Second String Swap

Tagua Nuts as Unique Alternative to Ivory

2010-08-14T20:32:00.004+10:00

Tagua nuts are seeds from a palm tree varietal that is typically found in northern South America. These seeds are used by artisans and made into fantastic and colorful bead jewelry. In terms of the way they look, they are very similar to ivory but are more affordable and eco-friendly. With the emergence of the global green movement, more and more tagua nuts are now being used instead of elephant husks which help in the preservation of these animals without having to sacrifice the demand for beautiful ornaments and accessories that can pass for ivory.

Let me give you a little background about the tagua plant itself. Tagua plam trees grow at a very slow rate. When they reach 35 years of age, they don’t even exceed the height of seven feet. This type of tree bears huge clusters of woody fruit. Each of these clusters weighs around 25 pounds. The fruit itself can contain around four to nine seeds/nuts. The nut shape and size is same as that of a hen's egg.

Tagua nuts have other names in the market. They are also called Corozo, mococha and vegetable ivory. Tagua nut was first used in the land of art and fashion way back in 1750. They were first used in making animal carvings until such time thay they discovered the nuts can also be used in button and bead production.

Because tagua seeds are so similar with ivory, more and more artisans are now using it in producing jewelry and other accessories. They can be made into bracelets, necklaces, home ornaments and so much more. The possibilities are endless for this type of fruit. So if you are looking for unique pieces of jewelry that is eco friendly at the same time, try tagua nuts. You may have just found a new love for these kinds of seed jewelry.

Crystals and Gemstones for Healing

2010-08-12T14:53:00.005+10:00

Science defines crystal as a solid substance that has ions, or atoms, or molecules that are arranged in an organized, duplicating way that extends in all three spatial dimensions. While a gemstone, also called a semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive mineral, which is cut and used to make jewelry and other accessories and adornments. Most crystals are used as gemstones and as beading supplies. Most gemstones are hard and considered rare, properties that give it aesthetic value.

Rich people are not the only ones who possess crystals and gemstones. Even ordinary people may use it for their beading supplies. Those who are attuned to higher astral frequencies require them too, people like psychics, healers and psychic mediums. Crystals like quartz, amethyst, and the likes possess certain elements and properties that are very essential to those who traverse the supernatural plane.
General Uses of Crystals and Gemstones

Crystals, aside from being used as gemstones, jewelry and adornments, are also used for psychic protection, healing, deep meditation, channeling or energy and other energy work, grounding and storing information. Different kinds of crystals, depending on their sizes and the use you intend for them, vibrate at varying frequencies. To tap into its psychic powers, people are usually guided to a particular crystal, which is determined by the energy level of the person choosing the crystal at that time.

Psychically speaking, when you choose your gemstone or crystal, you touch it and you just know it’s yours. This is also what happens when one is choosing jewelry embedded with certain gemstones like diamonds or quartz or sapphire, etc. This means that you are psychically attuned to that crystal or gemstone at that point in time. You may display it at a certain place or corner in your home or you may wear it as jewelry. Whatever you do with it, the crystal already knows what they have to do.

When looking at particular crystals and gemstones, be sensitive about how you feel. They may be communicating with you in ways beyond what is normal. Use these gemstones not just to adorn your physical self, but to beautify and cleanse your inner self as well.

Beads for Jewelry Essential In Healing

2010-08-11T11:48:00.005+10:00

Crystals and Gemstones Are Used For Healing

Many of the certified healers and psychic mediums of today use beads for jewelry, crystals and gemstones in their healing affairs. You may also do this if you are adept at doing so. Otherwise, it would be best to seek the help of a healer, or a psychic medium. These people naturally see and hear Spirit Guides, who tell them which kinds of crystals to use for particular healing sessions. They also instruct these psychics the proper placement of crystal patterns around the house, and around the body, to attain the best and fastest form of healing.

The frequency of the person being healed must be known by the healer, or psychic medium. When the person’s frequency is similar to that of the crystal being used, this will help create balance in the person’s body, and healing can quickly take place. This means that the body has been put back to balance. The healing process is different for each person. It can be fast, it can be slow. To help speed up the process, the person being healed may keep a similar crystal or bead for jewelry and keep it close to him/her all the time.

Taking A Deeper Look At Quartz Crystals

The frequency of Quartz crystals is the one that gives it its healing attribute. This kind of beads for jewelry makes it possible for this stone to revive balance where balance was disturbed. Quartz can assist you in fighting stress, pressure, and many other problems, whether at work, at school, or at home. They help reinvigorate your mind, as well as your spirit. To test it, put a small piece of quartz in a glass of water. The water will be ionized, and will be turned into a drink that promotes healing. This is one of the reasons why psychics typically carry with them some pieces of quartz crystals wherever they go.

Easy Tip On Cleaning Your Crystals

People employ various methods in cleaning their crystals and other beads for jewelry. The easiest one which you can follow is to wash them with water and soap. Afterward, rinse them with running water. Place them on a piece of cloth once you’re done, and put them under sunlight, for a few hours, at least. Once they are dry, you can either wear them again or place them at a corner in your home.

Silver Jewelry Findings Add Character to Jewelry Design

2010-08-10T12:11:00.009+10:00

To make any beaded jewelry look more elegant, sophisticated and expensive, silver jewelry findings are added, either as the star of the show, or to enhance the overall look of the beaded accessory. Silvery jewelry findings help accentuate the intricate wire designs and make bead jewelry a lot more interesting.

There are various kinds of silver jewelry findings. They are:

• Bali-style: This kind of silver findings is very popular among bead jewelry makers. They come in a wide array of shapes and sizes such as heart, coin, saucer, square, oval-hexagon and oval. Sterling silver Bali-style charms make jewelry exude a tribal flair making it look more exotic.
• Corrugated: This kind of silver findings are the hollow metal beads which appear like a tube or donut and are usually used as spacers. Corrugations can be either straight or spiral around the bead. The most typical sizes range from 3mm to 7mm range.
• Fancy: This kind of silver findings refers to any bead that is not spherical in shape. These are the ones that are embellished with crystals, cut, saucer-shaped, corrugated (straight or twisted), and stardust.
• Israel: This kind of silver findings can be purchased in flower or barrel shapes, with size ranging from12.5mm to14mm.
• Mirror-cut: This kind of silver findings make the jewelry sparkle from afar as they reflect light. They come in round and rice shapes.
• Round and Smooth: This kind of silver findings is available in various sizes which offer a more classic and traditional look. Typically, they are strung together. But to give the jewelry more character, they can be used as spacers as well, alternating between round and smooth or smooth and textured metal beads.
• Roundel (Randell): This kind of silver findings are actually flat on the sides and not round. They can be used as spacers or accents to highlight the beauty of the jewelry.
• Satin-finish: This kind of silver findings come in dull finish instead of shiny. They do this by using chemical or by sandblasting.
• Stardust: This kind of silver findings also have rough texture. They are typically used as spacers with sizes ranging .010mm to 6.3mm.

With a wide variety of silver jewelry findings to choose from, you will never run out of interesting designs for your jewelry. Use them well and show off that wonderful jewelry.

Top 4 Bracelets Perfect for Gifts

2010-08-07T02:38:00.007+10:00

When getting a gift for a friend who loves bracelets, the most important thing to find out is his/her taste in accessories. Don’t mind what you think looks good on you. It is the recipient’s taste that matters in this occasion. Aside from taste, you must also have an idea of the size of his/her wrist. Otherwise, it may not fit and there goes your hard-earned money down the drain.

Bracelets come in different sizes, shapes and makes except for bangles that are designed to fit any size. For American females, the average size of bracelets is 7 inches while for males, it is 8 inches.

There is a wide array of styles which are available in most materials than you can imagine. But for now, let me give to you the four most popular kinds. They are bead jewelry bracelets, bangles, gemstone bracelets and charm bracelets. For these four most popular kinds, there are various designs to choose from ranging from the simplest to the most intricate. Explore your options properly before deciding which one to buy as a gift.

Before we further discuss each of these four bracelets, take note that you have to consider the very basic materials being used. This will help determine your budget and the depth of your intention. For instance, gold is always considered the best as it never goes out of style and fashion. It is also expensive and is usually given to those people you care about the most like your spouse. Sterling silver, on the other hand, is the more affordable option. It is popular among the younger generation and with constant polish and care, can always look brand new. There’s also stainless and platinum. They are durable and therefore perfect for everyday wear.

