What's the better beading thread? WildFire vs FireLine - Better Beader Episode by PotomacBeads
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- Опубліковано 27 лис 2024
- Which thread should you use? What's the better thread? WildFire? FireLine? Allie from PotomacBeads talks all about WildFire and FireLine Beading Threads and which thread is best for all your jewelry and beading projects!
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Enjoy using this jewelry-making bead tutorial video to help you become a more creative and happier beader!
Great info Allie! I prefer Fireline as it seems more sooth to me - Wildfire when I need some "tooth" to my beading. Alternatively Nanofil is silky and I really like that too! I don't generally have problems with the thread showing through my work and I also use a dryer sheet for the Smoke Fireline - works like a charm.
Great explanation for the two threads - Long ago I used to think the “poundage” was used to tell you if you were making a heavier necklace or bracelet u wouldn’t have to worry about the piece falling apart with heavier or bigger beads. I started using the “verde” green by Wildfire for most of my beading and after that my next go to is the gray. I haven’t used anything other than Wildfire forever, mostly because of the colors and I love the thread - always making sure it says .006 - thanks Allie!
Awesome episode Allie!! After beading for the better art of 20 years (full time, and part time since the 1970’s), I thought I hand a pretty good grasp of thread issues. You always show me, I still have a lot to learn, I really appreciate the time you spend researching all of these episodes! You really do mean it when you call them “Better Beader Episodes! Thank you so much for providing even more information. And you are absolutely right when you say that you cannot colour these threads. Many years ago I bought FireLine from a competitor in Florida (gasp -I know). She advertised online. These colours COME OFF! You have lots of colour when you start, however you are left with varying shades of white, the rest is on your hands! Ask me, I know! Just used Permanent Markers, by they are not Permanent on FireLine! But she is still advertising them!!!
I've been using fishing components for over twenty years in my beading and thanks so much for the excellent information presented by Ali from Potomac Beads.
Yeah, I'll never buy black fireline again, BUT...I learned to remove that extra black before beading, I use a dryer sheet on it, it removes most and sometimes all of the extra. I prefer wildfire and I use 0.006 mostly when beading. Thanks for addressing these issues.
I've always run it through Thread Heaven, so never had issues.
@Rory Anakin Both of you are insecure
This was SOOO informative!!!! I never had thought to switch to Nymo for making tassels so thank you for that! I’ve never tried Wildfire before, but that’s because my dad fishes and I used his fishing line when I first started bead weaving. It honestly doesn’t bother me about the smoke coming off a little bit on my fingers and I feel like it’s a color that blends in well so that’s what I use. I think a lot of UA-camrs used Fireline and that’s where the weight part comes from, but what you’re saying makes total sense. Thank you for this video - it’s seriously very informative and I hope more people see it!!! 💜
Thank you, Sharon 😊
Thank you so much for the information.I didn't know that Wild fire was thicker. I have been using fire line. I did a pair of native earring with it and found out that they are very stiff. So i now use Nymo in size D and i love the way they hang. Have a great rest of your weekend.
thank you, you answered all the questions I had regarding the different threads and what the pounds had to do with it, i love your tutorials.
As a complete newbie I found this video A MUST for any beginner to watch. Clear and easy to understand, and when I am putting together my best beading efforts I have a better knowledge to what I am looking for when building my beading needs. TYSVM!!!!!!
Hi Gretel, have you considered joining our Facebook group for Beading and Jewellery Making? You can ask questions and get lots of help from our friendly beading community.
I have wondered about the pound vs .006 on the Fireline labels. Thank you for educating us on the differences. I have always shied away from Wildfire thread. Now I will definitely try it. Thanks again for this video!
Thanks for the info, Allie.
I've used both Fireline and Wildfire. I prefer Wildfire, because the thermal bonding/coating doesn't come off and allow fraying at the end of my thread like Fireline. That's an advantage for threading my needle. Yes, I can cut off the thread end of the Fireline, but it's an extra step I almost never need to do with Wildfire. I re-thread my needle a lot, even on the same length of thread for various reason. I use .008 mostly unless my project requires lots of passes of the same beads, in which case I'll use the .006. I use the green and grey mostly, but do use the other colors as well. I've never had an issue with stretching or color coming off with Wildfire.
