Beads

Bead Conference, March 96, San Antonio?

Q: Does anyone know who to contact to get show information about the Bead Conference in San Antonio next March?A: What bead conference? There's one in Houston on March 1-3 called Embellishment, but I don't know anything about one in New Mexico unless you are talking about the Tuscon show. I understand it isn't so much a conference as a buying spree, but I don't have info on that. Embellishment has 4 days of classes and lectures, but due to me haveing to pack and move all my stuff so they could put in new carpet, I...

Beaded Amulet Purses Litigation

Q: Does anybody know any more detail about this suit? Has it been resolved? Is everybody (including all the magazines with articles on how-to make and patterns for amulet bags) going to be sued if we type "beaded amulet purses" without quotes or reference to the book by Stessin? What do you think?A: I only hope that they get the same type of jurist that presided in the Spam vs the Muppets case. (Where the new Muppet movie has a "piggy" character named Spam-something and the company took offense.) The judge threw out the complaint, with several biting...

Bead Hole Problem

Q: I was just wondering if anyone has a contraption they use for clearing holes in beads. I have some great beads with lousy, uneven holes and was wondering what other people do about this. I'm trying to get a good tool, where you require the mimimum amount of major equipment.A: If the beads are polymer clay, take a drill bit, mold a handle from poly clay, embed the bit and bake. When cool, pull bit out (metal and clay don't bond) and glue it back in with cryanoacetate (sp?) glue. Then use this hand drill to clean...

Beads in Tokyo

Q: Could someone tell me what these Japanese delica beads are? I have looked for them and asked questions and could find out nothing.A: On my recent vacation to Hong Kong via Tokyo, I tried to locate a bead shop that carries Delica or Antique beads. I was hoping for some savings. I was unsuccessful. I had copied a page off one of my Japanese Delica loomwork books. I figured from the Kanji (I can read Chinese) that I may be able to locate some at those listed location. I went to the department store listed close...

Curriculum advice for beginning beading class?

Q: What I'd like to know is your best/worst experience with workshops, what you would have liked to learn but didn't, if you ran your own workshop, how you would do it, how much you'd be willing to pay (including supplies), etc.A: I too would be interested in anybody's workshop experiences. In three weeks I'm teaching women in a drug rehab facility to make bracelets with memory wire. I do a basic beadwork class every Saturday in our retail store. We keep the format quite loose, so that people can work on whatever project they are interested in,...

Earring nuts

Q: Can anyone give me a source for the earring nuts that are covered in SS. I can find suppliers of the small white or red rubbers nuts. Recently I bought some Owen Allen earrings and they had rubber nuts that were covered with silver, that's how I know they are out there somewhere!A: I'm fairly new at working with seed beads and am using the size 11 beads. There seems to be a large discrepancy between one size 11 bead and another. I beaded out 19 beads of each type on a card and it varies from 7/8...

Embellishment

Q: Is anyone else going to Embellishment in Houston? I didn't go last year so I'm pretty much in the dark. I'm really looking forward to seeing what vendors they have. My sources for instruction books and good beads are very limited in SC.A: I'm going. I can't wait!! I'm taking the 2 day glass beadmaking course and am going to try my hardest to absorb everything I can in the 4 days I'm there. Anyone else in this newsgroup going? Several from rec.crafts.polymer_clay are going and are talking about making a button to wear and identify...

Eyeglass Holders

Q: I found the clear plastic ones with the metal bands to cinch at Michael's. Not a great price I think they were $1.69 for 4 but I only needed 2 for my project. I have used these a few years ago for my sunglasses when we went to Disneyland and they worked fine.A: I have a plastic one(clear) with I think either a black or clear band on it.I'll send you a sample. I have a wholesale company(21years) and I will also send you our catalog. Our newsgroups were out and now I can't get any...