Now, let’s talk about the top 4 bracelets perfect for gifts.

Gemstone bracelets

These are the ones made from semi-precious to precious stones. They offer a variety of color and sparkle. This kind ranges from quartz to amethysts to diamonds and even includes all the other colors of the rainbow with matching prices, of course.

Beaded jewelry bracelets

These bracelets range from the simplest of designs that may remind you of your childhood to the most intricate of styles used in more formal occasions. Of all the bead jewelry, those made of glass beads are the ones gaining more popularity these days.

Bangles

Bangles are the most versatile ones. They can be made from any material like wood, metal, rubber, plastic, beads, glass, etc.

Charm bracelets

For a more personalized bracelet, get this kind. You can have various kinds of stones and beads dangle in there depending on the taste of your recipient. The chain style is the most common and birthstones are often used.

Bracelets as gifts speak loudly of your intentions. So be clear with what you want to say and say it with flair.

Wooden Jewelry Beads Bring Out The Natural In You

2010-08-05T17:12:00.009+10:00

Do you want to bring a whole new dimension and meaning to the natural look that people are going for these days because of the so-called “Green” campaign that is being practiced all over the world? One fashionable way to look natural is to adorn yourself with natural wooden jewelry beads when it comes to creating jewelry and accessories They are chic, light, inexpensive and truly eye catching.

You don’t have to pay a fortune when wanting to look glamorous. Natural wooden beads will do that for you by bringing an earthy tone to any outfit you wear. If you’re the type who likes wearing chunky bracelets and necklaces but couldn’t stand the weight of heavy glass beads and other beading supplies for instance, you can use wooden beads instead. They feel so light and can be turned into perfect gifts when made into bracelets, necklaces, earrings of anklets.

Wood is very versatile. You can turn in into anything, be it furniture, décor, and now even as jewelry beads! It can be pretty much carved into any pattern, shape and size and to add color, you can even paint it. They became very popular among beading enthusiasts and professional beaders because of their soft and smooth exterior and versatility in design.

A Little Bit of History

The Western Civilization first adapted the use of wooden beads in their jewelry making projects in the early 1920s. Since then, people have been amazed by the beauty wooden jewelry beads have exuded that they started making more intricate and fun designs which we now see in the market. We see various wooden beads of different shapes, sizes and color turned into beautifully designed necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Those into the island lifestyle usually wear them every day with the rest of their getup. It makes them look so fresh, natural and very stylish.

How to Take Care of Wooden Beads

Wooden beads come from Mother Nature. As such, you don’t have to be very cautious when taking care of them. As long as they are stored in a proper place that is away from little kids who might play with them or trample on them, your wooden jewelry beads will last for a very long time.

Have An Expensive Looking Bead Jewelry At Half The Price

2010-07-28T01:38:00.003+10:00

Jewelry are sometimes deceiving. You will see a girl full of jewelry and you can say that she is rich enough to buy all of those. But, when you look in details or if you ask her, you would be amazed to find that those set of jewelry are only half the price you expect. How is that so?

Having an expensive jewelry with only half the price is not impossible. It is only a matter of creating it in your own and having the right materials. You do not need to by expensive jewelry to be deemed as having an expensive jewelry. Let the jewelry deceive them.

Knowing how to create your own bead jewelry allows you to save much cost. Compare the price of a jewelry bought from a store and a jewelry you create out of your own hands. You will notice that store jewelry are more expensive than the ones created by you. This is simply because of the marked up price of the seller for added profit. No the difference between the two prices is now your savings if you try to make your own.

Materials are also a major factor in creating an expensive looking jewelry but at a cheaper price. You just need to find quality materials that are sold in a discount rate. You can attain this by going to your regular supplier and ask for discounts on bulk orders. Just save the rest of the materials for later use. The discount you gain from your orders will be your savings.

When you do your bead jewelry, use cheaper but durable and quality strings. You sometimes do not need to expose the strings therefore buy a cheaper one. It can save you much cost of buying a more expensive string but of almost similar quality.

By knowing how to make your own bead jewelry with the appropriate materials will save you much and allow you to create an expensive bead jewelry that is half the cost of a bead jewelry sold in stores.

Mixing Pearls with Coral Beads Make For Elegant Piece of Jewelry

2010-07-27T05:34:00.003+10:00

If you know how to work effectively with colors when making beads for jewelry, it means you have certain knowledge about color symbolization and harmony. With this knowledge, you are aware that each color has certain meaning. When colors are mixed together or combined, the resulting effect on the person exposed to it changes consequently. If you notice, when certain colors are combined in a design, the overall effect either gets subdued or gets more expressive.

There are two colors that when combined, gets more attractive and magnetic – red and black. They make a bold statement whether these colors are used in apparel or accessories. Black has always been considered as strong, deep and characterizes a receptive quality. Red, on the other hand, is the more aggressive of the two colors. When combined, they become a bold symbol for power as their dynamic energy intensifies. This is because red activates all energies around it while black allows red to sparkle further. When used in jewelry, such as when combining black pearls and red coral beads in a setting, it expresses an assertive kind of strength and a luxurious flair for fashion.

It’s not hard to create beads for jewelry using black and red as the colors. You can use glass beads or semi-precious stones like pearls and coral beads, or amber and trade beads to make the style you want for your necklace or bracelet for instance. Whatever kinds of beads you choose in making your own beads for jewelry, the possibilities of design you can make are endless. Your imagination sets the limit for what you can do. Red and black will always remain striking to almost everybody’s eyes and a combination of colors such as this will never go out of fashion. It is timeless, luxurious and elegant.

Start A Bead Forum For A Greater Cause

2010-07-22T05:11:00.003+10:00

Bead making is considered as a personal quest on creating your own bead accessories and jewelry. This is a great personal hobby after a day at school or at work. You can simply sit down in your favorite couch and let your creativity flow.

But, bead making is not limited to one person only. There are a number of bead making enthusiasts out there who has more experiences and ideas to share to people. You may be a good bead maker but your ideas are limited. You may say that books and the internet is your way to earn these ideas but then, your personal concerns may sometimes be left unanswered and the book or the internet cannot exactly answer that.

To gain more ideas as well as to meet some fellow bead making enthusiasts, starting a bead forum is a good idea. People joining the forum can ask questions and share their own ideas. Each one can contribute on how to take bead making into a higher level or how to gain more ideas for your bead jewelry designs. So much to talk about and all concerns will be answered through bead forums.

You can start one by advertising yourself. Establish a good forum place and invite people you know that share your same interest. You can start small for less than ten people but then, number of people will eventually join your forum if they see it very useful and consistent. All you need to do then is to maintain the quality of the bead forum by restricting it to the areas of bead making and not allowing scam into the forum.

As your bead forum progressed, you can even come up with projects on how to make a good cause. Have a bead jewelry bazaar and give the proceeds to charity. You can even create an organization out of your bead forum members and do things for a cause. Not only will you all enjoy the great things bead making can do but you can also put everything to a good cause.

Jewelry Beads - Seven Sources of Inspiration

2010-07-16T19:09:00.002+10:00

Are you running out of ideas for your next beading project? Do you think you’ve exhausted all possibilities out there? Fret not. Here are nine simple things that can help you inspire creativity not just for your next set of jewelry beads but for numerous other beaded projects you can do for a long period of time. If you take this list seriously, it will inspire you to design and make jewelry beads for many years to come. Just keep a notebook handy so you may jot down every idea that comes to mind.

When creativity seems to elude you, follow these seven remarkable ideas to help you spark that inner joy and natural ability of yours to make new jewelry beads.

Go visit your grandparents or parents and ask them if you can take a look inside their jewelry boxes. There could be some vintage pieces in there that you would love to duplicate using other types of beads.
Go to flea markets, vintage shops and garage sales. Roam the aisles and try to notice the little broken pieces of old jewelry, interesting fabrics and various other accessories.
Watching old and period movies may not be your taste but you’d be surprised at the way their jewelry and accessories looked during those times.
Read old and new teen magazines, fashion magazines and the like. This will keep you up to date with the latest trends and designs in jewelry beads and help you gather information about how and where to market your beaded creations.
If you used to buy commercially made beads before, check out online videos on how they make the most interesting designs. This will surely teach and inspire you to create your own unique style.
Try to research accessories and ornaments from other countries then compare them with your own. You will get ideas on other designs you can do and you can even combine certain elements for you to create your own unique design of jewelry beads.
Research about the meanings behind every gemstone. This will compel you to create pieces that will have some health and religious significance for you.

