Lanyard beads are a fun and creative way to customize and personalize your lanyards. Whether you want to jazz up your work ID badge, make your keys easier to find, or just show off your personality, adding beads to your lanyards can transform them into an accessory that reflects your personal flair. In this blog post, we'll explore everything you need to know about these miniature marvels, from why they're so popular to the best materials and brands to choose from.
Why a Must-Have Accessory
So why have lanyard beads become such a hot trend? For starters, they allow you to put your own spin on an otherwise ordinary item. Plain lanyards can be dull, but add some beads and suddenly you have a lively fashion statement. Lanyard beads also serve some very practical purposes. They can make your lanyards easier to grip, prevent them from getting tangled, and help you quickly identify your own lanyards among a sea of others. If you want to show team spirit, highlight an organization you're part of, or just represent your favorite colors and themes, lanyard beads get the job done.
Materials
Lanyard beads come in a variety of materials, each with their own pros and cons. Plastic beads are affordable, lightweight, and available in limitless colors and shapes. However, they can look a bit cheap and juvenile. Wood beads have a classic, natural look, but tend to be smaller and more delicate. Ceramic and glass beads offer stunning effects but are prone to breaking. Metal beads are durable and have a sleek, stylish shine, but can feel cold and add weight. Acrylic beads strike a nice balance, providing vivid colors and fun patterns while still being strong and resilient. They make excellent choices for kids and frequent lanyard-wearers.
Brands
When it comes to lanyard beads, there are a few companies that really stand out from the pack:
Punch Studio - This brand offers an absolutely massive selection of unique acrylic beads. You can find them in every color and pattern under the sun, ranging from solids and swirls to glitter, shapes, and even glow in the dark. There are options themed for every holiday and interest.
Lehigh - Known for their high quality metal beads, Lehigh provides sleek stainless steel, copper, and brass beads ideal for professional and fashionable lanyards. Their styles are classic while still being eye-catching.
WoodNGoods - Specializing in wooden beads, WoodnGoods carries beads in numerous exotic hardwoods. There's something elegant about their simple but substantial beads made of rosewood, ebony, sandalwood, zebrawood, and more.
Melissa and Doug - This toy company makes excellent plastic beads for kids' lanyards and camp nametags. Their beads are affordably priced while still being vibrant, fun, and creatively themed.
Shapes and Sizes
Lanyard beads come in all kinds of shapes and sizes to suit different needs. Small round beads just 4-5mm across are great for adding color or filling space. Others prefer larger bead options 8-10mm wide to make more of a statement. Wooden beads often have unique organic shapes like ovals, discs, and cubes. For easy gripping, many prefer teardrop or filigree beads with holes or grooves. Letters and numbers are fun for spelling out names and messages. The most important aspects are that the bead hole is large enough for the lanyard cord to thread through, and that small beads have spacing to prevent cramming too close together.
Attaching Knots
Once you've picked out some fabulous beads, it's time to attach them to your lanyard. While special crimping pliers can cinch metal beads tightly, most lanyard beads are secured using simple knots. The most common is a double overhand knot tied tightly flush against each bead. For beads prone to slipping, many lanyard-lovers swear by the resilient Chinese crown knot. Using the Chinese crown knot on each bead keeps them spaced evenly apart and creates an attractive, professional look. There are easy YouTube tutorials on tying both of these useful lanyard bead knots.
With this knowledge in your accessory arsenal, you'll be prepared to create unique, eye-catching lanyards with the perfect beads for your personal style. Mix and match colors, textures, shapes and sizes for a look that's all your own. Stay tuned for more posts from this blog detailing cool lanyard customization tips and tricks. Happy bead stringing!
