Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Hi Vee...I am a jewelry maker if that is what you mean. I've never taken any classes...I basically taught myself. There is so much good information on the internet that I never even bought a book. All of my jewelry is made of sterling silver, swarovski crystals, and semi precious gems. It is a wonderful way to make extra money. The first show I did I made $935 and that was all it took to hook me into creating pieces for sale. If you need some reputable suppliers...pm me. I've done lots of research finding the best prices and the fastest shippers. It is a great way to help the family income while being a stay at home ......well Grandmother in my case. lol
If you need some reputable suppliers...pm me. I've done lots of research finding the best prices and the fastest shippers. It is a great way to help the family income while being a stay at home ......well Grandmother in my case. lol[/QUOTE]
I'm not a beader, but I bought two packs of beads today at Mike's for $1 each. I'm going to use them on corsage pins to add some glamour to my cards. Sorry for the hi-jack.
I like to bead and I've found I do better with different bead stores that with Joann's or Micheals. I like to use semi precious gemstones and either silk or sterling silver wire. My SIL got me started. I am much more creative when I bead with her. I would love to be able to sell my work. If anyone have good ideas on how to sell, I'd love to hear them.
I bead!
I bead on fabric, make beaded bookmarks, and add beads to cards.
It can be expensive to get started, but after you have a good supply of beads and spacers and such to choose from it's very good for the creative itch!
I mostly like looking at them and playing with size/shape/color combinations, *sigh*
__________________ Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth or the only truth. -Charles Anderson Dana
I bead - I take a class at the local adult ed center. I have been collecting beads for a few years and figured I better do something with them. Problem is that for most of the projects we do I have to buy new stuff. It's a very expensive hobby (like another hobby I know !!wink wink)
I've been making jewelry for several years now. I do use Swarovski crystals a lot, but not exclusively. I'm very selective in picking out beads, and try to find beads that go well with Swarovski bi-cone beads, as they add just enough sparkle to make the piece of jewelry special. I mainly make bracelets, including individual charms that add a bit of interest. For example, I have recently made bracelets in shades of blue with white and silver accents, with a white snowflake charm hanging near the clasp. That's very cute for winter. I have also made matching earrings with the snowflake charms and a few blue and white beads. Seasonal jewelry is fun - Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Spring, Fall, Christmas, Winter.
I've made bracelets, earrings, necklaces, zipper pulls, bookmarks and eyeglass or ID card lanyards. I don't charge "outrageous" prices - I feel it's better to sell my jewelry than to demand higher prices and not sell. I've made as much as $500 at a 4 hour craft fair, and feel that is a good addition to our family income.
I use sterling silver when possible, and one of my favorite "findings" to use are silver "noodles", some are twisted, some curly, some plain and straight. They are classy and delicate looking, and they take up lots of space, so fewer beads are needed. The bracelets I make with the noodles are the first ones to go at craft fairs!
Good luck - if you have any questions, please ask!
__________________ Sally Jo ;-) Of all of the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!
I started beading quite by accident about three months ago. I haven't taken any classes.
First, I purchased a magazine. Then I searched online for beading stores in my area. For example, a list like this one might help you find a store in Maryland http://www.guidetobeadwork.com/local...es/MD.str.html . We have three close by... sadly two others had closed the summer before. I spent a little time in each store, and found one that I really enjoyed. This store has two tables with tools on them where you can sit and bead at no charge. The ladies in the store will help you with your ideas/projects. Awesome!
There are also some great Web sites where you can purchase beads. My very favorite is http://www.artbeads.com -- they allow you to buy just one bead, and shipping in USA is free. Another favorite, when I need larger quantities because of their bulk discounts, is http://www.firemountaingems.com Fire Mountain also has a wonderful printed catalog you can request for free, and they have tutorial videos on their Web site. And don't forget stores like Michael's, JoAnn's, and Hobby Lobby... heck, even Wal-Mart has a beading aisle.
To help with designing the combinations, in addition to magazines, you might consider a place like Etsy.com -- and use the projects for sale there like you would use the SCS gallery... CASE the ones you like.
Do any other beaders here have pictures of your work? I would love to see what eveyone is working on or has made, StampingSpud I did go to Esty and seen your earrings they are very pretty, Great job
Sherry
Last edited by rubberlover; 02-18-2008 at 05:41 PM..
My SIL got me into this a few years ago. I've taken several classes at local shops (wire work & recently some bead stitches) - mostly have learned from reading books/mags (prefer this to reading from a computer screen) & just playing. A lot of shops also have time set aside during the wk/month where you can just go into the shop & work on a project. This is really fun because there are usually several people who make it a night out w/friends & everyone loves helping someone out.
Now I've gotten another SIL into it - helped her out with some Christmas gifts & now she's gone to a few classes with me.
You'll be tempted to buy 'inexpensive' goodies to work with & a lot of it is fine - but I suggest buying the best you can afford. I now use Czech glass, crystals, gemstones, s/s, & better findings. I do use seed beads when I need tiny spacers & don't want to use metals or just want a super tiny bead for something - but not the 99cent stuff from ACM. The difference is noticeable to me now that I've used both.
Most of all HAVE FUN....
Kitty
I got into beading through Bead Retreat. What I like about them is you get a kit with all the supplies you need to make the item pictured in the catalog. They have a nice variety of pretty things and you don't have a ton of beads left over. It's a home party type of company so you can earn benefits and get together with friends to do it. I have actually considered becoming a consultant for them. Here's a link: http://www.beadretreat.com/
Yes, I bead. You might want to check out this website for some magazines and books. They also have some projects to view as well. I started with just stringing beads of different kinds to finding that I love working with seed beads with crystal the best. I subscribe to Bead and Button magazine. I never find anything at Michaels or Joann's -- I buy locally or from FireMountain and Shipwreck.
Location: Dreaming about playing in Sher's Craftroom!!!!
Posts: 10,930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a beader as well. MY Good friend was a jewelry maker for fun and started small like having Home parites and the hostess would get free jewelry depending on sales. Then it got very popular with our local MOM's club and our friends and relatives etc.. she finally opened her own shop and did VERY well. She taught me all my tricks and I even worked in her shop and helped her at home parties and she paid me in Jewlery I didn't want cash!!! LOL
ANyways there are books out there and ALOT of places offer beading classesI I've done it all but mostly just practicing.
I've made, Bracelets, Necklaces, Charm Braceles,earrings, book marks, eyeglass croakies, name badge holders, rosaries (those were a challenge) I don't do them anymore. anklets and even done strands for cards.
I love swarovski's the best and I only use sterling silver components!
Enjoy beading I find it very relaxing and I use ARTbeads all the time. I use to go to Los Angeles with my friend and buy whole sell but I live in Oregon now!!
I do!! I never took a class in my life. I got into it through an article I found on Martha Stewart Living a few years ago and I was hooked.
I have a little Etsy shop where you can see the stuff I make: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5177016
Location: Dreaming about playing in Sher's Craftroom!!!!
Posts: 10,930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anilu Magloire
I do!! I never took a class in my life. I got into it through an article I found on Martha Stewart Living a few years ago and I was hooked.
I have a little Etsy shop where you can see the stuff I make: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5177016
Do you also do Beading?
