Comments on: How Do You Work with Large Hole Beads?

By: Wendy A

Wendy A — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 17:47:27 +0000

In reply to Lois. Great idea Miss Lois! And extra bling doesn’t hurt! Thanks!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:51:47 +0000

Here are two more ideas for using large-hole beads: Inexpensive Idea for Large Hole Beads Pretty Crimp Bead Covers.

By: LESLIE hIRSCHBERG

LESLIE hIRSCHBERG — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:47:13 +0000

I have not done it yet, but I have contemplated gluing a spacetr bead to the big hole bead. Crystal icones work, but not always the look I want and they can chip if u wire next to them.

By: Cheryl Feyen

Cheryl Feyen — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:30:29 +0000

I use a variety of things, depending on the style I’m going for. One in particular that I like are bicone crystals. Because they come in so many sizes and the ends are tapered, they fit in any bead.

I have also used seed beads in varying sizes, heishi, small tube beads like liquid silver.

By: Mary Wong

Mary Wong — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 20:19:58 +0000

I’ve had problems with large hole beads too and have not found the perfect solution yet. However, I have used 3mm bicone crystals on both ends of the bead with fair success. In addition to the bicone, I may use a clear silicone bead hugger with the crystals (Fire Mountain has 2 oval sizes: 1.5mmx0.5mm and 2.0mmx0.5mm in packages of 50.) They are very small and a bit tricky to work with; I lose more than I use.

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:09:49 +0000

I, too, use seed beads. You have a large size range, from tiny 15’s up to 6. There are also size 10 delicas available, which are nice because they are tube shaped. I’ve also used the other suggestion of rubber tubing. It is called Buna cord and I buy it for use with polymer clay. I’ve also bought something called Silversilk for the same purpose.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:01:49 +0000

I use unobtrusive small plain sterling saucer beads if I’m making a pendant out of a lampwork bead, otherwise I use a small decorative zinc, pewter or base metal bead. I’ve also used 8/0 or 6/0 seed beads, as was suggested. If I’m stringing a large-hole bead on 2mm leather, for example, and need it to stay in place, I will thread through a piece of wire and wrap around the leather at the top and bottom of the bead sufficiently thick to trap the bead in place.

By: Sheila Davis

Sheila Davis — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 17:01:35 +0000

The hollow rubber tubing made for the Illusion necklaces works great. It comes in clear or black. Cut it slightly shorter than the bead and you won’t even see it! Seed beads also work but I like the rubber tubing.

By: Trish Lochnicht

Trish Lochnicht — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 16:58:50 +0000

Sometimes you can find some metal spacers that fit right into the bead hole. I have filled them with seed beads in the past as well. They also work well on leather cords.

By: Betty

Betty — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 16:08:24 +0000

I use plastic or rubber tubing cut to size.

By: Elissa

Elissa — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 16:03:37 +0000

You might try using the cone shaped silicone/rubber earring stoppers. I trim off the narrow ends with an exacto knife according to the size hole I need to fill and thread each piece, (narrow end into the bead hole), onto the wire before and after the bead. The stopper material is soft enough to push inside the hole and keeps the bead centered on the wire or head pin.

By: Tracy May

Tracy May — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:42:19 +0000

Tierracast makes bead aligners, I am sure other companies make them too.bugle beads also work!

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:18:13 +0000

Seed beads is a good one or you could use a spacer type bead at either side of the large hole bead. This tends to work quite well when the bead is fairly flat at either side.

By: Lois

Lois — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:58:54 +0000

Hi there! I use a crystal, it fits into the hole and stablizes the bead so its not wonky when you do your wire wraps above it. Good luck!

By: Val

Val — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:34:26 +0000

Good question! I have always used seed beads for this. Have you tried a larger seed bead? There is a big difference between size 11/0 and 6/0.

By: Fran

Fran — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 11:47:27 +0000

I’d be interested in answers to this question too. I was thinking of glue and drying it, but how would I keep in from sticking to my new mandrel?