glass beads

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:05 am

I am looking for glass beads for necklaces that I am working on for burning man. It seems that I can only find decent deals if I buy in bulk but I need a wide variety so that my necklaces are one of a kind. So if anyone has any broken necklaces with beads or loose beads that you have no use for I would love to have them.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:07 am

What sizes are you looking for? And do they have to be glass?

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:17 am

I am looking for ones that you can string on hemp twine, not really the seed beads. They dont have to be glass, just not cheapie looking plastic. Some of the plastic beads I have seen look like they were made for kids necklaces. But if they are neat then I am interested. Oh, and not really huge beads, say bigger than a quarter. I don't think people want to walk around with a big gawdy bead handing off of their neck. Thanks

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:26 am

I'll look and see if I have anything.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 4:23 pm

I may have lots. I'm not sure, as I've been winnowing my collection since I've slowed down or stopped on my own bead work. I also have LOTS (over 1000 of the crocodiles, I'm sure) of pendants that I made by glass fusing, including some crude glass donuts. I'm in the process of cleaning out my life, and that will include the beads at various points. I'm Berkeley/San Francisco based. Also, I still have some of my better polymar clay beads/pendants. I'd really have to go through and see what I have--which means make it a priority. But I'd love to see some of this go to someone who will use them. Do you ever use anything besides hemp for stringing? I don't like it texturally, at least the stuff I've seen. And I have some plastic Faux tortiose shell--too lovely to dump (my plastic ponies went years ago to children of my aquatence) but still plastic. . .

She strolls off into memory lane thinking of beads past. . .

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:41 pm

Hemp is all that I have tried so far, but I just learned how to make the hemp necklaces about a month or so ago, so I plan on trying other things out in the future. When you say you don't like it texturally, were you talking about how rough it is? Because that is what I didn't like about it until I realized that after a couple of days and showers the hemp softens quite a bit. If you know of any other twine or similar thread that would work well let me know and I will try it out. I live in a town where the only actual shopping is Wal mart so it is hard to find a lot of different things to work with.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 8:57 pm

Hey kittie,

do a search for "Crazy Crow Trading Post"

They have lots of beading stuff. Lots of other stuff too. Look for the "trade beads".

MalWart has some affordable one color glass ones in their craft dept, but if you can find someone who deals with beads exclusively (check the yellow pages under beads or lapidary supplies), you can find some really cool ones.

Oh, and if you find a bead shop, you can pick up some small diameter leather rope that works really well. That’s what I use and it lays against the skin very nicely.

Meow

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:06 am

Yeah, the roughness. I've never even tried washing it. The stuff I remember was also really roughly spun. The whole effect felt like "Those darn hippies are too hopped up to know quality." There are various other options, depending on your skills and style, of course. I have some thick cotten thread in different colors that I never used. (ONly a foot each of five colors) that appealed more. Of course, hemp is better in the growing. I actually have lots of embroidery thread I'd be happy to get rid of if you're interested.

Thrift store and yard sale necklaces can be unstrung to make useable and interesting beads. You find a lot of cowry shells that way. Sometimes they'll have grab bags of broken stuff, too. I looked up Crescent City on the web, and if you're close to shore, maybe you can beach comb some interesting pieces. Don't pick up feathers, though, that violates the migratory bird act. I don't think that fish and game will be at the event looking for that, but still, I've heard at least one story in another context.

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:59 pm

I never tried embrodery thread, it would be interesting to try out. I have been looking in thrift stores and at yard sales for necklaces with beads and have had no real luck as of yet. It has been raining here alot so there aren't lots of yard sales yet, but when it clears up I will definatly be out there. I also have lots of shells but an unsure what I should use to drill the holes in them. I don't want to break the smaller ones. I thought maybe a jewelers drill but I am not sure if the shells would still break.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:07 pm

Sorry, I don't know what the skivvy on drilling shells is. Obsedian used to work. (I'm a fount of useless info.) As for the embroidery floss, it's light enough that I could send you a bunch for not much money. I may have some crochet yarn too.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:52 pm

angrykittie25 wrote: I also have lots of shells but an unsure what I should use to drill the holes in them. I don't want to break the smaller ones. I thought maybe a jewelers drill but I am not sure if the shells would still break.

ON further thought a dremel tool would be the sort of hobbyist standard. You'd have to spring for the stand too perhaps. If you have a friend with a drill press, use it. Buy your own bits. IF you drill through water, that may help. Expect a certain amount of breakage anyway. Practice on less interesting pieces. I did work on packing my studio last night and found a few things. the thread will be easy to get to--I know where it is. I can't mail until next week--Tuesday at the earliest, because we don't know how we're making it to payday. Then I'm relying on my sweetie to go to the post office, so I make no promises. I'll include some beads, too.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:20 pm

Small drill bits, a push drill (sometimes called a "Yankee Drill"), and a non-slip mat.

If you’ve never seen a push drill, a quick web search should find you a photo. You can purchase them new at most big home-type stores, but I’d suspect you could find one on a trip to the flea market or junk store for a few bucks. Quiet, portable, and no electricity required. Check the specialty electrical tools section if you decide to buy one new.

Alpha · Post by **Alpha** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:38 pm

Also be sure to support the back side of the shell where you're drilling. Put it on a piece of wood and drill from the concave side so that the drill goes through the shell and directly into the wood.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 10:08 am

Cotton crochet thread, the heavy stuff, works well for necklaces. I got a bunch at a yard sale, have also seen it in thrift stores. You can braid it for strength and weight too. Now that Mom no longer crochets, I may be able to get hers if my sister-in-laws haven't already asked. They actually crochet things.

I got a lot of my glass beads from a leather store close-out, some from bead sellers at the gem show (last day, last hour), a few interesting things from ebay (requires careful shoppomg), and a bunch from Micheal's crafts. I save the coupons out of the Sunday paper for those last, otherwise they're too expensive. They also sell a rainbow box set of beads for under $10, a few of those have given me a nice variety.
I'm going to use glass paints on the plainer and larger beads.

Looks like we'll have to trade necklaces if we run into each other on the playa!

AntiM

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:19 am

I've actually found interesting beads at the WartMall in the jewelry department sold as necklaces and heavily reduced in price, too.

stranjbrew · Post by **stranjbrew** » Tue May 25, 2004 8:08 pm

Michael's Arts and Crafts stores sell great glass beads in tubs called "mass o' glass for 3.99. Find a 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper and you've got yourself a great deal.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Thu May 27, 2004 3:16 pm

Hi. I'm building a Mutant Vehicle "International Time Vault" and I need colored beads to put in my big hourglasses. If you want to check out the project go to www.MutantVehicle.com and click on the guestlist there. Thanks!

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:54 am

Best prices I could find on bulk beads were at www.OrientalTradingCompany.com where the seed beads were $4.95/pound.

Sharky · Post by **Sharky** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:12 am

One of the very best bead sources I have found is Shipwreck Beads in Olympia, WA. They say they have the worlds largest selection and they do catalog sales and web site sales. I know that they're showroom is amazing! Great prices and great service as well! www.shipwreck.com

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:52 am

Yes, Shipwreck beads is the absolute heaven of beaders everywhere. I've only been there once and I was so overwhelmed all I could do was stand there and stare with my jaw on the floor.

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