Jot down every spark of inspiration and idea that comes to you. Later on, you will be able to use this information in making pieces that you never thought you could do or even think of before.

How To Effectively Sell Your Beaded Creations

2010-07-08T02:57:00.004+10:00

Bead making is more than just a hobby. Many people these days find their hobby more than just a leisure experience but can be a great business venture due to its unique designs and features as well as attractive colors. Beaded jewelries are great for selling to people who wants to be more fashionable and think of embellishments in the body as a means of expression.

If you have the urge to sell your beaded creations, just go on and sell them. This will not be a regret because these beaded jewelries are in demand and have valued cost.

Yet, consider the overwhelming supply and competitors these days, you must also do some marketing strategies in order to generate a good market for your beaded jewelries hence, be more successful in your business venture.

A good exposure is one way to make people know that you are selling beaded jewelries. And letting them know you sell some will entice them to check out your creations and eventually buy some. If they like it, they will consider you as a good supplier of their beaded accessories and your business is just on its way to a success.

But, it takes more effort to be exposed. Here are some of the tips you can find in order to get a good advertisement for your beaded jewelries.

One is media advertisement. What more could be effective than allowing media to do the exposure for you. You can rent an ad space in a print ad or promote your beads in TV. The scope will be greater than you can imagine and phone calls as well as emails will be too many to handle. Yet, this means a lot of cost for you.

Another is by doing the promotions by yourself. You can expose your beaded jewelries by simply wearing them. When you wear them, people will see how beautiful your beaded jewelries are and may ask you were you might get it. Then, business starts. Just work great on your negotiations.
Creating a launching is also a great exposure by organizing a party or a mini gathering and presenting your beaded jewelries will let people be aware of what you sell.

You can also try to get affiliations in related craft stores or shops that have more customers each day. Rent a space where you can display your beaded jewelries and people who come in and go will have a good look and even be enticed to purchase one of your beads.

Lastly, try getting some help with your friends and families. A good word of mouth is always an effective way to advertise your beaded jewelries. People always believe and buy items endorsed by their friends and families.

In every advertisement you make, always have a business card bearing your name and contact information. You do not want to make your customers wonder where you can be found.

Add Some Beads To Your Quilts

2010-07-06T02:52:00.005+10:00

Quilts are great craft items ideally for covers and for gifts. Many women find these comfy blanket like designed cloth a great cover for their different furniture or other stuff at home. That is because these add to the warmth as well as to the design of the house. Plain covers will do no good especially if these make your house looks like no one is living there.

Not only that, quilts are used as blankets due to their thick and cozy feature. You can feel a bit warmer when covered with quilt on a cold night. For smaller version quilts, these are great as wall hangings to enhance decorations.

For wider materials and design to your quilts, try adding some beads. You can buy a readymade quilt and juts place your chosen beads or do your quilts from scratch. That way, you get to choose the design you want. But there are important things you must consider first before rushing on adding some beads to your quilts.

As mentioned above, quilts are used for covers. If you plan to use your quilts as cover to yourself or to some of your furniture, you may not need to add some beads. It might be to annoying to feel a few bulks when sleeping or your furniture will just have a few scratches from the continuous rub of the beads.

A good project for adding beads to your quilt is a wall hanging quilt of a personalized quilt made for gifts to your loved ones of friends. These are great since you just have to place these arts as displays. As for your gifts, you can add a personal touch by forming a beaded pattern of his or her name on the quilt or a big birthday greetings in the center. Whatever is the design, it can definitely make that person surprised and feel important.

Now, when adding your beads, do not try to use adhesives of any sticky materials. Try to secure your beaded pattern by stitching them. That way, it will not easy fall apart and can still retain the pattern and the beauty of the design in many years to come. Furthermore, a quilt last long since it is made of thick cloth and every material used in it is resilient and stitch together in the cloth.

So, why not be more creative and try to make your own artistic quilts with some bead designs.

Humble Features of Sterling Silver

2010-06-30T01:14:00.001+10:00

Jewelry has been widely used by many people all over the world. Both men and women benefit in its good purpose of adornment and enhancement of one’s physical appearance. Many types of jewelries are very popular and one mostly used and desired by many is the sterling silver.

The use of this lovely piece of jewelry goes back in the early days when civilization is still at its early beginning. Ancient Egypt used these as means to embellish their gods and are used for particular ceremonies and rituals. All throughout history, silver has been renowned all over the world and most of its existence is made into fine sterling silver jewelries.

Nowadays, silver has increased its popular by being the most preferred type of jewelry. Although it might rank second to yellow gold, sterling silver are sought after in terms of jewelries and are more desired than the yellow gold.

The characteristic of a sterling silver is minimalistic. It is very simple but elegant and sleek when used as jewelry. The yellow gold, comparatively, is mostly ostentatious with all its shine and brilliance. However, the sterling silver stays in a low light in all simplicity and modesty. That is why, many people would rather buy sterling silver jewelries than a fine yellow gold.

Aside from its simplicity and elegance, sterling silver is more affordable than the yellow gold. Since there are no karats included in this jewelry, no added cost are priced on every sterling silver jewelry. Most gold jewelries stay on the high price range due to its number of karats. The more karats one jewelry has, the pricier it is.

Many people enjoy wearing silver jewelries because it is so flexible. You can wear it on a casual wear or use it for added beauty on a glamorous night. It can even match with any type of skin color.

Sterling silver maintains its character of simplicity, modesty and elegance. People who wants to adorn themselves with fine jewelries but wants to stay behind the spotlight should go for sterling silver. It is like buying more for a lesser price.

Know How to Maintain Your Beautiful Pearls

2010-06-29T03:33:00.004+10:00

It is believed that pearls belong to the list of most elegant and luxurious piece of jewelry. That is quite true considering the cost of buying pearl jewelries. In addition, the shiny and classic façade adds to the elegance of any of your outfits. Though pearls look timeless, it is also deemed as vulnerable to fading and damage if not handled with total care. Hence, for people owning pearl jewelries and would have the intention to retain the beauty and form of these elegant piece, do all means to clean and care for your pearl jewelries.

Maintaining a pearl jewelry is not like a simple wash and wear routine. It needs a little more effort on your part as the owner of this elegance. Since a pearl is mostly composed of organic elements, it may not last long for many generations hand down. A saltwater pearl often last for 150 years and a freshwater pearl can only last half of the lifetime of the saltwater pearls. However, if not well cared for, the years may lessen drastically.

In cleaning and using your pearl jewelries, you have to remember a few tips. As this type of bead is mostly organic, too much exposure to sunlight or to artificial heat can damage the exterior of the pearl. It will dry off and lose its luster. Pearls are moist since these are originally found in the water, thus, it needs to retain its moisture. Try rubbing these with gentle olive oil and a soft cloth or tissue to maintain its gloss.

Pearls are very sensitive. They can easily broke, chipped off or damaged if bared in harmful chemicals and compositions such as acid, artificial chemicals like perfumes, lotions, cleaning agents and the like. When really in the need to use such chemicals, avoid your pearl jewelries first before using them. Then, give a few seconds lag time after use of these chemicals, or wash your hands, and wear your pearl jewelries.

Some women even try not wearing these pearls after all the moisture in their bodies caused by lotions, creams, perfumes and even their perspiration to be certain that no dab of the chemical or acid can be in contact with their pearl jewelries.

For cleaning these beautiful pearl jewelries, wash them with gentle water and mild soap. Do not scrub or rub them to rub materials. Dry them off with a soft cloth or a tissue. You can do this occasionally to really remove chemical compounds or acid in the exterior of your pearl jewelry. You can also try re-threading your pearls for more protection when dropped on the floor.

The tendency if such instance may occur is for your pearls to scatter around the area. Sometimes, a few may be broken. A new and resilient thread is more appropriate for extra support and have each of your pearls securely tied in the thread to refrain from scattering when dropped and each of them remains intact in the thread.

Maintaining one precious item can be arduous with many things to consider. However, the result is a more elegant and beautiful pearl jewelry you can wear for many years to come, without a slight sign of fading and aging.

Basic Jewelry Findings - Get To Know Them

2010-06-24T23:54:00.003+10:00

Jewelry findings may seem insignificant to most non-jewelry makers but they are essential requirements when it comes to jewelry bead making. They help make a piece of jewelry look more finished and professional looking.

