The Bugle Bead
A beader may paraphrase “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” as “which came first, the bugle or the round bead?” Thin, hollow bone beads were likely the very first tubular or bugle beads, and tiny, drilled shells were likely the first rounded beads. I’d cast a vote for the bugle bead!
Recently, archaeologist in the state of Wyoming unearthed what turned out to be the oldest bead-to-date in the Western Hemisphere (13,000-year-old bone bead is the oldest of its kind in the Americas | Live Science). It happens to be tubular, which would qualify it as a bugle bead. It is 0.3” long and further scientific study showed it to be the bone of a hare, perhaps a white- or black-tailed Jack Rabbit. The bone had been polished and was embellished with several grooves. Long ago, people already took their beads seriously!
Beads have been dated to some 142,000 years at least, and have been found across cultures. Bugles show up as adornment and in fashion and décor items. In France, bugles were initially used when working on wall panels in the 17th century. Bugles can be found on clothes as well, and also on handbags, umbrellas, fans, and other accessories.
** Open up the article All about bugles for fabulous visuals of bugles in fashion.
Far Left: Miyuki Bugles 3mm, Chartreuse Transparent, Silver-lined
Near Left: Miyuki Bugles 3mm, White Opaque
The Beading Room stocks bugle beads, sizes 3mm to 30 mm.
Right: bugle beads as eyelashes (from my own creations/collection)
Bugle Variations:
· The glass bugles range in size from 2 mm to 30 mm, with 3 mm being the most popular.
· Colour variables include transparent, transparent coloured, opaque, metallic, matte, glossy, and more.
· The tubular shape can further be enhanced with faceted or twisted finishes.
· Today’s bugle beads are mostly of the glass variety, although we can sometimes find plastic or metal bugles.
Manufacturers:
-
Czech bugles – The Beading Room stocks top quality Preciosa Ornella bugles, in sizes 15 mm, 25 mm, 30mm. The 30 mm bugles are available in twisted as well as the smooth surfaced variety.
- Japanese bugles – The Beading Room stocks Miyuki brand bugles in sizes 3 mm and 6 mm, as well as twisted bugles in sizes 6 mm and 12 mm – in tons of colours!
Bugle-icious Ideas:
- use on wedding dresses, christening gowns, figure skaters’ costumes, etc.
- use with embroidery stitches to build botanical or other themed embroideries
- use to build fringe on purses, earrings, badges,curtains, etc.
Find this gorgeous bugle bracelet pattern on Etsy at the CraftiqueRedux shop.
On Youtube: Make Your Own: Bugle Bead Earrings by Imogen Ximena Nieves of the U.S
Find this pattern on Etsy at the DebRoberti shop.
Find this earring tutorial at Etsy on the SoSassybySusanSassoon shop.
On Youtube: Beaded Bracelet with Seed and Bugle Beads. 3D Beading Tutorial by ViP Biser (“biser” means bead in Russian)
Working with Bugles
· Cull your beads by examining the edges carefully for cracks or rough edges. This is where purchasing top quality beads comes in handy – you are unlikely to cull more than 5% of your beads as opposed to more than double that in cheap varieties.
· If you’re not sure of the manufacturer (we all give in to impulse buys), pour the bugles into the palm of your hand and observe if the paint flakes off, or leaves marks.
· Check a random selection for consistent passage of your needle. If one or more beads don’t accept your needle, check them all before you begin an important project.
· If your purchase is contained in a plastic bag, it would be safest to move your bugles to a sturdier plastic or glass container. The Beading Room offers both flip top rectangular storage, as well as round tubes, a tube pavilion, and a tube storage tower.
· The best thread is a reinforced thread, such as the Japanese KO thread; fishing line works well too.
I hope that the oft under-appreciated bugle bead has earned your interest. It’s quite versatile!
Until next month my beady friends, bead on! Cathy