Eight element kongo gumi/round braids with beads are one of things that are drawing people to the art of kumihimo. Because it is quick to learn and has a world of possibilities, people who don't have a background in either fiber or beading arts are finding themselves drawn to braiding. Unfortunately, a new braider may find the varieties of materials available to them both overwhelming and confusing. It's my hope that this info-torial series will make it easier for a new braider to figure out what materials are best for their desired results.
This info-torial is set up around size 11/0 seed beads. They don't tend to be commonly used in beaded braids made on a disk due to their small size, but they are the most common bead size for bead weaving and are common in braids made on a marudai that use solid strands of beads as elements. I've made a sampler with beads from each of the major Japanese brands, as well as Czech and Chinese seed beads to help give a sense of what each bead looks like braided up, and also to highlight any differences. The sampler was braided using a Beadsmith brand foam disk and eight elements of fine/Tex 135 S-Lon cord in oyster for the best contrast. Each sample has five beads per element for a total of 40 beads. For purposes of the sample, I used the beads straight out the package and did not cull any for size, only for broken holes. If you want more information about seed bead sizing, or how beads are made, check out Big Bead Little Bead's guide.
Round size 11/0 seed beads
The above photo shows the three round beads from the major Japanese manufacturers along with round beads made in the Czech Republic and China. Note that while the Miyuki, Toho, and Czech beads are each relatively round, the Matsuno beads are bit longer and the Chinese beads have many odd shapes. The large bundle of beads above the Czech sample is called a bead hank, and that is how Czech beads are traditionally packaged. This hank is 12 strands of beads that are 16 inches long each, which is the modern standard for size 11/0, but older hanks may have fewer, longer strands and other sizes of beads have different strand counts and lengths.
Matsuno 11/0 seed beads
Major US distributor: Fire Mountain Gems, who use the trade name "Dynamites"
Size of sample: 9/16 inch=15 mm in length, 5mm in diameter
Notes on sample: As you can see, some Matsuno beads are a bit bigger than others which means that they don't fit as closely together. However, as they are little longer than the other Japanese brands they cover a lot of area with less beads.
Miyuki 11/0 seed beads
Major US distributor: The Beadsmith/Helby and Caravan Beads. As these two companies are the major suppliers to bead stores in the US, Miyuki seed beads have become the most common brand available.
Size of sample: 9/16 inch=15 mm in length, 5mm in diameter
Notes on sample: The beads are very even in size, making a tightly braided piece. Miyuki is always expanding the colors, finishes, and quality of their beads.
Toho 11/0 seed beads:
Major US distributor: Bobby Bead. Like The Beadsmith/Helby and Caravan Beads, Bobby Bead also supplies bead stores. Sometimes sold in limited colors in the US "big box" craft stores in small vials.
Size of sample: 9/16 inch=15 mm in length, 5mm in diameter
Notes on sample: Toho beads are the roundest of the three Japanese brands. They fit together well, but their roundness causes them to space out a bit more than the Miyuki beads in braiding.
Czech 11/0 seed beads:
Major US distributor: Preciosa Ornela, although there are many other makers and distributors of Czech seed beads.
Size of sample: 9/16 inch=15 mm in length, 5mm in diameter
Notes on sample: Czech seed beads are known for their reasonable price and quality, as well as the variety of finishes. However, as you can see in the sample above the beads themselves can be uneven in size—note how small the bead under the second "c" is compared to the beads around it--so there is a higher amount of culling than with the Japanese manufacturers.
Chinese 11/0 seed beads:
Major US distributor: Darice. These are the seed beads your are most likely to find at "big box" craft stores like Michael's, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, or Joann Fabric.
Size of sample: 5/8 inch=17 mm in length, 6mm in diameter
Notes on sample: These beads were the least expensive beads in my sampling, and the reason why should be obvious. The sizes are very uneven and there were a high percentage that were broken or otherwise unusable. The packaging on these indicates they are a size 10/0 but they are generally intended to be interchangeable with 11/0 seed beads. A 10/0 round bead is not currently made by any of the Japanese manufacturers although some Czech manufacturers make them, but they tend to be less available in the US.
11/0 tube or cylinder beads
The above photo shows Miyuki Delica cylinder beads in sizes 10/0 and 11/0, Toho Treasures cylinder beads in size 11/0, Toho Aiko cylinder beads in size 11/0, and size 10/0 Czech hex beads where a glass tube has six sides cut into it before being cut into beads. Hex beads are made by both Czech and Japanese manufacturers.
10/0 Miyuki Delica seed beads:
Major US distributor: Same as Miyuki round beads, although this size Delica is less commonly found in bead stores.
11/16 inch=17 mm in length, 6mm in diameter
Notes: Delica beads are probably the most precisely cut and manufactured seed beads in the world. Their cylindrical shape is designed for loom beadwork and bead stitches like peyote, but I find them to make a nice braided piece as well. This size Delica will also work on the thicker Tex 210/0.5mm S-Lon/C-lon bead cord.
11/0 Miyuki Delica seed beads:
Major US distributor: Same as Miyuki round beads. This is the most common cylinder bead in the US. You may see this size called Delica without a size designation as it was the first in the line
1/2 inch=13 mm in length, 4mm in diameter
Notes: Delica beads are probably the most precisely cut and manufactured seed beads in the world. Their cylindrical shape is designed for loom beadwork and bead stitches like peyote, but I find them to make a nice braided piece as well.
11/0 Toho Treasures seed beads:
Major US distributor: The same as Toho round beads. Sometimes carried in limited colors in the large US craft stores.
1/2 inch=13 mm in length, 4mm in diameter
Notes: Treasures are Toho's response to Delicas and are generally interchangeable with them in patterns.
11/0 Toho Aiko seed beads:
Major US distributor: The same as other Toho beads, but these cylinder beads are not as widely carried by US bead stores.
1/2 inch=13 mm in length, 4mm in diameter
Notes: Aikos are supposedly smaller and more perfectly cut than Delicas, but my test with them didn't show a difference. They are a lovely bead, but more expensive than Delicas or Treasures which is part of the reason they are not as common.
10/0 Czech hex seed beads:
Major US distributor: The same as Czech round beads.
7/8 inch=20 mm in length, 6mm in diameter
Notes: Hex beads are great for texture and sparkle, especially the Czech manufactured ones. The Japanese hex beads tend to be more evenly cut in length.