Aside from eyepins, headpins and clasps, the following are some of the other most basic jewelry findings:

Crimp Beads

They are an essential part of every jewelry maker's toolbox, especially for those who are working with beads. These simple beads, usually in silver, are used to cover knots in the thread as well as secure a loop in a necklace or bracelet string so that the jewelry maker can attach a jump-ring to the loop in order to complete a clasp. The metal is typically soft. After putting the crimp bead in position, a pair of crimping pliers or flat-nose can be used to compress the bead and secure it in place. Try practicing a few times until you get the hang of compressing the finding without distorting it. There are a number of ways in creating styles and it all depends on how you hold your pliers.

Earring Wires

For those of you who are making earrings, you should also have a stock of silver findings in your bead containers. These earring wires have either loops on the end, so you can design a 'teardrop' style with a bead, a drilled pearl attached, or those with flat head ends. These earring wires support a bead or series of beads on the length of the wire. It would be wise if you can invest in sterling silver findings, since some people tend to be allergic to the nickel coated wires. They may cost a few cents more, but the value they give to your finished products will last a lifetime.

Humble Jump Ring

This is the kind of jewelry finding that everyone used without exception. With a circle of silver wire, cutting in its circumference, it allows the ring to be opened and closed again. This makes it act as a loop between the end of a necklace and the clasp. Actually, without the jump ring, making jewelry can be more difficult.

It's not just earrings, bracelets and necklaces that make use of silver findings when making jewelry. There are actually thousands of ways to incorporate its use include costume jewelry, delivate filigree work, and every other type of jewelry you can think of. Start stocking now. As you get better with making jewelry with the help of jewelry findings, you can then start to create your own unique designs.

Ethnic Designs By Seed Beads

2010-06-24T04:10:00.005+10:00

Seed beads are among the unique kinds of beads often used these days. Before, gemstone beads are the more popular due to their value and function. But, people these days are learning to appreciate on a more natural look. Hence, many would opt to buy natural beads such as seed beads as part of their materials in making their own decorations at home or with their work or for some people, accessories made of natural beads are what attract them the most when doing their shopping.

Mainly, seed beads are often seen in wrists of young girls but nowadays, these can be noticed as part of men accessories. Men are usually attracted to simple and plain things, mostly on the more natural and wooden. Bracelets and necklaces made of natural beads such as wooden beads and seed beads are what men prefer to buy. Of course, these men would also like to be called fashionable but mostly not undermining their manly side.Seed beads are generally small beads, often resembling seeds of fruits in terms of design, size and shapes. Usually, colors of some seeds are imitated when creating seed beads. This is because it can produce a more natural look if seen as a real seed. However, some contemporary look of a seed bead may now come in various colors and shapes to give a wider selection and option when doing some projects involving seed beads.

Mostly when using seed beads, the project may be more ethnic in appearance. This is because of the color and pattern that seed beads can create imitating a more ethnic look. If you surround yourself with many accessories using seed beads as a dominant material, you most likely look like a part of a cool modern ethnic group. Nevertheless, seed beads are not limited to body accessories only.

Many people are now exploring the other functions of a seed bead and these are in creating personalized stuffs such as decorative bags, wall hangings, table spreads and even your coasters and placemats. These are great for home use since it may add a touch of natural look to your home as well as serves both as a functional piece and as a trendy ornament to your house.

How to Repair Costume Bead Jewelry

2010-06-24T00:07:00.004+10:00

Costumes that come with bead jewelry made of beads and semi-precious stones are so nice to wear. They really make the costumes stand out and they make the wearer look more striking and beautiful.

So whether you purchase costume bead jewelry for your own collection, for resale or other forms of investment, it's crucial to have that knowledge when it comes to repairing a damaged piece, or one that has missing stones, condition issues and the likes. So how does one repair it without damaging the costume?

In repairing broken bead jewelry pieces in costumes, you have to be aware of some issues first. There are some repair issues that may require a professional’s hand, while there are others that you can do yourself, and which may require time, money and effort on your part.

Below are some helpful tips on how you can go about repairing the bead jewelry in costumes:

If you don’t already have a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe, now is the time to invest in one. There is that kind which you can strap on your hand, so you may leave your hands free to do other things.

When it comes to rhinestones and crystals, which are the most common problems in costume jewelry, you met set older pieces with glue, but don’t use too much. Avoid using Krazy Glue of Super Glue because it may damage the piece, especially vintage pieces. Also, don’t use hot glue because temperature changes may crack the stone. Use the kind of glue that is specifically designed for jewelry which you can find in jewelry supply websites and craft stores. Most importantly, use only enough amount, or as little as possible, for easy drying.

When it comes to putting a stone back in its proper setting, you can just wet the tip of your finger to make the stone stick and then just be careful when dropping in into the setting.

If you happen to have broken bead jewelry, unmatched earrings and other stones, save the pieces for future use. You may just find a use for them in the future. Better be safe than sorry.

Costume jewelry is made to be worn and enjoyed. By replacing the metal and replacing the missing pieces, you will give your vintage jewelry a brand new sparkle and glow plus many more years of wear.

Bring Your Bead and Wire Jewelry Talent Into Your Home

2010-06-22T23:18:00.006+10:00

Bead and wire jewelry are not the only things you do with your craft and bead supplies. You can also apply your creativity and craftsmanship in making other things inside your home look even more beautiful and presentable, not just to you, but to your family and guests as well. Let your imagination run free and think of other alternative ways to use your bead supplies. You can add flair to an ordinary pair of jeans for instance by sewing some beaded design on it. You can make a vase look more attractive with beads and ribbons. You can add some beaded decoration to your wine glasses to make each one more personal for your guests. And the list goes on. There is absolutely no limit to what you can come up with. You may experiment and go with the flow of inspiration.

Here are other fantastic suggestions on where you apply your creativity when it comes to using bead and wire jewelry:

Phone Charm

Since almost everyone has a mobile phone these days, it now becomes a part of a person’s everyday getup. You may decorate your phone using bead and wire jewelry to make it match your day’s getup.

Bookmark

If you are the bookworm type, why not embellish your bookmarks with bead and wire jewelry? A little eye candy when reading is good for the brain, plus it will definitely make the book look more enticing to read.

Candle Centerpiece

If you’re the type who likes having romantic candlit dinner at home, why not go all the way by decorating your candlesticks too? You can match it with the color and style of your table cloth. This way, a little glamour and style is added to the whole ambience of your dinner.

Other Areas Around the House

You can decorate door knobs, drawer handles as well as keys with bead and wire jewelry to make your home look more trendy and fashionable. Lamps are also a great spot to let your creativity shine. Choose crystal beads and attractive wire, They will definitely light up the room once the lamp is turned on especially at night. They may even help spark enthralling conversations with your guests.

Making bead and wire jewelry is an art that is not exclusive to jewelry and accessories. They can be used and applied to almost anything and everything. Start bringing out the artist in you through bead and wire jewelry applications.

Bead Jewelry Clasps - Get that Posh and Finished Look

2010-06-21T07:30:00.014+10:00

Have you just started learning how to do bead jewelry and accessories? Perhaps, you’re still not familiar with all the terminology involved in this craft. Well, fret not because you have a lifetime to learn about all this and there’s no better time to start than now. Sooner or later, you too will become an expert and create your own wonderful bead jewelry designs.

For now, let me teach you about one of the jewelry making supplies you will need for your beaded accessory: lobster claw clasp.

"Lobster claw". Sounds scary. For the hungry ones, it sounds like food. Actually, this is a generic term for all types of clasps that can open and close. Clasps like this have the ability to hold both ends of the bead jewelry together through its locking mechanism. Some makers and designers of bead jewelry use lobster claw clasps, not just for closing, but to also attach charms. If the lobster claw looks fancier than usual, it can also act as a visual centerpiece of a necklace.

You might want to learn more about the classifications of lobster claw. Here they are:

Pelican and Specialty Trigger Clasps: They are curved clasps with trigger located at the outer convex surface.

Balloon Clasps: They have longer thinner construction, are oval in shape, require less metal than other oval-shaped clasps, therefore, are a lot lighter in weight.

Swivel Clasps: This is also a kind of oval clasp where its base tend to rotate separately from the rest of the claw. This allows the bead jewelry more freedom in movement and gives the wearer more comfort.

