Bead Mail

We answer some of your questions:

• What does AB stand for? I heard someone mentioning it while I was shopping for crystals.

"AB" stands for Aurora Borealis - it is an iridescent finish on crystals reminiscent of the natural occurence of a play of colours in the atmosphere during the winter months at the North and South Poles.

• How can I make the holes in my beads bigger?

Depending on the types of beads or materials you use, sometimes you might find the bead hole to be too small for the beading thread to go through, especially when you are reinforcing the jewellery piece.
Prior to stringing the beads, you can use one end of the round nose pliers to put into the hole to make it bigger. However do beware that this method is not for delicate beads like crystal beads or shells as it would break the beads into halves or pieces.
If not, you can find useful enlargement tools, i.e. a pearl bead reamer, at the bead shops, or alternatively, unbend one end of the paperclip and use that end to enlarge the bead hole.

• I’ve only just started beading and I’m quite confused with the variety of stringing material available. Some overseas magazines do not specify the type to be used. Are there any guidelines to use?

If you’re not sure what stringing material to use for a project, put together a small sample before you actually start your project. This might take a little time, but you’ll find that it will save you either having to start over because you don’t like the way your choice is turning out or having to repair a piece later because your choice didn’t hold up. Pull on your sample, move it, drape it and see how it lays. It is always a good idea to visit your local bead shops for assistance.