I wouldn't worry about the bead being broken. They're hard enough break when you want the tyre changed.
The bacon strips work well. Not sure about anyone else, but my method is.
1. Pull screw from tyre.
2. Use rasp/file to clean up hole.
3. Put on nitrile gloves.
4. Peel off a bacon strip.
5. Use blade to pick off all the bits of backing paper that have inevitably stuck to it while in packaging.
6. Thread it exactly half way through the needle.
7. Coat it in rubber cement. (Poss. not necessary, but it makes me feel better).
8. Give it a min or two to go tacky.
9. Stab it into the hole (straight, no twisting or screwing), leave an inch poking out.
10. Pull out the needle with one swift, fluid motion.
11. Inflate tyre.
12. Cut off the excess.
13. Test for leaks with water/tea/spit.
14. Retest pressure regularly until paranoia gets the better of you and you replace the tyre anyway.
Have fun