Embroidery and Weaving Beads

Seed Beads

Seed beads are also known as rocailles. (French “little stones”) They are small round glass beads with multiple uses produced in the Czech Republic. For example as spacers in jewellery making, in bead weaving and embroidery. With a multitude of colours, finishes and sizes available it gives the crafts person broad scope in use and creativity.

How are they made? They are produced of the highest quality glass by the “drawn glass” method. Literally the glass is drawn out to become a long hollow tube and then cut into small pieces. They are cushion shaped. (flattened round)

Sizes: Sizing is based on the size rod used for the manufacture of glass beads. The smaller the number, the larger the bead.

Czech versus Japanese Beads:
Czech beads are perfect for flat circular beading requiring variation of bead size to form the circles and for three dimensional beading around objects and freeform. Their irregularity in size allows the beads to be worked together and not leave any gaps like you will find with Delica beads.

Code	Size mm (approx)	Pieces/kilo (approx)	Pieces Small Pkt (approx) (seal top 2x3)	Uses
14/0	1.6mm	N/A		Various beading techniques can be employed. Use a size 15 beading needle when using a doubled thread. Note: they are a little smaller, more rounded and have smaller holes than 14/0 Japanese beads.
11/0	2mm	120 000	2 000 (approx 4mtrs)	Popular in the art of embroidery & bead weaving include peyote stitch.
8/0	3mm	40 000	700 (approx 2 mtrs)	Is perfect for jewellery making including loom work, weaving and fillers.
5/0	4.5mm	10 000	175 (approx 1mtr)	uitable for almost anything. Ideal for sculptural beadwork, decorative fringes, edging stitches on bead embroidery, all types of jewellery.

Packaging: Approx 20grm weight.

Finishes: The more complex the finish the more expensive the bead. Reds, pinks & gold are more expensive colours because of the gold content and the more complicated process to produce the glass rods.
History of Seed Beads: Artisans around the globe have used seed beads for nearly 500 years in jewellery making, producing elaborate clothing textiles & tribal regalia. Beaded articles are a symbol of a person's marital status, wealth & power.
In Africa a Zulu love letter (iNcwadi) is used as a means of maidens communicating to their lovers with each colour & combination having a specific meaning.
In Massai bead work there are 40 words for different types of Massai beadwork.
American Indians also used intricate beaded motifs to communicate between tribes.
Each tribe had their own distinctive geometric or floral design.

Two Cut Beads

Simply a seed bead with facets. The facets add an enchanting sparkle and irregularity to your standard round seed bead. The facets can make the edge of the bead sharp, so be sure to use a high quality durable beading thread like Nymo or Fire line.
Size: avail 10/0 only.

Bugle Beads

Bugle Beads are small, tubular glass beads made in the same way as seed beads.
Today they are popular in jewellery making but have been traditionally used in embroidery since the Renaissance of the 14th Century.
They are often used in a combination with seed beads & two cuts.

Code	Size mm (approx)	Pieces/kilo (approx)	Pieces Small Pkt (approx) (seal top 2x3)	Uses
2'	4mm	42 500	765pces 3mtrs	Ideal embroidery size.
3'	6mm	23 000	400pces 2.4mtrs	The most popular size used in jewellery making.
5'	11mm	14 00	250pc 2.7mtrs	All purpose size.
15'	15mm	6 750	135pc 2mtr	All purpose size.
20'	20mm	5 00	75pces 1.5mtrs	Ideal for sun catchers, jewellry, Christmas decorations & tassels.
25'	25mm	4 500	65pces 1.6mtrs	Ideal for sun catchers, Christmas decorations & tassels.
30'	30mm	N/A		Ideal for jewellery, sun catchers, Christmas decorations & tassels.

Finishes

Note: because the colouring agents become part of the glass itself, most beads are extremely colourfast. Coated finishes however may experience acceptable peeling.

Finish	Description
“AB"	Means “Aurora Borealis" & looks like a rainbow tint on the surface.
Copper Lined:	Transparent with inside hole lined with copper.
Gold Lined:	Colourless beads lined with genuine gold!
Iris:	Oil effect on an opaque surface.
Lustred:	Metallic sheen.
Matt:	A frosted dull, low lustre surface.
Opaque:	Solid Colour. No light is transmitted.
Pearlised:	Subtle colours with a shiny surface.
Satin:	Has a striated, layered or satin-like appearance.
Transparent:	Glass transmits light, so you can see through.
Two Colour:	Transparent. The inside hole lined one colour & another colour on the outside surface.
Silver Lined:	Transparent with the hole lined with silver to give a mirror effect.
Striped:	Two or more colours vertically on the bead.
White Heart:	An inner core white glass gives intensity of colour.