Beaded Curtains

Types of Beads

Following is a listing of the most common types of beads used in craftwork.

Seed beads
Seed beads are most often used in bead weaving and loom work.

"H" (cut beads)
Usually the same size a seed beads, but with 6 sizes. Hexagonal or an irregular cut. The flat surface causes more light to shine from the bead.

Cut Beads
Cut beads are available in many of the same sizes as regular round seed beads. The three most popular cut beads are:

• Two-Cut beads look like very small bugle beads. They are cut at the top and bottom, but have a round body.
• Three-Cut beads are faceted on all sides and look like a gemstone.
• Charlotte Cuts are rounded, like regular seed beads, but are cut, or faceted, on one side.

Bugle Beads
Bugle beads are shaped like a tube, smooth or with 6 sides.

Roundel
Roundel beads are more donut shaped, with a center hold. They're available in both smooth and faceted form.

Faceted Beads
Faceted beads come in lots of shapes and sizes, but they all have flat surface either cut or molded in a regular pattern.

Drop
Drop beads are any bead shaped like a pear, with a hole at the narrow end or lengthwise through the bead.

Delicas
These are cylinder shaped beads and tile together perfectly.

Rounded
These are the most common and you can usually find the greatest variety of colors and finishes.