Eyepin/headpin in stone/bead

Q: What is a good clear glue to use with an eyepin in a stone? The hole is just slightly larger than shaft of the eyepin. I did not want to use a headpin as I needed a good small eye without trying to make my own eye in the headpin. What is a good way to make a tight round eye in a headpin once in a stone or bead?A: I don't quite understand your second question. If you are trying to make a drop out of a stone bead, why not use small screw eyes which already...

Fire Mountain Gems new minimum order amount

Q: It was brought to my attention by Karen Munger that Fire Mountain Gems has instituted a minimum order of $50 with a $5 small order fee for orders less than $5. Apparently they are going to wait until to April to strictly enforce this, but it is listed in their latest sale update. (Karen, I tried to thank you via email, but my reply mail bounced back.)A: Yeah, they say wholesale (January sale flyer with Czech fire-polished in front) only, but they've never asked me for an ID, even on the order I placed from the January flyer....

Help with raw brass - how to tarnish?

Q: Does anyone know a way to speed the tarnishing of raw brass (charms, stamped bars, chain etc.) I've tried ammonia with a little success. I'm looking for that dark brown/copper color. I don't want to spray paint or use black ink and wipe it off. That just leaves black in the detailed sections. If not, does anyone know where to find this finish already done wholesale?A: I use black patina (available from stained glass supply stores) for "antiquing". You really have to play with it because it reacts quickly! You can get a...

HIA in dallas

Q: I just got some information from a bead company talking about how they are going to be at HIA in Dallas this year, Jan 21-24, 1996, at the 55th annual HIA show. what is HIA? It seems to be a trade only show with some steep requirements to get in. Anyone have some experience with it? what is it? what can I find there?A: I think HIA stands for Hobby Industries of America. I could be way off on that. I went to one in Long Beach, CA a few years ago. Yes,...

January-February "Bead & Button" Magazine

Q: Based on photographs of my work in the current edition of Bead and Button magazine, can anyone recommend specific galleries in the continental U.S. that would be good to send slides to?A: Could someone please post the subscription address and phone number for Bead & Button magazine. It would be located on one of the first few inside pages - at least that's where the info is located in other magazines. IF you please, maybe even an info Email to me would be very cordial. I am a subscriber, too, and have not yet received my issue. I...

Northwest Bead Society

Q: Is anyone on the listof people involved with the Northwest Bead Socieity out of Seattle?A: I'm still waiting on info about it. I think it's time to call them again. If anyone else here is, and can tell me and Rebecca about it, that would be so cool. What would either of you like to know about it? I've been a member for about a year. Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month (7:00 pm) at the Art Center Gallery of Seattle Pacific University ( # West Cremona). Usually there is a presentation of...

Real wholesale sources

Q: I'm about to be doing my first big wholesale show (the Los Angeles Gift show). Up to now I've been happy buying from Halstead, River Gems, etc. because I know they are direct importers and I probably can't expect to get much better prices. But for American made products, how possible is it to go directly to the manufacturer to order?A: Well, you're right. You're buying at retail when you shop Fire Mtn and River Gems. But in order to buy wholesale, you'll need to make significantly large purchases. Those Gem Shows are a good place...

Recommendations on Wholesale Catalogs

Q: The wholesale catalog FAQ is terrific. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy glass beads, sterling silver beads, findings, chain and wire?A: I have found Fire Mt. to be a good priced choice for sterling beads, especially if you want to buy a variety to try out before buying large quantities of any one bead since they let you assort for their quantity discount. wholesale sources for glass beads: Czech glass - Halstead, excellent prices and good selection, also lots of india glass. Beads Galore also has a lot of czech and some indian glass. ...

Relfections from beads & sequins

Q: Does anyone have anything to say about full-spectrum lights and how they are regarding reflecting? And does anyone have any wise words about what they use for lighting, especially if they use beads AND sequins?A: I work with small seed beads (14-18) for bead embroidery and delicas when doing peyote stitch. I was having a terrible time for a while (eye pain, blurring, watery eyes, etc) until I changed a few things. I saw an eye doctor who recommended using varying grades of "cheater glasses" from the drug store and switching them throughout the day depending how close...

