Bead loom beads/opinions requested

I see that there's a new type of bead from Toho beads, called Aiko. I've
never used much in the way of the Delica-type bead in needlework, but I'm
looking at creating some beadweaving designs, and am completely clueless
about the difference in the brands. I know that the Miyuki Delicas are
pretty much considered a 'standard' for a lot of people, but are they really
that much better or is it like the difference in needlework threads,
whichever company has managed the best advertising campaign has the biggest
share of the market?

I'd like some comments from people who have used the various beads about
what they prefer. I've used the Mill Hill beads which are called Magnifica
beads, they're nice and easy to use, pretty much what you'd expect from a
cylinder bead, and their name in the needlework world ensures that if I
design something with a MHB, people can get it anywhere. I can purchase the
Magnifica beads online from MHB in bulk, their average price is 7 grams for
$5.20 (and up) , they offer 100g bags and 1/2 kilo bags too, compared to the
new Toho Aiko which run around $4.20(and up, of course) for 5 grams, and the
Toho Treasures that are 5 grams for $3.00-ish (and up...). The Miyuki
Delicas run around $3.00-ish for the same 5 grams. So, for the difference
in cost of MHB being $0.75/gram and the others being $0.85/gram is it that
big a deal to those who are interested in buying charts of beaded patterns
which beads are recommended? The prices are based on bead prices from MHB
and various beadsellers online for the others.

Thanks for any thoughts on which beads you prefer, and why.

-Su

I have tried other beads for loom work and go back to Delicas every time.
They just work better for me.

--
Starlia Klopman
www.klopmanstudios.com


"Su/Cutworks" wrote in message
...
I see that there's a new type of bead from Toho beads, called Aiko. I've
never used much in the way of the Delica-type bead in needlework, but I'm
looking at creating some beadweaving designs, and am completely clueless
about the difference in the brands. I know that the Miyuki Delicas are
pretty much considered a 'standard' for a lot of people, but are they
really
that much better or is it like the difference in needlework threads,
whichever company has managed the best advertising campaign has the
biggest
share of the market?

I'd like some comments from people who have used the various beads about
what they prefer. I've used the Mill Hill beads which are called
Magnifica
beads, they're nice and easy to use, pretty much what you'd expect from a
cylinder bead, and their name in the needlework world ensures that if I
design something with a MHB, people can get it anywhere. I can purchase
the
Magnifica beads online from MHB in bulk, their average price is 7 grams
for
$5.20 (and up) , they offer 100g bags and 1/2 kilo bags too, compared to
the
new Toho Aiko which run around $4.20(and up, of course) for 5 grams, and
the
Toho Treasures that are 5 grams for $3.00-ish (and up...). The Miyuki
Delicas run around $3.00-ish for the same 5 grams. So, for the difference
in cost of MHB being $0.75/gram and the others being $0.85/gram is it that
big a deal to those who are interested in buying charts of beaded patterns
which beads are recommended? The prices are based on bead prices from MHB
and various beadsellers online for the others.

Thanks for any thoughts on which beads you prefer, and why.

-Su

Starlia wrote:

I have tried other beads for loom work and go back to Delicas every time.
They just work better for me.

Thanks! It's a new area for me, although I'm very familiar with bead
embroidery and the like. I've been reading as much as I can on the topic in
various groups but I do like to get as many opinions as possible before
sinking a bundle into buying up various beads for working up samples. It
would be a shame to choose the one kind of bead that is least liked.

-Su

I know exactly what you mean. I hate the fact that some delicas are so
expensive but they really make a difference in my designs. I have to bite
the bullet when something is screaming to be loomed.

--
Starlia Klopman
www.klopmanstudios.com


"Su/Cutworks" wrote in message
...
Starlia wrote:

I have tried other beads for loom work and go back to Delicas every
time.
They just work better for me.

Thanks! It's a new area for me, although I'm very familiar with bead
embroidery and the like. I've been reading as much as I can on the topic
in
various groups but I do like to get as many opinions as possible before
sinking a bundle into buying up various beads for working up samples. It
would be a shame to choose the one kind of bead that is least liked.

-Su

Starlia wrote:

I know exactly what you mean. I hate the fact that some delicas are so
expensive but they really make a difference in my designs. I have to bite
the bullet when something is screaming to be loomed.

Yep, it's worth the extra bullet biting. I was curious as to the difference
between the Delicas and the Toho beads, have you tried them yet? I may have
to buy enough of the Miyuki and the Toho beads to do a comparison in a small
design, then I can see for myself if there's much difference. It does seem
the Delicas are the main bead in the market for people who do loomed or
pictorials, though.

Thanks for your comments, they're much appreciated.

-Su

Kathy wrote:

I also use Toho treasures instead of Delicas at times, and have found
them to be identical to Delicas for things like needleweaving. For
me, it comes down to availability and price. I can get Toho
Treasures in the 100 gram packs for less money during Bobbi Bead
sales (40% off one or two days a year), and they seem to be "in
stock" more often than Delicas. I've seen the ads for the Aiko
beads, and looked at the photos of sample swatches. I can't see much
of a difference at all, certainly not enough of a difference to pay a
premium price.

Thanks! It's very different from needlework where the choice between Anchor
and DMC can create discussions that will bring people to virtual blows on
the needlework groups. Let's not even begin to talk about licking or not
licking floss! :-)

I think from what I've seen that bead work is far more independent, as the
designers present a group of bead choices but the beader will then take
those suggestions and do what they like.

