You may have noticed that Be Dazzled offers a series of “beaded bead” classes. You might think, “With all the beads in the world, why bead a bead?” Followed by “That’s nuts!” Ah, but fellow beaders it’s not crazy but an added dimension within the design of your piece.

Interested? I hope so. Now let’s look at all the reasons why, what, when, and how we should use a beaded bead.

Let’s start with “WHY”:

1. It’s INEXPENSIVE-A beaded bead can make a wonderful toggle clasp.
2. ENHANCED DESIGN- A beaded bead can utilize the same beads within your design (bracelet, necklace, etc.) either as a clasp, spacer beads, or as a focal bead.

“WHAT” is a beaded bead?

1. A beaded bead can be HOLLOW-the firmness is achieved by many passes of thread to strengthen the bead.
2. A beaded bead can COVER an existing wooden or glass bead with a variety of beads and stitches.

“HOW” do you use them?

1. Referring back to “WHY” they make wonderful TOGGLE CLASPS. I usually cover a small wooden bead with an off-loom stitch at one end of a necklace. The other end would provide a simple loop and voila! A custom made toggle clasp.
2. As a FOCAL BEAD, I have made necklaces using graduated sizes of beaded beads-for example a large beaded bead with a slightly smaller beaded bead on either side.
3. As BERRIES, yes berries! Raspberries and Blackberries are very easy to make and look just like the real thing. Start with a wooden bead and cover with an off-loom stitch.
4. END CAP BEADS-I think I just invented this word. What I mean, is a beaded bead that I use at the end of a crocheted rope to give a finished look and to transition to either the clasp or focal bead.
5. To HIGHLIGHT the beaded beads. Sometimes the beaded beads take center stage. I have made bracelets where all the beads are beaded beads using a variety of off-loom stitches or using fiber and a knitty knobby, the beaded beads can be strung onto the fiber base.

Alright, “HOW” do I do it?

1. OFF-LOOM STITCHES. I have made beaded beads using peyote, netting, right angle weave, brick, and simple stringing.
2. LOOM STITCH-there is a great beaded bead using the wooden bead as a circular loom.
3. PRACTICE-as with all beadwork, practice produces better tension and a cleaner more defined product.
4. Take a CLASS- I’d love to show you how to make beaded beads and some of my finished pieces that incorporate these little jewels.

So, there you have it. I hope I’ve convinced you that beaded beads are a wonderful addition to your arsenal of bead knowledge. The more you as a beader can do, the more freedom and choices you will have as a bead artist!