jewlery making?

Question

what do you with beads like this


http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=beads

they come in strands of beads. do you take them apart?

Answer 1

Ths string they're on is pretty flimsy. You can restring them anyway you like.

Answer 2

Most places call those "temporarily strung." Yeah, take them apart. Get a yoghurt lid or Cool Whip lid, and hold your bead strand over it. Cut the knot off from one end and let all the beads fall into your plastic lid. Fold the lid in half like a taco, and you can safely pour the beads into any storage container you have for them.

Get a couple of different strands and mix them. Get some little-itty-bitty beads (seed beads, e beads) or spacers and put one in between the bigger beads. This makes them lay nicely and gives a more polished look to your piece.

If you're looking for ideas, go to www.firemountaingems.com and look for the "ideas" or "patterns" section. Most of the ideas and patterns are free for anyone to use. The company also sells supplies, if you're interested. It's a wholesaler, so get a couple of beading friends to go together with you on an order; that way you get the good prices!

Answer 3

they are temporarily strung, you take them off the strand and mix and match with other beads you like till you have a pattern you want to make then you get the right thread, beading thread, and bead needles, and the ends with the latches on them, then string the beads. try www.about.com, they will send you beading instructions every week or you can get them at the site when you want them.

Answer 4

Yes, you do take them apart; they are "temporarily strung" usually on fishing line. Here is hwere your imagination, sense of color and style, and personal preference comes in. There are virtually limitless combinations of beads, glass, wire, metal, chain, crystals, etc., that you can purchase and combine into something you like.

Also, Barnes and Noble or Borders have most of the Beading Magazines (Bead & Button, Bead Style, Step-by-Step, etc) and you can always go and browse through them as well as the many books they have there.
Michael's has a very limited selection in the scheme of things, and is expensive at that. Fire Mountain is where many of us purchase components to produce finished jewelry, when we first start out. However, a word of caution here, Fire Mountain's quality is not the best--much of their stuff is C or D grade that contain many imperfections. There are many places online where you can get both inspiration and purchase components to make your finished pieces. I will provide links to some below.

There are also Yahoo Groups(AOL, MSN also) that are "bulk-buying groups". We run buys for items at wholesalers, thereby increasing our purchasing power and getting the lowest wholesale price possible. These groups have both experienced jewelry makers and novices who are just starting out, and many of us are willing to share our techniques and tips with newbies. One huge warning that I need to stress---never, ever copy someone's design exactly without first getting their permission or giving them credit; unless, as in a magazine of book of instructions, it expressly says you may do so without permission. This is a huge issue in the artisan area, so please be aware. There are also groups that have online demos, and some were created to have bead shares or swaps ( I happen to own one on Yahoo called Beadshare). Just search around, and find what will work for you, and look through the links I have below.

There are also many books, magazines, trade shows, and online websites that are filled with ideas and step-by-step instructions. Many local beadstores (even Michaels) offer classes on all types of jewelry making from beginner to advanced. Depending on where you live, your school district may have "enrichment-type classes" where you can learn as well.

The links below should get you started, and will provide you with some great ideas, and links to other helpful sites too.
Feel free to email me if you need anything...

Good Luck, and Happy Beading...

Answer 5

Yes you take them apart and make whatever you want from there. You can use the same ones for a necklace (preferably on a stronger strand than what they came on), or split them up to mix with others and make something even better.

CJ

Answer 6

Take them apart and make anything you can. They are great for that and using them usually makes your things stand out more as they are not from a kit

good luck have fun
mas

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

darling, please don't say "jewlery", it makes you llook like a bigot. say "jewelry".