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Beading Lesson

All About Bead Bumpers
By: Katie Hacker

Sponsored by:
Beadalon®

For tools and supplies
visit Beadalon.com


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Bead Bumpers are tiny beads that grip onto flexible beading wire. Use them instead of knots or crimp beads to separate beads and add interest to jewelry designs. Since Bead Bumpers are stretchy, they fit easily onto many different diameters of beading wire. They’re available in black, white and clear.

People traditionally string pearls and other precious gems onto silk cord because you can knot it and prevent the beads from rubbing against each other. Bead Bumpers are so much easier and serve the same purpose! They even resemble tiny knots. Can you tell the difference between the knotted design and the Bead Bumper design?

You can also use Bead Bumpers instead of crimp beads to create an illusion or tin-cup style necklace. Just slide a bumper onto the beading wire, add a beaded section and string another Bead Bumper. You can glue them in place for extra durability. This technique even works with memory wire.

Clear Bead Bumpers look especially great when used with bright metallic beading wire. Check out this gorgeous necklace. The transparency of the Bead Bumpers allows the metal to shine through.

You can also use Bead Bumpers as design elements for other types of jewelry. This pair of earrings features a coordinating bead on the ear wire itself. The bead is held in place with Bead Bumpers.

In this design, Bead Bumpers hold beads in place on the head pins. Bead Bumpers are a fast and easy way to jazz up your jewelry!

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