Gathering Materials

• When choosing beads for a beaded ring, the person making the ring must consider both the design of the ring and the size of the beads. Sometimes the ring maker may even sketch out the design of the ring beforehand. Beads should generally be small or flat so that they are comfortable and the beads don't catch onto objects. Seed beads are popular for beaded ring making. Nylon bead cord is used to thread the ring. Nylon bead cord is stretchy and won't weaken if it gets wet, unlike some other materials. The person making the ring must also be sure when choosing beads that the bead holes aren't too small for the nylon cord. Sharp nosed cutting pliers are ideal for cutting the nylon cord, and crimps are used to connect the two ends of the nylon cord to form a ring.
  
  

Making the Ring

• Some ring makers will make very complicated designs with their beads, making beaded flowers and weaving patterns, which require the cord to be threaded through the beads several times. A needle is recommended with this type of beaded work. For a simple beaded ring with small beads for the band and a feature bead on top, a needle is not necessary. Instead the ring maker will take a section of nylon cord and thread one of the crimps through. Without squashing the crimp, the ring maker will then add the smaller beads. Next the ring maker will add the next crimp and thread the feature bead. The end of the nylon cord is then threaded through the first crimp, causing the beads to form a ring shape.
  
  

Sizing and Finishing the Ring

• Sizing the ring correctly is very important. If it is too small, the nylon bead cord could break. The ring can be sized by simply adding or removing beads. The person making the ring must be sure that the ring not only fits well, but can easily pass over the knuckle. Once the ring maker has a ring that's sized comfortably, he will simply squash the two crimps down to secure the nylon bead cord and the excess cord is cut off. The ring maker must take care when squashing the crimps however, because if she squashes the crimps down too hard, it could cut the nylon bead cord, causing the beaded ring to come apart. For those that don't like the look of the crimp, another option for securing a beaded ring is to simply loop the nylon cord ends back through several beads and secure with a knot.