Collection: Bubblegum Beads

Bubblegum Beads — 20mm Chunky Round Beads for Pens, Keychains & Jewelry

Browse over 290+ bubblegum beads in rhinestone, printed, floral, striped, plated, glitter, and dozens of other styles. Bubblegum beads are chunky 20mm round beads — big, bold, and colorful — designed for projects where you want maximum visual impact. They're a staple for beadable pen builds, chunky bracelet designs, bag charms, and any accessory that needs to stand out from across the room.

Styles and Finishes

Bubblegum beads come in more decorative finishes than almost any other bead type. Our collection includes rhinestone bubblegum beads fully encrusted with crystals, printed beads with patterns like cow print, leopard, and florals, striped beads with candy-colored bands, plated and metallic beads with chrome or pearl finishes, glitter beads with sparkle embedded throughout, gradient and ombre beads with color transitions, polka dot beads, clear and transparent beads, and opaque solid-color beads. If you sell themed accessories, stocking a range of bubblegum bead styles lets you match any color palette or seasonal trend.

Materials

Bubblegum beads are made from three main base materials. Acrylic is the most common — hard, glossy, and available in the widest range of finishes. Resin bubblegum beads have a slightly different weight and surface texture, often used for striped and crackle styles. ABS plastic is used primarily for pearl-finish bubblegum beads with a smooth, pearlized coating. All three materials are lightweight and have hole sizes that fit standard cord and pen rods (2.2mm+ holes).

Popular Projects with Bubblegum Beads

Beadable pens: Bubblegum beads are one of the most popular bead types for pen decoration. Their 20mm size fills the pen rod quickly — typically 2-3 bubblegum beads plus a focal bead and a couple of rhinestone spacers complete a full pen.

Chunky bracelets: String 8-10 bubblegum beads on elastic cord for a bold, chunky bracelet. Mix rhinestone, printed, and solid styles for texture variety, or keep it monochrome for a clean look.

Keychains and bag charms: Bubblegum beads on a keychain cord create a chunky, eye-catching design. Pair with a silicone focal bead and a tassel for a finished piece that sells well at craft fairs.

Kids' jewelry and party favors: The big, colorful beads are easy for kids to handle and string. Bubblegum bead bracelet kits make popular party favors and classroom craft activities.

Bubblegum Beads vs Silicone Beads

Both are popular for keychains and pens, but they serve different looks. Silicone beads are soft, matte, and come in solid colors — they give a clean, modern aesthetic. Bubblegum beads are hard, glossy, and come in dozens of decorative finishes — they're louder and more eye-catching. Many crafters use both: silicone rounds as the base, with a bubblegum rhinestone or glitter bead mixed in for contrast. For acrylic beads in other sizes and styles, see our acrylic collection.

Stocking Bubblegum Beads for Your Business

Bubblegum beads are impulse-buy products — customers love browsing the variety and adding a few new styles to their cart. Stock your bestselling finishes (rhinestone and printed tend to move fastest), plus seasonal prints to match holiday demand. Material cost per bead is low, and finished products using bubblegum beads have a high perceived value thanks to the chunky, decorative look. All the cords, clasps, and tools you need are in our supplies collection.

Bubblegum Beads — Frequently Asked Questions

What are bubblegum beads?

Bubblegum beads are chunky, round beads — typically 20mm in diameter — made from acrylic, resin, or ABS plastic. They get their name from their gumball-like size and shape. They come in a huge variety of decorative finishes including rhinestone, printed, striped, glitter, metallic, and pearl. They are popular for beadable pens, chunky bracelets, keychains, and kids' crafts.

What size are bubblegum beads?

The standard bubblegum bead size is 20mm (about the size of a gumball). Some styles also come in 16mm and 22mm. The 20mm size is the most popular because it fits beadable pen rods well and creates a bold, chunky look on bracelets and keychains.

Can I use bubblegum beads on beadable pens?

Yes — bubblegum beads are one of the top bead choices for pen builds. A typical pen uses 2-3 bubblegum beads, a focal bead on top, and rhinestone spacers in between. Make sure the bead hole is 2.2mm or larger to slide onto the pen rod smoothly.

What is the difference between bubblegum beads and regular acrylic beads?

Bubblegum beads are a subcategory of acrylic beads, specifically referring to the chunky 20mm round format with decorative surface finishes. Regular acrylic beads come in all sizes (4mm-30mm) and many shapes beyond round. If you need smaller or non-round acrylic beads, check our main acrylic beads collection.

Do bubblegum beads work for kids' projects?

Yes. Their large size makes them easy for kids to handle and string. Bubblegum bead bracelets are a popular activity for birthday parties, school events, and craft camps. Use elastic cord so kids can string without needles and the bracelet stretches on and off easily. Always supervise young children as beads can be a choking hazard.