Bead Board

A Bead Board is a tool used by beaders to lay out beads in a pattern prior to stringing. It is particularly helpful when the beader needs to establish a complex pattern and keep it in order. Bead boards are also helpful for seeing how a necklace or bracelet will lie on the neck or wrist, as they have curved slots to lay out beads. If you are working on a project and are interrupted or must stop working for a period of time, bead boards will keep your planned piece in place, undisturbed.

Bead Boards vary in sizes, with larger boards having multiple slots to plan out single- or multi-strand necklaces, trays for spare beads, and slots for bracelet design. Most are lightweight plastic that is flocked to prevent beads from rolling. Most have inches and centimeters measured out for necklace and bracelet slots to allow the beader to accurately determine length of a piece. More costly models have a cover and will fold up, allowing a transportable but undisturbed project!

Bead boards are available at most craft and hobby stores that carry beading materials, as well as Fire Mountain, Rings N Things, and other beading suppliers.