Bead Types and Tips

Silver and Gold Beads
Spacers, Themed Beads and Bali Beads

-Use these to create a unique touch to the bracelet. They can be as versatile as you would like for them to be.

-Use as few or as many of these as you desire.

Bead Types/Sizes and Tips

Swavorski Crystal Beads - 4 rows of crystals, approximately 8.5mm hole to hole, x 12mm

Hand-Blown Glass Beads - 8mm hole to hole x 13mm. These are smaller than the Italian Murano Beads,but do look nice when combined together.

Dichroic Glass Beads - multiple sizes multicolor metallic looking glass beads. These look great when placed with silver space and themed beads.

Murano Glass Beads- 11mm hole to hole x 13.5mm. These are a little larger than the Hand-Blown Glass Beads.



More Tips
Each person has their own "Flair" - I have listed a few suggestions below on my own personal experience and opinion:

-If you are going to keep with a color theme, be creative with the colors you choose.

-Each bead is unique and there may be variations in color. Choose colors that "Go" together.

-Different size beads create character and look fabulous when placed together.

-Can be separated with a Spacer, Themed or Bali Beads

-Create balance by alternating larger and smaller beads

-Placing a Clip or Gripper at both ends will keep the beads from sliding



Do you have tips and trick that work for you? Please feel free to share with us what works for you.


Ann with Reflection Beads

Adding Beads and Keeping them in Place

Adding Beads

One end of each chain usually features some type of closure,
such as a Lobster clasp or Hinged clasp. The other end of each
chain houses a small connector which fastens to the clasp on the
opposite end of the chain. Simply slide the beads over the open
end of the bracelet or chain to design your story.


Prevent Sliding with Grippers and Clips
Grippers have a rubber washer located in the center which helps to
prevent beads from sliding. These can be used as decorative spacers

or as the last bead on your bracelet or chain. Simply push over the
open end and turn slightly when applying the bead to your bracelet or chain.

Clips are used to help hold beads in place. While opened, you actually place the clip onto the chain and clip it into place.

I recommend using at least one of the clips or grippers and placing them as the last bead on the open end of your bracelet or chain. This will also help prevent your beads from sliding off when you are putting your bracelet or necklace on to wear.


Ann with Reflection Beads

Choosing a Bracelet

Whether you are new to Reflection Beads or an old pro at telling your story, you may find a tip or two helpful when creating your bracelet, necklace, watch or earrings.

Closures

The Lobster Clasp closure features a fastener that is held closed by a spring. You may
have seen these types of clasps and just didn't know what they were called.

The Hinged Clasp closure gives the illusion of an additional bead. The open end fits into
a groove in the clip and is then snapped closed.

Length
There are two steps used to determine what size bracelet you need.

1. Wrap a string around your wrist, then measure the string with a ruler. This measurement is the actual size of your wrist. You may want to slightly increase this number, depending on how tight you want your bracelet to fit.

2. Once you determine your initial bracelet size, you will need to add extra length in order to accommodate the size beads you choose to wear. Here are a few tips:

• If filling the bracelet with larger beads, such as the Murano glass beads, add 2 inches to the initial size
• If adding a combination of beads, spacers or themed charms, add 1.5 inches
• If adding mostly spacers and charms to a few beads, add 1 inch

Ann with Reflection Beads