Stringing Name

Application

Elastic

Elastic is a flexible clear cord. It is often used for slip-on bracelets, it only requires a knot to finish. Great for children’s jewellery.

Tips: Sometimes the knots on elastic can open – to prevent this and make the elastic finish stronger you can add a crimp bead over of the knot and crush – hide the knot and crimp back under a bead.

Kevlar

Kevlar is a very strong synthetic material. So strong, in fact, it's used to make bulletproof vests!

Tips: This thread works best for stringing and you can use any type of needle to work with it. When securing Kevlar, use a fisherman's knot to ensure its continued strength. Kevlar is naturally yellow, but can be dyed any colour using fabric dyes but it can’t be bleached.

Leather Cord

Leather Cord is always a popular stringing material as there is no finishing required. Simply add a pendant, tie a bow and go. Cord is available in a range of colours and sizes.

Tips: Although a simple bow can finish the back of leather cord necklace, you could also use a finding called a fold-over at the end of the cord – add a jump ring on one side and a jump ring and clasp on the other.  This technique can also be used if using ribbon or suede/faux suede and rattail.

Nylon Coated Wire

Nylon Coated Wire - Known as Cable cord this beading wire is also known by brand names such as "Acculon", "Soft Flex Wire", or "Beadalon" and consists of multi-strand braided stainless steel wire with a nylon coating. These are soft wires, meaning they act as a thread rather than a stiff metal.  Depending on the brand and style, some brands are stiffer than others.  Usually, the more stainless steel wires per strand, the softer and more flexible it is.  The most commonly used type is a 7strand

There are a few benefits of choosing a beading wire over thread.  It is usually stronger.  It is less likely to be cut by beads with sharp edges.  It is better for heavier beads.  You do not need a needle for stringing (because it is already stiff enough).  The best way to attach your clasp is with crimp beads. “Tigertail” is another version of nylon coated wire but is heavier and stiffer than the other nylon coated wires noted above.  It also only comes in steel colour but does come in a variety of sizes.

Nylon Bead Cord

Nylon Bead Cord – this is a multi purpose bead cord. You can use Beeswax or thread heaven to coat the cord to keep it from fraying and tangling.

Nymo nylon

Nymo nylon beading thread is a good choice for working with seed beads. It's lightweight and comes in a variety of thicknesses and colors. Be sure to use Thread Heaven (or beeswax) to coat and prevent it from fraying.

Tips: Use only size "D" and lightweight beads with smooth holes for stringing. For loom work, use size "D" for the warp and size "B" or "D" for the weft. Any needle works with this thread but ensure that the needle eye isn't too small for the thread weight you've chosen.

Memory Wire

Memory Wire: Think slinky!  This is wire that ‘remembers’ its shape and comes in necklace, bracelet and earring sizes.  It holds it shape well, is strong and versatile to use.  It can be used to fit any size wrist, ring size or neck.  

Tips: Memory wire will damage normal wire cutters – be sure to use memory wire cutters to cut it.

Rattail

Rattail - is a round, satin-like cord, often used to show off one large pendant or centre piece in a wide range of beautiful colours.

Silk

Silk is the most traditional thread for stringing pearls, but the thinner sizes are also useful in making other beaded pieces. This natural material has a large range of sizes and variety of colours.

Tips: Silk often comes on cards that include a needle already attached to the thread. You can use any of the other needles listed as well, but be sure your needle isn't wearing out the thread. Silk is sometimes difficult to thread onto a beading needle (because it can fray), so ensure you have a big eye on your needle or use a needle threader and be sure to thoroughly prepare the thread with beeswax or Thread Heaven.

Silk Bead Cord

Silk Bead Cord - is used for beads with smaller holes such as beads smaller than 5mm or pearls (freshwater/seed etc). You can also knot this thread using a traditional pearl knitting technique or a pearl knotting tool.

Silkon Bonded Nylon Thread

Silkon Bonded Nylon Thread is a synthetic material that looks and drapes like silk, but resists fraying and has excellent strength. It comes in three weights - light, medium, and heavy and in a wide variety of colours.

Tips: As it is so strong Silkon is primarily used for stringing beads. You can use any type of needle with this type of thread.

Translucent Cord

Translucent Cord – also known as cat gut, monofilament or illusion cord is perfect for stringing beads when you don't want the cord to be visible.

Tips: People often use crimps either side of a bead to give a floating effect – if using translucent cord you can loop the cord back through the bead and not crimp beads to give a truly floating effect.

Wire

Wire comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, colours, strengths and tempers.  Wire Gauges refer to wire gauge sizes, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the wire. Wire Temper measures the amount of spring in the wire – soft has no spring when you bend it (good for making wire beads) and half hard has some spring but is still malleable and holds its shape well (good for basic wirework).