BEAD HUNT - :=The CharD Experiment=:

Spend $10 to receive one - $20 to receive two and so on and so on. According to my calculations - this is the LAST one penny deals offered. There are TWELVE one penny deals still available!!!

CLUE FOR MONDAY - 8/04/2008

This is the last one penny deal I'll hide
So search the site far and wide
There are many unfound deals to find
Just one last clue if you don't mind

This clue is for something in a special line
Crystals, pearls, chatons all so fine
These are round and 6mm in size
The color a coffee addition devised

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR SUNDAY - 8/03/2008

With twelve penny deals yet to be found
The fact that they're here really astounds
Here is the clue for the 12th that hides
I am put on beads to surround both sides

I am precious to many with the cost so high
Silver prices climbing and touching the sky
Ten of these will dress up your design
This one penny deal will make a great find

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR SATURDAY - 8/02/2008

Devising the clues for this bead hunt game
I realize that some are really quite lame
I never claimed to win a writing award
This one penny deal - many have adored

This next deal comes in 6 colors bright
Red, Black, Green, Blue, Yellow and White
Twenty pretty hats for your artisan creation
Find this deal for your beading elation

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR FRIDAY - 8/01/2008

Use one of these to complete a design
Or make your own when you're in a bind
Toggle me on or toggle me off
I'm the one penny deal so please don't scoff

Spend $10 for each one penny deal
You don't have to spin a funny wheel
There are only three more penny deals to come
Find me and I'll add you to the list of who won

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUES FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 30th and THURSDAY, JULY 31st

CLUE ONE OF TWO

Yesterday, brain dead, unable to think
No clue - now two - not blue or pink
There are pairs and pairs of me to find
I have balls and coils and wires divine

Add one or two or more drops to me
Beaded dangles for all to see
Another one penny deal of the day
Find me and I'll soon be on my way

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE TWO OF TWO:

This next batch of beauties that I will send
Have pretty beadcaps on either end
The palest purple you'll ever see
Congrats to you if you find me

Five and twenty of me you'll receive
For your artisan creations - you can believe
They'll add a dash of victorian flair
I'm hiding in store - please find me I dare

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR TUESDAY - 7/29/2008

Three more clues left to display
The last will be on Thursday
Whether for sewing or beading galore
Find a pair of these as you explore

Spend $10 for each one penny deal
You don't have to spin a funny wheel
There are only two more penny deals to come
Find these and I'll add you to the list of who won

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR MONDAY - 7/28/2008

Four more one penny deals coming your way
Here's the clue for the steal today
A slab of this in purple I declare
Is hidden on the site somewhere

This beauty is top drilled thru front to back
And its color is nothing that it does lack
There are only three more penny deals to come
Find me and I'll add you to the list of who won

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR SUNDAY - 7/27/2008

More one penny deals coming your way
Here's the clue for the steal presented today
It only made sense to offer this pick
A day with prayer for the old and the sick

We hold those special close to our heart
Some vigils refined, some that we start
Find me and put in that special note
Prayers are strong - we're in the same boat

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR SATURDAY - 7/26/2008

Six more one penny deals left to go
The next is something you definitely know
These are little and shiny and football in shape
To add sparkle to those creations you make

I'm not that big and I'm not that small
I hope someone finds me before the fall
So don't miss out on the last six deals
Get your $10 ready for these last steals

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUES FOR FRIDAY, JULY 25th

CLUE ONE OF TWO

Here is the first of two clues today
A one penny deal coming your way
This one is stone with lines so pretty
If I'm not found it would be such a pity

I've lines of green and round I am too
Not pink or brown or even blue
If I were larger I'd be a discus
So find me please yes find me you must

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE TWO OF TWO:

And now for the second clue as stated
A one penny deal that has been slated
These are frosted and white and pure
One of those beads I simply adore

I work well with most everything
Added texture and class I will bring
To your artisan designs and creations
Find me quick and receive adulations

AND THE WINNER IS:

CLUE FOR THURSDAY 7-24-2008

Seven more clues left after today
For one penny deals coming your way
You'll have 10 of me to make something pretty
And if we're not found it would be such a pity

I'm metal and precious to many you see
For making links and drops plenty
For bails of wire and other things too
Don't forget to come back for tomorrow's clue

AND THE WINNER IS: Chloe in Seattle, Washington - 10 Sterling Silver 2" Headpins 26 Gauge ($2.25 USD)

CLUE FOR 7-21-2008

As promised another clue's listed today
The one penny steal deal of the day
The clue I ask do you have the nerve
To find this one penny deal curve

I'll help your non-bail pendant mess
I am fancy and hang around I confess
I have a loop and very nice plating
Today's one penny deal is patiently waiting

AND THE WINNER IS: Mary in Huron, Ohio - One Curved Tube with Loop ($1.59 USD)

CLUE FIVE - 7-9-2008

Spending ten dollars to gain a one item deal
Using your time to find the one penny steal
I promised to place these items in store
I hope they are found before I place more

When looking for me I'm found on a spool
I'm flexible, resist kinks which I find cool
You don't need a needle when using me
And where I'm hiding I'm a mere penny

AND THE WINNER IS: Mary in Huron, Ohio - 30 foot Spool AccuFlex .012 Inch Diameter Beading Wire ($3.35 USD)

See you again tomorrow - For the next 1c Steal!

