Bicone beads and bugle beads are perhaps one of the most commonly used beads for jewelry making today. Why so? These beads are good quality beads and don’t require professional knowledge to know how to use them for projects. Therefore, you will be able to create the jewelry of your choice from the comfort of your home.
A bicone bead is a three-dimensional triangle-shaped bead made out of crystal, glass, or plastic. They can be found in a wide variety of sizes, materials, shapes, and colors. Incorporating bicone beads into your jewelry will give it depth and uniqueness.
Step-by-step process to start a beading project with bicone beads?
- Materials required: – Beadwork pattern, bicone beads, beading needles, thread, beeswax, workspace, scissors, and extra lighting source (In case your workspace has insufficient light).
- Choose the materials: –. Beginners prefer to work with large-sized or medium-sized bicone beads as they are easier to work with. Choose your bead number according to your bead size. Therefore, a large bead number would require smaller bead sizes whereas a smaller bead number would require larger bead sizes. Make sure to store enough bicone beads so that you don’t face any inconvenience while preparing your project.
Choose an appropriate needle and thread to work with. The needle should correlate to bead sizes and should be able to handle basic stitch patterns. While choosing a suitable thread avoid fibers that are not made for beading or tend to rot, break or tear. Make sure to keep a spare set of thread as well as a needle
- Determine the stitch pattern: – Choose a suitable stitch pattern for your jewelry. Experienced beeders tend to use the peyote switch. However, this stage is customizable therefore choose any pattern of your choice.
- Determine a pattern and the color scheme: – Choose a pattern and a complimenting color scheme. Beginners use simple patterns and color schemes to achieve good results.
- Gather Materials and arrange your workspace: – Gather the materials required to complete the project and arrange your workspace. Make sure your workplace has sufficient light and comfortable seating. Make sure that your beads are neatly arranged in a pile and that your pattern is in an easily accessible place. Place a small piece of fabric in your work area.
- Preparation stage: – Make sure to coat your thread with beeswax before starting. You can also use any thread conditioner of your choice. You can prepare it beforehand and then use it for your project once you start it. The coating will prevent your thread from getting tangled.
Place a bead at the end of your thread. Make sure it is secured tightly as this bead is your “stop “bead. Loop the thread around the bead and then secure it. This process will help your beads stay in their place. After this stage, you can start working on your pattern.
This process will help you complete any project with a bicone bead without excessive investments in tools or materials.
