4 Things To Consider When Buying Acrylic Beads

Posted by adortalukdar on March 15th, 2014

Acrylic beads are dyed or transparent beads which are lightweight and perfect for affordable jewelry. Although they are quite affordable, they are also very unique because they are made from synthetic material. Acrylic beads are used in various types of projects such as jewelry making, sewing and other types of craft projects. For this reason, they reflect all sorts of styles. They are available in so many different styles that there is something available for everyone no matter what type of jewelry you are looking to create or what type of craft work you want to complete. They can even resemble many other types of beads such as glass beads and wood beads.

However, not all acrylic beads are made the same. There are some companies which manufacture high quality beads and some which manufacture low quality beads. High quality beads are more expensive, but they are definitely worth it because they don't have irregularities and they also would not wear off easily. Therefore, it is essential that you consider some of the very important factors when buying acrylic beads for your next crafting project.

Here's what you need to look at when you buy acrylic beads.

Size

For any crafting project, the size of the bead is extremely important. Therefore, it is essential for a crafter to consider all the elements of the project before settling on the size. For example, if the project involves creation of a bold necklace, then larger beads may be suitable and if it is a bracelet, then smaller beads may be the best choice. Although these beads vary greatly in size, most of them are between 4-8 millimeters. But, they are readily available and therefore it is easy to find all the sizes. The size of the beads in a crafting project can have a huge impact on its useability and for this reason it is an important factor that needs to be considered.

Shape

Because acrylic beads are made from synthetic material, it is quite easy to work with during the manufacturing process. For this reason, the beads vary greatly in terms of their shape. Most of the acrylic beads available today are in geometric shapes such as barrels, balls and cubes. These beads are also versatile which means that they can be crafted as distinctive objects including hearts, flowers and much more. They can also be made in the form of shoes, people, butterflies, angels and other cute objects. The variety in which they are available makes them a popular choice among crafters.

Threading

As mentioned before, not all beads are made equal. Even if they all look perfect from the outside, they can spoil a beading project if they cannot be strung properly. Acrylic beads that do not have holes of the same size or do not have holes in the middle are bad match for a project. This is a common problem with low quality acrylic beads. Therefore, it is essential that you make sure the holes are of the same size and are in the middle of the bead before you make a purchase. Look for beads which will match your project and the type of string you will use. If you use a thin wire or string, then consider beads with small holes and if you are going to use cords and yarn, then beads with larger holes may be suitable.

Texture

For most people, the texture of the bead is extremely important as it can enhance the overall appearance of the bead. Even more important is the fact that most of these beads are used in the creation of jewelry and will be worn which means that it should create a pleasant experience for the wearer.

Since the textures are man-made, they are more limited than beads which are made from natural substances. Whatever type of bead you choose, you must keep in mind that it suits your project and if it is a jewelry designing project, then the beads should not have textures which can cause problems to the wearer.

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