Thanks Allie. I use both but Wildfire is my go to. Bought a huge roll of black Fireline not knowing it rubs off. Also when I've had to undo and redo my Fireline got kinks. To be honest I really like the braided fishing lines by Spiderwire. Many sizes and some can be used for fringe and those nasty sharp crystals. 😁
what size of the fishing line do you use for seed beads 11/0 and 15/0 and how do you recognize that it is very thin because it doesn't have the diameter in mm or inches.
@@anjumsiddiqi3033 I buy Spiderwire EZ BRAID from Walmart. There is a piece peeking out of the box that you can see/feel. I fish, the lower the " lb test " the thinner the line. For small beads 6lb test and below. If I want slinky movement 4lb test, .20mm. I checked and the diameter is on the label. I have various size EZ BRAID from thin to thick. 😊 It requires good sheers to cut. I use cuticle sheers.
I started my beading using Fireline, but found that Wildfire is superior to me. I love it!!!!
Great video that clears up a lot for me. I use both, but lean toward wild fire. It just seem to be thicker. Thank you for all your projects and videos.
Great Better Beader Episode! I generally use Wildfire .006, in the grey or green. However, if I'm working on something I know I'm going to have to be doing a lot of added thread, and if the white or black satin will work I use Fireline .006. I like the way that I can tie a knot, melt the ends, and pull them together and have a good secure knot, where when I do a regular knot with the Wildfire I have to do the surgeons knot, which not always holds for me, or work the thread through the piece. I have tried to melt the ends with the Wildfire and it just doesn't give me the bead that the Fireline does, not to mention, it is very hard to get it to pull so the beads meet. Hopefully I've explained it well enough so you know what I'm trying to say. The negative I have with Fireline is that when you are using bicones etc., I have found that the Fireline frays much sooner than the Wildfire does. So overall I buy Wildfire, but I'd actually prefer the Fireline if there were additional colors and if it didn't fray as easy when using sharper beads.
Thanks, Donna. As an alternative, you can start your new thread further back and weave it back and forth through your work, tying a few knots as you go, until you get to the place you need to be, then continue as normal. The tail from the previous thread can be woven and knotted into your work at the end.
I've been using Wildfire since I started beadweaving, and I absolutely love it! I've tried Fireline, but I just couldn't get used to it. I'm stickin' with my WF.
Thank you for the thorough review. When I start beading last fall as a novice, I really didn’t understand that Fireline smoke color coming off and that pound really threw me off. But technically who would wear 4 lbs earrings or necklace. Thank you so much for the information!
I think the 4 pound rating means that a force greater than 4 lbs may break the cord - something that would concern me for a bracelet. I think that's why fine silk (strong) string is used for pearls.
I’ve used Wildfire twice in the past, once was in a beading class . It broke both times, that was enough for me. I’ll take Fireline any day!
It must have been something in your beads that caused the breakage. Wildfire is hard to cut with household scissors, it takes something really sharp to cut it. That's why we use the thread burners.
Thanks for the video Allie, very informative. I use both manufacturer's threads and prefer to use the green for my brown and gold projects. The neutral shade seems to be less noticeable. However, when I'm creating projects that use Delica or 15/0 beads, I prefer the thinner thread (4lb .005 Fireline) and use crystal. I've actually broken seed beads by trying to pass the thread through one too many times, which is toward the end of the project. I discovered only recently that Fireline also makes the thinner version in smoke. I do use black or smoke for my darker color beaded projects, like those for Halloween, so I did notice the smoke color coming off on my fingers and was pleased to learn Fireline has made a more colorfast version. Thanks again.
I imagine that the 4lb thread is very light duty & may break more easily. I'm pretty sure that the pound rating is based on strength (as in how much resistance from a fish it's rated for - tiny fish would be for 4 lb & larger for higher pound rating.)
@@khm2128 - I agree. Good thing I'm not trying to catch any fish with it, and for beading I have had it break on me once, but that poor thread had been through so many passes, and then undone (because of mistakes I made-user error not product failure) and used again that it finally gave up. It's amazingly strong for it's thin size.
Thanks! Great video!! I'm a beginner and so many times in the tutorials the person forgets to give those basic tips or info that, for a beginner, will make the difference between you liking or not the final result. That's why I love your videos so much! I've learned a lot about basics!
Thank you so much ! We are happy that we can help and make you happy!
Thank you Allie. I learned to bead with WildFire. Love the way it draps and holds design firmly in place. This summer I finally tried Fireline 6LB in smoke and crystal. I like the thinness of the thread but hate the smoke color transfer and fading to a gray color. I will give the black satin a try because I do like it for projects with multiple bead passes. Also want to try the green Wildfire. BTW my biggest pet peeve is viable.
