them, here!)
3- Knot Grippers: Knot grippers are used to pull those knots SUPER tight! They grab your cord and allow you to secure knots in a way that's just not possible by hand! These are a MUST have! (Find them, here!)
4- Bead Reamer Set: Our 4 piece bead reamer set is PERFECT to anyone that wants to use acrylic beads! The holes on acrylic beads are not always uniformed... these tools allow you to widen the holes, so that you can use the beads on different sized medias (wire, cord, pens, wine stoppers, etc). **BEST SELLER! (Find them, here!)
5- Beading Needle: Our large beading (with the green handle) allows you to easy load, and pull onto nylon cord! Saves a ton of frustration and makes your projects go much smoother! (Find them, here!)
6- 70mm Craft Needle: These 70mm craft needles also help easy string bead onto cord! They allow you to do any size project big or small. Another great thing about these, is that you can use them to double back (go back through beads) at the end of projects to really secure them! (Find them, here!)
7- Silicone Thimbles: Working with beads and cord can be rough on your poor fingers. These thimbles help protect your skin while pull and stringing! (Find them, here!)
8- Needle Nose Pliers: Pliers also help pull cord (or even the needle) on your projects. We also use these frequently to help us open split rings, put pendants onto rings, and add things to keychain rings! (Find them, here!)
FIND ALL OF THESE ITEMS IN OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE COLLECTION!