CLUE FOUR - 7-8-2008

Skies of blue and bright yellow sun
I hope that you're still having fun
finding the bargains and saving some cash
While adding more beads to your growing stash

Think of angels in the heavens above
Consider Cupid's arrows of love
You'll find me standing attention set
Quietly listening for those might trumpets

AND THE WINNER IS: Mary in Huron, Ohio - 25 Czech Sapphire 13/8 Trumpet Beads ($3.25 USD)

See you again tomorrow - For the next 1c Steal!

CLUE THREE - 7-7-2008

Day three has arrived and much the same
I hope you're having fun playing this game
The next penny item for grabs today
Listen closely to what I say

I am a staple for beaders and used all the time
for making those trinkets we love so fine
decorative details when in a canoe
couldn't get anywhere without at least two

AND THE WINNER IS: Lyenne, Ontario, Canada - 100 Silver Plated 1" Paddle Pins ($2.45 USD)

See you again tomorrow - For the next 1c Steal!

Second Clue - July 6, 2008

This second clue is strange I do think
could it be red or purple or pink
where could it be to find it I'll search
and locate that penny bargain's perch

Lightweight and bumpy like stucco to me
Found on ceilings or walls by the sea
Yet another strand of something new
The only clue this time is I am not blue

AND THE WINNER IS: Mary in Huron, Ohio - 16" Strand Textured Glass 10mm Round Beads ($1.95 USD)

Welcome to :=The CharD Experiment=:

What is the "CharD Experiment"

Starting today thru the first August Monday
Look for the 1 penny steal of the day
I'll provide a clue to where it is sitting
And the one who finds me it seems only fitting

That if you should find me as you explore
Add me to your order of $10 or more
I'll be on my way to your hometown
Come back tomorrow for another round

FIRST CLUE - JULY 5, 2008

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Pay close attention
to this first clue


The stick for of this
is used for the schooled
The cube of 2 minus 2
Is the shape don't be fooled

AND THE WINNER IS: Sharon, Lenoir, NC - 16" Strand Chalk Turquoise 6mm Cube Beads ($7.45 USD)

Sharon stole them away for 1c and tomorrow will bring another 1c steal

See you again tomorrow - For the next 1c Steal!

Wrapping Loops

You will need:

Your choice of wire
Wire cutters
Round nosed pliers
Bent/flat nosed pliers

1. Start by bending the wire to a 90 degree angle so that you create an upside down L shape.

2. Hold the bend with your round nosed pliers, and use your fingers to wrap the wire around the nose of your pliers to form a loop.




3. Keep the round nosed pliers inside the loop, and hold the loop against the nose of the pliers with one finger. So, you should have your round nosed pliers in one hand with one finger pressing the loop against the nose. (I'm right handed, so I use my left hand to hold the pliers and my pointer finger to hold the loop against the nose.)

4. Using your other hand (in my case, my right hand), start to wrap the loose wire around the straight piece of wire that is directly under your loop. If the wire is soft, you can probably do this with your fingers. Otherwise, use a bent (of flat if you prefer) pair of pliers to hold the loose wire and wrap.

5. Continue to wrap as many times as you want, and if necessary, trim off excess wire.

6. Use your bent nosed pliers to press the wire wrapped end flat to make sure it doesn't stick our and scratch or poke the wearer of your jewelry.

7. If necessary, use your round nose pliers to straighten the loop.

A Few Tips:

• Be patient, and be prepared to practice. There is no way you will do this perfectly the first time. The more you do it, the better you will become.
• Be careful not to wrap too close to a bead if you are including one on the wire as it could crack the bead. Though some jewelry makers like to get their wrap as close as possible to the bead, I don't mind a little room, but this is personal preference.
• For beads with small holes, like pearls, you will need thin wire such as 24-28 gauge. Otherwise, 21 gauge seems to work will with most bead sizes.
• When making long, loop wrapped chains, instead of cutting lots of small pieces of wire for each loop, try using longer pieces (about a foot or so in length), and cutting the wire after each loop is made. This will keep wire waste down.

All graphics and lessons created by Tammy Powley.

Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies

Swarovski Crystal Products

Swarovski® Crystals are made in Austria and considered to be the finest crystal beads in the world. Swarovski Crystals are available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. For your shopping convenience, the color chart provided reflects Beadseller color code abbreviations. Anytime you shop with Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies, use our on-site search engine for ease in finding the products you need for your jewelry designs. Each Swarovski color is unique and consistently high quality. You can depend upon Swarovski for their top quality and consistency in color and cuts.



