How To Choose the Right Bead Stringing Wire

Bead stringing wire is a basic staple in our jewelry making, our beads and jewelry literally hang from it! So it's important to know just what it is you're using.
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[@picazorra9608]

Thank you so much. It's great to find a video which explains the basics. When we are learning a new thing this is a great help!

[@reneetownsend3911]

Watching many of your videos & so impressed with how well you present techniques that I have been intimidated by before. Your presentation style is extremely professional; you get right to the point, explain very well & have a pleasant, soothing & calm voice! Thrilled to have found you! Thanks for the educational information!

[@SandyHuntress]

I’m so glad to know you have found my videos helpful. Thank you for the detailed and specific feedback. 😀 Happy creating!

[@savannah58]

Very informative

[@AHeartsSmile36]

is 0.38mm of the 19 strand strong enough to hold gemstones or would the 19 0.48mm be better?

[@SandyHuntress]

I'd probably go with the heavier wire for gemstones, unless your beads are very small. If they are huge and chunky you can get even heavier wire, but you'll have to be sure it will fit through the bead holes, as sometimes gemstones have small holes. Happy creating, Brittany!

[@hkreations5108]

The Beadalon 7 strand, is that what is used in a choker style necklace? I would like to make my own, since the store bought ones are kind of pricey. They have a screw type closure.

[@SandyHuntress]

I'm not sure, but I think those screw-type chokers are made out of a different kind of wire.

[@mandijones4995]

I want to make gemstone bracelets and necklaces. My gemstones are no larger than 6 to 8mm, maybe with a bigger gem in the center of the necklace. Please help me figure out exactly which string do I use?

[@SandyHuntress]

Gemstone holes are sometimes small, but the beads can be weighty, so I would recommend the heaviest beading wire that will comfortably fit through your beads.

[@mandijones4995]

@@SandyHuntress When you say Heaviest wire, do you mean lbs it'll hold?

[@SandyHuntress]

@@mandijones4995 Yes, which usually corresponds to thickness.

[@maryhill2105]

Really great information to know for us newbies. tfs...Mary

[@antiquemacabre]

Thank you for demystifying this for us beading noobs. If only I had come here instead of losing hours staring at Joann's craft website and googling furiously. 😂

[@SandyHuntress]

It definitely can be mystifying! So glad to know the video was helpful. 🙂

[@loulabelleparsnips4127]

Good vid, but I listened several times and could not hear what diameter of wire would be best for medium-heavy beads. Wish the specifics had been written out.

[@SandyHuntress]

It’s a difficult thing to get very specific with. Generally, for medium heavy beads, you would use a medium heavy wire. But that can change depending on your design and how you are stringing them. If you use a wire that is a reasonable thickness compared to your beads and you crimp it securely, you should be fine.

[@kathybray7156]

Which sring should I use for different projects Great information ❤

[@SandyHuntress]

Heavier wire for heavier beads, lighter wire for lighter beads.

[@lakmalvithanage3033]

Need some advice.. I'm making a Japamala with 108 tigers eye beads. ( 10 mm beads) . I want a very durable thread because my purpose is to wear it on shoulder where pressure is applied daily when I sit and etc.. so it's gonna be a tough time for the thread and the last thing I want is me collecting 108 beads on spread on the floor like a maniac. And I'm new to this whole beading world full of threads and know nothing about them. Yeah , so can you please recommend the most durable and suitable brand , thread and size for the purpose. Lots of love for this video 🤘

[@SandyHuntress]

First of all, if it’s possible I would suggest using beading wire, instead of thread. That will give maximum durability to your design. If you must use thread, any of the well-known brands will do: Fireline and Wildfire are both good. Be sure to get several passes of thread through each bead, at least 2-3. Finally, watch out for “thread cutter beads” in your pattern. Crystals with sharp edges, like bicones or briolettes, and bugle beads are notorious for cutting your thread and leaving you sad, with beads scattered on the floor.

[@mike_elgi7741]

Πολύ ενδιαφερον το βιντεο αλλά δεν εχει υποτιτλους στα Ελληνικα.

[@SandyHuntress]

I'm sorry, but I have no control over what languages the subtitles appear in. :(

[@elmoretingle]

You have a lovely voice.

