Bead Spotlight: Beads of Wood

Anyone who loves bead weaving will tell you that seed beads are a blank canvas, just waiting to be transformed into art. Though this is certainly true, the metaphor is even more apt when talking about wooden beads.

Take a bit of wood, drill it and sand it into a pretty shape, and you have a wonderful, natural bead that can be used in macramé, jewelry and hundreds of other craft projects. But that is just where the fun begins. Wooden beads are so wonderfully versatile, and can be used many ways that glass beads can’t.

Wooden beads can be painted, dyed or stained in any color, with any design or pattern. They can be covered with other materials to add color or texture. They can even become the base for beaded beads. And because wood beads are so light, they can be used in large quantities to make big, chunky jewelry that just couldn’t be created with glass, metal, or even plastic.

If you’re looking for a fun new way to make your own unique focals, try embellishing some wooden beads! A few great projects to try are:

Shredded Junk Mail Necklace with wooden beads and felt, by Jennifer Perkins

Decoupage Wooden Beads with rubber stamping techniques by Carolyn Hasenfratz

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace by Twirling Betty

Have fun!

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