Beads, Pins and eyes

Introduction

This article is all about using beads as components, especially for small figures such as netsuke. Beads are manufactured for two main applications  .... Jewelry and fly making. Generally, the two types are interchangeable. For use as components we are primarily interested in bead size. Beads are sized in many different ways, diameter in inches, diameter in millimeters, number of beads to the inch, number of beads to the centimeter etc.. We are mainly interested in the first two measurement systems. Please note that 'round' beads are not round !. 

Metric sizes for Czech seed beads.

Note. Actual beads may vary in size up to plus or minus 20% depending upon the manufacturer, so the above table is only a guide. The complete range goes up to size 24. 

Metric bead sizes. 

Metric glass beads are available in sizes from 3.0mm - 20 mm

http://www.celticflycraft.co.uk/acatalog/sitemap.html

http://www.flybuyer.com/acatalog/Catalog_Beads_and_Eyes_405.html

http://www.craftdepot.co.uk/contents.cfm?maincat=2

http://www.troutfishing.co.uk/ishop/243/shopscr752.html

http://www.chatsco.com/eyes&acc.htm

http://www.flymail.com/index.html

http://www.theflyshop.com/115.htm

Insect Pins.

Insect pins are made from steel, and are available in a range of sizes from entomological suppliers (see links below).

Metric Insect pins.

The size of the head varies depending upon the manufacturer and are typically double coated with a gloss black enamel. Of course one could paint the heads any colour.

http://store.gardensare.com/insect-pins.html

http://www.watdon.com/watdon_home.html

http://www.boneroom.com/insects/supplies.html

5 November 2005.