What a great video 😍. I love all of the issues you addressed and to be honest, I knew the poundage only referred to the fishing aspect. When I first started beading, we all used fireline or the convenient fishing wires from Walmart. They worked great for beading before it became popular and marketed by the beading companies you mentioned. I prefer to buy the fireline or fishing wires from the store as they are still great quality and you get a whole lot more than the ones from the beading companies. I don’t have complaints about my finished products either. I have however started using the fireline and wildfire more recently as I order them with my beads. It is nice to have the different colors to use with your work. ❤️❤️👏
If you continue to use fishing line, make sure it's a bonded braid and not a monofilament. Also make sure it isn't dissolvable or biodegradable, as many fishing lines are now opting for that style to save the environment and sea life.
Thank you will double check the biodegradable and filament. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Finally someone was brave enough to address this issue of the poundage. Always confused me. I’m a Wildfire girls. Love the different colors. Never tried the green but will jump on board. If u have not already done a video on what type of stringing material to use w what, that would be great. Thank u so much!
Thanks for the excellent explanation of the two threads. I use both but prefer the wildfire for most things.
Great video ! I learned using wildfire thread. To get the thread through the needle, I take my pliers and flatten the end my thread.
Thank you for your wonderful explanation, you cleared up my confusion concerning the differences in the brands of beading threads.
I love wildfire. I started with it. I think it has a less stiff finished product and I love the green also. I do go with the size not pound. Will try the gray, I haven't seen it yet. Great video.
What a wonderful video! Very informative and clearly precise about the two brands. I’m so glad you cleared up the part about not referring to poundage. Thanks for the awesome info as usual.
I love smoke fireline in the 6lb. Sorry I can’t tell you in diameter as I always find it to buy listed under pound not diameter. 😂 Might take a bit of getting used to for a beader who also likes fishing with her dad 🤔🤣
It doesn’t bother me that the colour comes off a little. I find it blends well into most of my bead work and have no need to try any other thread as it gives such great results. Great comparison video, love the passion you bring to beading 👍
I absolutely agree, Catriona, the smoke fireline does blend in very well with most projects and I never understood the issue people had with that bit of color what comes of. You just wash your hands and it's gone, no problem.
Thanks for this comment! I had just purchased a lot of the fireline and the wildfire, and I was really concerned that I just wasted my money on fireline. It sounds like it's not that big of a deal and still has great results
@@amberl3310 It's in 0 ways a problem
Absolutely the BEST video I needed for my question to be answered regarding the measurements listed on the packaging. Thank for a well communicated and informative video.
Allie, Thank you so much for making this video! You have really made me feel better about the decision I had to make a few years ago about my beading thread choice. For me, it wasn't really a choice, it was survival. I started out beading 4 years ago with Fireline, but after a short while I switched to Wildfire, mostly because I found out that I am allergic to the coatings on the Fireline! Took me a while to figure out why every time I sat down to my beading table, I would feel like I was catching a cold, and I had a hard time breathing through my nose! Haven't had that issue at all since I have thrown away all of the Fireline! Weird, huh?
Isn't the black coating on Fireline graphite?
Hi Donna, that's really interesting! Just as well we have Widfire! 😃
Wow! As a fellow allergy sufferer I feel for you. I can't imagine what you went through to figure out what was causing the issue. Sometimes it's the weirdest things.
This was educational, thank you. I hadn't been paying enough attention to the thread. Although, as soon as Wildfire came out with the gray, I bought a big spool!
Thanks for your info and these better Beader episodes. I suggest you get check out "Sparkle Spot" in Florida. They take the Berkley Fireline size .006 and color it. It is more costly but it is wonderful if you really want the same color as your beads. They have over 12 different colors, as well as other beading supplies and classes. They are most helpful. Would be nice if other companies knew about them.
Thank you for this very informative video! I never knew about “poundage”, I learned something new! Have a great and blessed day!
As I sew quite a few bright red projects -bangles and ropes-, I now use the red Wildfire when doing so. I feel it looks better than the other shades.
I found a huge red Fireline roll, and it doesn't come off on my fingers! Just keeps on giving.
Thanks for this informations very clear as usual 😘
Honestly I must say I am using different threads cause I think Fireline and Wildfire are expensive.
I am using mostly fishing thread like A-Braid in purple 0.10 or Josby in blue, pink, black and grey in size 0.4# and it's cheap and good.