Other Specialty Clasps – heart trigger clasps, cat trigger clasps, elephant trigger clasps.

There are some designers and bead jewelry consumers who see lobster claw as less stylish than a toggle bar. But then they prove to be more secure when fastening bead jewelry and other accessories. When buying these things, just make sure that the trigger is working, does not stick and does not pop. Choose from the many different designs and have fun making your bead jewelry.

Be Modest yet Modish With Wooden Beads

2010-06-19T02:05:00.005+10:00

Looking natural does not mean you take off all the makeup and all the frills in your body. You can still go on with your advocacy to nature and still look glamorous anywhere you go with some wooden bead accessories in your body.

Wooden beads are natural materials that look modish when created into trendy jewelries like bracelets, wooden necklaces or even a pair of earrings. This type of beads is flexible enough to fit any outfit for as long as you choose the appropriate type of wooden beads. It comes in different shades of wooden tint, varying sizes and shapes and can have patterns or designs available for any creative work.

The great advantage of these wooden beads is that it is so light that you will not feel the burden when worn around your neck or even in your wrist. Some types of beaded jewelries can be heavy to add to your load. In addition, wooden beads are less expensive than other types of beads hence, it becomes a fad even until these days when more selections of jewelries are introduced.

Like any other types of beads, wooden beads also need care from the person owning them. But, unlike some other types of beads, these natural beads needs less attention. Since these are predominantly made of wood, then it has a water resistant property that even if you wash your hand often, you need not to take off your wooden bracelet around your wrist.

There may be times though that some of the color may wear off but these are not considered dull. Although these colors may wear off or paints may chip off, you will still have that natural look of a real wood. Just reuse it if the strings may break off.

Make Your Beaded Necklace More Personal

2010-06-18T01:14:00.004+10:00

Admit it! We all love anything personal. We like to have stuff that has a personal touch or simply a reminder of something personal in our lives. Whether a body accessory, materials at home or even our school things, we often add something personal. We want to identify that certain thing as our own, hence, we place some labels. We wanted everything associated with us to be personalized.

A personalized necklace is no exception. You may wonder how can that be possible. It is actually very simple. Just have some letter beads, pendants or any craft materials that has a personal touch and your creative mind. You can create a beaded necklace with your name on it.

Have some small beads in the strings first. Then form your name or alias through the letter beads and one by one insert them on the strings. Finish off with some small beads having similar pattern as of the previous set of beads before your name and close your necklace. Now, everyone will know your name by looking at your personalized beaded necklace.

If you are not that comfortable with your names on your necklace, why not try your initial instead. Look for a big or medium sized pendant with your initials on it and use them on your beaded necklace. Or you can have your pictures printed in a material ideal for a pendant. Then you can carry around your picture in your neck or even together with your best friend’s picture.

You can do whatever you like to make your necklace and other frills more on your personal side. You can even enhance using different colors and patterns of different beads. Why add beads? It is because beads are flexible materials that can be used in any patterns or designs. It comes with variety of colors to choose from, shapes and sizes as well as designs that can broaden your selection and design for your jewelries.

Beading Supplies – Know How to Store Them Well

2010-06-17T22:42:00.006+10:00

Beads are so wonderful to look at, especially if you have tons of them, made of various materials that come in different sizes and shapes. They help create wonderful, one of a kind pieces of accessories and jewelry. But how do you store your beading supplies properly? You can’t just leave them lying around. They may cause some minor accidents inside the house or worse, your child, or little kid brother or sister might pick them up and eat them! Wouldn’t it be nice if you store them properly so that any time you want to use them and finish that unique piece of bracelet or necklace you’re making, you easily know where to find them?

Here are some examples of storage pieces you can use for your beading supplies:

Vials

These are tiny containers that are typically used for storing seed beads since they are very tiny too. They are also sometimes used for medicine tablets and are stacked up one after another. This way, if you get to open only the portion you want while the others remain sealed and secured. Get ones which have snap closure to secure your beads inside.

Bead Cases

There are many kinds of bead cases. Some have slots while some have acid-free tacky surface on top and bottom portion of the bead case. When bead cases are used, beads don’t easily slip from inside. This way, you’d use needles to pick up your tiny beads. They’re perfect for traveling and for using at home.

Bead Organizers

Bead organizers come at different sizes. Some are large, some are medium, and some are small. They have compartments inside so you can easily segregate your beads in one place. This way, if you need to do an intricate design which uses a number of different beads and gemstones, you can all easily carry them with you with the help of a bead organizer.

Bead Storage Drawers

Bead drawers are like the bead organizers. The only difference is that they come with pull out drawers. This is better for home use rather than for travel, unless your bead drawer can be shut closed and secured. The drawers pull out for easy access to needles, tweezers or other small items.

These are just some of the best storage places for all your beading supplies. With them, you can practically do beading anytime and anywhere.

Shared Time with Family and Friends through Bead Making

2010-06-16T22:57:00.006+10:00

Bead making is a fun hobby when you have leisure time alone. But, did you know that through bead making, you are not only creating masterpieces of beautiful beaded jewelries but also a bond between your families or your friends?

If you do your beaded jewelries in an environment where your friends are gathered around you and also do their bead making, you will feel that you can share almost anything in this world. While finishing your beaded projects, you and your friends can gossip, share secrets and even laugh your hearts out. In the end of that fun beading session, you’ll realize that you wanted to try it another day.

In addition, all of you can impart ideas on how to enhance each other’s beaded jewelries or perhaps even share on bead supplies if others may not have their own. The benefit of doing a common hobby is more than just having someone who shares your interest.Bead making is also a good way to be closer to your family. In sharing your knowledge on bead making, you can lend a hand on your sister’s project and add some of your beads to her creative assignments. You may also teach her how to do her own beaded jewelries. That way, you two can have a quality time doing your beads as well as gain her trust that you are always there to help her.

You can also help in enhancing or decorating your homes in special occasions through beaded decorations and accessories. Create some bead strings and place it around your walls to produce some sparkles in your house on a fun dinner party. Or you can even make some yuletide beaded ornaments and put some in your Christmas tree. Not only will you make your house readily decorated for any occasions, you will make your mother proud on the cost you saved from buying added decorations and the beauty you created in your home.

Beads Jewelry Supplies : Lapis Lazuli

2010-06-16T22:48:00.006+10:00

Ever thought of a gemstone that looked like it came straight right out of the Arabian nights? It is deep blue in color with golden inclusion of pyrites that sparkle like tiny stars. This gemstone is none other than Lapiz Lazuli. It is a semi-precious stone prized for its antiquity and intense blue color. It is oftentimes used as beads jewelry supplies when creating beautiful necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. In terms of its history, this opaque blue gemstone has had quite a grand past.

Lapiz Lazuli is actually one of the very first gemstones used for beads jewelry supplies, therefore, it is one of the precious stones first used as jewelry. When excavations were done in ancient centers around the Mediterranean, archaeologists have discovered decorative chains and furnishings made of Lapiz Lazuli. This just proves that this gemstone has been used by people of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Persia and Rome thousands of years ago. When the ancient Mediterraneans discovered it, they named it “lapis” which is the Latin term for stone, and “azula” which is the Arabic term for blue.

Today, Lapis Lazuli is regarded as the stone of friendship and truth by many people around the world. Many believe that the blue stone encourages harmony in any relationship and helps its wearer become more candid and true to himself/herself.

But the truth is, Lapiz Lazuli is not just one of those beads jewelry supplies used to create pretty jewelry, or ornaments and accessories. It is more than that. Psychics regard it as a healing stone that helps strengthen the immune system, creates balance, releases tension and anxiety. All these psychic powers are believed to have come from the vibrations emitted by its blue color.

If you’re the type of person who needs healing in these aspects of your health, make sure you include Lapis Lazuli in your beads jewelry supplies. Even if your accessory only has a few pieces strung together with other beads, it can already do a lot of difference by providing healing in some aspects of your life.

Organize Your Beads and Supplies for Easier Beading

2010-06-16T00:33:00.004+10:00

Beading can be so much fun with all the creative designs you can think of, you will have limited time for so many patterns and styles to create. Yet, beading can also be exhausting especially when you get to the end part of the whole process, the clean up. It may sound simple but with all the different beads ranging from different colors and sizes as well as your used strings and some beading supplies, you will be too annoyed and hoping to finish as quickly as possible.

