They glitter and gleam, sparkle and shine. Some are delicately hand-painted; some are created from nature's palette, and some could have fallen out of a rainbow. Beads of all sizes, shapes and colors can be rendered into intricately crafted earrings and necklaces, fun stringed jewelry, or amazing pieces of home d'cor. What you can make with beads depends upon your budget, skills and imagination. Whether it's simple jewelry for children, or a complicated Native American Medicine Wheel, it's a sure bet that you're in for hours of pure pleasure!

Historically, beads have served many functions: as currency and trade goods, to enhance clothing, pottery, household goods and jewelry from the magnificent to the mundane. Similarly, today, beadwork isn't limited to jewelry-making. You don't have to be a beading expert to create home d'cor items, incorporate beads into macram? and sculpture, trinket boxes, or beautiful Native American crafts. Beaded clothing is in high demand, especially by teens; beaded jeans, leather and denim jackets, shirts and blouses, and even ponchos are everywhere now!

To get started working with craft beads, a few tools and supplies are required. The essentials are round- and flat-nosed pliers, tweezers for the different sizes of beads, wire cutters and crimping tools. For stringing or attaching beads, jeweler's wire or other types of wire are needed. Some people prefer to use string or thread instead of wire. Colorful silks, nylon and synthetic threads are commonly used for stringing. French wire, which refers to either a tightly-wound hollow coil used to give jewelry a more finished appearance, or to the small curved wires that go through pierced ears and has a catch closure is less commonly used, but will protect string threads where they are attached to clasps and other fasteners. Be sure to have several large-eyed or curved needles for stringing beads on hand, too,

It's best to buy all the beads, threads and other supplies you need for any given project at the same time. This ensures that you won't have to set aside your project while you run out to buy more beads or required tools, or waiting for delivery from a beading supply warehouse. Buying ahead eliminates the chance that your store or supplier won't have what you need in stock. Purchasing supplies from a wholesale crafts or beading warehouse, either online or by catalog, is both cost and time efficient. You can buy everything you need at one place, without leaving your home, and possibly get in on some great sale discounts!

You'll spend a lot of time in your workspace, so you need it to be as efficient as possible. Sealable trays or drawers keep your beads and supplies neatly organized and easily accessible. A beading board aids in stringing multiple or single strands of beadwork, has side rulers in inches and centimeters for easy measuring and small trays to hold supplies you're immediately working with. Make sure you workspace has good lighting and that your chair is a comfortable fit for you. An efficient, comfortable workspace allows you to enjoy your beading even more!