yep, the beads or whatever you opt to use keep the foam from getting ripped over the hook shank ... it does happen

'lil corkies or cheaters will work ... what we call Corey's Special (actually derived from ReiterRat's special ) ismade that way.

I've used sequins before and they are just fine in their use, but a pain in the butt to work with when you don't have fingernails, so I prefer the star beads ... you get a 100 or so for 79 cents ... just as cheap as the sequins and I like the translucent color as well