Bead Shapes

As you begin making bead jewelry you will realize that the choices of shapes are endless. Beads can be flat, square, elongated or cut like gemstones. Donuts are a great example of a specialty bead that can be turned into striking jewelry. Often used as pendants, donuts can be perfectly round beads, irregularly shaped or even shaped like "Figure 8s". A donut bead has a hole in the middle through which you attach a cord, turning it into a necklace. Donut beads are most commonly made from a semi-precious gemstone.