Any beaders/jewelers on this board - newbie here

[vanyel]

Hi all,

I'm not new to the dis but new to this board. My home on the dis is the budget board. I've reading all the scrapping threads and thinking about trying it but for now I've just started working w/beads and making jewelry. My dd got me started and now I can't stop. It's addictive!

My question - anyone else on this board into this hobby and would you like to share tips, favorite websites, suppliers, pictures etc? I haven't taken any pictures yet but plan to.

I had an order ready to go at firemountaingems.com but found some really beautiful pieces at a local bead shop, then found some of the same products at Michaels. Spent way too much today on beads!

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

Hi! Just wanted to say :welcome:

:wave:

[MeanLaureen]

I'm a beader! Started out making jewelry but found my niche making hand beaded dog collars.

I'm a big fan of Firemountain Gems - their prices can't be beat. But, if you are looking for a good selection of seed beads, Fusionbeads.com can't be beat for price and selection.

I also spend way too much money at Michaels plus I occasionally find some worthwhile glass beads at Walmart of all places for a good price.

Probably one of my favorite ways of getting unusual beads though is to go to yard sales and thrift stores/flea markets and raid old jewelry for beads

Glad to see another beader on board! If you get a chance, post some pictures of your work!

[ddavis860]

Hi all,

I'm not new to the dis but new to this board. My home on the dis is the budget board. I've reading all the scrapping threads and thinking about trying it but for now I've just started working w/beads and making jewelry. My dd got me started and now I can't stop. It's addictive!

My question - anyone else on this board into this hobby and would you like to share tips, favorite websites, suppliers, pictures etc? I haven't taken any pictures yet but plan to.

I had an order ready to go at firemountaingems.com but found some really beautiful pieces at a local bead shop, then found some of the same products at Michaels. Spent way too much today on beads!


Welcome to the addiction! :teeth: I'm a beader/jewelry designer, and I teach it too. I spend way too much on all my crafts too.

One thing that I like to do is get the old jewelry, ya know vintage stuff from resales and remake them. You can get some great old glass bead necklaces and reuse the beads with current findings. I remade an old broken crystal necklace from the 50's. It turned out so pretty, you just can't get beads like that now. I always get many compliments when I wear it.

What kind of beading are you doing right now? I have a few great sites that I get info from, and several chat groups that I belong to also.

[vanyel]

Thanks for the welcome all.

I'm just starting out with some small projects, necklaces for my nieces and for myself, and some earrings. I bought a beautiful oval piece of feldspar today (for myself) and some other coordinating beads and I want to do something special with it.

Right now, I'm also trying to buy supplies and tools.

DDdavis - I love the idea of picking up vintage jewelry and remaking or redesigning. When I get some pictures, I'll post and would love to see others' pieces. Any sites or groups you can share would be welcome - thanks a lot.

MeanLaureen - I hit Goodwill and Salvation Army store today and made several finds.

This is so much fun and I'm really excited about this board. Why didn't I see it before?

[kaylajr]

Just wanted to say Welcome to the CCS :wave2:

[ddavis860]

Since you already know about Fire Mountain, check out the gallery there. It is full of great ideas! I find that many of the projects use the most expensive beads, but I change out to cheaper ones, and get the same looks. Honestly the best part for me is the hunt...well followed by the delivery...just love playing with all the new pretties... :goodvibes

I am really lucky that I teach where I do. They pay for the beads, and I get to keep the sample that I make. :thumbsup2 I try to keep the cost at $20 or less, but since I am then buying in bulk, I get to use slightly more expensive beads.

Magazines that I like for stringing are Step by Step beads, and Bead and Button. About.com has a great jewelry making site, and also a beadwork site. Both are FULL of info! Michael's sometimes has hanging patterns that are free too. Also, checking the fashion magazines can be great inspiration. I rip out pages and have a binder with ideas in sheet protectors. Another great source for ideas is clothing catalogs...they are always showing something beaded as accessories...great ideas there for color and style...

When you get into bead weaving, then it really can get fun! Bead-patterns.com is a great place to get individual patterns, and just get ideas.

Sorry this got so long...guess you can tell where my passions are. I have 3 biggies, beading, scrapbooking, and painting. :love: I have other passing ones, but those are my favs, and I can ramble all day about them...