If you rush on putting away your beads supplies, your next session of beading will be focused more on identifying and sorting your beads and other supplies that you failed to do so in your previous session. So to lessen the hassle and the annoyance of trying to sort which beads to use or not, try to organize your beads supplies at first hand and you will eventually have a smooth flow in beading.

Organizing your beads su pplies can be easy if you have the proper things to aid you in arranging your supplies. First, you must find storage boxes or containers for your different beads supplies such as your beads, your strings and other beading tools. Then, sort out your different beads. Since beads are the most intricate and numerous in varieties among your beads supplies, you must try to sort out your beads first.

You can either separate the beads according to kinds, sizes or colors. If you are into bead making and not really concern with the types of beads to use, you can classify these according to colors instead. After you sort them, you can place these beads in different containers. It is ideal to keep these beads in glass storage to be able to see the items clearly from the outside. If you do not have any glass storage or transparent ones, you can label these containers according to what is inside.

After all the sorting of your beads, storing and labeling, you can store the rest of the supplies. For easy carry and transport, you can have a storage similar to a toolbox wherein many compartments are inside to classify the various supplies. It is also easy to take it with you outside your homes and have easier and faster beading.

Making things in order will make your work more convenient and faster. It will also make your working tools clean and nice to look at without the clutter.

Beads Jewelry Supplies – Amazing Tips on Needles and Bead Spinners

2010-06-15T23:15:00.002+10:00

Most seed beads are tiny that stringing them together can become a daunting task sometimes. But don’t fret too much because there are now available ways on how you can make stringing seed beads a lot more fun. Take note of the following useful information to help you get started with your seed beads project:

Bead Sizes

The usual range of sizes for beads jewelry supplies like seed beads is between 5/0 to 28/0. Beads with smaller number are the bigger ones while beads with the larger number are the smaller ones. This means that beads with size 28/0 are so tiny that it becomes difficult to string them together. The most common bead size available for seed beads is 11/0. With this size, you would need about 17 beads strung together in order to create an inch of beads. Those seed beads in size 6/0 (4mm wide) are called “E beads” and they are the ones typically used in crochet and knitting projects.

Beading Needles

When it comes to the size of the needles, it uses the same gauge as the size of the beads (the smaller number, the bigger the needle). The best thing to do when buying needles for stringing of seed beads is to buy one that is at least one size smaller than the size of the seed bead. For example, if you are working on seed beads size 10/0, it would be best to use a needle that is #11. This way, your needle will surely fit the hole of your beads, making it easy for your seed beads to be strung together.

Stringing Materials

1. Nymo is currently the most popular kind of thread used for stringing seed beads. It is colored and looks like dental floss.

2. Silamid is also a popular kind of thread for stringing seed beads. The good thing about this thread is that it is prewaxed, a lot stronger, and less stiff than Nymo which make it easy for threading.

3. Elastic Nylon is the kind of thread used for quick and easy projects.

4. Flexible Beading Wire or beading cable comes in a wide array of gauges (widths). It is made up of several strands of fine steel wire coated with nylon.

Stringing Pre-Strung Beads

Buying a set of seed beads that were already temporarily pre-strung is a wise choice. This way, you get to string a lot of beads at one time, and very quickly by feeding them to your own wire or threaded needle, going through the holes, and transferring them to your own string as you remove them from their temporary string.
Stringing Loose Beads

When stringing loose seed beads, get a small, shallow bowl and put all your loose seed beads in it. Run your threaded wires or needles through the seed beads until you get to pick up a bunch of them by your needle or wire.

Using a Bead Spinner

When using a bead spinner, which is a stringing tool that is made up of a spinning bowl on a spindle, put all the seed beads into a bowl, insert a wire or threaded needle into bowl, then spin. The beads will then automatically hop on.

There is really no need for you to be intimidated by beads jewelry supplies like these tiny seed beads. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be threading seed beads effortlessly and making delightful designs and accessories.

Bead Jewelry Distinction Between Pearls and Mother of Pearl

2010-06-14T23:16:00.005+10:00

Bead jewelry like pearl has always been thought to represent elegance and beauty among women of fashionable taste. Likewise, mother of pearl has also brought sophistication and beauty in various kinds of jewelry, artecrafts and architectural pieces. Both are beautiful, exquisite and truly are fabulous natural materials. But what is the difference between the two?

Pearls are formed inside oysters when it accumulates a substance called nacre, which is actually, the mother of pearl, which lines the oyster shell. Pearls form when an organic irritant such as a parasite or food particle becomes trapped within the mollusk and gets lodged inside its shell. The shell protects itself from this solid piece of foreign object by secreting a crystalline form of calcium carbonate, derivative mineral of aragonite, and another substance called conchiolin, a binding protein. Both these substances are the same substances that the oyster uses to build its shell. The layers of calcium carbonate envelop the intruder and mix with the conchiolin, which acts as an organic glue binding the crystals together.

The mother of pearl, on the other hand, is the nacre, as previously mentioned. It is the material that lines the mollusks. The most common mollusks where mother of pearl came from are abalone and oysters. They are then dyed with different colors for a more attractive effect when used as decorative ornament or accessory.

These days, pearls and mother of pearl are used not just as women’s accessories and jewelry but as men’s accessories as well. Take the cuff links for instance. When they are used as such, they give men an overall look of elegance and class.

Nevertheless, bead jewelry like pearl and mother of pearl will always be considered timeless no matter how it is used. Because no two pearls and mother of pearls are exactly alike, they will always cater to both men and women’s unique personalities, therefore meeting the high demand in the pearl fashion market.

Bead Strings For Beading – Which is Which?

2010-06-11T21:07:00.005+10:00

When into bead making, we wanted to know the basics as well as the tips to make our bead work look good. We want to work smoothly and appropriately for us not to waste precious materials on incorrect bead making. Since beads come in pieces and can be recycled again, if not yet broken, what about your other materials such as your strings?Some strings can be recycled again if still having the appropriate length and form, but what if you start on doing your bead work and cut some strings realizing in the end that what you did is just not what you want? You can do over again and reuse your beads but you often are not able to reuse your strings.

It is essential then to know the different bead strings and threads for you to have the appropriate type of string used when doing a project. There are the Nylon wire, Memory wire, Terylene Thread, Thong, Elastic thread and the Metal Wires.

Nylon wire is not the same as nylon thread. A nylon wire is a single strand plastic often strong and inflexible while a nylon thread is a multi strand bead thread. You cannot use it for knotting since it does not knot so well. However, it has a colorless thread that makes an invisible impression for your beaded jewelry. If you want a more flexible wire, use an elastic thread instead.

Metal wires are mostly used when involving precious metal beads in the project. It is often appropriate when doing a jewelry that the wire needs not to be flexed. If ever you try to flex your metal wire, tendency is it will most like break in the end. A terylene thread is the most versatile since it is very elastic and can be great for knotting. It is good to look at but not too distracting as to defeats the beauty of your beads. Best of all, it is affordable, hence, you will really like it.

These are only some of the attributes of selected bead strings. Knowing the features and characteristics of each bead supplies is advantageous for you. It enables you to choose the right strings to use as well as save you cost of buying beads not intended to be used as well as loss of using strings that are inappropriate.

Colors Make the World of Beading Beautiful

2010-06-11T00:42:00.007+10:00

Have you ever imagine living in a world of black and white? It may seem dull, lack of energy and emotion, but it still exists, and we can get used to it minus the liveliness. Likewise, if we apply these to our things, it will not seem attractive and bubbly.

Colors may come in variety and like its diversity, it has different meanings and emotions that can make someone feel alive or dead. For instance, bright colors like pink, yellow and orange makes one feels so light and happy. Moreover, dark colors feel morbid and bleak. Yet these days, colors may be mixed together in many patterns that create a funky feeling.
In beading, you can mix and match colors of different beads to form selection of great designs. You can mix some colors of red, yellow and orange beads to have that sunny feeling. Or probably have some blue colored beads and green colored beads to convey a longing for the blue sea or the ocean.

Perhaps you feel like you are close to the nature, hence, combine some greens of different hues, pink, red and yellow beads for the flowers and some brown colored beads for the soil.

It may be depending on your discretion what you want to do with the different mixtures of colors. But make sure that you create a worthy combination to even create a perfect design.
Colors make up the wonderful sights in the world. As a craft enthusiast, your goal is to make sure that the world is seen in full colors through your great creations. It may be through your trendy clothes, beaded accessories, colorful slippers or even your multicolored notebook; you sure will spread beautiful colors.