Rosary Necklaces / Lariat Necklaces

Q: I'm looking for information on these necklaces. I make a necklace that is very similar to the picture on the caravan bead page and I understand that they are gain- ing popularity in certain areas of the country.A: I don't watch the above either (who has time?), but based on the number of customers who have either copied the sample necklaces we have in our store (or just bought them off the wall), and also based on feedback from stores we sell to from California to Florida... Yes, they are definitely popular! But for how long is anyone's guess....

Silk/rayon cord

Q: Does anyone know of a source for silk or rayon cord, about 1mm thick, that is used for Chinese-style knotting? It is not the same as rattail; it is not as shiny or slippery.A: I do Chinese Knotting and use a nylon cording manufactured in Taiwan. I make, sell, and teach Chinese Knotting Jewellery. I have about 50 colors in 2mm, 6 colors in 1 mm and about 10 in 3mm. How many yards of what color do you need? Maybe we can work something out. I have been doing Chinese Knotting for about...

Source of information on beads and bead books

Q: I've been playing hit or miss, buying books in the hopes that they'll have SOME of what I want. Can anyone out there make some recommendations? I'm looking for loomwork books that don't cover the basics but forge into more advanced work.A: After hearing her name come up in this newsgroup, I purchased Virginia Blakelock's "Those Bad, Bad Beads" and was very pleased with it! It's all black and white drawings except for the cover, and focuses almost entirely on techniques, both on and off loom. She goes into detail of how to incorporate or hide warp...

Sources to sell necklaces

Q: I have tried some craft fairs as a way to sell them and had pretty poor luck. Does anyone know of good ways to sell your creations or of shops that handle consignment jewelry?A: Just about any shop which sells jewelry might be willing to take something on consignment. That way there is no risk to them if the item doesn't sell. Look for shops that sell items like the ones you make, this means you have to do some legwork or phonework to find out what the shops sell. I haven't tried regular consignment shops, the one...

Stores in California

Q: Is there a list of stores in California that I can access somewhere? I live in Santa Barbara and am familiar with the stores here, as well as Bead IT in Santa Cruz and Beads of COntentment (great!) in MOdesto. Someone please point me in other directions?A: How about Let it Bead on Cannery Row in Monterey or Eagle Bead in Carmel Valley. Both are pretty good places, but I like Let it Bead a little better. If the Bay Area does you any good, I have a friend who can tell me the names of some...

Superfine Seed Beads

Q: Does anyone work with ultrafine seed beads? I have some strange ones that I don't know the size of and a pretty decent collection of 14-0 to 16-0 beads. Some of my odd-ball finds may be as small as 20-0, but I have never officially "sized" them.A: Could you describe more about your work with seed beads and polymer clay? Sounds very interesting. I work in poly-clay and this caught my attention. I've been wanting to experiment with decorated clay, "coating" the clay with bright seed beads or making a medicine bag like I've seen...

What about ovens for making beads?

Q: I am in the process of making beads that need to be baked in the oven. Is it best to buy those small toaster ovens to use? A friend of mine uses his oven in his kitchen but I heard that its best to use a separate oven. Could any of you add to this as I don't want to ruin my good oven on bead making....A: This sounds like the perfect question for rec.crafts.polymer-clay. They are very beginner friendly. There are also polymer-clay FAQ posted in the following poly clay homepage http://www.primenet.com/~athayer/browse.html I'm assuming that...

what is wholesale?

Q: I am new to 'the net' and new to beading, but in the past few months I have had several 'spending accidents' with various bead companies and my dumb question of the day is 'What is wholesale?'A: It seems to me that some companies want to 'protect' their legitimate customers and only sell to those truly in the business. These companies would require proof that you are a serious customer and ask for a number. As you have found, other companies, ourselves included, sell to anyone. The way we sort it out is that the customer who...