A mix of sizes and shapes seems to work best for these. (Picture a bracelet that would go well with Carmen Miranda's hats.)
I would suggest an average bead size of 6mm, with a mixture of mostly 4-8mm beads, and a few seed beads as needed to extend the length of some of the beaded pins.
Some pendant style beads are also good. I particulalry like leaf and flower beads on the cha-cha bracelets. Teardrops are good, too.
--Polly