Each year we are asked at  www.PotomacBeads.com “what are the most popular new products?”  Fortunately, we have a lot of data that helps to answer this question.

While these products are going to be based on sales volume, keep in mind that customer preferences still vary significantly.  What one person likes and uses might be completely different from what another individual might prefer.  Still, this information is drawn from the meta data from the past 12 months.  Some of these shapes might become even more popular in 2018, while others may dwindle… we will take a look again in 2019 at how things have changed!

1) AVA Beads
First produced by Potomac Bead Company in December 2016, this totally new bead shape has revolutionized creative shapes.  Each bead is hand pressed to create the thin and delicate profile.  Each AVA bead has 3 holes, size 10mm, and available in packs of 20.  Even in 2018, popularity for this fun AVA shape is still growing, and we expect AVA Beads to stay at #1 or 2 through 2019.  Browse here for projects using the AVA Bead.   In Europe, get AVA beads here.

2) ZoliDuo Beads
The paisley shaped ZoliDuo bead began making waves in the beading market in early 2018.  With both a left and a right version, this 2-hole bead offers some fun varieties of projects that you will love to make.  Each bead has a flat side and a puffed side.  5x8mm ZoliDuo right and left beads are sold in tubes of approximately 50 beads. In Europe, get ZoliDuo beads here.

3) IrisDuo Beads
IrisDuo beads were first produced by Potomac Bead Company in July 2017.  (In Europe get IrisDuo here).  This fun marquise 2-hole shape plays well with an incredible variety of other two hole beads, including each of Potomac’s other exclusive shapes.  One side is flat, and the other side is puffed.  Each bead is size 7x4mm, and contains approximately 50 beads per tube.  Need IrisDuo inspiration?

4) RounDuo® Beads
RounDuo® beads are one of Potomac Bead Company’s original shapes, released in 2014.  The RounDuo® is among the most useful 2-hole beads on the market, because it can be used with almost ANYTHING.  Each pack of RounDuo® contain 75 beads, and you can also get factory packs of 600.  You can find many dozens of patterns and tutorials with 5mm RounDuo® beads here.  You can also get  RounDuo beads in Europe here.

5) DiscDuo® Beads
Potomac Bead Company’s 2-hole 6mm DiscDuo bead offers a puffed coin/disc shape that also makes a great replacement for any other 2-hole 6mm bead design (honeycomb, 2H Cab, etc.).  This popular bead has been produced by Potomac Bead Company since 2015, and is available in tubes of 50, or factory packs of 600. Get DiscDuo jewelry patterns here.  Find  DiscDuo beads in Europe here.

6) SuperDuo Beads
SuperDuo beads are among the original 2-hole beads that re-launched multi-hole bead weaving in 2011/2012.  This fun oval shape is pinched at both ends, allowing for a wide variety of flexibility in any design.  You can find thousands of patterns and tutorials using SuperDuo… particularly given how easy it is to use them with a wide variety of other bead shapes.  Each tube of SuperDuo beads contain approximately 175 beads.

7) RounTrio® Beads
RounTrio® beads are another Potomac brand.  The RounTrio can serve like a larger RounDuo® bead, but also offers a third center hole should that be required for designs.  The RounTrio® also features both a smooth and a  faceted RounTrio® (fire polished) version, making it the only fire polished multi-hole Czech bead.  RounTrio® beads are available in both packs of 50 & 300, and offer a wide variety of patterns.

8) O Beads
Czech O beads make the perfect spacer for nearly any type of projects, whether you are stringing or beadweaving.  These beads have been available since 2013, but continue to be a favorite each and every year.  Each tube of O beads contains approximately 285 2x4mm beads.

9) DiamonDuo® Beads
The DiamonDuo ® bead has been very popular in recent years because it offers a faceted look to a 2-hole Czech bead.  This 5x8mm shape comes in tubes of approximately 56 beads, and you can find a wide variety of  DiamonDuo® patterns here.

10) 2-Hole Cabochons (Cabs)
Flat on one side and domed on the other, this 2-hole cabochon shape gives you a lot of flexibility in designs.  You can also use RounTrio beads in nearly any design that would call for a 2-hole cabochon.  Keep in mind there are 2 different sizes of 2H Cabs from two different suppliers.  The original cabochon is 6mm, and comes in tubes of approximately 30 beads.  The later 7mm Czechmates cabochon comes in packs of 25.  There is also now a 7mm “Baroque 2-Hole Cabochon,” also available in packs of 25.

