Lakeface, patience, my friend, patience  You'll be surprised, though, at how little hair it takes to start braiding, and the sooner you start practicing the sooner you'll have it down
Thank you!

Webwzrd and TwoBear, the beads I've been using came from the Dwarvendom store on Etsy.  I've been very happy with them.  Here's a picture, along with the little pins that come with them to hold the bead in place:

6ec51e852b144179bb5ca9e23a8675b8_r.jpg

They are very easy to get on and come with a small wire loop and instructions.  I found that the wire loop broke after a few uses and now I just use waxed dental floss, which works like a charm!  If the braid is thick enough the bead will just stay in place without the pin.  If it's a bit too thin, all you do is slide the bead up the braid a bit, lay the pin head-side down on the back of the braid where you want the bead to sit, and slide the bead back down onto it.  That's all it takes.  I've never had one slip off.  I also find that the weight of the bead, slight though it is, helps keep the braid from curving to one side or the other.  Now I just need to find more for variety!

Cheers!
Tom




Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard