A variety of different needles is available for beading and other handmade jewelry.  Choosing the right needle can make your work easier and more fun.  Here are descriptions and uses for the major needle types:

Ball point - Blunt tips. (Stretch fabrics, knits.)
Beading - Long, made from slim wire. (Loom work.)
Big-eye  - Points at both ends with long slit down center. (Any type of beadwork.)
Embroidery - Thick, with elongated eyes. (Large beads.)
Flossing - Flexible plastic with huge eyes. (Easy to thread.)
Glover’s - Three-sided points. (Leather.)
Sharps - Fine, strong and very sharp. (Peyote, tightly-woven fabric.)
Twisted wire - Twisted wire with blunt tips, large eyes. (Any type of beadwork.)

For more information on Beading and Handmade Jewelry see our Rhapado Quick Reference on the subject, available in our Ebay Store along with laminated guides on over 100 other topics.