Beadseller offers a number of different Swarovski Products including 4mm Crystal Bicone Beads, 6mm Margarita Flower Beads, 6mm Crystal Pearl Beads and 3mm Crystal Chatons.

Crystal bicones come in a variety of sizes making design possibilities endless.

Swarovski provides many different finishes on their crystal bicones.

AB - Aurora Borealis
CAL - Comet Argent Light
DOR - Dorado
GLBL - Glacier Blue
HEM - Hematite
SAT - Satin
METBL - Metallic Blue
METSI - Metallic Silver
TRA - Transmission

These finishes are applied to the top of the crystal.

Then there are other finishes which are applied to the back of the crystal so that you can see the finish through the crystal.

BBL - Bermuda Blue
HEL - Heliotrope
MBL - Meridian Blue
SAG - Sage
SBL - Sky Blue
STS - Star Shine
TAB - Tabac
VL - Vitrail Light
VM - Vitrail Medium
VOL - Volcano

The most popular finishes are AB, SAT, DOR, CAL, HEM, HEL, VL and VM. If you see a crystal that is AB followed by a 2x... this means that the crystal is coated on both sides.

Many of the Swarovski crystal line are available in a wide range of sizes beginning as small as 3mm to in some cases as large as 10mm. Because of the excellent quality and precision cuts and size, creating artisan products is just a matter of combining those different sizes and colors.

Every Swarovski Bead is given a special number. Beadseller offers #5301 Crystal Bicones, #3700 Margarita Flowers, #5810 Crystal Pearls and #1012 Crystal Chatons.

Crystal Chatons are so versatile in creating unique quality designs. Here they are used to accent a beautiful pair of chandelier earrings. These of 3mm Blue Zircon Chatons. Add some crystal bicone drops and you have a gorgeous pair of dress to the nines chandeliers for that perfect black dress affair.

Beadseller offers a huge array of Swarovski colors in the Crystal Bicones. To view what colors we offer - I have created a page displaying the colors we offer.

Whether alone or combined with Semi precious beads or precious gemstones, Swarovski crystals are a perfect with all of your favorite beads.

As I always say, you can never have too many beads and that is true with Swarovski Crystals. Once you try them, you'll be hooked. The huge selection of shapes, sizes and color make this yet another perfect addition to your collected treasures.

Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies

Loop Technique

Once you get the hang of this technique you can use it to help make earrings, dangles, pendants, Y necklaces, and many more jewelry projects. When I teach jewelry making classes, I often find that the most difficult part of any project we make seems to be when my students use round nose pliers to make the eye on a piece of wire or head pin. This seems to give people the most trouble. So, I’m going to attempt to explain how to do it. However, keep in mind, as in any technique that you haven’t done before, practice makes perfect. I don’t know how many times I’ve shown my students how to do it and then when they do it I hear, "It looked so easy when she did it." That’s because I’ve done it hundreds of times. Trust me; my first few attempts where very frustrating. In fact, I remember thinking, "I just paid $24 for these round nose pliers! I wasted my money." So, be patient and practice, practice, practice.

Now for the lesson. First, as I mentioned above you need a pair of round nose pliers. As with any other tools, there are the economy brands and the high end brands. If you make a lot of jewelry, I recommend spending a little more money and getting a pair that are German made, preferably with a small spring in between the handles.

First bend the wire at a 90 degree angle.

In this case I’m making an earring, so I recommend cutting the wire at this point. Obviously, the amount you cut depends on the size of the bead or beads on the head pin. In this case, I cut off about ½ inch. After you’re sure the part of the head pin that is bent is about ½ inches long, you’re ready to start using the round nose pliers to create the eye or circle at the end. In this case I’m making an earring, so I recommend cutting the wire at this point. Obviously, the amount you cut depends on the size of the bead or beads on the head pin. In this case, I cut off about ½ inch. After you’re sure the part of the head pin that is bent is about ½ inches long, you’re ready to start using the round nose pliers to create the eye or circle at the end.
Position the bent part of the head pin so it is facing away from you. Using the round nosed pliers, grasp the end of the bent head pin making sure the middle part of the plier’s nose is holding the pin.

Now that you have positioned your pliers correctly, slowing bend the wire towards you. The first bend will not complete the circle yet.

Now release and reposition your pliers on the circle you’ve started. Continue to bend it toward you until you’ve made a circle.

Now this earring is ready to have the ear hook put on and the eye or circle closed around it.
This is not the easiest technique to explain. But, I believe once you try it a few times you’ll perhaps find your own tricks to this technique. Though you don’t have to use this technique to make earrings and other pieces of jewelry, it really makes for a more finished look. Here’s a picture of an old earring I made many years ago before I knew how to do this. As you can see, the top of the earring is bent more flat because I used a pair of needle nosed pliers.

