How To Sort

Colour is probably the easiest way to sort beads.  

But, you could categorize a bead several different ways.

What is it made out of?  Stone, semi precious gemstone, paper, plastic, ceramic, glass, hematite, wood, crystal, polymer clay...

You could sort by origin, is it Austrian such as Swarovski or is it made in India or China (not as nice but not as pricey).  I try to stay away from them because I worry about the lead content.  

My favorite is handmade art beads, more on that later.

Is it a specific type, such as a Miracle bead?  What is the size or shape?

There are large hole beads like the Pandora all the way down to teeny seed beads (pronounced “ought” for sizes of seed beads, as in “I really ought to not buy these beads”.

I also have crazy amounts of “findings” to put it all together.  These are things like end caps and clasps, earring backs, crimping beads so they don’t fall off the stringing material you are using (that’s another topic), jump rings, etc.  Plus you start to collect focal beads and charms.
All of it can be copper, brass, sterling silver or some cheaper metal (ick).

I admit I waste significant amounts of time sorting and searching.
It's sort of soothing though, kind of like pawing through your mom's jewelry box.

I sorta sort mine by… colour. 

Next:
Controlling the Chaos
(Ecto Containment System, Containment Facility or Protection Grid)


PS. Might be good to show some jewelry too!
This is a double wrap Boho style bracelet with sliding closure and of course the ubiquitous turtle. I like using chakra colours.