Beadalon 49 Strand Stainless Steel Bead Stringing Wire, .018 in / 0.46 mm, Bright, 100 ft / 31 m

I love 49 strand beading wire. You can't beat it for flexibility, and the strength is almost astonishing to behold. In fact, I pulled my Volkswagen Beetle with a necklace (in neutral, emergency brake not in use) to show a friend how strong the wire was. I have since done so with other cars, just to repeat my results and astonish people. Because of the strength of this wire, I always, always, always incorporate a split jump ring (not a split ring, which looks like a little keychain) into all of my necklace designs. Heaven forbid a necklace gets caught on something while a person is wearing it. The necklace would break someone's neck before giving way, if it did give way. But back to the great things about 49 strand wire. Besides being perfect for necklaces, it is also more than durable enough for bracelets, which take tons of abuse. If you use the proper size 49 strand stringing wire with a properly crimped sterling silver crimp bead to close it, that piece of jewelry will likely outlast you. I make all of my jewelry with permanence in mind, so this is the best stuff to use as my jewelry's foundation. To determine the correct size wire for a project, use the largest diameter wire that will easily fit through your beads. Glass beads usually require 0.18 wire or larger. Heavy lampwork beads get 0.24 wire and small seed beads to fill the large hole, which keeps the large bead from flopping around. The smaller 0.015 inch wire is perfect for pearls and gemstones, which normally have very small holes. If you use beading wire that is too small for the job, it might be easier to string, but the beads will rub against the nylon coating of the wire eventually removing it. The wire will then fray and break, causing all your beads to roll uselessly onto the ground, perhaps getting lot forever. Large holed beads on small diameter beading wire hang incorrectly on the wire, making you look totally amateur. Most makers of handmade jewelry suffer from other people thinking that their jewelry is "the same stuff I can get at XXX-Mart for $5" and perfectly wired handmade jewelry is just another way to dispel that myth. Your unique one-of-a-kind designs are another good way to show the value of artisan made jewelry. For an all-around useful wire, this size (0.018) is the most useful. Some gemstones and pearls will fit on it (especially crystal pearls), and it's easy to thread crystals and pressed glass beads on this diameter. If you absolutely must use this wire with a large holed (lampwork) bead, put a spacer on the wire first, then enough seed beads to just fit in the large bead's hole both in diameter and length, taking up the extra room between the large bead and the wire, so it will hang right and not flop around. Lastly string the large holed bead and another spacer to hide those seed beads and keep them from running away on you. Usually lampwork beads are strung in this manner. I use clear seed beads for just this kind of thing. No matter what type of project you're making, the stringing material is usually the least expensive component, even if you use the best. And this is the best. Rather than saving a few pennies on a cheaper wire and worrying that your project will break and come back to you, use 49 strand beading wire and be confident that your projects will be car-pulling strong!

This is my favorite necklace making wire it’s durable and flexible- I buy it everytime I run low

Love this beading wire. I use it to make Anglican prayer beads. It is just the right thickness to give flexibility yet sturdiness. I have purchased many rolls.

works well with necklace stringing

Love this! It’s my go to! Thank you!

Beadalon with 49 strands is a really great product. I use .015 for tiny seed bead in necklaces and .018 for bracelets and larger fire beads, stones, and crystals. I use two crimps on the bracelets, and the combination of this strong stainless steel wire and the crimps make my bracelets super strong. I shower in them (cuz it's stainless so no issues), sleep in them...I haven't taken my bead bracelets off in 6 months. And just as important, the wire is very flexible and easy to use.

This is a great product for Shamballa - it's kinda like macramé in miniature. Beadalon has a video out to do it with a button - which is great with some of the beautiful Czech button from Lima beads... some people like the button, some like the normal Shamballa "clasp". In the video you can learn the weave with the wire. I use a regular crimper to crimp & the mighty crimper to put on the crimp cover. Note: Beadalon now has offered a tool which holds the wire better than the board but I would make a couple this way & make sure that you love it before purchasing the tool. If using 8 mm beads, 10 knots work well. She mentions using silver color (or gold color) because the plated has a stainless wire running thru it. It is very hard on your hands with that extra wire. Also I find that the plated tends to flake which is not pretty. She also does the "4" knot on the left and right - this is 1 weave. If you do all the 4s on the left side you get a twist or twirl. (It becomes hard to keep it flat - you can remove your hands & let it spin - no problem - no joke. Just continue knotting on the left.) The ending is the same whether you are doing left/right or left/left or right/right. I am going to search for other videos which show the normal Shamballa "clasp". Happy wiring! ps search for Shamballa with a twist - scroll down until you see Beadalon Neon wire twist.. cut and paste the below URL in a new session: http://www.beadalon.com/design_workshop/mr_neon_wire_shamballa_bracelet.asp

This review is for the Beadalon 49 Strand Stainless Steel Bead Stringing Wire, .018 in / 0.46 mm, Bright, 100 ft / 31 m sold by iCraft Supplies, shipped by Amazon. This 49 strand beading wire is very strong. I use it on jewelry I plan on giving as gifts so they last longer. It isn't too shiny or too dull. One downside is the wire isn't that easy to bend when threading a wire guard, you really have to hold it tight either with fingers or tweezers. But it's a plus for durability. I originally bought the 15ft, but after using it for awhile, I realized this was the wire for me, and purchased the 100ft. I do plan on also buying the 19 strand for other projects as well. It arrived the next day, and there were no issues with delivery. I did not have to interact with the seller, so I have no comment on that. I recommend this product and I will purchase again.

Its top notch Beadalon wire, whats more to say.

I believe this is one of the strongest beading thread / wires available and as such always use it for pieces that I'm going to sell as I don't want any mishaps. Comes in a range of diameters which is great when using gemstones with small drill holes.

Strong yet flexible wire perfect for jewelry making.

Nothing better than this wire

Used it to restring my pearls came out better then i expeted so pretty