Although simple Beadworking needs only four things: needle, beads, thread and a lot of time, if you wish to do more with beads, then loom wok, wire work, different cordages, beads and different styles, all become parts of beadwork art.
Things that you may require for Beadworking:
1. Needles: These needles differ from those used for sewing. The beading needles should be narrow and no larger than the diameter of the needle itself. These needles are available in a wide variety from big-eyed needle to English and Japanese beading needles to cordage needles.
2. Thread and Cordage: Note that regular cotton sewing threads and fishing line are not recommended for beadwork of any kind. You may however choose from one of these other varieties of threads and cords which include, Nymo, Silkon, Silk Thread, Tigertail, Bugtail, Mousetail, Rattail, and Plastic Sinew, etc.
3. Crimping Pliers: These are used with crimp beads: small, ridged, soft metal beads that are easily bent or crushed. These are normally used to end beaded strands of Tigertail by stringing a crimp bead at the end of Tigertail strand. Some other pliers include, Round Nose pliers, Needle-Nose pliers, Chain-Nose pliers, Flat Nose pliers, Side Cutting pliers, End Nippers, etc.
4. Head Pins, Paddle Pins and Eye Pins: These are very versatile, come in different lengths and thicknesses, in gold and nickel plate and their use are very much limited to your imagination. You may very well use these pins the way you like it.
5. Jumprings: Mainly used for attaching clasps and hanging eye and head pins, these are simple metal rings, split in one place. It is advisable, not to open the jumpring end-from-end as even if you manage to close it again, the circle will be warped.
6. Knot Covers: These are handy little things that are available in two types: cup-shaped and clamshell. Both of these have an open hook at the top for attaching jumprings and clasps and a hole at the bottom through which you thread your string and knot. Whichever of these you use, they are sure to make your work much neater and professional.
7. Springrings and Other Clasps: The little hook-and-lever rings seen on most jewelry are nothing but Springrings. Similar looking clasps are the Lobster Claw clasps. Though these clasps can be used for nay jewelry, they are especially good for bracelets.
8. Cones: These are good for multi-strand necklaces and bracelets. You just draw the strands of your necklace up through the cone, secure the strands to a jumpring and rethread the tails back through the cone.