Now here is a newer earring I made using the round nose pliers and the technique I just explained. As you can see it looks more professional. Also, the bottom part of the earring move freely and this wouldn’t be as possible if I hadn’t made the eyes in the head pins.

All graphics and lessons created by Tammy Powley.

BEADSELLER.US © beadseller@beadseller.us

Czech Glass Beads

Czech Glass Beads

Pressed or molded beads are associated with higher labour costs. These are made in the Czech Republic, in what was once called Bohemia. Thick rods (20cm) are heated to molten and fed into a Rube Goldbergian contraption that stamps the glass, including a needle that pierces a hole. The beads are rolled in hot sand to remove flashing and soften seam lines. By making canes (the glass rods fed into the machine) striped or otherwise patterned, the resulting beads can be more elaborately colored than seed beads. One `feed' of a hot rod might result in 10--20 beads, and a single operator can make thousands in a day.

The Bohemian glass industry was known for its ability to copy more expensive beads, and produced molded glass "lion's teeth", "coral", and "shells", which were popular in the 19th and early 20th century Africa trade.

My favorite glass beads are from the Czech Republic. Czech Glass Beads come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes, finishes; you name it, there is probably a Czech bead for it! Beadseller offers Czech Glass Beads in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, finishes in an array of colors.

Czech Pressed Glass 10mm x 6mm Teardrop Beads - Drilled thru top to bottom

These teardrop beads are pressed glass. Most pressed glass or poured glass beads have seams. Czech Pressed Glass is no different, however, I find that the Czech pressed glass beads have less seams than other manufacturers of pressed glass beads. Teardrops beads are so versatile. They work great as drops for earrings whether as single drop earrings or multiple drop chandeliers. Alone or with other beads - these are fabulous and have such an awesome range in colors.

Czech 6mm Crackle Round Beads

Crackle Beads are often just what a design calls for. I have seen designs that used nothing but crackle beads and was surprised with how pretty. They are what the name implies. I have researched to see how crackles are made to no avail - at least nothing is available on the internet. When I was young, many, many, many, many... okay, you get my drift, moons ago - we would take marbles... I told you I was old... and fry them. You read that right. We would fry marbles and from the heat, they would appear cracked. We traded our prized cracked marbles until we each had the perfect collection. I would venture to say - crackles are made in much the same way. Although, the frying pan for these beauties would be rather humongous.

Czech Trumpet Beads 13mm/8mm

Flowers are never out of style. Unless you are allergic to glass, these flowers will never make you sneeze and even better, never wilt.

Whether you used these as drops on those gorgeous beaded bracelets, as parts of those adorable angels, as unique accents to your home decor, there are many uses for these flowers. The size 13/8 tells us that the flowers are 13mm wide x 8mm hole to hole. I like using trumpet beads and unique beadcaps. Don't knock it until you try it! It is getting more difficult to find beadcaps for those larger beads that are flooding the bead market these days. So when you can't find what you're looking for in base and precious metals - these are fantastic! Speaking of Bead Caps - Beadseller offers a huge array of bead caps for your artisan creations. Czech bead caps are not only great beadcaps but just downright cute.

Czech Pressed Glass 7mm Flower Bead Caps

Czech Glass 14mm x 9mm Curved Leaf Beads

I love leaves. I love taking long drives in Autumn and looking at the beautiful colors. Spring is my favorite season, but nothing can top those gorgeous colors of Autumn. These leaves are top drilled side to side thru the leaf stem.

These are great with those floral charm bracelets. When you need some accents to your designs, consider leaves. Whether they be the Czech curved leaves or acrylic - we will discuss the new lucite beads becoming increasingly in demand in another blog, leaves never go out of style. They are a part of our desire to be in one with nature.



Czech Pressed Glass 6mm Fluted Round Beads

These fluted rounds are super. They come in a very nice array of colors and sizes. Beadseller currently only carries the 6mm Fluted Round, but we cater to our clients and if the demand arrives to add these in larger sizes, we will strive to provide them. They come in the 6mm and 8mm rounds, as well as in a line of AB finish. AB finish stands for Aurora Borealis - giving the effect of a rainbow finish best seen in natural light. Czech fluted rounds are great as spacers in place of metal for softer designs.




Czech Druk 6mm AB Round Beads

Czech Rounds have a unique finish, AB - Aurora Borealis - These unique glass beads have a special finish giving them a rainbow glow when viewed under different types of light. These come in a nice array of colors and sizes. Beadseller currently offers these beautiful AB rounds in Crystal, Blue and Pink in 6mm rounds. Czech Druk AB rounds are also made in 4mm and 8mm sizes. Do you want more colors or sizes, let me know -- I love new beads!






Czech Silver Capped 6mm Cathedral Beads

Czech Cathedral Beads are available in a variety of colors. They are available with bronze capped ends. Beadseller no longer carries the bronze capped Cathedral Beads. They add a flair of vintage feel to your artisan designs. I use cathedral beads in my victorian designs. They add the perfect touch. These are gorgeous glass beads. Cathedral beads come in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm sizes. Beadseller carries the 6mm in a wide array of colors.