1000 m you can get for 10 - 12 Euro and it's really strong material and I use it since years without any problems 😉
If you want stretchy material you can use Justron in 0.10 or stronger.
But in that case you must reinforce 2 - 3 times 😋
Very informative and fun to learn more about some of the available beading threads. I started with green Wildfire because one of you, Allie--and I've pretty much used it for everything. Thanks for sharing all the hints and your opinion with us.
Great info....your presentation is expert! Thank you.
Can’t wait to try the green.
Black Satin Fireline is my favorite, but I use a ton of dark colors.
I’ve used both products and highly prefer Fireline. I have had Wildfire break more often than Fireline. I also like the variety of weights that Fireline offers. I use both Crystal (white) and Smoke (black). I haven’t had problems with the black color rubbing off, but some of my students have had that complaint. And for many beadweaving projects the Wildfire is just too thick.
im looking forward to this Soft Flex Extreme Sterling Silver Beading wire and Accuflex looks fantastic!! but too $$ for my projects so its down to WildFire vs FireLine -i heard WILDFIRE IS Cheaper than fireline and comes in green black white esp if you buy it under fishing suppliers
Great video. Your expression is priceless🤣. I probably stand alone on this but here goes. I use only white because I think it allows the true color of the beads to show. Black changes the color to a duller version of the color. I use colored markers to hide the white if it is needed. Also I like wildfire. It is my preference. It is a tactile reason. I prefer how it feels. Also I have managed to pierce it which surprised me and I don’t know how I managed it. It only happened once. Another color observation, if you are using red beads and want them redder use red thread. I have an extensive collection of nymo because that was available when I started beading I have just about every color created. I now use only white and mostly Wildfire. Sorry I ran on. Thanks for the video. Always enlightening and enjoyable. 🌹🌹❤️🌸🌸
Thanks, Mary Ann, you might have to take up bead embroidery to use up all those Nymo colours! 😃
As always another great informative video! Any chance you can do one on the other threads which thoroughly confuse me like Nymo and S-Lon etc and the difference in their letter sizes and how best to thread your needle with them (they do make lovey items that need to drape however). They have so many colors to choose from but I have a heck of a time threading them because the ends open and fray even after I’ve waxed them and even flattening them out with my pliers. Any info on the other threads would also be so very helpful. Thanks again Allie...you’re the BESTEST❣️❣️ Susie in Idaho
Hi Susan, this might help: ua-cam.com/video/nha064GYo8M/v-deo.html
Thank you for all the great information. You cleared up a lot of my questions regarding threads. I would appreciate a similar video about jewelry wire.
Do you mean the flexible wire used in bead stringing, or the gauge wire used for wire loops and wire shaping?
@@Potomacbeadco I mean gauge wire used to shaped jewelry. Thank you.
carmen Reyes I would like to know more about the flexible beading wire please xx
Also, I think the main reason why people tend to use the poundage in their patterns is because when you purchase the thread, if using Fireline, the poundage is the most prominent way to identify it on the packaging. It's easier to see the poundage (larger, bolder print) on the label vs. the thickness (smaller, less bold).
Oh definitely! The lb is soooo much easier to read.
Oh definitely! The lb is soooo much easier to read.
Sorry about the glitch! 😃
As someone who does both beading and fishing, I have tried to use both brands and prefer the wildfire. I recently tried the gray for the first time, and it has become my 'go to' choice. I did not know there are red and blue options, I may have to try those in the future. I did get a couple of spools of .008 a couple of months ago and did not know what to expect with it, but it works just fine. I prefer the .006 though, the finished projects just feel really stiff to me with the .008.
Can we even feel a 400th of an inch? 😃 Maybe we can, with familiarity.
@@Potomacbeadco I think for me, it was that wildfire was slightly more affordable than fireline. At least it was the last time I checked.
@@Potomacbeadco I know I can lol. I was beading and just grabbed a spool and threaded my needle and went to town. After about 2 minutes I was wondering what the heck is wrong with my thread? It just felt wrong. It was going through the beads just fine but like I said it was just "wrong". I started checking the thread to see if there was visible defects or anything. Eventually I looked at the spool and realized it was the .008. I finished the project with that thread because, why not, right? But went back to the .006 with the next project , I will keep the other spool if I ever need something stronger.
Great informative video. Thank you Allie. This video had the info I needed today.
