The Best Wooden Beads for Your Art Projects

MaZeeB Unfinished Wooden Beads

All The Pretty Little Beads

This set of unfinished beads includes lots of beautiful little ones for your next crafting project.

Best Unfinished Beads

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Including 500 individual wooden beads in six different sizes, this unfinished set of natural wood beads is just waiting for you to put it to use. Unpainted and unfinished, each individual bead is yours to make as original and personalized as you’d like. Each bead features drilled holes ready to use and a porous, smooth surface that’ll take on color and decorations seamlessly. Made from lotus wood, these are easy to manipulate if you’re working on wood-burning or etching projects, too.

Pros:

• Assortment of small to large sizes
• Full, round, and uniform shape
• Light-colored wood for personalizing

Cons:

• Doesn’t include enough large beads
• Some beads have wood shavings still attached

Aylifu Natural Wooden Beads

Smooth and Uniform

These rich, finished beads offer a uniform look to any project.

Best Finished Beads

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Part of the appeal of wooden beads is enjoying the subtle beauty of the natural wood grain. This type of unique markings and colors help to make any DIY project truly one of a kind. Containing 100 large, finished beads, each ball features sizeable holes for easy stringing and a natural finish that brings an understated beauty to your project. Neutral tones and a non-toxic finish help to make these a favorite for larger projects requiring a quality bead.

Pros:

• Excellent for macrame projects
• Beautiful wood grain markings
• Smooth finish showcases the quality of the wood

Cons:

• There can be slight variations in hole size
• If you’re looking for variety, these are all fairly uniform beads

Yueaon Natural Painted Wood Beads

Pretty in Paint

These painted beads are a unique addition to your beading collection.

Most Ornate

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While ceramic beads typically get the award for most ornate, wooden beads can certainly give them a run for their money. These beautiful, handcrafted wooden beads have a natural look, even with their intricately painted details. Painted with mixed pops of color amongst more neutral tones, each bead is fairly uniform in size with an appropriately proportioned hole for stringing. Ideal for finishing everything from macrame to scarves to braided hairstyles and more, these wooden beads will certainly add a touch of bohemian beauty to any project.

Pros:

• Beautiful painted patterns and pops of brighter colors
• Small enough for jewelry making
• Resist breaking and splintering

Cons:

• Some rougher edges around holes
• The holes aren’t all universal in size

Du & Li Natural Wooden Beads Kit

Everything You Need

This kit includes everything you need to get started on your next beading project.

Best Kit

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Although this does include a number of sturdy wooden beads, it’s the extras that round out this choice for being the best comprehensive wooden bead kit. Coming with a handy plastic organizing case, precise scissors, durable thread, a guide, and beads, this kit has everything you need to get going on your next craft project. Made of durable wood that can take some wear and tear, the beads themselves come in a variety of sizes, all of which include pre-drilled holes. In all, it’s an excellent starter kit.

Pros:

• Quality DIY starter beading kit includes spacers
• Sturdy case includes storage compartments for the entire kit
• Unfinished beads can be kept as they are or painted and finished

Cons:

• For larger beading projects, you may need to purchase separate beads
• Be careful not to overstuff the storage box

TopCrafts 700pcs Wooden Beads Set

Bead the Change You Want to See

Labeled and organized, this bulk order of beads arrives in handy bags for easy storage.

Best Bulk

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Featuring convenient labels and meticulous organization, this 700-piece bulk wooden bead set is a must for serious beaders. Including multiple sizes as well as twine, this set features premium-quality beads that are made from smooth, soft lotus wood that’s pre-drilled and ready to use for your next project. Although we do like a finished, painted bead, we love that this bulk set comes completely clean and clear and ready for your own unique spin. Ideal for making garlands, jewelry, housewares, and more, this set is a busy crafter’s dream bulk buy.

Pros:

• Includes 700 beads labeled and organized into re-sealable bags
• Quality, unfinished beads are smooth and splinter-free
• Large variety of size with higher quantities of each per bag

Cons:

• We wish more twine was included
• The included storage bags aren’t the most durable

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you properly care for wooden beads?

For proper storage, make sure to keep wooden beads away from moisture and sunlight. When already in use, avoid excessive exposure to water so as not to dry them out and encourage cracking. For cleaning, clean using a damp rag and then lightly rub them in olive or mineral oil.

What are the most durable wooden beads made from?

The most durable type of wooden bead most commonly used is from a Bayong tree, which is popular for making durable, high-quality wooden beads. There are many other types of wood that are used for making wooden beads, from Jackfruit to Palmwood to Rosewood. Each wood has a specific color and texture, as well as a distinct finish when varnished. Finding beads that are unfinished allow for better customization, although softer woods that are already finished can look just as pretty. Seasoned beaders often build their collection over time, using a variety of wood to create the most unique crafting pieces.