Unique Bracelet by Judy Lynn of Jades Creations

These beautiful Jablonex® Czech fire-polished faceted glass Cathedral Beads have silver plated caps. Great for all of your artisan designs - Looking for beads that will give your creations a vintage feel? These are perfect!

Jablonex ® Czech Dipped Decor Druk Beads

These beautiful 8mm Round Jablonex ® Czech dipped decor druk beads are made in the Czech Republic. The special dipping process adds color brilliance to fire-polished beads.

Clear glass beads are strung, tied on a special dipping frame and dipped several times in a special dying solution enhancing color density. The strands are then dried in a special air-filtered dryer. Czech druk decor beads are available in a variety of colors and sold in strands. Beadseller carries a beautiful 8mm line of Czech druk decor beads. When you have trouble finding just that right shade, don't forget to look at the Czech druk decor beads. Their unique colors are truly worth checking.

Jablonex® Czech Pearlcoat 6mm Pearl Beads

These beautiful Czech beads are hand-dipped in a special solution using a special process giving them an amazingly lustrous "pearl" like finish. Beadseller offers this beautiful Czech Pearl line in 6mm amazingly rich colors. These are available in other sizes. Another amazing array of colors to add to your bead palette when designing your artisan creations. You can never have too many Czech glass beads - they will increase your color range in your bead design palette. Speaking of palette, Beadseller offers a fabulous collection of Freshwater Cultured Pearls in designer colors - yet another future blog.

Czech Pressed Glass 8mm Flower Beads

Czech Pressed Glass Beads are available in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes - They are a unique glass bead and make a wonderful addition to the Czech Bead family. These are certainly no different. Although not readily available, these are an interesting Czech bead perfect for your artisan creations. Whether used as an accent or the main central point in your design, these are another of the fabulous Czech line that needs attention. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, hair decor - when you need a little inspiration, reach for some Czech Flowers.




Czech 6mm Rondelle Beads

Czech Rondelle Beads are available in a variety of colors - Beadseller offers the Czech rondelles in 6mm. They are perfect for your artisan designs. If you prefer glass rondelles over metal rondelles or even semi precious rondelles, these are exactly what you want. There is an occasionally color varience, but the uniformity of size is amazing.


Czech Glass Granite 6mm and 8mm Round Beads

With all the new semi precious beads coming available in granite, it is equally as nice to have the constant in yet another Czech bead. These Granite rounds come in a limited color range but numerous shapes and sizes. Beadseller offers the Czech Glass Granite in 6mm and 8mm rounds. These are the Light Blue Granite 8mm Rounds. The Light Green and Mauve Granite rounds are difficult to keep stocked. These glass granite rounds have a unique granite appearance for a fraction of the cost of real granite. Another plus bead for your bead pallete and artisan designs. We can never have too many beads, so if you need these in a different shape or size - Beadseller strives to please.



Czech Glass 6mm Satin Pearls

I saved my favorite for last. These Czech Glass Satin Pearls are gorgeous. I love satin beads. Despite their lack of flash, they add tecture and depth to your creations. Beadseller offers the 6mm Czech Satin Pearls in seven scrumptious colors:

Dark Green, Dark Purple, Gold, Green, Mauve, Blue and as seen to the right - Purple Czech Satin Pearls are available in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm rounds. Beadseller currently only carries the 6mm rounds; but I can be persuaded - You can never have too many beads!

More about Czech Beads

The technology for glass beadmaking is among the oldest human arts, dating back 30,000 years (Dubin, 1987). Glass beads have been dated back to at least Roman times. Perhaps the earliest glass-like beads were Egyptian faience beads, a form of clay bead with a self-forming vitreous coating.

Common types of glass bead manufacture

Glass beads are usually categorized by the method used to manipulate the glass. Most beads fall into three main categories: wound beads, drawn beads, and molded beads. There are composites, such as millefiori beads, where cross-sections of a drawn glass cane are applied to a wound glass core. A very minor industry in blown glass beads also existed in 19th century Venice and France.

Wound glass beads

Probably the earliest beads of true glass were made by the winding method. Glass at a temperature high enough to make it workable , or "ductile", is laid down or wound around a steel wire or mandrel coated in a clay slip called "bead release." The wound bead while still hot may be further shaped by manipulating with graphite, wood, stainless steel or marble tools and paddles, this process is called marvering, originating from the French word "Marver" which translates to "Marble". It can also be pressed into a mold in its molten state. While still hot, or after re-heating, the surface of the bead may be decorated with fine rods called stringers of colored glass. These are a type of lampwork beads.

