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What are Macrame Beads?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Macrame beads are wood, metal, glass, plastic, polymer or ceramic accents used in the craft of knotting rope or cord. Macrame knots vary from simple to complex and beads may be used in projects involving either or both knot types. Basically any kind of bead can be used in macrame projects as long as the center hole can easily fit the width of the rope or cord through it.

Some macrame projects use only a few beads such as those that are animal shapes created with bead eyes. Other knotted craft pieces such as beaded purses may use a lot of macrame beads. Most beads used in macrame are large to medium in size. Small beads usually won't work in macrame since very thin cords aren't typically used. Large wooden beads are the classic type used in macrame, such as on plant pot hangers, but many other kinds are also used regularly in knotted cord or rope crafts.

Any type of bead can be used in macrame.
Any type of bead can be used in macrame.

Ceramic beads with floral or other designs hand-painted on them add pattern to macrame projects. Metal beads, either polished or finished in an antique style, give rope materials a cool contrast. Glass or translucent plastic macrame beads can create an especially interesting look as their transparency allows the cord or rope to show through each bead. Opaque plastic beads give solid color accents to macrame pieces and are typically the least expensive bead type used in the craft.

Some people make their own beads from tubes of polymer clay for macrame crafts.
Some people make their own beads from tubes of polymer clay for macrame crafts.

Macrame beads for kids are often either plastic or wood varieties. They may be sold as part of a children's macrame kit. Kids' macrame crafts with beads included may be animal shaped bookmarks or key chains, as well as friendship bracelets. Beaded macrame friendship bracelets are typically quick and easy for kids to make. Some of these macrame bracelet kits are sold with metal rather than colored wood or plastic beads. These metal beads are often embossed with animal or floral motifs or they may contain alphabet letters used to spell names.

Polymer clay can be used to make beads for macrame.
Polymer clay can be used to make beads for macrame.

While beads used in knotted craft projects are sold with macrame supplies, some crafters like to choose regular bead types or create their own from polymer clay. Handmade polymer clay macrame beads are unique and can help personalize rope and cord knotting crafts. Some people like to make or purchase unusually shaped or patterned beads to make their macrame projects really stand out in an artistic sense.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

I recommend everyone to experiment with different things when it comes to macrame and beads. I make plant hangers with macrame and I try something different each time. I usually use large plastic beads but last time, I actually used sea shells. I live near the beach and collect sea shells whenever I get the chance. So I drilled small holes in the shells I had collected and used them instead of beads in the plant hanger.

It turned out very nice. I will be gifting it to my mother in law along with a matching sea shell plant pot. I think she's going to love it. I think it's great to get creative and do something out of the ordinary. It makes craft making even more fun.

Next time, I might get plain ceramic or wood beads and color them myself for interesting tones and designs.

donasmrs

@bear78-- I use wood beads all the time and I've never had an issue with color choices. There are always plenty of choices. Although natural wood tones are also very nice. I'm sure that if I made something with leather or natural cord like hemp cord, I too would choose natural wood beads. That will definitely complete the look.

There are really no limits on the type of bead used in macrame though. The important thing is for it to look nice and for it to be the right size in comparison to the cord used.

bear78

Wood beads seem to be the most popular choice for macrame jewelry and craft makers. I like wood beads but there are less choices with colors. So I usually use plastic or ceramic. I just make sure that the beads aren't heavy, especially when I'm using them in jewelry.

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    • Any type of bead can be used in macrame.
      By: 79mtk
      Any type of bead can be used in macrame.
    • Some people make their own beads from tubes of polymer clay for macrame crafts.
      By: cosma
      Some people make their own beads from tubes of polymer clay for macrame crafts.
    • Polymer clay can be used to make beads for macrame.
      By: Pavel Drozda
      Polymer clay can be used to make beads for macrame.
    • Macrame beads are popular in the creation of jewelry.
      By: Sergey Goruppa
      Macrame beads are popular in the creation of jewelry.
    • Macrame beads can be made in almost any color, thanks to the variety of colors and mixing ability of polymer clay.
      By: kachergina
      Macrame beads can be made in almost any color, thanks to the variety of colors and mixing ability of polymer clay.