Express Yourself with Pendants on Your Neck

2010-06-09T23:08:00.006+10:00

Oftentimes, we may feel so beautiful and glamorous that we want to express it to people not through words but through our actions. We put on the sweetest smile and prance along the hallway like a superstar.

But, did you know that what we often wear could also tell what we feel? There are days when we wake up in the morning and we suddenly feel so happy and gorgeous that we put on our best-looking clothes and accessories. Or, there are moments when we feel so glum that we just don’t care if we wear oversize t-shirts and some old jeans.

Actually, our mood does contribute to what we want to wear that day. But, we must never forget that even if we feel slightly negative one day, we will also forget to take care of our guise. The good thing is that we can feel the the doldrums and still look stylish with pendants on our necks.
Pendants these days come in many different designs. You can choose a particular pendant and match it with your mood. For instance, you feel glamorous one day and you put on your sexiest and most beautiful dress. You can match it with a shiny, big pendant. You can even choose a star pendant.

If instead you feel so holy and want to spread the good news, there are pendants with images of the Virgin Mary or Jesus. Being glum does not mean you cannot look good. If you feel that way or just do not feel anything special, try on some simple necklaces or black ones to express your dark feeling.

You may also convey the idea that you are a Chinese with Chinese style pendants or a fanatic of music with pendants shapes like musical instruments.

Whatever is your mood that day, express it and still look fashionable.

Turquoise Beads: How Sensitive Are They?!

2010-06-09T01:23:00.007+10:00

Turquoise beads are only some of the many semi precious stone beads there is and taking essential care for these valuable stones is a must. Unlike other beads, turquoise beads can be very sensitive. It can easily be scratched or chipped if not taken with proper care.

If you love wearing beaded jewelries and specifically likes having a complete collection of turquoise beads in your necklaces, bracelets and other kinds, then you must know the basics behind cleaning and handling these jewelries to ensure you longer lasting usage of these elegant beads.

Turquoise beads are not as sturdy as you think. It is wise then to store these beads in a safe place away from other hard beads and jewelries to avoid some scratches when in contact with the others.

In addition, you must make sure that you do not drop them on the floor or anywhere since it can chip off or break if the impact is too strong. In fact, make sure that all your precious jewelries are not dropped on the floor to refrain from breakage.

Furthermore, we often wanted to smell so good that we spray on overwhelming amount of perfume or cologne in our body. The fact is that we do not only put some of these scents in our body but in our things.

However, did you know that your jewelries are allergic to these scents? Well, if not all jewelries, then turquoise beads are. They can fade or look very old if often in contact with these elements.

If you really care for your things and think of wanting them for a long time, then do all means to make sure that they will look good as the time you bought or made them. Caring for these turquoise beads can be exhaustive, still, it yields great results.

Bead Loom For Easier Beading

2010-06-08T23:03:00.004+10:00

Creating some DIY projects is easier if you have all the proper equipments for the project. In bead making, you need to have all the necessary tools to create excellent masterpieces for your personal use or for selling to your friends and even online. If you plan to do your project for personal use and on leisure day, then it is okay just to borrow some of the tools. But, if you desired to go beyond and endeavor in a professional venture, then you need all the bead making supplies you can think. Part of the supplies is the bead loom.

As textile looms are used to produce cloth, bead looms are the appropriate tools in making bead jewelries. If you want to create more beaded jewelries in many different designs but in a faster pace, then the bead loom is very helpful.First, you must know how to exactly use the bead loom for an easier beading. You must also choose what bead loom is comfortable for you to be at ease when working on your beaded jewelries. There are many different styles and kinds of bead loom in the market. The most expensive bead loom is the wooden type. Yet it is the most durable and high quality bead loom that ever exists.

As a beginner to the tool, you can start from scratch. You can use a few large beads probably less than ten to start with. Large beads are better to use when just beginning on the bead loom since these are large enough to hold and has bigger holes. After you get used to it, you can increase the number of beads and experiment on the different colors and styles you want.

Also, the needle for the bead loom is a great consideration. It must be sharp enough but thinner to fit well in the hole of the beads. If not, you will just have a hard time.

Bead loom looks fun yet complicated. However, if you get the hang of it, it will make your bead making fun and faster with more intricate designs made. Keep in mind that when choosing your bead loom, pick the most convenient one for you. It may cost more than some regular, but the ease of work and the quality you can get is worth it.

Jewelry Beads – Style It Up with African Trade Beads

2010-06-08T22:09:00.006+10:00

Africa is such a vast continent where a lot of indigenous people thrive and live. Each of these many tribes has their own form of arts and crafts, including the African trade beads. As there are many indigenous groups, there are also a variety of these African trade beads that can be made into bracelets, rings, necklaces, and other kinds of jewelry beads and artecrafts. They are made by talented craftsmen and women from all over this continent.

Examples of these African trade beads can be described as follow: Brown Ovals White Swirl, Spotted Bone Barrels, Brown Bone Fish, SpiralBone Tabs, Rainy Bone Squares, Round Bone Dominoes, Chessboard Wood Ring, White Bone Ovals, Rustic Bone Rondelles, Light Bone Hairpipe Bamboo, Light Bone Hairpipe Curvy, White Bone Rectabgles, Rustic Bracelet, Crackled Mother of pearl Wood Ring, Red and White Ring, Red and White Striped Ring, Wood Ring with Gemstone Chips in Resin, Carved Black and Red Horn Beads, Light Bone Hairpipe Wave, Embossed Darl Bone Squares, Light Bone Hairpipe wave, Ring with White Circle, Mother of and Pearl Ring.

These jewelry beads are some of the raw materials from where great African jewelry can be made. Depending on the combination of materials one will use, many stunning and gorgeous designs can be produced. For those of you who cannot afford to go to the great continent of Africa to get these original jewelry beads, you can just search online for these original pieces and materials. The internet is such a vast place for almost everything and I’m pretty sure you will be able to find the right pieces of African trade beads for the style you want to create for yourself.

These fabulous jewelry beads can be worn mostly for casual ensemble and pretty Sunday dresses. They evoke a feeling of warmth, comfort, peace and joy, as if you are in one with nature.

Love Is In The Air With Some Rose Quartz Beads

2010-06-08T01:36:00.002+10:00

Have you been in love? Well, for some people reading this article, the answer may vary in three choices – either a “yes and so?”, a “no and tell me more” or “I do not care at all”.

For some who answered yes, good for you.

For those who answered no, do not lose hope on love. “A love waited longer is a love that lasts forever.”

And to those who do not care about such topics, just hang on since you can get something out of this.

If you have been in love and you wanted more love or you haven’t been in love but wanting love to come your way, here are some information on what a single bead can do for you.

A Rose Quartz bead is also known as the love bead. It generates all the positive forces of love to create a way for you and thus you will find love. Many believers of such similar ideas and psychic thoughts attest to the love power of a Rose Quartz bead.

Some say that they found their soul mate easier when they were wearing jewelries made of Rose Quartz. Others even say that their love for their partners grew stronger by the time they have in possession some Rose Quartz.

The power of the Rose Quartz is strongest when worn by people. It can be made into a bracelet, a necklace and even an addition to your bags and pouches. It is also deemed that when you place some Rose Qu artz under your pillow will make your soul mate appear in your dreams. Moreover, it is able to draw in love, make one fertile and can grow love even from someone having a heart of stone.

It may not be believable for many but faith sometimes proves its worth. No matter what impossible things one can imagine, for as long as he has faith that it will come true, then it will. The same applies to love. Believe in it and it will make a romantic path for you.

Turquoise Bead Jewelry – For a Fashionable Healthier You

2010-06-07T22:40:00.006+10:00

Turquoise gemstone jewelry is one of the most popular trends these days when it comes to bead jewelry. The turquoise gemstone is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is a soft textured gem that should be handled with care lest you want it to easily get scratched. It is both used as an excellent accessory and accent in evening gowns and other more classy and fashionable attires and at the same time, it helps enhance the psyche of the person wearing it.

You see, turquoise bead jewelry brings a lot of benefits to the one who is wearing it. This particular gemstone helps tone and strengthens the body, improves the nervous system, promotes proper nutrient absorption, helps in tissue regeneration, promotes blood circulation, is good for the respiratory system, and protects the wearer against physical harm and environmental pollutants.

In terms of promoting psychic abilities, turquoise bead jewelry calms the mind, and helps the person become more creative. It is also best for solidifying friendships and enhances communication.

