Best Beads and Jewel Findings for Making Summer Jewelry

Light-weight, colorful, sparkling - these are all the qualities that you want your summer jewelry to be. Recently, when browsing a store circular I came across a beautiful multi-chain statement necklace adorned with crystal beads in pastel colors and crystal embedded metal charms. Instead of purchasing it at the sale price of $30, I decided to make my own imitation of it. While I didn't have too much trouble finding a gold chain, jump rings, and head pins, it was a challenge finding a variety of colorful crystal beads and charms. After completing my necklace, I have noted the best beads and jewel findings for making summer necklaces.

Faceted Beads and Jewel Findings

Czech Fire-Polished Glass Beads

Handmade in Czech Republic, these colorful faceted beads, that resemble miniature diamonds, typically measure between 2 mm to 8mm. They are excellent for stringing on necklaces and attaching to necklace or bracelet chains.

Swarovski Crystal Findings

These crystal Austrian findings are designed as faceted round and teardrop shaped beads measuring around 2 mm to 14 mm used for stringing on necklaces and attaching to necklace or bracelet chains. The other designs of these beads include glue-on or sew-on flat back rhinestones used for earrings and other craft embellishments.

Smooth Beads and Jewel Findings

Venetian Glass Beads

Typically between 6 to 10 mm,Venetian beads are handmade using a glass rod and flame method that dates back to 300 years. This creates a round, smooth texture except around edges of the bead holes. These beads are great when crafting summer jewelry with beading wire or pins.

Glass Teardrop Beads and Pendants

Smooth, top-drilled tear drop glass beads are my favorite and are found in a variety of forms including opaque and translucent, lampwork and solid shades, flat and puffed. Choose from large sizes of around 30 mm x 40 mm to tiny sizes of around 4x 7 mm.

Seed Beads

These micro beads are available at craft stores and large retailers such as Walmart that have craft departments. They work great for making necklaces and bracelets especially when using a beading loom. Craft websites such as ArtBeads.com carry the Japanese name brands of Miyuki and Toho with square, hexagon, round, cube, triangular shapes.

Natural Jewel Findings

Shells

These light-weight, natural jewel findings are designed in the forms of teardrops, hearts, pears, and donut shapes that are often etched.

Any jewelry maker who is interested in making summer jewelry will come across these popular name brand beads on online bead stores such as ArtBeads.com and individual bead shops on Etsy.com and eBay.com. Also craft stores such as Michaels will carry beading kits with a nice selection of beads and charms.

Sources

"Beads & Jewelry Supplies: Artbeads.com, Swarovski Beads, Glass Beads, Swarovski Crystals, Jewels." Artbeads.com.