Introducing Seed Beads, Bugles & Delicas

Seed beads, bugles and Delicas are small glass beads used for stringing, fringing, tassels and weaving. These beads are widely available but it is important that you use the right

type and size of bead for the project in hand.

Seed Bead SizesThere is a universal sizing system for seed beads based

‘0’ or ‘aught’ sized bead. The system is denoted as 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0 etc - the higher the number before the /0 the smaller the bead but the easiest way to remember is ‘beads per cm’ (or per inch if that is easier for you) - it does not work out exactly but if size 15/0 is 15 beads per cm (very approximately) then size 5/0 beads at 5 per cm (very

approx) must be a lot bigger. The most commonly available sizes are 6/0, 8/0, 10/0

11/0 and 15/0.

Seed Bead ShapesAs several manufacturers make seed beads there is a little variation in bead shape -

Seed BeadsNormally sold by weight in pots or bags these are the small glass beads traditionally used for bead embroidery, bead weaving and beads stringing. These beads are manufactured in the Czech Republic and Japan although lesser quality beads are coming online from China and India. They are available in a myriad of colours and sizes.

Czech Beads - Trade-mark PRECIOSA make slightly cushion shaped seeds - bril-liant for stranding, fringing and draping and making closely woven ropes.Spellbound supplies 6/0, 8/0 and 10/0

Japanese Beads - TOHO and Miyuki Trademarks tend to fall between the oth-er two shapes so will do most beading and weaving jobs very well.Spellbound supplies 15/0 Miyuki seeds

Japanese Beads - Mat-suno Trademark tend to have straighter sides and slightly larger

weaving and multi passes of the threadSpellbound supplies 8/0 and 11/0

Fancy Seed BeadsSeed beads can also be supplied as ‘charlottes’ and

give extra sparkle - take care when using these beads as the edges can be a little sharp on some beads which

can lead to increased wear and tear on the thread

As the different manufacturers all produce slightly different shapes it is best not to mix the types within a closely woven beadwork panel however when string-ing or making textural ropes etc more variety of shape will give more interest

to the design. Within a closely woven project close size numbers can be used as substitutes as long as you change all of the beads to the new size eg. 10/0

Czech is very close to Japanese 11/0 or you can swap 9/0 for 10/0 although the

a branched fringe made with size 10/0 seed beads, 6/0 seed beads and 4mm

faceted beads

left - a tassel made with Czech size 10/0 and 8/0

seed beads.

right - a necklace made from discs of

seed beads - each disc is stitched

with Czech size 10/0 and 8/0 seed beads.

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Bugle BeadsSmall tubular glass beads are called bugles.

lengths denoted as size 1, 2, 3 etc - in this case the larger the number the longer the tube.

As a quick guide -

size 1 is approximately 3mm long; size 2 is approximately 5 - 6mm long

size 3 is approximately 9mm long

Very long bugles (size 15 and above) are used for fringing on fancy Tiffany-style lampshades and are not particularly

suitable for jewellery making.

Take Extra CareSome bugles can have sharp edges around the holes so can wear the

thread quite quickly.

To help to prevent thread damage -

Discard any obviously damaged beads before you start.

Be careful how you position them in the work - try to use a seed bead

at either end of each bugle.

Use an extra strong thread such as Fireline if your design uses lots of bugles and you need to pull the

thread tightly.

right - the Babushka Tassel uses lots of

bugle beads to make a plush plume of tactile shimmering colour.

left - the Toulouse Choker design is made with size 2 bugles - note the seed beads

at each corner to protect the thread

from wear.

left - the Venezia design uses vertical rows of seed beads

to separate the bugle beads.

Bugles can be made from round or square-section glass tubes.

The square section tubes are twisted before the glass cools to make a twisted bugle bead that really sparkles.

Delica BeadsThese are the most commonly available CYLINDER BEADS.

Delicas are manufactured by MIYUKI in many colours. TOHO make a similar product called ‘Treasure Beads’ in a smaller range of colours. Delicas are precision cut tiny tubes with a

comparatively large hole for such a small bead. The cylinder shape helps the beads lock together when woven to give a smooth and uniform finish.

Delica SizesDelicas are available in four main sizes - 15/0, 11/0, 10/0 and 8/0 (also known as double Delicas). Size 15/0 will weave up into exquisely intricate designs; size 11/0

is the most commonly used Delica in pattern books and bead kits; size 8/0

Delicas are double the size of the 11/0 bead so are often used in conjuction with the 11/0’s to give texture and pattern to a

monotone size 11/0 weave.

Delica ColoursSize 15/0, 10/0 and 8/0 are available in a limited colour range but the popular size

11/0 are available in over 1,000 colours. To get such subtlety in the colour range manyof the beads have a dyed finish - some of

dyed beads are quite durable but a lot are not suitable for hard-wearing areas of

the design or if the beads need to be washed.

important to you.

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Colours & Special Finishes on Small Glass Beads

ColoursIn general most colours are available in all sizes and shapes of bead, however the colour of the glass

can be achieved in different ways.

Through-coloured Beads - These beads have the colourant (normally a metal salt) added to the glass when molten. The temperature of the molten glass needs to be carefully controlled to ensure that the colour does not ‘burn’ - oranges and yellows tend to cause the most problems and a good pink can only be obtained from the most expensive of ingredients.

afterwards may be damaged (see below). Dyed Beads -

lacquer, which will absorb the dye, or a metallic coating which can be coloured in a similar fashion. Dyed beads can loose their colour if exposed to detergents and bright sunlight so take care if using beads for clothing, hanging

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Finishes

- here are some of the most common terms used.

1 Transparent or Crystal - plain see-through glass available in through colour and somedyed colours

2 Chalk - an opaque solid colour when you need maximum colourintensity - chalk black is the standard black seed colour

- slightly more subtle than chalk4 Silver Lined - the hole is lined with silver metal to make the transparent colour

of the glass shine brightly - some colours are dyed

7 AB or Rainbow - for Aurora Borealis- an extremely thin coating to give amulti-colour shine like oil on water

8 Colour Lined - transparent bead lined with a coloured resin to give a twocoloured effect of the transparent glass on the edge and the colourline seen through the glass at the centre - colour linings can fadein light or when washed

etc. surface can deteriorate if rubbed hard10 Galvanised - metallic coating which can be dyed bright colours but very

susceptable to fading in light, water/detergent and rubbing

(13) or frost AB silver lined (14)

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