I have a tackle box full of beads that I keep on hand for building models.  They come in handy for everything from door handles to finials.

When I need an end table for a model, I often cut a table top and glue it to a bead that is just the right shape, size and height and then glue that bead to a base so it stands properly.  When I'm building railings for stairs, I sometimes build the bigger supporting vertical pieces, balusters, by taking a straight pin and stringing specific beads on it to get the right decorative shape and size.  I have used tiny beads as door knobs, slightly large beads as finials on top of columns, and larger beads as table legs, flower vases, and foot stools.

Beads can add a lot of character and style to a model piece with very little effort on your part.  The shape of the bead you choose can accurately portray a Victorian style, an art deco style, a Bauhaus style, a folk style and really anything in between.

 Beads are one of my favorite odd things to have on hand for model building, but I refuse to spend much money on them.  The best place to get them is yard sales.  People will often sell baggies of necklace parts and broken jewelry for very little.  On occasion I have bought an economy variety bag of beads at my local craft store, but only when I felt especially inspired by the contents of the bag.

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