[ddavis860]

Thanks for the welcome all.


Right now, I'm also trying to buy supplies and tools.





There is a set at Michael's that is like 5 or 6 jewelry tools. I recommend it to my students. It is not top quality, but it really is great for beginners. Just open the package and check that the wire cutters close properly. I close it tight and hold it up to the light...if I see the light through the cutting edge, I check another pack.

Michaels is great for crimps, wire, and some findings.

When you get into it Fire Mountain has great tools, but they cost more. Or if there are bead shows in your area, that is a good time to get tools too, as they are usually cheaper than online, and no shipping.

[maleficent1959]

I also like Art Beads (artbeads.com (http://www.artbeads.com) ). They don't have as many gemstones as Fire Mountain (but who does?), but they have a nice selection of beads including crystal, components, metal beads and some pretty freshwater pearls. Great prices and free shipping with no minimum.

[cryssi]

hi! beader here...

another vote for artbeads.com :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I also have ordered from www.jewelrysupply.com, www.bestbuybeads.com, and eBay...

I use swarovski and sterling silver... :)

DH does not approve of this hobby! LOL

[PixieDust32]

:welcome: :welcome:

I got a huge bag of beads from an auction near me, and I have no idea of what to do yet.

:rolleyes1

[MeanLaureen]

Hey, after the dust settles from where we are putting together the new boards, would any of you be interested in some type of "bead swap" like they do with the scrapping?

[PixieDust32]

Hey, after the dust settles from where we are putting together the new boards, would any of you be interested in some type of "bead swap" like they do with the scrapping?

Oh yes, great idea. thanks :banana:

[ddavis860]

Hey, after the dust settles from where we are putting together the new boards, would any of you be interested in some type of "bead swap" like they do with the scrapping?

I'm in! I was thinking of the same thing myself. That would be so much fun! :banana:
Can we use the new "swap" board, or is that just for scrapping?

I can't wait, there are so many possibilities :yay:

[MeanLaureen]

I'm in! I was thinking of the same thing myself. That would be so much fun! :banana:
Can we use the new "swap" board, or is that just for scrapping?

I can't wait, there are so many possibilities :yay:

The swapping board is just for scrapping right now. We were actually looking into a way for that board to become an actual sub board off of scrapping instead of being a separate board in the line up.

I'd worry that a bead swap would get swallowed up in the scrap swaps since there are so many of them so what I can do is when we get it going, I can sticky it right here on top of the craft board to keep it up top :)

[ddavis860]

Can't wait for this swap...

Ya know, these swap things are becoming addictive. Is there a 12 step program for this? :confused3

[ddavis860]

The swapping board is just for scrapping right now. We were actually looking into a way for that board to become an actual sub board off of scrapping instead of being a separate board in the line up.

I'd worry that a bead swap would get swallowed up in the scrap swaps since there are so many of them so what I can do is when we get it going, I can sticky it right here on top of the craft board to keep it up top :)

I understand about the swap board. The scrapping ones are very active. I do love the way the new boards are set up. :thumbsup2 I find it much easier to navigate. :surfweb:

Thanks again for the hard work!

[EeyoreFan1]

I am a beader! I am not very "good" but it is fun anyways! I get my beads from michael's and AC Moore. I also ask friends and family for them as presents.

[cryssi]

Hey, after the dust settles from where we are putting together the new boards, would any of you be interested in some type of "bead swap" like they do with the scrapping?

me! me! :wave:

:banana:

[vanyel]

Originally Posted by MeanLaureen
Hey, after the dust settles from where we are putting together the new boards, would any of you be interested in some type of "bead swap" like they do with the scrapping?


If the timing is right, I'll join in the swap - thanks for the idea.

[doxdogy]

I am so glad that you posted about beading. I have been toying with the idea of taking up this hobby.

[vanyel]

I'm still accumulating "stuff" for beading and it's really addictive, fun, and getting a bit expensive :rotfl:

Finishing the piece seems to be my bane but I keep trying and I think I'm getting better at it. The other thing I keep doing is taking things apart and redoing them.

I got a Fire Mountain Gems catalog in the mail the other day and wow - there's so much in it - from the stones/beads and finishing material to pictures of jewelry. Even if you don't plan on ordering from them, get the catalog, it's worth it!

