Jewelry Making Supplies: Beading Cord, Thread, Wire, Hemp, Ribbons, Leather

You can buy leather bead cord in a spool and cut it to length or you can buy already finished leather cords with ends and clasps.

If you buy it by the spool, you will have to buy glue, and ends to create the clasp.

Leather comes in several colors, although black and brown are the clear favorites, and can be finished different ways. It is also cut into flat or round shapes and has different widths. Leather cords also includes suede cords as well.

Leather is long lasting, durable, casual in style, and looks good with most pendants, or beads.

Beading wire comes in so many different styles, widths, and strengths, I cannot even begin to list them here. Bead wire is made up of fine metal wires, twisted together to form the core of the cord, then usually it is coated with a rubber or plastic coating to protect the metal wires, and not feel scratchy on the skin.

To finish a necklace made with bead wire, you need to crimp the ends with crimp beads, and add a clasp. These have to be bought separately. Bead wire comes in many different metals and colors. Bead wire is not stretchy, and does not work well for tying knots.

Bead wire is bought in spools of whatever length you need.

You can buy stretchy bead cord which is made of synthetic plastic or rubber that has limited stretching abilities but will allow you to create a bracelet that will stretch over the hand and doesn't need a clasp.

This should always be reinforced with glue, and has a limited life expectancy.  High end jewelry is never made this way because it will break eventually due to fragility, and wear and tear.