Drawn glass beads

The drawing of glass is also very ancient. Evidence of large-scale drawn-glass beadmaking has been found by archeologists in India, at sites like Arekamedu dating to the 2nd century CE. The small drawn beads made by that industry have been called Indo-Pacific beads, because they may have been the single most widely traded item in history--found from the islands of the Pacific to Great Zimbabwe in southern Africa. There are several methods for making drawn beads, but they all involve pulling a strand out of a gather of glass in such a way as to incorporate a bubble in the center of the strand to serve as the hole in the bead. In Arekamedu this was accomplished by inserting a hollow metal tube into the ball of hot glass and pulling the glass strand out around it, to form a continuous glass tube. In the Venetian bead industry, molten glass was gathered on the end of a tool called a puntile ("puntying up"), a bubble was incorporated into the center of a gather of molten glass, and a second puntile was attached before stretching the gather with its internal bubble into a long cane. The pulling was a skilled process, and canes were reportedly drawn to lengths up to 200 feet long. The drawn tube was then chopped, producing individual drawn beads from its slices. The resulting beads were cooked or rolled in hot sand to round the edges without melting the holes closed; were sieved into sizes; and, usually, strung onto hanks for sale.

The most common type of modern glass bead is the seed bead, a small type of bead typically less than 6mm, traditionally monochrome, and manufactured in very large quantities.They are a modern example of mechanically-drawn glass beads. The micro-bead or "seed bead", are so called due to their tiny, regular size. Modern seed beads are extruded by machine and some, (Miyuki delicas) look like small tubes.

Molded beads

Pressed or molded beads are associated with higher labour costs. These are made in the Czech republic, in what was once called Bohemia. Thick rods (20cm?) are heated to molten and fed into a Rube Goldbergian contraption that stamps the glass, including a needle that pierces a hole. The beads again are rolled in hot sand to remove flashing and soften seam lines. By making canes (the glass rods fed into the machine) striped or otherwise patterned, the resulting beads can be more elaborately colored than seed beads. One `feed' of a hot rod might result in 10--20 beads, and a single operator can make thousands in a day.

The Bohemian glass industry was known for its ability to copy more expensive beads, and produced molded glass "lion's teeth", "coral", and "shells", which were popular in the 19th and early 20th century Africa trade.

Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Beadseller Turquoise beads are Natural. We strive to provide a variety of different shapes and sizes of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise at affordable prices. Most of the turquoise we sell is stabilized to add hardness to the turquoise. They are exceptional quality and have a very nice polish. Turquoise is available in all shapes, sizes and quality. Not all turquoise is from the Sleeping Beauty mine - but this is the most sought after turquoise on the market.

This 16 Inch strand of Natural Turquoise is "WYSIWYG" - You will receive the exact strand pictured
Bead Size and Shape: 10mm x 15mm Nugget Beads - This strand has smaller nugget spacers between the larger nuggets - These nuggets are from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, AZ

The product code for this item: TQN1510-02SB

Description: These are natural turquoise that has been stabilized to add hardness. These have a very super polish and great even cuts. These have a minimal amount of matrix. These have a beautiful robins egg blue color.

This 16 Inch strand of Natural Turquoise is
"WYSIWYG" - You will receive the exact strand pictured

Bead Size and Shape: 5mm-8mm Nugget Beads - These nuggets are from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, AZ

The product code for this item: TQN85-04SB

Description: These are natural turquoise that has been stabilized to add hardness. These have a very nice polish and great even cuts. These have a minimal amount of matrix. We found a super turquoise vendor and will continue to offer only quality genuine turquoise. We strive to find Sleeping Beauty Turquoise at affordable prices.

This 16 Inch strand of Natural Turquoise is "WYSIWYG" - You will receive the exact strand pictured

Bead Size and Shape: 4mm-6mm Pebble Beads - These pebbles are from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, AZ
The product code for this item: TQP46-01SB

Description: These are natural turquoise that has been stabilized to add hardness. These have a very super polish and great even cuts. These have a minimal amount of matrix. These have a beautiful robins egg blue color.

WHAT AND WHERE IS TURQUOISE

Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined, and while many historic sites have been depleted, some are still worked to this day. These are all small-scale, often seasonal operations, owing to the limited scope and remoteness of the deposits. Most are worked by hand with little or no mechanization. However, turquoise is often recovered as a byproduct of large-scale copper mining operations, especially in the United States. The Southwest United States is a significant source of turquoise; Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. The deposits of California and New Mexico were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans using stone tools, some local and some from as far away as central Mexico. Cerrillos, New Mexico is thought to be the location of the oldest mines; prior to the 1920s, the state was the country's largest producer; it is more or less exhausted today. Only one mine in California, located at Apache Canyon, operates at a commercial capacity today. One of the richest mines in Arizona is the "Sleeping Beauty" mine. It produces some of the highest quality turquoise for jewelry and has a robin's egg blue color.

Bisbee Blue or Bisbee turquoise refers to the turquoise that comes from copper mines located in the vicinity of Bisbee, Arizona.