11) Arcos® Par Puca®
Arcos® Par Puca® are a unique 5x10mm 3-hole curved shape with a moon/macaroni/telephone shape.  Each tube of Arcos® contains approximately 34 beads.  Have fun with this unique Czech glass shape with all of  these Arcos® jewelry-making patterns.

12) Tiles
CzechMates 2-hole 6mm tiles are another essential building block for dimensional beading.  Tiles are often used as base elements for a variety of bead weaving techniques.  Tubes of tiles contain approximately 42 beads.

13) MiniDuo Beads
MiniDuo beads are the smaller version (2x4mm) of the SuperDuo bead (2.5x5mm).  See this video that highlights the differences.  Each tube of MiniDuo beads contains approximately 190 beads.  Here is also a list of  MiniDuo patterns.

14) Crescent Beads
Crescent beads are an incredibly fun orange slice/crescent moon shaped 2-hole Czech 3x10mm glass bead from CzechMates.  The Crescent was launched in February 2015, and we have loved creating  beading patterns with this shape.  Each tube of Crescents contains approximately 75 beads per tube.

15) BowTrio Beads
Potomac Bead Company just launched the BowTrio in December of 2017, and within just a few months it had already become one of the fastest selling beads in company history.  A whole entire fun new line of metal beads is currently under production, and each will offer incredible opportunities just like this 3-hole 18x4mm shape.

16) Cali Beads
Cali beads offer a marquise shaped bead with the holes through its thicker profile.  These 3x8mm beads just came out in early 2017, and contain approximately 50 beads per tube.

17) Kheops® Par Puca®
Kheops® beads and designs have been available since around 2013 (we don’t remember the exact date) and feature a 2 parallel holes through the equilateral sides.  The 6mm Kheops® shape is also available in a version called the “SuperKheops®”, which features a 3-sided pyramid style of pointed profile on one side.

18) 2-Hole Bar
The Czechmates 2-hole bar is another fun 2-hole staple that provides a great spacer or base component in beadweaving designs.  Each 2x6mm 2-Hole bar is approximately 1/2 the thickness of a brick, and 1/4 the thickness of a tile.   Like many of the top 18 shapes before it, you can find  many tutorials and patterns that utilize the bar.

In addition to the most popular current shapes, we are projecting that most of the following beads will rise in popularity through the rest of this year, and will likely make the top seller lists in 2019.  If you like to be on top of the latest trends, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of these awesome new shapes before anyone else!  In no particular order:

StormDuo
This will be Potomac Bead Company’s first exclusive shape of 2018, and is scheduled to become available in April.  Lots of designs are in the works, and we predict that this will be a top 3 shape by the end of the year!  StormDuo beads will be available in tubes of 80 beads, or factory packs of 600 beads.  For EU, get them  here.

DropDuo: 
A 2-hole drop shape bead available in the 3x6mm regular version, and a larger puffed, 4x7mm rounded top version.  Many of these colors have just arrived in the past week.

Amos Par Puca
Like the DropDuo, the Amos is a 2-hole drop shape, but both flat and larger than either DropDuo style.  This size is 5x8mm and tubes contain approximately 45 beads.

DiamonDuo Mini
The smaller version (4x6mm) of the DiamonDuo bead (5x8mm) is now here.  Not only does it work well with the original DiamonDuo, but the new size gives you a lot of flexibility with approximately 110 beads per tube.

2-Hole Spacer Bezel
This Potomac Bead Company 2-hole metal bead has a setting for  SS24 chatons.  You can quickly add beautiful crystal bezeled looks to your projects with these awesome beads.

S-Shape Snake
This of Potomac Bead Company’s new metal bead shapes being developed.  These fun high quality Zamak metal beads add a beautiful and wear-resistant metallic look to your projects.  We have generally been producing these metal beads in shapes that would not be possible with glass.

 Conclusion:
What shapes are your favorites?  As always, it is the customers and designers that determine what shapes become popular, and which do not.  Hopefully this list helps you determine what to prioritize when you are shopping for new supplies.

Happy beading!

-Nathan Buchman
Co-Founder, Potomac Bead Company