Most beginners want to fiddle with the designs, patterns and the beads without actually stringing the beads and that is where the bead board comes into play. All the multi-stranded beading patterns have equal spacing just because of the bead board.
The bead board is an essential jewellery making supply for jewellery making artists and helps them in making innovative, equally spaced, and stylishly strung and aesthetically appealing designs.
Features of the Bead Board
Channels
Each bead board for necklaces have channels in a straight line or in the shape if 'U'. Traditionally, the straight line channels are used for making bracelets while the U shaped is used for giving the curved design of the necklace. But both have been used interchangeably.
Most designers prefer to use U shaped board, so that they can make a necklace, earrings and bracelet side by side, in order to see how the overall look will be and how much they are aesthetically touching.
The bracelet channels also have circular recesses to get the feeling how the bracelet will look on the wrist.
Measurements
When you purchase a bead board, the thing which will definitely pique your interest will be numerous measurements on the board. The measurements which are marked on the outer periphery are in inches while in the inner periphery are in centimeters.
The inches measurements are very beneficial when designing jewellery according to the length. For example, if you want to design a 16 inch pearl necklace, you have to start from the first 8-inch mark on the bead board up till the next 8 inch mark.
Therefore, you can simply divide your necklace length in two equal halves and design between those marks on the bead board.
The inch marks also work perfectly when working on the multi strands. They ensure that the strands don’t overlap and have equal spaces as given by the designer.
The clasps of the necklace or the bracelet are also added at some distance from the end of the string which is also determined by the half inch mark or one inch mark on the bead board.
Compartments and Hand Tray
The various small compartments in the middle of the board are for keeping the beads in use while designing and also some tools which are necessary.
An accessory to the bead board is the Hand tray which is used to scoop out any beads from the nooks and corners of the bead board.
Dark Coloured Bead Boards
The background colour of the bead boards is also crucial while designing. The dark coloured boards are very handy when the designer is working with light coloured beads since they are easily seen.
Also, since the design stands out against the dark colour, the designer is able to gauge the impact of the design more aptly.
How to start using a bead board?
As a beginner, you should start from the zero mark which will be the main focus pendant of the necklace. After that, work in outward direction on both sides from the zero mark.
A bead board is used by beginners and experts alike and is one of the favorite jewellery supplies Perth of designers.
