Beadwork

• Beading needles tend to be longer than normal — up to 4-5 inches long — and have long enlarged eyes for ease in threading. They are available at most craft stores or where bead supplies are sold.
• Waxing a thread may help make it stronger, more tactile and easier to thread. For other tips on threading the needle, see Threading the Needle.
• Consider using larger beads with larger openings to help with threading.
• Try to use beads of varying textures and sizes to make the work more tactual and visually interesting.
• To keep colors separated use a fishing tackle box and/or small plastic bags with zipper closures. The box will help you to keep your beads organized and the bags can be labeled for color identification.? Margarine tubs, baby food jars, and small re-sealable storage containers also work well.
• When working on a craft project consider using a pill organizer. This device can have seven to 28 pockets that will hold your beads and keep them from rolling away. They come in a variety of sizes and generally have a hinged lid to keep your beads secure when you're no longer working on the project. The jumbo 7 day pill organizer shown here can be found at SightConnection.com. [link opens in new window]
• A square of corrugated cardboard with the ridges exposed, will allow you to line up the beads to form your design and keep the beads from rolling away. Have a friend or family member cut a flap from a cardboard box and carefully peel away the top layer of paper — revealing the corrugated rows.? Cut the piece to a manageable working size, e.g., 24" or 20". If you are making bracelets, a 12" piece may work better for you.? The grooves should run the length of the cardboard and will hold most sizes of beads in place.