What you Always Wanted to Know About Jewelry Making Beads

When a focal point is surrounded by colorful beads the necklace is now more attractive and fashionable.

The Different Beads you can use in Beaded Jewelry

• Crystal: Can add sparkle to your pieces by either combining them with other materials, or using them independently. There are different types of crystals; Austrian crystals such as Swarovski® have the highest quality and sparkle. When on a budget, Czech crystals are available in an array of sizes, shapes, and finishes and are often less expensive than their Austrian supply counterparts.
  

  Learn more about the different beads for jewelry making
  

  

• Seed Beads: Mostly used for stitching and loom work. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and they add a new dimension to your work. I recently have started creating peyote stitch bracelets and making my own clasps for them, this has given me another opportunity to use jewelry making beads.
  

  

  This is a bracelet I designed using seed beads and a sterling silver heart that I hand fabricated
  

• Gemstones: Also known as semi-precious gems come in a wide variety of stones; such as agate, amethyst, citrine, turquoise, and many others. They are available in of shapes, sizes. They add sophistication and quality when you incorporate them into your jewelry making.
  

  Gemstones add class and distinction to your jewelry learn more about gemstone identification
  

  WORD OF CAUTION: When buying gemstones make sure you do your research and check the source where you buy. Glass or plastic is often used to create imitation gemstones.
  

  Look for heavy gemstones that feel cool to the touch and are not completely uniform in color. This will insure that you are getting the right supplies for your jewelry making.
  

  See the wonderful collection of jewelry making beads and findings at

  The King of Vintage Glass Beads

  Unique Vintage Beads, Findings, Clasps, and MoreFor the Discerning Jewelry Artist. Elegance that is Affordable. Jewelex

• Glass Beads:Are handcrafted and they come in wide variety of shapes and sizes. The two most common kinds are lampwork and seed beads.
  

• Lampwork Beads: Are created by jewelry making artisans by melt narrow rods of glass with the flame of a torch. The molten glass is wound around a mandrel, a thin length of stainless steel. Because every one is handcrafted, they are individual works of art and wonderful supplies to enhance your jewelry.
  

  Using Natural Beads in your Jewelry Making

• Natural materials: There are many natural materials used to create ornaments for jewelry making such as; Coco, Wood, Shells, Seeds, Stone, Bone, Horn, Coral, Meteorite and others. The most popular are:
  • Pearls: Available in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The quality of the pearl is determined by five important components: Luster, size, shape, color and complexion. They are also either natural pearls (such as freshwater pearls) or cultivated pearls. I integrate pearls into many of my jewelry design pieces.
    

    Again, buy only from reputable sources. I have learned from a very expensive mistake, when I bought plastic pearls passed as black Tahitian pearls.
    

  • Coral: Coral is known to be used as a gem since prehistoric times. It is calcium carbonate with a trace of carotene. Its color ranges from white to red. It grows in branches that look like underwater trees. Most coral is found in the Mediterranean sea. can brighten your designs and add value to your jewelry pieces. Coral can be particularly wonderful when combined with other stones such as turquoise.
    

  • Amber: Is fossil tree resin, and can be found in a variety of different colors. As well as the usual yellow-orange-brown that is associated with the color "amber", amber itself can range from a whitish color through a pale lemon yellow, to brown and almost black.

• Clay: Also known as ceramic, comes shaped and colored to look like nearly anything, from abstract designs to life-like designs.
  

• Metal: beads come in many shapes, sizes and prices. They are made of gold, silver, copper, pewter and base metals, They are available pure or plated.

  
  

  There are many other ways that you can creatively integrate jewelry making beads into projects, visit http://www.aboutneedlepoint.com/index.html
  

  From jewelry making beads back to making beaded jewerly

  
  

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