You definitely drove the lb thing home…after twenty repeats! Haha. Thanks
I took a break from beading while I redid my house, so I I fresh eyes in a way. I find there is a texture difference between the 2 brands. I think Fireline is slightly slicker, which sounds great, but that slip means it's harder to maintain tension. I will say that for small projects I sometimes use the smaller wildfire, just because a) I alrady have it and b) it's easier to thread the needle. Old eye, LOL
Thanks for clearing up the confusion I had on FireLine. However, I am new to beading and am still confused about "what" to use. I understand that the threads are not really thread. I thought to begin with, it was an actual thread. Now I know different. Question is, what about beading wire? When is wire used instead of thread? What is the best size for wire?
Hi Kathryn, welcome! Beading wire is very fine strands of wire twisted together and coated with nylon to protect them. Much like twisted wire that becomes cables used for electrical wiring etc, (but on a much thinner scale) twisting them makes the wires stronger. We use this type of wire for bead stringing and use crimping techniques to secure the clasp in place. Bead stringing wire comes in different strand numbers from 7 to 49 strands.
Beading thread, usually made from nylon, is used for bead weaving projects, because it can bend into tight spaces with ease, can easily be knotted and still be strong enough to hold all your beads in place. Beading wire can't be knotted and can't make such tight turns.
Some beading threads are a single strand of nylon called monofilament. The problem with this type of thread is that if it gets scratched by anything sharp like a rough edge in the hole of a bead, it can break. It depends on the type of beads you are using.
Some beading threads are nylon strands twisted together. There are many brands of thread like this. They can give a soft drape for fringes and the like, but sometimes lack the durability of stronger threads that are braided and thermally bonded, which brings us to Fireline and Wildfire.
Thanks for this great information. Could you do one on different beading wires?
I love the new colors of Wildfire, I am using blue on a blue background on a peyote triangle pendent with delicas. It matches so well, even though you only really ever see the thread, except in the 2 bead hearing bone turn on the corners.
Now if these brands would leave off the inch diameter, it is way past time that Americans give up the imperial system. I am an American in the EU, and everything really has the mm measurements on the shops labels, except when they do not cover up the spool label from bead smith and fire line. I agree about the fire line and lbs and patterns on Etsy.
Cooking, even dieting is way easier in metric. You can multiply by .1 .01, .001. Or divide by 10, 100, 1000, etc. if you have 50 grams of bread that has 23g of carbs per 100 g. You divide the 23 by half and easy as pie you have 11.5 g of carbs. Same works with calories.
It is so nice that they invited new colors to join their collection. So many options
Allie I wish I had seen this video way....way back when. LOL!! I cut my teeth on fireline, and that was after fighting with nylon fishing line for a very long time. (Dont get me started LOL). Honestly I love fireline and I use it still. That being said I have also gotten into knotting and bead embroidery and both have such wonderful products for the job, that my fireline seems to last me longer and longer these days. Silk and Nymo are my weapons of choice. I tried wildfire a couple times and could not tell a difference. Both brands helped hold my piece in place and made it easier and faster to bead, however, my final piece was stiff and not so fluid. I have come to appreciate that fluid feel so much more these days and so do my customers. I still like them both for my longer strung necklaces and heavier pieces, because whether 6, 8 or 10#, whatever you choose, they both reel in a winner every time. Just my 2 cents. Have a great day all and Thank you Allie. I appreciate all you do.
I like Fireline and Wildfire, but they are both so strong that they actually damage the needle eyes, which get so narrow you have to discard them. It is not a problem though they are cheap enough. I have found Wildfire sometimes shreds next to the needle it could be one and the same problem as I have mentioned. Thank you for your excellent videos and explanations.
You're always welcome and thanks for watching us :)
I have tried them both, and I prefer Fireline. I am a bit bothered by the texture of Wildfire. It almost seems to have a "sticky" texture (not the best word), which does not have as much slip as the Fireline. I will repent and not talk in terms of pounds anymore! Thanks for the video!
Hi Susan, it's a matter of personal preference. The textured feel of Wildfire is what helps to hold it in place when knotting. Others prefer the slippery feel.
@@Potomacbeadco I completely agree.
Thanks for the video! I use both brands of beading thread. I'm not too picky unless I need to use white. If that's the case, I will always use Fireline over Wildfire because the Fireline "white" is actual crystal which I feel disappears better than the Wildfire white. There are also projects where I think the Wildfire .006 seems thicker than the Fireline .006. But I totally agree with you in relation to the green and grey Wildfire - they are excellent at disappearing.
