Talking Bead Caps
13 March 2009
Author: Vickie Pozzolini
Have you ever thought about bead caps and how best to use and work with them? I sometimes think that bead caps are often misused (and misunderstood) jewelry elements. Most usually, a bead cap is just another type of bead but with one end open for fitting over the end of another bead. The most common style of bead caps is metal with a texture and distinctive shape. When used correctly, bead caps are a wonderful design element that can add both texture and interest to any piece of jewelry.
Perhaps the greatest misuse of a bead cap is the size of the cap in relation to the size of the bead. It is important for the cap to properly fit the bead. Think of a shoe that is too large or small for your foot. Same as that shoe, the bead cap should not overwhelm the bead nor be too small. When determining the correct size of the cap to the bead, try several different size beads and see which one sits well into the cap. Often the best way to tell is just by looking.
Bead caps can also be a designed to work or act as a large decorative bead. When stringing, place the two inverted bead caps so that the open ends face each other into a bead shape.
A delightful and different way to use bead caps is to arrange it as a bell shape to hang over a dangle cluster of drop beads. Make this by threading an eye pin into the inside of the bead cap and attach a jump ring full of dangles to the eye loop inside the bead cap. Finish your bead cap dangle with more beads atop.