What Stringing Material Should I Use? FOR ALL THE BEADERS OUT THERE!?

I am interested in Japanese bead-weaving techniques and want to make those cute 3D mascots/characters out of primarily 3mm and 4mm Swarovski crystals and seed beads:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290010032885&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fquery%3D290010032885%26MfcISAPICommand%3DGetResult%26ht%3D1%26ebaytag1%3Debayreg%26srchdesc%3Dn%26maxRecordsReturned%3D300%26maxRecordsPerPage%3D50%26SortProperty%3DMetaEndSort%26fvi%3D1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Bead-Craft-Pattern-Book-Bag-Cake-Cat-Motif_W0QQitemZ290010736758QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31724QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

However, I don't know what type of stringing material to use. I am a beginner and am just new in exploring my way into the world of Japanese beading! I don't want to work with visible white thread, but I'm afraid that clear monofilament illusion cord might snap. If you have experience, please help me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Bead-Craft-Pattern-Book-LOVELY-DOLL-CAT-DOG_W0QQitemZ290010032885QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31724QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Bead-Craft-Pattern-Book-Bag-Cake-Cat-Motif_W0QQitemZ290010736758QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31724QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Those links above don't work...these are the correct ones (hopefully)

If they still don't work, then they are eBay Item Numbers

290010032885

and

290010736758

Comments

5 Responses to “What Stringing Material Should I Use? FOR ALL THE BEADERS OUT THERE!?”
  1. serveduphot says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:15 am

    I have made these before. I used several types of line. I ended up at wal-mart buying a cheap 30 pound test line for fishing. You can use thinner line like a 15 or 5 pound test line. The biggest problem with the illusion cord is that it stretches… it rarely breaks but because of the stretch it is difficult to give it a good finishing end.
    I also enjoyed using string that was the same color as the beads.

    I would recommend though that you try out several types and then see what one you end up liking.

  2. mikah_smiles says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:15 am

    FIshing line might work. I don’t know how thick it might be, compared to the holes on the beads.

  3. lawumun says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:15 am

    hi…i would suggest…FOR THIS TYPE PROJECT…either a complimentary colored silimade thread….or nymo thread….both of these are used in right angle weave…brick stitch…peyote etc….you will need a movable thread vs. a wire….either of these products too are relatively inexpensive….but i would suggest a variety of colors….(you would not want to use black on a white critter!)…..good luck!….let me know if i can help you any further…thanks

  4. wigituu says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:15 am

    If you want to use strong line that will last, try a brand of wire called "FireLine". I have used it myself for beadweaving. Here’s the best part, even though they sell it in the bead stores and online bead places for $8.00/spool you can get it even cheaper if you go someplace that has fishing supplies. It’s the same thread that fisherman use when fly fishing.

    Check out these two links. The first one is a Fireline Beading link and the 2nd one is for the "fishing" line.

    http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/productchart/397/
    http://www.4fishin.com/berkley_fireline.htm

    Good Luck!

  5. Lisa N says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:15 am

    Check out beadsbaublesandjewels.com. When I need project ideas or have questions, I can usually find the answer there.

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