Land of Odds

What Size Are They? Seed beads sizes are listed as "11/0" or "6/0" and the like.   These very loosely refer to how many beads per inch it would take, if you lined a particular size up against a ruler.   Thus, "11/0" means that there are 11 beads per inch.   "6/0" means that there are six per the inch.    Thus, the smaller the size-number, the larger the size of the bead. 6/0 seedbeads are apprx. 4mm 8/0 delicas are approximately 3.3mm 8/0 seedbeads are apprx. 3mm 11/0 seedbeads are apprx. 2.2mm 11/0 (same as 12/0) delicas are apprx. 1.8mm  15/0 seedbeads are apprx 1.5mm Carol Wilcox Wells, in her book THE ART AND ELEGANCE OF BEADWEAVING, gives a well-researched answer to the question How Many Seed Beads?    Using black opaque seed beads from one particular manufacturer, she came up with these numbers: BEADS PER GRAM 15/0 seed beads         290 beads/gram 11/0 (same as 12/0) delicas       190 beads/gram 11/0 seed beads         110 beads/gram 8/0 seed beads             38 beads/gram 6/0 seed beads             15 beads/gram BEADS PER LINEAR MEASUREMENT 15/0 seed beads           24 beads/inch          9 beads/centimeter 11/0 (same as 12/0) delicas        20 beads/inch         7 beads/centimeter 11/0 seed beads           18 beads/inch          7 beads/centimeter 8/0 seed beads             13 beads/inch          5 beads/centimeter 6/0 seed beads             10 beads/inch          4 beads/centimeter BEADS PER SQUARE AREA 15/0 seed beads           330 beads/sq. inch         54 beads/sq. centimeter 11/0 (same as 12/0) delicas      285 beads/sq. inch         42 beads/sq. centimeter 11/0 seed beads           216 beads/sq. inch         35 beads/sq. centimeter 8/0 seed beads             108 beads/sq. inch          20 beads/sq. centimeter 6/0 seed beads              70 beads/sq. inch            12 beads/sq. centimeter An amulet purse that is 2" x 2 1/2" in size, would be 2*2 1/2*2 in area, or 10 square inches.  (2 sides of 2x2.5 inches).   10 square inches would use, for example, 2850 delica beads (15 grams). NOTE:  The sizes and weights for seed beads with different finishes and/or from different manufacturers will vary considerably, so you should take these numbers as a guide, not an absolute.  What is it? -- 11/0 Delicas or 12/0 Delicas? Delica beads are the same size as 12/0 Seed Beads. However, in projects, Delicas, because of their size and shape relative to the size and shape of Seed Beads, are used interchangeably with 11/0 Seed Beads. At Land of Odds, we refer to these Delicas as size 11/0. Some places refer to the exact same bead as 12/0 Delicas. Both are the same.

The Czech seed beads we carry are size 11, except the tri-cuts which are size 12.  Bugles are sizes #1, (apprx 3/32 inch), #3 (apprx 1/4 inch),  #5 (apprx 1/2 inch),  20mm and 30mm.  The Japanese seed beads we carry are size 11, size 6 or size 8.

Czech  11/0 seedbeads are available by the hank (usually 35-50grams).  Tri-cut seedbeads also are available by the hank (usually 12-19 grams).   Japanese 11/0 beads are available by 28-30 gram tubes.   Japanese 6/0 beads are available by 24-28 gram tubes.  Delicas are sold in 10 gram (sometimes 5 gr for very expensive colors) gram tubes.   Greek 8/0 ceramic seed beads are sold in 7 gram tubes.

Seedbeads are made in many countries.  Czech beads are perhaps the most widely used.  They are consistent in size from bead to bead, and the colors and finishes are less likely to fade in sunlight or water, or wear away when rubbed against other materials and objects.  Tri-cut beads are very shiny and glitzy.  In a tri-cut bead, both the faceting as well as the color finish or effect, produces the shine.  

Japanese seed beads are perfectly consistent in size from bead to bead, and have more durable finishes than Czech beads.  They are also more expensive.  Some projects, like beaded pouches, are enhanced by the perfect size match of Japanese beads.  Other projects are enhanced by minor imperfections in size, that you would get from using Czech seed beads.

Other countries make seed beads as well, such as India, France and Italy.   You'll find the beads from India in stores like Walmart and Kmart.   They are very inexpensive, and very uneven in size of bead and hole size.    Seed Beads from France and Italy are very well made, and somewhat on the expensive side.

Very few projects work at all when the beads don't approximate the same size.  The smaller the bead, the more detailed and professional the finished piece will look.  Very experienced beaders often use size 16/0 or smaller in their pieces.  Size 11/0 works best for most hobbiests.  For children, we often recommend using the Japanese seed beads because they are easier to work with.  

When people are getting started with seed beads, we suggest trying both the Japanese beads and the Czech beads. The Japanese beads are easier to use because they are more uniform and have a larger and more consistently-sized hole. However, because the Japanese beads tend to be so perfect, you sometimes end up with a piece that looks like a paint-by-number Elvis on velvet. With the Czech beads, you get a more organic, artistic look.

For a listing a books about beading , return to the Book Shop.    Beading Supplies may be found in this Seed Beads Alcove.  Additional beading supplies are available in the Findings Alcove, along with other jewelry findings, display aids, and packaging.

E-BEADS Seed beads are sometimes called E-beads.   This refers to the shape of the bead.   It is not perfectly round (like a druk bead), but rather is sliced like a loaf of bread gets sliced -- which gives it a squared round or roundish shape.   Picture the "E" being the shape of the slicer, as it presses down on a elongated tube of glass. E-beads in the 5/0 - 6/0 size are often referred to as E-beads, while other sizes of seed beads are not.   This is probably to differentiate these from perfectly round beads -- which are not often available in sizes smaller than 2-3mm.   If a pattern calls for an "E-bead", with no other delineation, it usually wants a size 5/0 or 6/0 seedbead.

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