I've tried Spider wire green, worked great. Fishing supply shop said that the beaders love the toothiness. I have to concur, as long as you move the needle up and down the line.
THANK YOU!!! Curious why green instead of gray. In sewing fabric items I tend to use gray for most mid-toned fabrics.
Both work, but the green disappears into the shadows because it's a very soft green.
I like the green Wildfire .006. I tried FireLine and I didn't care for it.
I love Wild fire it’s definitely my go too and what I feel most comfortable with but I do want to try fire line and see if I see a difference
There is a difference in the feel because Fireline is a fishing line.
I tried the .006 WildFire and I couldn't get it through my size 10 needle. I haven't had that trouble with Fireline. I would like to try WildFire again, though. I like that it has different colors that will blend in with the beads more.
Just flatten the tip by squeezing it in your chain nose pliers. That helps a lot.
Sometimes, if I have trouble threading my needle, I'll use a pair of pliers to squish the thread end--that should flatten it enough to easily slide through a size 10 needle
We all have this problem at times, remember to needle your thread, and not thread your needle. It really helps, along with the flattening of the thread that others have mentioned.
interesting information.....thanks for this video of better beader
I like the Wildfire better for my beading. I find it is sturdier and I like the colors offered. I tried Fireline and to me it is a lot more like sewing thread which to me is not appropriate for beading. Fireline broke part way through my project and Wildfire has never done that for me. I do not have to wax or condition Wildfire as it performs fine as is for me. Crystals will cut through thread as will most beads as they are all glass, but I have never had Wildfire break or fray on me. Wildfire passes quite nicely through beads and does not knot on me. Thank you for the video and the breaking down of the differences in the threads.
Great share and education video.
I have both and I always reach for Fireline ( once a Fireline fan, always a Fireline fan 😁). It doesn’t knot as much when using long lengths and in general the quality is much better. I can live with the black coming off the thread.
Thanks for a great video as always.
Thank you for this video. I gave me clarity on where I should start. 🙂
Have you checked out Nanofil? I love the low vis green and the 10 lb is only 0.007 while the 8 lb is 0.006
Love the stuff!
Wildlife is my favorite
Thank you for your better beaver videos. I’m going to be frank here and take you on your word it’s ok to speak freely. I use mostly Fireline because I prefer the way it feels as I’m using it and how items feel when finished. The body of the finished items have a different body tension. Wildfire feels sticky, stiffer and rounder than Fireline and it won’t pass through 15/0s as many times as Fireline. It is very possible to pass a needle through both products. I don’t quite get why the poundage thing is such a big deal. So what if it says 6 lb. or 0.006. I know what I’m using and what I’m looking for when I’m buying thread. I also realize I’m not fishing while beading. Educators should probably mention 6 lb. = 0.006, etc. for informational purposes, but, again, so what. I still keep both types in my supplies and might choose Wildfire if I prefer the color option for appearance sake, but Fireline is my go to first choice. I don’t care if it gets a little black on my hands, it washes off. Thank you for the information on the two threads.
Sorry, I didn’t mean better beaver, typo..I meant better beaver. 😁
I really want to get on board loving Wildfire - especially for the color options, but every time I use it, the color coating comes off, especially when I rethread. It’s so disappointing! I’ve never had any problems with Fireline - it’s my go-to!
Very informative, but...
I noticed that you didn’t mention clear, Simple clear fishing line? Nylon thread, I used that all the time, when I was At my job at “Ericson Beamon” that’s all we ever use, I have found nylon thread to be very sturdy and not very showy, and has lasted a long time on some pieces upwards and more than 10 years, next time you should include it, I have found it to work really well with Beading. 👍🏼😊💗
Would you do another Better Beader with Wildfire, Fireline, AND Dragon Thread? Also, include the correct scissors and/or cutters needed? Thanks for ALL your help! It's amazing how much time y'all have saved me by your expert videos!!
That is a great suggestion! At some point an updated video will be done that will include the Dragon thread. Thank you for watching and we're so glad you're enjoying the videos!
Thanks. That was very good but also a bit repetitive about the weight strain.
