Forming a bead is a term commonly associated with welding where the metal is heated to create a smooth arc and then molten metal is directed onto the joint to fill it in. However, there are many synonyms for the phrase "form a bead" that can be used in various contexts. Some of these include creating a line, laying down a stroke, drawing a mark, making a groove or ridge, etching a pattern, running a seam, shaping a curve, molding a shape, and sculpting a form. These terms can be used in different aspects of art, metalworking, painting, and crafting to describe creating lines and shapes by hand or with tools.