Bead organizers from Walmart

Bead organizers are by far the easiest and most straightforward things to get to store your beads and kandi supplies. You can find them pretty much anywhere and best of all, they're usually inexpensive! They also come in lots of different sizes. You're bound to find the perfect one for you.

Clean Food Containers

Fishing Tackle Box

Craft Cabinet

This one is along the same lines as the tackle box, although, not as portable. If you have a designated space that you sit at when you make kandi, a craft cabinet would be great to have since you could keep it in that spot. Craft cabinets usually have lots of drawers and compartments, sometimes varying in sizes. Although I don't have one already, this is one that I definitely have my eye on!

Command hooks (for displaying special ones)

This one isn't for storing loose beads, but it might come in handy for hanging up finished creations. Show off those necklaces, cuffs, masks, and more. On a similar note, thumbtacks work just as well for this use in most cases. If you don't mind putting little holes in your walls, they're definitely a cheaper alternative — which means more money to spend on kandi supplies.

Clear over the door shoe holder (for display, storing ones you receive, or storing supplies)

Okay. I'll admit this probably isn't the easiest or most efficient way to store beads and other supplies, but I thought I'd throw it out there because it's definitely something I've considered. A clear, over-the-door shoe holder can be a fun way to separate beads by color or display pieces of kandi you've gotten in the past. If you're going to use it to store beads, make sure you put them in ziploc bags too — just in case it falls off the door or something. You could also label each pocket by year, event, or both and keep pieces of kandi you get from other people in there. This one could also be great for storing finished cuffs and other things that are tough to hang with hooks.

Mini Ziploc Bags

Usually, regular sized ziploc bags do the trick, but more often than you think, they are way more than you need. You can find smaller sized plastic bags in the jewelry or craft section. They are perfect for storing extra beads that you don't have too many of, and they make storing the extras easier since they're so small. I like to put several smaller bags of beads into the regular sized ones.

Large Tote Bags

You know, like the kind you see in the checkout line at grocery stores. If you pick the right kind, they are not only large but sturdy and reliable. Large tote bags can function as the big bin (see below), but I like to use mine for transporting supplies if I am making kandi away from my usual spot (where everything is). I brought mine filled with some kandi supplies to Nocturnal where I made kandi during my downtime at the campground.

Big Bins

No matter how sorted out and nicely organized your beads are in bead organizers, tackle boxes, etc, you're going to need one centralized thing to keep them in. And that, my friends, is where the big generic bin comes in. Cardboard boxes, rubbermaid tubs, large reusable tote bags, and more all fall under big generic bin. If you don't already have a designated kandi shelf and/or space (trust me, some of us do) then it helps a lot to have at least one bin to keep all your kandi supplies in. That way, you can put the whole thing in a closet or under your bed until your next kandi sesh.

1. The Overhand Knot 

You probably don’t know it, but you use the overhand knot probably every day. If you tie yours shoes, you use the overhand knot. If you tie grocery bags, that’s an overhand knot. You get the idea.

In terms of kandi, the overhand knot is the simplest and most basic knot. It’s used for tying off singles, finishing cuffs, and adding more string to a project. It’s done by crossing the two ends of string, pulling one end through the loop, and then pulling both ends to tighten the loop. See below:

2. The Square Knot

The square knot is another kandi knot that I like to use. It’s basically one overhand knot on top of another overhand knot. Like I said, it’s great for more slippery materials and for more stability.

3. The Surgeon’s Knot

The surgeon’s knot is another great kandi knot. While the square knot is also great for slippery strings and generally gets the job done, on the rare occasions it doesn’t, I prefer to use the surgeon’s knot. The surgeon’s knot is also a good one to rely on if you really don’t want something to come undone. There are even some people who exclusively use surgeon’s knots. Better safe than sorry, right? It’s basically like the square knot, but the string is crossed through the bottom loop two to three times instead of one. I’ve rarely had problems with the surgeon knot slipping!

4. The Figure 8 Knot

Another kandi knot I like to use is the figure 8 knot. I use this one when tying off bigger creations like cuffs. The most well known use for this knot is in rock climbing. If rock climbers trust this knot to keep them from falling to their deaths, then I trust this knot to keep my cuffs from exploding into oblivion.

My favorite way I’ve heard someone teach a figure 8 knot is to:

1) Make an alien with the rope (or string in this case)

2) Strangle the alien

3) Poke the alien through the eye away from you. Simple!

…Annnnd that probably didn’t make any sense to you. In case that’s true (and let’s be real, it probably is), here is a handy diagram:

5. The Lark’s Head Knot 

I like to use this kandi knot for attaching things like perlers, charms, or little toys. If you’ve tied a phone charm onto your phone, then you’ve used this knot. Basically, you fold your string in half, pass the folded part through the hole of a perler creation, charm, or one you’ve created in a toy, grab the ends of the strings, and pull them through the hole towards you.

And those are the 5 kandi knots I use the most! If you have other favorite knots or want to share more, leave it in the comments below.