I have only used Fireline and while I acknowledge the Smoke color coming off on my hands, I have never seen it mar any of my projects. One color you missed in the Fireline that I use whenever I'm beading with gold or green is their Flame Green. It is completely invisible in most stitches and although it shows in brick stitch, seems to blend in well. BTW, my recent purchases show their 6 lb spool labeled as .15mm diameter. I wonder if the spools that I buy from BassPro have a different diameter than those that BeadSmith is distributing.
the .006 is the inch conversion for 15mm, which is millimeter. The spools you get from Bass Pro are not different from the Beadsmith fireline other than the label. :)
@@kimberlyblake1786 Tkx for clearing this up for me!
Just be sure that you're buying the thermally bonded braid. No other fishing line is suitable for head weaving.
I make wrapped beaded bracelets with beads and leather cord I have been using a heavy thread. I want to switch to the wild fire do you think that would be ok? I am so confused on what thread to use on these wrapped bracelets sometimes I just want to scream. My sister wants a wrapped and ordered some expensive beads, I am petrified to do this bracelet. I want the right thread to use.. SO Fire Line .006 0.15? Thank You I hope you can shed some light for me. The bracelet is a copy of Chan Luu.
Thank you for this information. Very useful.
I tried Fireline 'Smoke' and finished up with dark hands and very pale thread!!
Yes, this has been a problem because it's not a dyed thread. The newer ones are said to be much improved.
@@Potomacbeadco Thanks for letting me know.
I'll buy it again to check :)
Hi Allie, I purchased a spool of Wildfire in the color red last year, and was using it to brick stitch snowflake ornaments this past winter...the red split several times, exposing the white interior of the thread. Just a comment as I love the red color, but it quickly became a huge pain to use and I stopped using it. Can you address this issue with Beadalon? And thank you for clarifying the lb to diameter confusion!
Hi Anne, the color issue seems to be in the manufacturing process for the thermally bonded braids. It seems they have to apply the colour rather than dye it. It's an interesting topic that we might look into for a future video. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for all this good info. Would like to have your new thread Dragon Thread reviewed along with these other beading threads.
Check out this video! ua-cam.com/video/gXFDxLQ4KGI/v-deo.html
It’s fireline for me I’m having color raising issues with wildfire. Update: I do like the 10lb wildfire for its sturdiness though!
Am I doing something wrong with the Smoke? Lol I don't have the color coming off problem.
I thought the pound weight was important when using heavier beads. Don't you need to use a stronger thread to prevent breakage caused by the greater weight of heavier beads, like lampwork and gemstones?
Well most of the time that you are using beads like that, they are probably going to be in stringing applications, not bead weaving. So in that case, you would use something like Beadalon bead stringing WIRE, which does come in a number of different thicknesses and strand counts (7,19,49 etc)
@@Potomacbeadco I am sorry, I did not understand that you were just talking about bead weaving - your description says "which thread is best for all your jewelry and beading projects."
I've only used Wildfire .006. I didn't know Fireline came in .004, a lot of the patterns I do have multiple passes, I wish Wildfire had a .004 too...
You gave the best of clearing up . Please refer to my question below.
I find that I prefer the "Heavier weight," if I want it stiffer. 4-6 lb, if I want the fringe wiggly. I grew up fishing, I knew better!!
I find Fireline much cheaper than Wildfire. I will buy Wildfire for the green, if color isn't a huge issue it will always be Fireline for me. Beadalon and Beadsmith must make a TON of money on the markup they put on Wildfire. Why do beaders have to pay so much more than fishermen....for pretty much the same product. Bonus: I can also go fishing too! 😉
Allie I know we're not supposed to use lb. Weight but in this case I have to since I get mine at bass pro shops (since it's cheaper and only comes by lb. Weight). I have noticed that 8lb. Crystal fireline tends to be thinner and not as strong as 8lb. Smoke fireline. Even though I'm a fireline gal all the way. I hardly have any problems with the smoke fireline(a little may come off but not much). I also use the 6lb. Most of the time. I'm about 50%crystal and 50% smoke. I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed this about the 8lb. Crystal fireline being thinner and not as strong? I also am in love with. 008 white dandyline. I find it is so much better for crystals and beaded collar necklaces where you need that little bit of extra strength(amongst other projects). I only find it in 50 yds. At hobby lobby. Very informative video btw. Thanks so much for all you do!!Melissa Doucette
Thank you for the information. Would these threads be good for restringing jewelry ie pearls and the like?
I've used silk thread for pearl knotting.
@@DeeMonkey999 thank very much. The price to have them restringed was to much, so I decided to do them myself. The Pearl's were my grandmother"s.🐬🤗
@@karenhankerson330
💕
Silk cord is often used for pearls with knots between each pearl. You can also string them on beading wire like Beadalon or Softflex, with a seed bead in between if you like.
