Recommended Bead Hole Size
The 3/8" ribbons work well with 2 mm holes. The 5/8 in ribbons need a 2.5 mm hole or larger. If the beads have burrs in the holes, they will need to be removed with a round file or they may damage the ribbons. The 3/8 in satin ribbon will only pass through a 2.5 mm hole or larger.
Click the picture above for a printable bead hole chart.
Here is the tricky part: Beads do not state the size of the holes on the packaging. It's all visual guess-work! Usually, lampworked beads, or flame-worked (depending on the part of the country you are from), will have large enough holes to accommodate both widths. A pipe cleaner can be used to clean any remaining bead release (clay product) from inside these beads and it will allow the ribbon to pass through the holes more easily.
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Keeping beads in place on the ribbon
This is relatively easy if using beads with a 2.5 mm hole size or just slightly larger than that. Most ribbons will bounce back into shape after sliding the beads onto them. A slight fluffing of the ribbon should be employed if the ribbon stays smashed after sliding a bead over it.
There are three ways to keep beads with larger holes from moving on the ribbon.
- Using smaller holed beads on either side of the larger holed bead.
- Using bead caps with a 2.5 mm hole size or slightly larger on either side of the large holed beads.
- Tying knots on either side of the larger holed bead will guarantee that it remains where placed on the ribbon. Please be aware that this method does cause creasing in the ribbon if you change your mind on the design of your piece.
This product requires a little bit of planning and forethought. You need to have an idea of what your finished piece of jewelry or craft product is going to look like (pictures on the header card display in the stores or project sheets that may be provided can be helpful). You have to have an idea of what beads you want to use and in which order you are going to put them on your necklace or project. Bead boards are great for laying out your bead selection because they have inch marks right on the board so you know approximately where to place the beads in your design. Bead mats keep the beads from rolling around but they have no measurements printed on them.
Say, for example, you want to string several beads (either all of the same style or several different styles) and place them evenly around a necklace.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How many beads am I going to use?
- Is this a choker or does it drape? What is the desired length?
- How do I want to end my necklace: Will it have a clasp? Will I pull the wrapped end into a large bead, or am I going to tie the ends together (See How to Finish a Project)?
Once you have answered the above questions, you will have an idea of how much "end ribbon" you need to have remaining after the first bead you string, in order to finish the first end of your necklace.
The best way to work with this product is to string one bead and pull the ribbon through the bead until the remaining ribbon that is attached to the spool is the length you need to finish your necklace/project
NOTE: Be sure to remove any ribbon with the tape residue on it.
String the second bead and pull the ribbon through it until it is spaced the proper amount from the first bead strung (doesn't have to be exact at this point; you can adjust it later).
Continue this process until you have the correct number of beads and the length desired.
Remember to leave enough ribbon after the last bead strung to ensure you have plenty to finish your necklace in the desired style. We suggest that you try the necklace on to make sure it is what you envisioned before cutting the ribbon, and make adjustments as needed. Finish the second end of the ribbon, adjust the beads to be evenly spaced around the necklace and then cut the ribbon.
If you are not going to use the remaining ribbon right away, follow these suggestions: Attach a small piece of clear tape to the cut end of the remaining ribbon, attach the tape to the spool core, and wrap the ribbon around it. Take another piece of clear tape and tape the wire to the wound ribbon. This will make it easy to store, keep it clean, wrinkle free, and ready for the next project at a later date.
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Ending Techniques for Finishing a Ribbon to Bead project
There are a variety of ways to end a project made of ribbon. The following are examples that have been utilized in the projects shown on this site:
The first method would be tying an overhand knot on each end of the ribbon. This is a very simple method and easy to produce; a small dab of glue on the inside of the wrapped ribbon, just before you tighten the knot, will secure it and the threads so they will not unravel.
The second method involves folding the ribbon end over a jump or split ring and wrapping the joined ribbon with thread or fine wire. Add a little glue over the wrapped area and slide a large holed bead over the wrapping to hide it from view. You can even stitch the joining ribbons together before wrapping, if you like to sew, for a more secure end that will support more weight.
The third method is securing the ribbon end inside a metal 'U' crimp. This style crimp is usually used for leather cord but will work with ribbon too. Start by laying a small line of glue along the inside cut edge of the ribbon. Fold over the ribbon about 1/8" from the cut edge and press together. Fold in the woven edges of the ribbon until they are on top of each other, another small dab of glue will hold these nicely. Insert this manufactured end into the crimp. Grasp the 'U' crimp by the loop end and hold the ribbon in place with your thumbnail. Use the flat nose pliers to gently bend the one side of the 'U' crimp over the ribbon and then bend the other side of the 'U' crimp down on top of the first side. Press both flat against the back of the 'U' crimp so that the ribbon does not pull out.
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Tips for Cleaning Out the Holes in Beads
Large Flame Worked Glass Beads
These beads usually have a very noticeable white core in the hole. This product is called bead release and is a clay-based substance that is used during the creation of the beads. If you insert the ribbon without cleaning this product out, you will notice a white chalky residue on the ribbon that will usually brush off.
To clean the bead release out of the holes use a pipe cleaner (either the official pipe cleaners sold with smoking paraphernalia, which has small wire bristles mixed in with the chenille, or a craft pipe cleaner made of strictly chenille). Both styles will work, but it will be faster with an official pipe cleaner. A couple passes of the pipe cleaner through the bead hole is all that is needed.
You may also use a small round metal file or a diamond bit file but be careful that it is not too big in circumference for the bead hole; the stress could cause the bead to break.
NOTE: You should always use these types of files in water so that you will not inhale the glass dust that may be created, as this could cause lung damage.
Metal Beads
These beads are usually cast metal, which means they usually have a seam where two elements were joined together to create the bead. There is sometimes extra metal adhering to the inside of the bead called flashing. This non-essential element should be removed from the beads before using them with the Ribbon to Bead product; otherwise the ribbon could be damaged beyond repair.
To clean out the flashing from the bead hole use a small round metal file or a diamond bit file to smooth the metal edges.
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Basic Tools
Spilt Ring Pliers
Tape Measure
2nd Style Ring Pliers
Crimping Tool
Micro Crimper Pliers
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