[MeanLaureen]

I am so glad that you posted about beading. I have been toying with the idea of taking up this hobby.

DoxDogy - be ready to become addicted! The only good side is that beads are small and you can get a LOT of them in a small space.

Check out firemountaingems.com - there should be an area on there to order a catalog. Beware, its the size of a phone book! But it will give you a good idea of what you would need, has project ideas and lots of cool things to buy at decent prices :)

[DisneyDork712]

I'm a beader, too! How exciting to find other people who are into Disney AND beading!! :cool1: Hmm... Now I have found a beading place on the Disney Forums... Not good! I really like working with polymer clay, too. I can make my own beads that way! :teeth:

Here are some of my favorite sites:

happymangobeads
eebeads
caravanbeads
bead-patterns - just to look at the pretty things people have made!
whimbeads - really neat tic-tac box type storage, good prices
beadedimages

Figures... Today is the only day I haven't carried around my beading notebook with all my sites written down. :rolleyes:

And these ebay stores have some neat things - as far as seed bead sets:
Beadgal
WHERE IT'S ALWAYS CHRISTMAS

glassattic is a good place for polymer clay things.

I would also love to join in a swap! I'm really new to the boards though. Do I have to have a certain number of posts or anything to join in the swap?? I think it would be so fun!

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi Everyone!!! :)

I also adore beading. Some of my favorite beading magaines are Bead Style and Bead & Button. I am primarily into Swarovski crystals and lampwork beads right now, but may eventually move into complicated seed beading. My favorite site to buy beads is www.gspncrystal.com. They are the cheapest when it comes to Swarovski crystal beads.

[ddavis860]

I'm a beader, too! How exciting to find other people who are into Disney AND beading!! :cool1: Hmm... Now I have found a beading place on the Disney Forums... Not good! I really like working with polymer clay, too. I can make my own beads that way! :teeth:

I would also love to join in a swap! I'm really new to the boards though. Do I have to have a certain number of posts or anything to join in the swap?? I think it would be so fun!

Hi Amanda! :wave:

I don't think you have to have a certain number of posts to swap...just a willingness for another addiction. :lmao: I started on the swaps with scrapbooking, and now I can't seem to stop! :confused3 :teeth:

[ddavis860]

Hi Everyone!!! :)

I also adore beading. Some of my favorite beading magaines are Bead Style and Bead & Button. I am primarily into Swarovski crystals and lampwork beads right now, but may eventually move into complicated seed beading. My favorite site to buy beads is www.gspncrystal.com. They are the cheapest when it comes to Swarovski crystal beads.


OOOOOO...AHHHHHHH.....Thanks for sharing that site! :thumbsup2

[DisneyDork712]

I'm so excited now!! I've never done a swap before! My mom does scrapbooking swaps all the time and it looks like so much fun! I'm definately in if we do a swap!!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

[vanyel]

Here are some of my favorite sites:

happymangobeads
eebeads
caravanbeads
bead-patterns - just to look at the pretty things people have made!
whimbeads - really neat tic-tac box type storage, good prices
beadedimages



Loved happymangobeads - thanks a lot for giving me another place to spend money :thumbsup2

[aGoofyMom]

I am new to beading. I started by crocheting a wire beaded necklace. Now that I have the proper tools I am getting a little better at it. I have been making bracelet bands for watches lately. I usually get my supplies at Michaels or some local stores - and Mary Maxim has started carrying a lot in store.

Here's a question. I have a tool for aiding one in putting on a bracelet. It is basically a stick with a aligator clip on the end. You hold the stick in the hand the bracelet is going on, clip the bracelet to it, then you can use the free hand to do up the clasp. I can't find it in any store again - has anyone else seen this anywhere?
I don't have a photo to post at this point, but I can later.

[DisneyDork712]

Loved happymangobeads - thanks a lot for giving me another place to spend money :thumbsup2


No problem! :teeth: Glad to be of service.

[Alicnwondrln]

my mom does this she makes jewlery
and also beads those things you stitch with
she s really good at it
my gram does it to

[azgal81]

I make beaded earrings. I was amazed at how easy it is! It's also alot better because I can make them how I want them to look and not settle for something in the store that I only kinda like.