Thank you I will do that so it would be less stress on my hands and fingers. 🤗
Allie, I have a question that I have been unable to get answered anywhere. I have been beading for over 30 years. I have also been involved in wildlife rescue and rehab about the same length of time. There is a real issue with fishing line being left on river banks and beaches and wildlife becoming ensnared and injured. There were many fishing products redesigned to biodegrade (break apart) after prolonged exposure to sunlight and other environmental elements. I totally applaud these efforts as an environmental advocate, but as a beader want to ensure the longevity of my work. How can I determine the longterm stability of the materials- I have requested info from manufacturers and never received any responses. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
green Wildfire is my fave!!!
I’m starting my first project and wondering if you can use this thread with the same kind of bails like with steel wire I have a lobster clasp and figure 8 jump ring
Loved this video and was also curious about the difference. I learned to bead with Fireline but wondered about Wildfire. I do remember seeing on a different beader's channel that Wildfire, although the same diameter, was "thicker" than the same diameter Fireline. Any truth to this?
You would need to test it with electronic callipers to know for sure. But both threads are strong enough for beading.
Thank you, Allie!!!
So what kind of thread is good for fringing projects like earrings please. I'm learning the basics here, pls help, do u have any tutorials on that pls.
Ok I do hope I get to hear back from you and hear from you on this one, my one concern is that I hear about between the fireline and wildfire is that some people say they don't like using wildfire on some of the bracelets, rings and necklaces because it's too flexible for the design of pattern they're making, is there a difference between the flexibility of the wildfire from the fireline when it comes to making certain projects, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants. I hear that they like to use fireline more on certain projects patterns because of the thickness in the strength that fireline gives depending on the project pattern they're making.
The Fireline could be considered stiffer than the Wildfire. However, we do not see that much of a difference when making bracelets. They are both quality threads
Please someone help me?
What thread do I have to use for a heavy collar?
It has been broken twice and I used the wildfire ... my client is angry and I have lost credibility because of the thread, but I do not understand how to break a necklace that only has 4mm swarovski pearls and miyuki seed beads.
What do you recomend?
I would like to make bigger and heavier necklaces with natural stones in the future, but I'm afraid because I don't know what thread to use and I don't want my clients to complain and leave angry.
Please help!!!
Thank you for assisting me!
Sorry for the English, but I use the google translator and I don't know if the translation is done correctly!
It may be that the customer's neck is causing tension on the collar and breaking it under tension. If I could see it, I might be able to help you better. Can you email me a photo? info@potomacbeads.com The translator seems to be doing a good job. You are correct, 4mm Swarovski pearls and seed beads do not make a heavy necklace, so something else is going on. Wildfire is the strongest thread, especially Wildfire 0.008". Did you have to add new thread? Perhaps your technique might be a bit weak. Something to consider.
I am trying to do huichol beading. I need to know which one of these threads will hold the tension tight? So that my earrings are stiffer and they hold their shape better.
Wildfire is sturdier. If you aren't using a lot of 15/0 seed beads, you can probably use the slightly thicker 0.008" Wildfire. One or two thread passes will be fine.
@@Potomacbeadco thank u
Why do you like the green thread, what if I’m using clear crystals, which one should I use?
For clear crystal, I would use a white (crystal) thread. We use the green because surprisingly it blends in so nicely with most solid colors.
"We are NOT fishing!" lol love it..
You got that right!
Like Fireline but must admit haven't used wildfire much. It is a cost issue for me and I don't mind dark fingers. Fireline starts as smoke and ends up gray.
I get and understand the concept of size of beading thread. However you come off a little demanding on the reference to size. There are a lot of very good beaders out there that choose to simplify it by the poundage. Granted it does not have anything to do with the thread size but to continuously demand that they use the correct thread size is obsolete. Pretty much your still getting the same thing, whether you identify it by poundage or by thread size. To come off with the attitude that people are less knowledge just because they prefer to use poundage over thread size is a little judgmental on your part, don't you think? I say this with all due respect, But, the attitude really got me!!
I have a beaded bracelet where I used Fireline thread 6lb 125yd reel - black satin and it has broken a number of times. My customer has sent it back again to mend (about the third or fourth time). The pattern states use 30lb monofilament to ensure the bracelet maintains its shape. I ordered it but it's too thick. I am worried about remaking it and the same thing happening again! Can you advise what I should use, plase?