AC Moore Beads & Jewelry Making Supplies
Our glass seed bead collection offers over 200 color options in sizes 6/0 through 11/0, perfect for intricate jewelry designs, embroidery, and beadweaving projects. Each package contains consistent, uniform beads manufactured to ensure even threading and professional results.
Whether you’re creating delicate bracelets, statement necklaces, or embellishing fabric crafts, these precision-cut glass beads deliver vibrant color saturation and lasting shine. We package every collection in resealable storage containers to keep your workspace organized.
Bead collection highlights
Bead Materials & Construction Quality
AC Moore beads span multiple material categories to suit every project requirement and budget. Our glass seed beads use Czech manufacturing standards that ensure consistent hole size and uniform dimensions critical for professional jewelry supplies work. The precision grinding process creates beads with smooth edges that glide easily onto thread without snagging or breaking fibers.
Wooden beads in our collection undergo kiln drying to prevent cracking and warping over time. We apply a food-safe sealant that protects the natural wood grain while allowing the surface to accept paint, stain, or markers for custom coloring. Acrylic beads feature injection-molded construction that produces sharp facets and consistent shapes at a fraction of glass bead weight.
Size Selection & Project Compatibility
Choosing the right bead size determines both the visual impact and structural integrity of your finished jewelry. Our glass seed beads follow the traditional sizing system where higher numbers indicate smaller beads: 6/0 measures approximately 4mm, 8/0 measures 3mm, and 11/0 measures 2mm. Size 11/0 remains the most popular choice for bead weaving, embroidery, and detailed pattern work.
Wooden beads range from 6mm rounds perfect for spacers and children’s projects to 20mm statement beads ideal for chunky necklaces and macramé plant hangers. The pre-drilled holes accommodate cord diameters up to 2mm, making them compatible with hemp, leather, elastic, and standard beading wire. Acrylic beads in the mega pack include mixed sizes from 4mm to 12mm to provide design flexibility within a single purchase.
Color Coordination & Finish Options
Our AC Moore beads collection offers hundreds of color options organized by finish type to simplify palette selection. Opaque beads deliver solid, intense color that photographs well and creates high contrast in geometric patterns. Transparent beads allow light to pass through, creating luminous effects ideal for layered designs and sunlight-catching window ornaments.
Metallic finishes add shimmer without the weight of metal beads, available in gold, silver, copper, and gunmetal tones that coordinate with standard jewelry findings. AB (aurora borealis) coatings create rainbow iridescence that shifts color depending on viewing angle—perfect for adding visual interest to monochrome designs. Matte finishes provide sophisticated, contemporary aesthetics that pair beautifully with leather cord and minimalist metalwork.
Essential Beading Tools & Supplies
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Common Questions About AC Moore Beads
For 11/0 seed beads, use size 12 or 13 beading needles which pass comfortably through the holes. Size 6/0 and 8/0 beads accommodate larger size 10 needles. Delica cylinder beads feature 1.3mm holes designed for multiple passes of size 12 needles during bead weaving techniques.
When working with gemstone chips or wooden beads larger than 10mm, standard beading wire eliminates the need for needles entirely. Thread the wire directly through the pre-drilled holes and secure with crimp beads.
Yes, our wooden beads accept acrylic paint, wood stain, permanent markers, and fabric dyes beautifully. The non-toxic clear sealant we apply protects the wood while allowing paint adhesion. For best results, lightly sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper before painting to increase color absorption.
We recommend sealing custom-painted beads with a clear acrylic spray or brush-on varnish to prevent chipping during wear. Allow painted beads to dry completely for 24 hours before assembling jewelry.
All our acrylic beads meet ASTM safety standards for children’s products and contain no toxic materials. The shatter-resistant construction prevents sharp edges if beads are dropped or stepped on. We recommend adult supervision for children under 5 due to choking hazards from small bead sizes.
The acrylic mega pack works perfectly for kids’ craft parties, summer camp projects, and school assignments. The lightweight material and pre-drilled holes make stringing easy for developing fine motor skills.
Store gemstone strands flat or loosely coiled in individual plastic bags to prevent kinking and tangling. Avoid hanging strands from hooks which creates stress points where the wire may bend permanently. If a strand does tangle, work gently from one end without forcing beads past tight knots.
For long-term storage, consider threading strands through foam pool noodle sections or wrapping them around cardboard cards. This method keeps chips organized while preventing the wire from developing memory curves that affect drape in finished jewelry.
Czech glass seed beads feature a rounded, slightly irregular shape that gives handmade jewelry organic texture. They work well for stringing, fringe, and embroidery where exact uniformity isn’t critical. Japanese delica beads are precision-cut cylinders with perfectly straight sides that sit flush against one another.
Delica beads excel in bead weaving techniques like peyote stitch and loomwork where consistent sizing creates fabric-like surfaces with no visible gaps. The larger 1.3mm holes accommodate multiple thread passes required for structural reinforcement in woven patterns.
A 7-inch bracelet requires approximately 25–30 beads in 8mm size, 40–50 beads in 6mm size, or 60–70 seed beads in 11/0 size. These estimates include extra length for clasps and findings. For stretch bracelets without clasps, add 1 inch to your measurement to ensure comfortable fit over the hand.
Bead count varies based on wrist size and desired snugness. We recommend stringing beads on your wrist before cutting cord to verify the exact count needed for your specific project.
Yes, all our beads feature hole sizes compatible with standard beading wire, thread, and elastic cord available in craft stores. Glass seed beads and delica beads accommodate Nymo thread, FireLine, and KO thread on sizes 10–13 needles. Wooden beads, gemstone chips, and acrylic beads work with .014 to .019 diameter beading wire.
Our bead holes are drilled slightly larger than minimum specifications to ensure easy threading and compatibility with crimp beads, which require space for wire to pass through twice during securing. Standard lobster claw clasps, toggle clasps, and magnetic clasps all work perfectly with AC Moore beads.