Posted by
Anna Draeger · December 18, 2008 9:14 AM
Q I am confused about bugles. Sometimes the size is listed as a number (example, #1) and sometimes it is listed in millimeters (3 mm). Is there a standard way of measuring bugles? -Alyssa
A I am glad you asked, because I have been working with bugles lately, and have had some frustrations of my own!
Several sizes and styles of bugle beads.
Before I talk about bugle bead sizes, I'd like to cover a little bit about bugles in general. Bugle beads are cylindrical glass (or metal, called liquid silver) tubes, and, like seed beads, they vary in quality and country of origin. When using bugles in designs, it is important to look for several factors.
One is that the bugles are consistent in length. It can be very frustrating to make something with bugles if you have to sort through hundreds to find 20 that are the same length. Japanese bugles tend to be much more consistent in length. Another important factor is color and finish. Bugles have many, many colors to choose from with different finishes, including transparent, opaque, metallic, silver-lined, and matte. Silver-lined bugles sometimes loose their silver lining, causing the beads to lose their sparkle. There are also several shapes, including round, twisted, and hex. But the most important thing about bugles is smooth, rounded ends. If you are using beading thread or Fireline and stitching with bugles, your design will be compromised by the knife-like sharpness of jagged bugles. I personally like Japanese bugles for this reason. Bugles are sold loose, or as hanks.
The sizing of bugle beads varies as well. While searching the Intenet, I found bugles ranging from 2–35 mm in length and 1–2 mm in width. You can find longer bugles, but they are generally used for other things than jewelry. I have seen long bugles used in fringe on ornaments and in our VintageStyle Jewelry special issue, where longer bugles were used as fringe on a lightbulb cover. I think they would be difficult to incorporate into jewelry design in most cases. I am sure someone does it, though!
Each manufacturer has its own set of number codes, so a size #2 Japanese bugle won't have the same length as a size #2 Czech bugle. The best way to know what you are getting is to look for (or ask for when ordering online) the length and width of the bugle beads. It may just say 6 mm on the package, which refers to the length, but since bugles can vary between 1–2 mm in width, it's better to get both measurements before buying. Bead&Button will list both measurements from now on in the materials lists for any future projects containing bugle beads
Uniform bugles were essential to making this bracelet design work.
Anna Elizabeth Draeger
Associate Editor
Bead&Button magazine