The production of Delica beads began in 1982 as a modern replacement for French steel cut beads. The 11/0 Delica (DB) is the most popular of the four Delica sizes. Delicas are precisely cut glass tube beads with a rounded surface and two flat ends. The rounded surfaces of Delica beads allow light to travel and reflect off them at any angle.
Delica beads measure 1.6mm x 1.5mm with a generous hole size of .8mm. The diameter of the hole is large in proportion to the bead size, making it easy to make multiple passes through with a needle and thread in stitching projects. There are over 1,200 colors and finishes of every shade of the rainbow and beyond. This broad and diverse color palette makes it easy to transition from one color to the next seamlessly. 11/0 Delica beads are also available in a hexagonal cut style (DBC). There are over 50 colors from sparkling color lined transparents to stunning precious metal-plated finishes. Combine DBs and DBCs in a project for additional texture in a piece.
Delicas are used in a wide variety of beading techniques, such as bead embroidery, Peyote, Brick, Square, and Herringbone stitches, as well as simple stringing projects. The flat ends of DBs fit flush in straight, flat rows when strung together, creating a block of color in a bead embroidered cuff or statement necklace. When strung on C-Flex beading wire, they can create stripes of radiant color and shine between other shape beads.
String DBs with freshwater pearls and semi-precious stone rounds to highlight their delicate beauty. Show off of the vast color palette in a multi-stranded gradient necklace on C-Flex beading wire. When bead weaving on the loom, rows and columns of Delicas uniformly line up for a more accurate and even pattern work. The array of colors are useful for transitioning and creating shadow in a beaded mosaic, beaded bag, or 3 dimensional sculptural.