[@SandyHuntress]

Thank you ☺️

[@tomboytan33]

Hello :) Thank you so for the helpful video! Im having trouble deciding if I want to use stringing wire or thread for my necklaces. I don't want my necklaces to break. I think the wire would be stronger and thread is good for knotting only. Do you prefer wire over thread?

[@SandyHuntress]

That's a great question, Tanith! I don't necessarily prefer one over the other. If you are doing simple stringing, then beading wire is best, especially if you are using heavy beads or stones. If you are doing complex bead weaving, then you'll need to use a thread. Hope this helps. Happy creating!

[@tomboytan33]

@@SandyHuntress Thank you so much 😊 I appreciate your reply.

[@sugashack74]

I have a 7 strand Tiger Tail that is Nylon coated that flexes pretty good. Is it dependent on the manufacturer?

[@SandyHuntress]

That’s a good question! I’m not sure how much it varies by manufacturer, as I haven’t done any side by side comparisons. Also, the thinner wires will naturally be more flexible than thicker ones.

[@fariazan]

This was great! I understood more than i would understand on other videos! Thank you :)

[@SandyHuntress]

Hope it was helpful. 😊 Happy creating!

[@annitagalvan9049]

Hi, thank you for this informative tutorial. I'm a polymer clay artist and want to use a bead stringing wire for some of my projects. This said, I will use hollow polymer clay beads of around 3cm in diameter (I don't worry about the bead hole because I will adjust it according to the thickness of the wire). I will get the 49-strand wire, but I don't know which gauge would be best to use, as well as, what size of crimp tube to use. I believe that the gauge of the bead stringing wire, goes along with the size of the crimp tube. Thank you for your time and help.

[@SandyHuntress]

Since your beads aren’t particularly heavy, you can use a medium weight stringing wire. Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to crimp sizes and just use whatever I have that will work.

[@annitagalvan9049]

Hi, thank you for your response. I wish I had a variety of different size crimp tubes, but I don't. Having spoken today with a shop regarding 49-strand bead stringing wire, 0.91mm, I was told that only #4 crimp tube of Beadalon could fit. Everyday, some new information 😊

[@SandyHuntress]

@@annitagalvan9049 I haven't found that you need to get real specific with crimping. Pull out what you've got and crimp it on the end of a piece of wire. Then try to pull it off. If it doesn't move, you're all set!

[@annitagalvan9049]

Thank you for your concern. I did try it but it doesn't work. Let me explain what I mean, I believe it's my fault. The 49-strand bead stringing wire which I will buy, is 0.91mm gauge. If I fold it to add a clasp, the thickness will be 1.8mm. The crimp tube which I have is 1.3mm. They explained that the #4 crimp tube (1.8mm) of Beadalon is the most appropriate to use.

[@SandyHuntress]

@@annitagalvan9049 That makes sense. .91 is a fairly heavy gauge, you probably don't need that for most polymer projects. But it will definitely be quite sturdy!

[@junetonelli4846]

Great information. Thank you! I am one of those newbies💜

[@SandyHuntress]

I hope it was helpful, June. Happy creating!

[@Yoko.Kurama]

Have you ever used a thin sterling silver chain to connect beads instead? How does it compare with durability and flexiblity?

[@SandyHuntress]

I haven’t tried that. I don’t think it would work well for jewelry, as too much bending in the same spot and it would eventually break.

[@soff530]

how about the flexibilty ???

[@SandyHuntress]

+Sof F As I mention in the video, the more strands in the wire, the more flexible it is. Seven is quite stiff, I don't like to use it, 49 is nice and drapey.

[@soff530]

thanks for the anwser

[@rebeccajns]

Great lil wire stringing tips for everyone! Thx for sharing, Sandy~😉🌹

[@rebeccajns]

Awe! Your so welcome 😉 I think it's great that you give these tips because there's ALWAYS someone new out there to beading & they have to learn these things from someone! I've only been beading for a year & I'm ALWAYS learning something new. 😄 So yes, any tips/tricks/techniques/and ideas you may know, is ALWAYS greatly appreciated by me & by many others!! 💞