I like that!

Thanks for the information and comments. They have been very helpful.

-Su

In article , Su/Cutworks
writes
Kathy wrote:

I also use Toho treasures instead of Delicas at times, and have found
them to be identical to Delicas for things like needleweaving. For
me, it comes down to availability and price. I can get Toho
Treasures in the 100 gram packs for less money during Bobbi Bead
sales (40% off one or two days a year), and they seem to be "in
stock" more often than Delicas. I've seen the ads for the Aiko
beads, and looked at the photos of sample swatches. I can't see much
of a difference at all, certainly not enough of a difference to pay a
premium price.

Thanks! It's very different from needlework where the choice between Anchor
and DMC can create discussions that will bring people to virtual blows on
the needlework groups. Let's not even begin to talk about licking or not
licking floss! :-)

I think from what I've seen that bead work is far more independent, as the
designers present a group of bead choices but the beader will then take
those suggestions and do what they like.

I like that!

Thanks for the information and comments. They have been very helpful.

-Su


Well personally I'm a Delica using DMC licker.
:-))))
--
ally
website: www.alcom.demon.co.uk

I agree with Kathy as far as embroidery goes. I much prefer rounded beads
when doing designs. The delicas just aren't made for that type of
use...IMHO.

--
Starlia Klopman
www.klopmanstudios.com


"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 13:21:44 -0400, Su/Cutworks wrote
(in message ):

Starlia wrote:

I have tried other beads for loom work and go back to Delicas every
time.
They just work better for me.

Thanks! It's a new area for me, although I'm very familiar with bead
embroidery and the like. I've been reading as much as I can on the
topic in
various groups but I do like to get as many opinions as possible before
sinking a bundle into buying up various beads for working up samples.
It
would be a shame to choose the one kind of bead that is least liked.

As newbie to bead embroidery, I'm going to discourage you from using
Delicas for an embroidery project. With Delicas, the
tubular/squarish shape of the beads emphasizes gaps between the beads
as you go around corners. With seed beads, it's not so obvious, and
you can usually find a couple of slighly narrower beads for the apex
of the curve.

I've also decided that the smaller, the better when it comes to
embroidery - I used 11/0's when I embroidered the paua cab, but 15/0
or even smaller would have worked even better. The cheaper price of
seed beads as opposed to cylinders was simply a bonus - with smallish
projects, the cost of the beads is negligible.

Delicas are great for some things, peyote stitch being my main use,
but the rounded, organic look of seed beads is so pretty in
embroidery.

Kathy N-V

Kathy N-V

Kathy wrote:

As newbie to bead embroidery, I'm going to discourage you from using
Delicas for an embroidery project.

I only have used Delicas for embellishment in cross-stitch designs, where
they fit nicely in a grid. I know that they're not the ideal bead for use
in free-form embroidery, for the reasons you've listed. I've done a number
of designs using seed beads for embellishment and emphasis, Delicas or the
MHB equivalent of Magnificas aren't as popular in needlework designs, it's
mostly seed beads that most designers use. I was mainly curious as to the
preferences of people who do work using Delicas or any of the other brands
of tubular beads, as the brands aren't common with needlework so they were
new territory to me.

I've also decided that the smaller, the better when it comes to
embroidery - I used 11/0's when I embroidered the paua cab, but 15/0
or even smaller would have worked even better.

I have a doll with a silk velvet gown that's been languishing for me to
finish her, the gown has several thousand of the 15/0 gold and various other
beads across the entire bodice, hem and sleeves of the outer dress. One of
these days I'll have to get the gown sewn together, it's been in storage for
the past year while we re-fitted the boat but now she's on her stand and
glaring at me. The smaller the bead, as you say, the better the shape you
can achieve. I ended up buying a 1/2 kilo bag of 15/0 beads to work on the
gown, as there's the under-dress that's still unbeaded too. Did I mention I
like beads? :-)

The cheaper price of
seed beads as opposed to cylinders was simply a bonus - with smallish
projects, the cost of the beads is negligible.

It's definitely a different world than needlework, where the fabric and
floss costs outweigh the cost of the chart by a significant amount. Plus,
it seems with beadwork, there's an ability to do free-standing or shaped
items that is lost in most needlework designs. That's a very attractive
concept for me.

Delicas are great for some things, peyote stitch being my main use,
but the rounded, organic look of seed beads is so pretty in
embroidery.

My interest in finding out if Delica beads were the bead of choice was
mainly for loomed or pictorial work, as I've not done that per se, but
designing for beadwork like that can't be too much different from designing
for cross-stitch, which I have plenty of practice at.

Thanks for the comments, I'm making copious notes as I go along and hope to
have something to show for it shortly. I've decided to work in Delica beads
since they seem the most common denominator for beaders, so now I have to
make a shopping list. Pray for my credit card! Fortunately I can do a loom
pattern with my needlework software, but I have to create a whole new
pallette with Delica beads, including entering all the RGB numbers in, as
they're not included in the software. *sigh*

So many new techniques! I love it.
-Su

Ally wrote:

Well personally I'm a Delica using DMC licker.
:-))))

ROFL! I'm an Anchor girl myself, half licker, half Thread Heaven, and now I
think I'll have to jump down on the side of Delica beads too.

-Su