How to make balls and Nigerian traditional beads

Bead making is one of the small but lucrative businesses we have in Nigeria. The business doesn’t require a large sum of money to start and one can actually make a living from it. Let’s guide you on how to make a ball and Nigerian traditional beads today. The creativity in business is amazing and if done right, will bring in a lot of admirers.

What do I need to make Nigerian traditional beads?

Assuming it’s your first time, let’s start with something not complex like making a beaded necklace. To make a simple beaded necklace, you’ll need the following;

• Different forms and shapes of beads.
• Some fishing line
• Clasp
• Loop for the two ends of the beaded necklace
• Pliers with flat ends.

The best result often comes with beads made of clay or wood. There are over a million forms and shapes of beads. So choose a mixture of different forms and shapes for a better look.

How to make Nigerian traditional beads

First thing first, is to decide the length you want your beaded necklace to be. Let’s say for example 15 inches. Below are the steps on how to make Nigerian traditional beads;

1. Since you want to make a 15 inches beaded necklace, multiply 15 by 3 which gives you 45. So on your fishing line, measure 45 inches, then add an extra 3 inches to both ends. This means you have a 51 inches length of fishing line.
2. Choose the different form, shape and colour you want to use to make the necklace. Form, shape and colour are very important cause they tell how good looking the final product will be. It is advisable you choose not less than 6 colours, form and shape.
3. Start threading by adding the beads into the fishing line. Make sure you add them base on an arrangement.
4. After threading adds the pliers with flat ends to prevent the beads from falling off.
5. When the fishing line is in the shape you like, add the clasp follow by the loop. And that’s it, your beaded necklace is ready.

What do I need to make ball beads in Nigeria?

It is advisable you start with something not so complex for a start. To make a ball bead you’ll need the following ingredients;

• 30 pieces of the bead.
• Long fishing line
• Needle
• Scissor

Most people use different form, shape and colours of beads. But we believe that will be more complex for a beginner. The most important thing is learning the technique. So choose just one form/type of bead for this practical.

How to make ball beads in Nigeria

Below is the guideline on how to make ball beads in Nigeria;

1. Take a long fishing line and fold it into two half. The length of the fishing line depends on how big you want your ball beads to be.
2. At both tail end of the fishing line, paint one tail end with a marker to separate it from the other one. Let’s say the normal fishing line is white, so paint one tail end with black colour.
3. Thread five beads through the black tail end and place them in the middle. Then thread the whitetail end through the last bead in the opposite direction.
4. Thread another four beads through the whitetail end and thread the black tail end through the last bead. Pull the circle towards the middle and thread the whitetail end through the next bead. By now, you should have two circles.
5. A new circle will be added with each step. Thread three beads through the black tail end of the line and thread the whitetail end through the last bead. Pull it all to the middle and thread the black tail end through the next bead.
6. Thread three beads through the white tail end and thread the black tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the Clear end through the next bead.
7. Thread three beads through the black tail end and thread the white tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the black tail end through the next two beads.
8. Thread two beads through the white tail end and thread the black tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the white tail end through the next bead.
9. Thread three beads through the black tail end and thread the white tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the black tail end through the next two beads.
10. Thread two beads through the white tail end and thread the black tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the white tail end through the next two beads.
11. Thread two beads through the black tail end and thread the white tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the black tail end through the next two beads.
12. Thread two beads with the white tail end and thread the black tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the white tail end through the next three beads.
13. Thread one bead through the black tail end and thread the white tail end through the last bead. Pull to the middle and thread the black end through the next four beads.
14. Tie several knots with the white tail end and cut off the excess line. That’s it, you have successfully made a ball bead.

There you have it, a perfect guideline on how to make ball and Nigerian traditional beads. Start small and build as you grow. It’s never too late to venture in the world of bead making, you can start now.