Questions, answered.

A design board for handmade jewellery. You lay out real beads, pearls, stones, wire and findings at true size, try the piece on a model, and get a list of exactly what to buy – before you start stringing.

No. It runs in your web browser on a laptop, desktop or tablet. Just open the designer.

Yes. Everything is measured in millimetres. A web page can’t measure your screen exactly, so 1:1 starts as a close estimate. Calibrate it once with the ruler button next to 1:1 – hold a bank card to the screen, or measure the 10 cm line with a ruler or tape – and 1:1 then matches real size on that device, even if you zoom the browser.

Prefer inches? Switch between cm and in in the bar under the board. In inches the ready-made necklaces and bracelets use standard US lengths (16, 18 and 20 in).

Miyuki round seed beads, Delicas, bugles and magatamas; two-hole beads (Tila, Half Tila, Quarter Tila, SuperDuo, MiniDuo, Rulla); Czech fire-polished, druks, bicones, rondelles, drops, tubes, rhombus and more; pearls including baroque; jade and gemstones; and metal spacers, bead caps, end cones, clasps, jump rings, ear hooks and ear studs (ball or flat pad, plain or with a loop for a dangle). Each one is a real photograph, coloured to the shade and finish you pick, and patterned glass can be striped, dotted, swirled or marbled in the colours you choose.

There are 16 charms too – heart, star, moon, sun, flower, clover, butterfly, shell, starfish, evil eye, leaf, lightning bolt, lucky coin, padlock, key and cherries – flat or puffed, in any metal, plain or enamelled.

Missing a bead you love? Message us on Etsy and we’ll add it.

In your browser, on the device you used – nothing is uploaded. Clearing your browser data can remove them, so now and then open Designs → Download backup to save them all in one file. Use Restore from backup to bring them back, or to move them to another computer or tablet.

You can also send a design straight to your other device – scan a QR code with your iPad or phone, or AirDrop the link – and each design has a code you can copy and paste. The other device needs to be unlocked with your order number too.

No. Your photo stays on your device and is never sent anywhere or saved.

No. The models are AI-generated images, lined up to real millimetre scale so your jewellery appears at the right size.

Yes. In the loom designer, choose a picture and the number of colours, and it becomes a bead grid at the real proportions of your piece. Simple drawings with bold shapes work best – then touch it up bead by bead.

Yes. The materials list counts every bead by type, size and colour, adds wire cut lengths with extra for loops, lists findings, and gives grams for woven Delica pieces.

Yes. Make a collection under Designs → Collections, add the designs you want to wear together, then press Try on. Necklaces layer by their own lengths, earrings go on the ears, and bracelets stack up the wrist in the order you set. A design can be in as many collections as you like, and changing it updates every one.

Of course. Your designs are yours.

No. Bead names such as Miyuki, Delica, Tila and SuperDuo are used only to describe bead types. They are trademarks of their owners, and Beads Designer Tool is not affiliated with them.

Beads Designer Tool is sold on Etsy as a one-time purchase. No subscription, and updates are included.

Open the designer and enter your Etsy order number. You do this once on each device. After that it opens straight away, and keeps working offline.

Your order number is on your Etsy receipt: in the Etsy app under You → Purchases & reviews, on etsy.com under Your account → Purchases and reviews, and in your Etsy confirmation email.

Yes – one order unlocks up to 5 of your own devices, such as a laptop, a tablet and a phone. A device you haven’t used for 60 days gives up its place by itself when a new one needs it. To free one sooner, message us on Etsy.

Each device keeps its own designs. Use Designs → Download backup and Restore from backup to move them.

Yes. Message us on Etsy within 7 days of your order for a full refund. Your access ends when the refund goes through; designs you saved stay on your device. See Terms & refunds.

Message the shop on Etsy – we read everything, especially bead requests.