Though small amounts were found in the Campbell shaft mine, as well as in streambeds in the Mule Mountains, the vast majority of Bisbee turquoise surfaced when the Phelps Dodge Corporation started open pit mining operations at the location now known as the Lavender Pit, especially the eastern side of the pit. Large amounts of a conglomerate rock bed needed to be removed before the deeper located copper ore could be reached. This conglomerate "waste" rock was the host for most of the turquoise, both in vein and nugget form.

Bisbee turquoise can be found in many different shades of color and quality, from soft, low quality pale blue to the quality hard brilliant blue turquoise and most every shade of blue in between. Green turquoise is also found in Bisbee, but is not usually of very high quality. During the time that the largest quantities of turquoise were being extracted from the mine, the company made no organized effort to recover it. It simply got loaded into large dump trucks and hauled off to the "dumps". During this time (primarily through the late-50s into the late-60s), almost all recovered turquoise was made by company employees, taking it home in their lunch boxes, etc. Though this activity was prohibited, it was rarely enforced. For several years (mostly the early to late 70s), these individuals locally know as "dumpers", were the only source for this fine turquoise. Also, during this time, Phelps Dodge leased out the dumps to an individual to mine the dumps for turquoise.

SLEEPING BEAUTY MOUNTAIN
GLOBE, ARIZONA

The trucks on the left transport the turquoise laced rock to the "shaker" on the right.

This machine separates the rock into different sizes and sends it down a conveyer belt where workers pick out the turquoise from the common rock.

There are five “kinds” of turquoise as described by law

1 - Natural turquoise - turquoise that is so hard and beautiful that it is simply mined, cut, polished and set into a piece of jewelry or carved into a fetish or sculpture. Less than 3% of all the turquoise on the market worldwide is natural.

2 - Stabilized turquoise - soft or "chalk" turquoise has been infused with a clear epoxy resin. The resin, under pressure, absorbs into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized turquoise are permanent. Most of the turquoise on the market is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy.

3 - Treated turquoise - soft or "chalk" turquoise that is stabilized as described above, except that the epoxy resin is also dyed. Colors in treated turquoise have a tendency to look artificial. Prices should be much less than natural or stabilized.

4 - Reconstituted turquoise - turquoise "chalk" that is very low grade and has been ground into powder, saturated with epoxy resin, dyed, and compressed into blocks or cakes to be cut into shapes for jewelry making. Prices should be most inexpensive.

5 - Imitation turquoise - there is no turquoise in this category. Either these are stones like howlite (white stone, very porous) dyed to look like turquoise or they are pure plastic (epoxy resin) that has been dyed to look like turquoise.

Turquoise has a waxy luster and is a phosphate of aluminum with copper and traces of iron. Depending on its origin, the stone can be sky blue to green depending on the amount of copper (which makes it blue) and iron (which makes it green).

TURQUOISE METAPHYSICAL LORE:

Turquoise is said to attract prosperity and success, to have the power to influence creative powers, and to enhance the ability to communicate. The stone has long been prized as a powerful talisman with healing properties. Turquoise increases resistance to viruses and helps to relieve sore throats, lung infections and the affects of allergies.

Disclaimer: Metaphysical lore on healing and spiritual healing is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information; they are alternative and complementary and are not scientifically substantiated. By using this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies

Natural African Green Opal Beads

Beadseller African Green Opal beads are Natural. They have a striking blend of greens, browns and some creams. They are predominantly varying shades of green and brown. These are exceptional quality, great shapes, and have a beautiful polish. Lots of rich swirls and patterns. Two or three stones have an occasional void which is typical of common opal. About 2-3 beads per strand. We sell our semi precious bead strands as a WYSIWYG - You will receive the exact strand pictured.

This 16 Inch strand of Natural African Green Opal is "WYSIWYG" - You will receive the exact strand pictured

Bead Size and Shape: 10mm Round Beads

The product code for this item: AGO10-01

Description: These African green opal rounds have a striking blend of greens, browns and some creams. They are predominantly varying shades of green and brown. These are exceptional quality, great cuts and have a beautiful polish. Lots of rich swirls and patterns. Two or three stones have an occasional void which is typical of common opal.

This 16 Inch strand of Natural African Green Opal is "WYSIWYG" - You will receive the exact strand pictured

Bead Size and Shape: 14mm Puffed Square Beads

The product code for this item: AGOPS14-01

Description: These African green opal puffed squares have a striking blend of greens, browns and some creams. They are predominantly varying shades of green and brown. These are exceptional quality, great cuts and have a beautiful polish. Lots of rich swirls and patterns. Two or three stones have an occasional void which is typical of common opal.

We frequently offer pendant stones with the different variety of semi precious bead strands. These are also sold as a WYSIWYG and when possible, both sides of the stone are pictured.

