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When you
get into a jewelry designing rut, try trading some
beads or jewelry components with a fellow beader.
Having some new beads or findings next to
your old ones can help you see your current supplies
in a new light and jump-start your creativity again. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// To keep
from losing beads while you work fold a piece of
tape over one end of the wire (or stretchy cord). If
working with more than one wire,
tape an end of each piece. The tape is easy
to pull off, so you don't lose beads off the end
while stringing.
Another
hint to save picking up is to spread a towel across
your lap when you work with beads. Dropped beads
fall into the towel and are right there in your lap.
Saves crawling around on the floor and digging beads
from beneath the cushions. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// One way to
tell whether a bead is manmade or a genuine gem is
to look for bubbles in it.
Bubbles of gas are often caught in glass or
plastic stones. A good
example of this can be seen in strawberry, cherry,
and pineapple "quartz" beads. When these
beads were first introduced to the market, many
people thought they were genuine stones because of
their name. But a closer look revealed the bubbles
trapped inside that gave them away as being glass.
Now these beads are more commonly called strawberry,
cherry, and pineapple glass to prevent confusion. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Try
using double-sticky tape on the end of your
finger to pick up seed beads and Delicas. Then
string them directly from the tape on your
finger. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// If you enjoy Pringles, save the lids! They make a great bead tray. I've found it easy to scoop beads out of with my needle, and the lip prevents the beads from rolling away. Also, when you are done beading for the day, you can bend the lid to form a U-shape and easily pour the beads back into a tube. (Just be careful that you have a firm grip on the lid. If it slips out of your hands, you'll end up with beads everywhere as the lid snaps back flat and flings the beads like a catapult!) Different
kinds of beads: Seed
Beads -
Size 11/0 Ranging
widely in shape and size, the most common seed beads
are Czech, Japanese
and the Delica brand
cylindrical beads. Czech beads are very
traditional, sold on hanks, are mostly round and can
be uneven. Japanese
seed beads are more uniform, come in
many different colors and are usually sold
loose in bags or tubes. Delica and Antique brand
beads are the choice of many beaders as their
uniform cylindrical shape lend them to many
projects, especially loom work and Peyote stitch
projects. Charlotte
and T The
traditional Charlotte bead is a Czech made, size
13/0 bead with a single flat side to it, causing it
to sparkle and shine.
These beads are often found in Native
American beadwork, are available in a variety of
colors and finishes, and are most often sold on
short hanks with 12 stands per hank.
Some older Charlotte beads are sold on long
hanks, and can get pricey.
They are also available in gold, silver and
copper plate. True cut beads simply other size beads
with one or more flat cuts. Metal
Bea Metal
beads come in all shapes and sizes - silver, gold,
copper, round, square, bicone, etc. Popular metal
beads include the Balinese Beads, which are made in
Bali and are usually of sterling silver, gold or
vemeil (gold plated sterling).
Beware of "Bali Style" beads -
these are often base metal imitations. Best bet is
to stick to reputable dealers.
Also popular are the "liquid
silver" and "liquid gold" beads: tiny
tubes made of metal, usually strung together which
drape beautifully. Lampwork
Beads An art
form unto themselves, lampwork beads are most often
used as jewelry centerpieces.! Made with a torch or
in a kiln, these are painstakingly developed and
executed by glassmaking professional.
Be sure any lampwork bead you buy is kiln
annealed; this will insure stability of the glass.
Judge the price of lampwork according to the
complexity of the finished bead.
Don't be afraid to ask the maker questions -
they are usually happy to tell you about the process
of making these lovelies! Semi
Precious Stone Beads and Pearls Study
before you buy.
A good book on minerals and semi-precious
stones will be worth the investment if you are
buying a lot of these beads.
Beads should be labeled as to treatment, but
many dyed beads are sold. Some treatments are
perfectly acceptable such as heating the stone to
change or enhance its color. Pearl dying is
considered acceptable, as long as you are informed
that they are indeed treated.
Advance study and a reputable dealer are your
best insurance.
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TIPS OF THE MONTH
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