SAYIN' IT! Beadword Jewelry

Instruction Book

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Changing Morse Code Into Beadword Words

To change Morse code letters into beads, a dot is one bead, and a dash is three beads. There should be one bead between a dot or a dash in a letter.

EXAMPLE: the letter “Y”

There should be three beads between each letter in your word.

EXAMPLE: the word “YES”

Pretty easy, huh?

On the next page you will see the words message beads and background beads. The message beads (mb) are the beads that hold the message. The background beads (bb) are the ones that are used to separate the message beads.

Two Ways to Keep Beads on Wire

TEMPORARY METHOD: This technique is for keeping beads on the wire if you are not sure how long the message will be, and you might need to add or subtract beads from the margins. It’s very handy when making a multiple-strand necklace.

Push Dull Knife Blade (DKB) between rings of Double Jump Ring (DJR) to open it. Push wire between rings with at least an inch sticking out on the other side. Remove DKB. The DJR should clamp down on the wire tightly enough to keep the beads on.

SEALED METHOD: This is for sealing the beads on the wire when you’re finished with the beading. Put wire through two crimp beads. Loop wire back through with Round Tipped Jewelry Pliers (RTJP) leaving a loop big enough for DJR or Spring Ring Clasp (SRC). Holding the wire, crush the crimp beads, one at a time, in the flat area that is between the prongs of the RTJP. Don’t crush them all the way, but just enough to keep the wire snug. Then put the loop over the end of a prong on the RTJP. Push it down about 1/4 inch. This will ensure that all the loops are the same size. Now get the big pliers or wire cutters and crush the crimp beads all the way. Be careful not to smash them so tight that you cut through the wire. The reason you should use the big pliers is because the RTJP will break under the stress. I know. Now cut off the extra wire with a small fingernail clipper; the smaller and sharper - the better. When you clip off the extra wire it might fly up and hit your eye, so watch out!