This Natural African Green Opal Teardrop Pendant is a WYSIWYG pendant



Bead Size and Shape: 30mm x 22mm Teardrop Pendant - Drilled thru top to bottom

The product code for this item: AGOP3022-01

Description: This African green opal teardrop pendant has a striking blend of greens, browns and some creams. They are predominantly varying shades of green and brown. This is an exceptional quality pendant, great even cut and has a beautiful polish. Lots of rich swirls and patterns. Striking pendant!

Natural African Green Opal is a member of the Opal family: What and Where is Opal

The mineraloid opal is amorphous. The water content sometimes being as high as 20% but is usually between three and ten percent. Opal ranges from colorless through white, milky blue, gray, red, yellow, green, brown and black. Common opal is truly amorphous, but precious opal does have a structural element. The word opal comes from the Sanskrit upala, the Greek opallios, and the Latin opalus, meaning "precious stone." Opals are also Australia's National gemstone. Opal is a mineraloid gel which is deposited at relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, and basalt.

Australia produces around 97% of the world’s opal. 90% is called ‘light opal’ or white and crystal opal. White makes up 60% but not all the opal fields produce white opal; Crystal opal or pure hydrated silica makes up 30%; 8% is black and only 2% is boulder opal. Coober Pedy in South Australia is a major source of opal. Another Australian town, Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, is the main source of black opal, opal containing a predominantly dark background (dark-gray to blue-black displaying the play of color). Boulder opal consists of concretions and fracture fillings in a dark siliceous ironstone matrix. It is found sporadically in western Queensland, from Kynuna in the north, to Yowah and Koroit in the south.

Fire Opal is found mostly in Mexico and Mesoamerica. In South America, a city called Pedro II, located in Brazil, produces opal that was discovered in 1930. Fire opal, or Girasol, is a translucent to semi-opaque stone that is generally yellow to bright orange and sometimes nearly red and displays pleochroism at certain angles.

The Virgin Valley Opal Fields Of Humboldt county in northern Nevada produce a wide variety black, crystal, white, and fire opal. Most precious opals are wood replacements. Many specimens have a high water content, and as a result, have a greater tendency to desiccate and crack than most precious opal. Discovered in 1904 the mines are still producing gem materials in large amounts to hundreds of seasonal visitors.

Peruvian opal (also called blue opal) is a semi-opaque to opaque blue-green stone found in Peru which is often cut to include the matrix in the more opaque stones. It does not display pleochroism.

OPAL METAPHYSICAL LORE

The Opal is thought to project ones inner beauty. It enhances our creativity, while releasing our inhibitions. The Opal contains the colors and qualities of many other healing stones. It is sometimes called the "stone of inspiration." It is believed to help improve self esteem, bringing its wearer, happy dreams. It is the birthstone for October.

In the middle ages, opal was considered a stone that could provide great luck because it was believed to possess all the virtues of each gemstone whose color was represented in the color spectrum of the opal. However, modern superstition attributes bad luck to the stone, though some believe this is avoided if opal is the owner's birthstone or if the stone is a gift. Even under the last czar at the beginning of the 20th century, it was believed that when a Russian of any sex, of any rank, saw an opal, amongst other goods offered for sale, he or she would not buy anything more, since, in the judgment of subjects of the czar, the opal embodied the evil eye.

Disclaimer: Metaphysical lore on healing and spiritual healing is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information; they are alternative and complementary and are not scientifically substantiated. By using this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies

New Jewelry Making Products

Argentium® Sterling Silver

Argentium® Sterling Silver has an added alloy of Germanium which makes it highly tarnish resistant making it easy to clean and maintain. It is 92.5% Sterling Silver. Like Sterling Silver, it contains some copper alloys. Persons who have a body chemistry that reacts to copper, please note that you may have a similar reaction to Argentium Silver leading to potential tarnishing.




Argentium® Sterling Silver Earring Wires



These earring wires are a flat fishhook design - They are 21 Gauge - When it comes to gauge - the larger the number - the thinner the wire.




Sterling Silver JumpLocks






I believe that JumpLocks, as they become more readily available in all standard jumpring sizes, will eventually replace jumprings. Jumplocks are uniquely as strong as soldered jumprings too.


How they work:





1. Use two smooth or nylon jaw chain nose pliers to grip the sides of the Jumplock at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, with the opening at the top.
2. Holding the left side stead, twist the right side of the ring a quarter-turn away from you. Place your chain, charm, or finding onto the Jumplock.
3. While continuing to hold the left side stead, twist the right side back toward you a quarter-turn past the closed position.
4. Begin to bring your Jumplock into the closed position. As you twist back, very gently push the right side in just enough to make sure that the edges of the two ends make contact with each other. As you reach the closed position, you will hear a click.
5. Twist the right side back and forth very slightly to align the two ends and finish hardening the metal into the closed postion. The ring is now "LOCKED" securely.


Jumplocks Available in Gold Filled




Beadseller Beads & Jewelry Supplies