THREADS

Nymo, C-Lon, ONE-G, Conso Thread

Beading threads are nylon.   Most are shaped like a typewriter ribbon.   Most are bonded with built in abrasion resistance.     If a twisted thread, then there is no built-in abrasion resistance.

We suggest always waxing your threads.

Also see,
Beading Needles
Wax

CABLE THREADS 

FireLine, C-Thru-B, Spiderwire

Basic Threads vs. Hybrid Cable Threads

Nymo, C-Lon, and ONE-G threads are basic beading threads. These threads are like very thin long ribbons. The ribbons are made up of long strands of fibers. The ribbons fray easily, so you always wax your thread, even if the product says "pre-waxed'.

FireLine and Spiderwire, are used like threads, but they are really what we call a hybrid cable thread. These are a hybrid between threads and cable wires. These are threads that are braided together and encased in a nylon coating. (Cable wires are wires that are braided together and encased in nylon). You don't have to wax these, but waxing will protect the nylon sheathing from the adverse affects from perfume oils, cosmetics and body chemistry. These hybrid cable threads are not meant to show in your piece.

If you want the stringing material to show in your piece, you would typically use what is called a Bead Cord. Here you might be putting knots between beads, or doing something like a tin-cup necklace, where you have a cluster of beads, and the cord shows, another cluster, cord showing, etc.

BEAD CORDS 

   Nylon
   Silk

Griffin (nylon and silk), C-Lon Bead Cord, 

BEAD CORDS SIZE COMPARISON CHART

Nylon is the modern way of bead stringing.   Nylon does not fray as much, or stretch as much, as the silk.  High performance nylon does not stretch. 
 

100% real silk is the traditional way of bead stringing.   We suggest using silk cords when your project is all pearls or mostly pearls.  Other stringing materials hurt the pearls.  Silk tends to fray and stretch. Silk breaks down in 3-5 years, so anything strung with silk will have to be restrung.

 CABLE WIRES

Soft Flex, Soft Touch, Flexrite

We suggest:
Size .014/.015" for necklaces
Size .018/.019" for bracelets
Size .019/.024" for eyeglass leashes

Also see,
Crimp Beads and Tubes, Crimp Covers, Horsehoe Wire Protectors

ELASTIC AND STRETCHY 

Stretch Magic, Black Elastic Cord

THICKER CORDS 

Leather, Waxed Cotton, Hemp, Irish Waxed Linen, Sinew, Suede Lace, Ultra Suede Lace, Satin Cord (Rattail) 

Also see, 
BOLO CORDS

WIRE

BRACELET CUFF FORMS

CRIMP ENDS

CLAMPS

CONES

END CAPS

BEAD CORDS vs. THREADS

People often confuse BEAD CORDS and THREADS.

Beading Threads are very thin ribbons, and are meant to be fully covered with beads, thus hidden within your pieces. They are typically waxed with beeswax to keep them from fraying. Threads, once waxed, are actually stronger and more durable than bead cords, but they are unsightly. Threads are used in both bead weaving and bead stringing projects.

Beading Cords are threads that are braided together, to make them visually attractive. But you don't wax bead cords -- this would make them ugly. So bead cords will have problems of fraying and stetching that waxed threads will not. Bead Cords are used for projects where you want the cord to show, like putting knots between beads, or tin cup necklaces where you have a cluster of beads, then a length of cord showing, and then another cluster of beads, then the cord, and so forth.

Of Special Interest:

- Conversion Tables

- What glue should I use

- How To Use Coil Clasps With Leather!

- Tying Slip Knots in Leather and Other Thick Cords

- Typical Lengths of Bracelets, Necklaces, etc.

STRINGING MATERIALS

 Review all our ORIENTATION VIDEO TUTORIALS