How to Find a Good Reputable Beading Supplier That Won't Break My Budget

10/20/2011

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Finding a bead supplier is an easy task if you know where to look.

But who is reliable?  Do they offer quality products?  Are their prices affordable?  What is the return policy?

I'm here to help a bit with those questions.  I've shopped a variety of retailers over the years since I've been teaching and I have narrowed down my selection of favorites.

The ones I use are not the only ones, but for the amount of shopping I did to find the right suppliers to fit my needs these are my first 'go to' choices.  I factored in the amount of selection I wanted, customer service, return policy, bulk discounting and first and foremost the product's quality.  Some of my suppliers are local retail stores and others are internet resources.

I would encourage you to first decide what your needs are. 

How much will you be buying at a time? Are you doing many projects at the same time or just one project? Do you have access to a local store?  Can you get out to your local store? Take these and other factors into consideration.  Finding out what your needs are first may also help to decide whether you buy on line or locally. 

You will find my list by clicking here or go to 'Beading Resources' tab and find my list there as well.

If you would like to find a larger list of suppliers available to you an instant resource would be to look through a beading publication.  They are loaded with suppliers fighting for your business.  So again these are not the only ones just the ones I have successfully used over the years and have been pleased with my purchases.

If you have others that you have used and are pleased with I would invite you to share with us your opinion and reviews in the comment section below.

As always I am happy to help if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Happy Beading,

Teri

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How to Create a Simple Memory Wire Bracelet

10/20/2011

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When I was a child I received a bracelet from a very dear Aunt.  It was a coil like pearl bracelet.  It made me feel very special to receive such a special token of love.

My Aunt has been gone for a long time now but I still have the precious treasure she gave me.  It has left me with a lifetime of memories of our short time together.

Once I learned about making beaded jewelry I've never been able to look at jewelry in the same way.  I constantly dissect each piece to figure out how it is made. 


When I came across that special bracelet I saw it in a whole different light. 


The pearls have long since faded unlike the memories it holds.  But seeing it differently now strangely gives a deeper meaning to this treasure.  I quickly identified this coil bracelet as a memory wire bracelet and noticed the smaller details in the design. 

If all of this talk of tools and techniques are daunting to you with out actual pictures check out this simple 'how to make a memory wire bracelet' tutorial.

I provide simple and direct instructions in 4 steps on how to make a memory wire bracelet. 

This project will immediately build your confidence that jewelry making is doable.

Give this a try and check back in with me to show us some pics of finishd products.

Enjoy and happy beading. 
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The Basic Beading Techniques Revealed

10/14/2011

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Three basic jeweler's tools and two beading techniques are all you will need to learn to take you from beading nothing to beading something.

In an early post, we discussed the three basic beading tools, now let's talk about the two techniques.

The first technique used to create bracelets and necklaces is called a 'crimping' technique using the chain nose pliers and wire cutters to complete this technique.

The second technique used to make earrings takes a bit more practice. This technique is creating a single loop in a head or eye pin (we'll discuss pins later).  All three tools; chain nose pliers, round nose pliers and wire cutters, are used to accomplish this.

I'm sure you are asking what do these terms 'crimp', 'single loop', and a 'head pin' mean.  I did too when I first began and I will answer those questions for you. 

We will look at these two techniques in detail and view videos demonstrating these techniques.

By the end you will move more confidently into working basic projects and succeeding.

I invite you to follow the beaded path to continue down the road of catching the beading bug. 

Happy Beading.

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Three Basic Tools For Making Jewelry

10/14/2011

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When I teach a basic to beading class I focus on teaching about the tools, techniques, terminology and lots of tips. 

We’ll break this down into segments.  Let’s start with the beading jeweler’s tools.

Three basic tools are all you need to get started on any beading project. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bookmarks and what ever your imagination can think of are only a tool away.

These basic beginner jeweler's tools are the chain nose pliers, round nose pliers and nippers or wire cutters. 

You may notice that I keep referring to these tools as ‘jeweler’s tools’.  Please pay attention to this.

It is best to use tools intended for jewelry making and not the typical household tools. Jewelry making tools are specifically made for the sensitive materials used in jewelry projects.

