The beads that resemble shapes of various animals are called animal beads. They are usually made in bright colors and are very popular among children for their beadwork projects and even as playing and learning tools.

How Are Animal Beads Made?

Bead animals can be made from any material. They can be plastic beads, wooden beads, pewter beads, ceramic beads, stone beads, glass beads, etc. However, the technique of making animal beads in different materials differ. For example, when plastic, glass or ceramic is used to make animal shaped beads, they can be made with the help of molds. Animal print beads made from glass, wood or stone are painted with animal features and sometimes they are produced as carved beads. Some beads can even be given shapes by pressing with hands like in case of animal beads made from polymer clay.

Uses of Animal Beads

Different shapes and sizes of animal beads are used for different purposes. Just like alphabet beads, animal beads are most popular among kids for their craft projects. Smaller kids make strings of bead animals and in the process, learn the names of the animals. Beads button in shapes of animals are also popular, not only as kids wear accessories but also for decorating womens clothing. Jewelery beads in various animal forms are also liked by girls of all ages. Small girls like to wear butterfly beads tucked in their hair clips whereas bigger girls like to wear different animal beads like dolphin beads or fish beads as pendants in their necklaces. Sometimes, more expensive materials like, silver and gemstone beads are also found in animal shapes. These semi-precious beads and precious metal beads are mostly used as zodiac jewelery to represent the wearer's sunsign. Boys also like to wear beaded jewelery made from animal beads. Their bracelets and necklace pendants can be spotted with bead animals like spider, scorpio, lizard, bear beads etc. The animal beads like those in shapes of scorpion, lion, tiger, eagle beads etc. are also used in Halloween craft projects.

Popular Animal Beads

There are some animal beads that are more popular than others

Butterfly Beads- Of all beads, the butterfly beads are perhaps the most popular beads. They are used in jewelery, buttons, hair accessories and other fashion accessories apart from being used in various crafts.

Fish Beads- Fish beads are most liked to be used as pendants in necklaces.

Bird Beads- Hummingbird beads, owl beads, duck beads, parrot pigeons, roosters, peacocks and many other such bird beads are used as decorative elements like as curtain beads and for other craft projects.

Sea Animal Beads- sharks, sea turtles, seals, starfish beads all are used for crafts and for kids projects.

Halloween Beads- Some animal beads that represent wild and dangerous animals like bats, tigers, eagle, wolf, spiders etc. are used for making Halloween crafts projects.

Lampwork Animal Beads- These days glass art converted into decorative beads in animal shapes- the lampwork animal beads- are extensively used for many purposes. The larger lampwork beads have become interesting collectibles and are used for displaying other than smaller ones used for making jewelery.

Party Beads- Animal beads are also very popular as party beads. They are used for making various party beaded jewelery as well as for decorating the party venue. Sometimes animal beads become inevitable when some theme parties are organized like sea world, jungle theme etc. These animal beads are then extensively used for bringing in the right mood to the party.