Bead sizes

[revolting chipmunk]

I currently use 10/0 seed beads for lazy stiching. I have seen the smaller sead beads. Are the smaller beads better for lazy stiching or is 10/0 the best.

Thanks.

[Blackbear]

depends on what you are beading but the smaller tend to look nicer.

[OLChemist]

Approximate counts per sq in:
10/0 -- 130 /sq in;
11/0 -- 187/sq in;
12/0 -- 228/sq in;
13/0 -- 273/sq in;
14/0 -- 298/sq in;

In my opinion, going from 10/0 to 13/0 is like going from the 300dpi printer to the 600dpi printer. Designs can be more detailed and smoother. Plus the small beads "hump" up less.

I was at the OK Historical society museum recently. They had a pair of mocs done in 16/0's / 18/0's. Talk about higher resolution.

[WisconsinBlackBear]

The smallest size my supplier carries is 13/0. Where can I get the smaller size beads, needles, etc.?

[revolting chipmunk]

Thanks the info. I am ordering some 13/0 beads to try them out.

[WisconsinBlackBear]

Thanks the info. I am ordering some 13/0 beads to try them out.

Make sure you get size 13 needles and the A size thread. I made the mistake of trying to bead with 13/0 beads, size 12 needles and size D thread. Disaster!!

[CJTurtle]

Thanks the info. I am ordering some 13/0 beads to try them out.

you will love them, I perfer 12/0 and 13/0 myself, I think it makes much prettier and can see work better.

[CJTurtle]

The smallest size my supplier carries is 13/0. Where can I get the smaller size beads, needles, etc.?

Any Good Bead supplier would have smaller needles and some bead sizes are getting hard to find except in places that its all they deal with. Don't know if Wisconsin has them bead stores around. But there is one here in Denver that sells the smaller beads.

[OLChemist]

You can get Czech 14/0's in a limited range of colors from Crazy Crow or Bear Hawk and a number of other places. As for the smaller sizes, they are antiques and have not been made in nearly a century. Therefore, supplies are limited and people tend to keep names of their suppliers close to the vest:)

The French are making a bead they call an 18/0. In my opinion it is at best a large 16/0. The supply, like most of the French beads, is erratic.

At the risk of tell you something you already know... With lane stitch, IMHO, you get the best looking work with the thickest thread you can squeeze into the bead. One artist told me lane stitch like lots of good things should be hard. I use doubled B thread with 13/0. A good waxing makes the thicker stuff easier to flatten out with your teeth to thread the tiny eye of the needle. I use A for gourd stitch.

Oh, if you hate the nasty little wax crumbes between the beads, pressing the waxed threads between paper towels with an iron on low helps. You get less wax waste and still get the benefit.

[Blackbear]

Mohawk's Bead Shack in Hibbing MN has a great selection of japenese size 14 beads.. a little thicker than czech but big holes and large color selection.