AUNTIE’S BEADS, EST. 2000
BEADING BASICS
A small metal detail can change the whole look.
A bead cap adds detail at the end of a bead. The trick is choosing how much you want: a small accent, a decorative frame, or a different finish beside the color you already love.
01 Choose the fit before the finish
Start with a cap about the same width as the bead, or a little smaller. That is a shopping starting point, not a guaranteed fit. A cap’s depth and curve also affect how it sits. Try one on your actual bead.
Slide the cap and bead onto your intended stringing material. Turn them gently and look from the side. Does the cap sit neatly, leave the amount of bead you want visible, and let the strand pass through without forcing it?
If it rocks or leaves an awkward gap, try a different shape. Do not force a rigid cap to fit.
02 Decide how much metal to show
BARE BEAD
Let the color and surface do the work. Useful when the bead already has plenty of pattern.
ONE CAP
A small accent at one end. Try it above a bead in a drop, or to mark a transition.
TWO CAPS
Frame both ends. Turn both cups toward the bead and check that the extra metal suits your design.
Placement schematics; not actual-size drawings or product photographs. The gray line is the stringing path.
The materials edit
7 mm flower caps
Open flower petals add a lacy detail. Let the cap itself become part of the decoration.
8 mm four-corner caps
A different silhouette from rounded petals. Compare it from the side and front.
Actual catalog photos, shown at different scales. Dimensions describe the caps; they do not guarantee compatibility with every bead.
03 Make one small sample first
Before stringing the whole piece, lay out a short section with your chosen caps, beads, and neighboring components. Compare it with the same section left bare. Keep the version that lets your favorite bead stand out.
Repeat the metal finish in a clasp or another small detail if you want a coordinated look. Or deliberately mix finishes; preview the combination before committing.
Look from three angles
From the front: does the cap frame the bead?
From the side: does its curve sit neatly?
Along the hole: does the stringing material pass freely?
Explore bead caps and start with one style you can test against beads you already own.