One additional tool you will need is some type of beading mat for your work space.  Pictured here is a pre-formed beadboard that allows you to hold and store your project. But something as simple as a hand towel will work just as well.  The main purpose is to absorb your beads so that your materials will not roll away from you.

These tools are very affordable and easily accessible both in craft stores and on line.

Follow along with me and let’s talk about these tools in more depth.  Find out all the specifics you need to know before making your first purchase. 

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How To Begin Making Beaded Jewelry

10/14/2011

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How do you get started making beaded jewelry?  At the bead-ginning of course.

But the beginning is different for different people.  Some prefer to start by taking classes; some prefer to start by reading on the topic.  That was where I started.

Beading magazines and publications were more readily available than classes when I first wanted to learn how to bead.  I was merely interested in exploring this new hobby, not jump in with both feet.  Not quite yet, anyway.  Buying a beading magazine was an inexpensive avenue just to get my feet wet.  I next ordered a beading supply catalog from Fire Mountain Gems. 

I read, studied, and drank in the wealth of information over the next several weeks from this combination, learning what I could about just simple basic information about beads, tools and other materials available.  The combination of a beading magazine and bead supply catalog provided me with a solid foundation that I needed to convince me that I wanted to proceed full steam ahead.  

If this is a path you would like to follow, there are several beading magazines available to you.  My recommendation is to start with the publication ‘Bead Style’.  It is focused on the beginning beader.  Great basic projects, simple instructions, good reference guides all right there.  Let me warn you though, this could become very addicting so proceed with caution and enjoy the journey.

Happy beading.

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How 3 Jeweler's Tools and 2 Beading Techniques take You From Beading Nothing to Beading Something.

10/14/2011

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Do you like working with your hands?

Are you looking for a craft that is kid-friendly?

Would you like to immediately re-start after an interruption?

Do you have little space to hold your craft supplies?

Do you need simple, simple, simple in your life?

Then this is a hobby for you.  Learning to make beaded jewelry is a fun, easy and an affordable hobby. What a great economy buster to be able to create your own costume jewelry.

With three basic jeweler's tools, two simple beading techniques and a few materials you can make a variety of handcrafted jewelry.  Necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings, plus so much more are only a weekend away.  With patience and persistence you will be making your own creations before you know it.

If you are at a beginner's stage and feel overwhelmed by all the selection in the beading department, as I was, I encourage you to start by reading my story how I found my way into the beading world and how easy it will for you, too.

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In The Bead-ginning...

10/14/2011

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Proverbs 20:15 Lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
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Thanks for joining me at the 'Beginning Beader Blog'.   I love sharing my passion for beaded jewelry.   

I stumbled into the beading world partly on purpose, partly by accident in 2001 and quickly fell in love with this easy affordable hobby. 

When I began this process of learning about beaded jewelry there was no one teaching in my area.  I became frustrated but I was also too determined to be discouraged.  I forged ahead.

Once I learned the basic beading techniques I connected the dots and decided there had to be others in my area that were experiencing the same frustrations as I had.

I immediately had an overwhelming desire to teach others how to start making beaded jewelry.  So my focus is the beginning beader.  If that is you then you are in the right place.

But if you are not a beginner any longer then join in the community to inspire those that are just starting out.

I have been instructing 'basics to beading' classes for over 9 years in a variety of venues and settings, fine tuning my format and instructions and introducing men, women and children (including my own) into the world of beading.

This blog has been a long time dream and I came to a crossroads of either getting it started or letting it go.  I was to determined to be discouraged so here I am  and am now entering into the stages of expanding.

My purpose for creating the 'Beginning Beader Blog' is to create an information community focused on the beginner.  Keeping it simple, step by step, so that anyone can learn this easy process.  I will be sharing about the tools, techinques, terminology and lots of tips.

It took a while for me to find my beading network so my hope for this blog is to make the transition to connecting with beading buddies easier for you.

I invite you to join in the discussions and feel free to contribute.  So welcome aboard and happy beading.

Teri a.k.a. Bead at home mom


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