Wouldn’t it be enchanting to wear a multi-purpose jewelry such as this? You not only look fabulous but you get to become healthier in mind and spirit too!

Because turquoise is considered to be one of the oldest stones around, it is very much revered for its antiquity. The beautiful designs of blue and green hues make turquoise gemstone an extremely trendy yet very sophisticated choice for jewelry. Wearing bead jewelry with turquoise in it helps one look more classy, stylish and elegant.

In fact, turquoise bead jewelry is best worn when matched with formal dresses, party attires, and evening gowns of your choice. The simple pieces can be worn in the office or with a simple getup too. So, what are you waiting for? Go and get your prized turquoise bead jewelry for a fabulous, healthier you!

Crystal Jewellery Beads – Discover the Power that Lies Within

2010-06-05T22:55:00.007+10:00

In making jewellery beads, crystals like Quartz, Jasper, Jade, Amethyst, and other gemstones serve as good materials for your jewellery making. They are not only colorful, brilliant and pretty, but they possess certain characteristics that can help the psyche of the person wearing it. This is because crystals are also used for meditation, healing, energy work, protection, storing information, channeling, and grounding.

Crystals are natural gemstones that vibrate at particular frequencies to enhance a person’s healing. Depending on the kind of crystal used, various benefits await the user, or in this instance, the wearer of the crystal jewellery bead.

Let’s take a look at some of these crystals and let’s have a general look at what they can do for the wearer.

Quartz crystals are best for healing. They have the ability to bring balance to an imbalanced energy field. Whenever you are stressed, wearing a quartz jewellery bead can revitalize you. Even small quartz jewellery beads that are put in the water will ionize the water and is a good drink for healing.

Amethyst crystals strengthen the endocrine and immune systems, help heal arthritis, cleanses the blood, and helps cure mental disorders. Wearing amethyst jewellery beads can awaken your creativity, courage, and heightens your levels of consciousness.

Jasper is another semi-precious stone that is prized for its antiquity. It is actually one of the oldest of all forms of gemstones, even mentioned in the Bible many times. Jasper, depending on its color, offer various benefits: Rainbow Jasper is for protection; Leopard skin Jasper is for healing; Red Jasper is to bring luck; Yellow Jasper is to release toxins in the stomach.

Jade is a crystal that cleanses the blood, strengthens the heart, improves the immune system and enhances the mental faculties. Wearing jade jewellery beads can also bring luck in terms of your finances and matters of the heart.

The next time you go out, or even if you’re just at home, wear one of these crystal jewellery beads. You’ll never know what negative energies you might meet during the day, and having a crystal to protect you would be a big help.

Style It Up On a Narrow Fund Using Natural Beads Instead

2010-06-04T23:16:00.007+10:00

Let us look on the different kinds of beads. There are the gemstones, the glass beads, the metal beads and the natural beads. Let us then break them into sets of example. There are the sapphire, the diamonds, the garnets and the rubies. There are also the wooden beads, the coconut beads, vegan ivory and ceramic beads.

Of the two sets of beads, which one would you desire the most? Realistically we would want the first set of beads simply because these are precious stones. We imagine ourselves looking so fashionable and attractive once we have these set of fine jewelries in our body. However, a very expensive price also complements its elegance. Hence, we just drool over them for a minute or two and walk away with empty hands.

But don’t despair because even though we cannot afford these precious jewels, we can still prance with heads up on stylish natural beads. We can flair ourselves with the natural beauty of these beads. Wooden beads and coconut beads are great for an outdoor trip, mother of pearls will look fantastic in a formal wear and some ceramic beads will be just right while going to school or visit your grandma.

There is no reason to sulk ourselves in the corner for not having those precious stones. We can always look good if we just know how to be creative in many alternative materials and come up with a trendy match in our accessories and clothes.

The good thing is you do not have to spend more just to style. If you only have a limited budget for glam, then natural beads are perfect for you. You can be modish anytime with only a few bucks to spend.

Bead and Wire Jewelry for the Fashionable Entrepreneur

2010-06-04T22:15:00.006+10:00

There are people who crave the creativity and craftsmanship that making beaded jewelry and accessories entail. There are those who like wearing such jewelry as a fashion statement. Still, there are others who like to venture on both endeavors and become fashionable entrepreneurs. Which kind are you?

With bead and wire jewelry, you will surely learn the ropes on how to create your own style when it comes to beaded jewelry. You can sell your creations afterward or use them yourself!

In making bead and wire jewelry, the wire is made of nylon-coated, woven, stainless steel wire of an ultra fine thickness, ranging from 0.015 inches to 0.021 inches. The thinner kind of wire is commonly used for creating jewelry such as bracelets and anklets, while thicker kind of wire is used for jewelry like necklaces. Making bead and wire jewelry with your own hands is actually a great idea for beginners like you. It entails the simplest of techniques and the easiest of designs.

In making bead and wire jewelry, you might experience some kinking in the wire. This causes an unsightly appearance to the overall look of your jewelry because of the hanging of the bead strands. When this happens, the jewelry you have created might not be able to follow the contour of the neck for instance, if it is a necklace. It may easily break too. So what you do to avoid this kind of scenario is to get the kind of beading wire that is softer, more flexible, and a lot versatile.

When you have surpassed this challenge, you have to take note that the best kinds of beads for your bead and wire jewelry are the mineral, stone and glass beads. Anything that is lightweight is actually good for your bead and wire jewelry. This way, the shape stays permanent, the quality of the material is not hampered, and you get to be the fashionable entrepreneur you.

Let Us Reduce Air Pollution With Ceramic Beads

2010-06-03T23:40:00.007+10:00

Ceramic beads are only some of the fine materials used to create fashionable jewelries. One can see in many jewelry and accessory stores varieties of beaded accessories mixed with ceramic beads or full of these materials like bracelets, necklaces and even other body frills such as belts, headbands and clips.

However, these trendy beads are not only great in creating some body accessories to make us look good but are used in ways to make us feel good.

These ceramic beads are also used as a catalyst converter widely utilized in vehicles these days. A catalyst converter filters our vehicle gases in order to produce a much safer gas emitted into our exposed air.

We all know that one of the major causes of air pollution in many cities is harmful gases emitted by vehicles. This can cause major diseases in the body especially involving our respiratory system.

But with the advent of modern technology so is the birth of ways to make our world safer and better for the future. Catalyst converter is made to lessen the emission of harmful air from vehicles. They convert these unsafe gases into a cleaner one for safe breathing.

One of the few raw materials in making a catalyst converter is ceramic beads. How does this work? The converter is filled with ceramic beads and these are coated with compounds such as rhodium, platinum and palladium essential for the conversion.

As the exhaust of the vehicle pass through the cylindrical converter, these round beads are exposed equally with the exhaust and convert them into safe gases such as nitrogen and oxygen.

With the use of raw materials such as these ceramic beads, we can now say that we can have a safer, cleaner and better future ahead of us.

Beading Supplies Help Create a Fashionable You

2010-06-03T23:12:00.002+10:00

Beads first became very popular in the 1960s up to 1970s. It was the era of peace and flower power where everyone wore beaded jewelry and accessories, from beaded rings, to anklets, to earrings, necklaces and bracelets. With their beads, they carried with them their message of love and peace, no wonder those decades were the most stress-free. Well, fret not, because the beads are back!

For hobbyists who are looking for flair, fun and creativity, look no more. All you have to do is get your beading supplies and get on with this stress-free hobby! You can sell what you create or you can even wear the finished products yourself! How’s that for affordable fashion?

Speaking of affordability, starting a hobby like basic beading won’t cost you much. There is a variety of beading supplies to choose from out there in the market and they are available at art supplies or art crafts shops. There are also specialty bead shops that have the more expensive and quality beads frequently used by pro bead makers. You can also ask for free beading catalogs to be mailed to you by beading supply warehouses. And when you search online, there’s also a variety of beading supplies and resources to choose from. All you really have to do is set your mind to it and start with your new beading hobby.

To begin this new venture of yours, it is essential that you have various kinds of beads to choose from so you can create various designs and styles for your beaded jewelry and accessories (natural beads, glass beads, gemstone beads, metal beads, plastic beads, etc.) Having a variety of beads will allow you to experiment with the color combination you like, the shapes you want to play with, and the sizes of jewelry you want to create.

You will also need the rest of the following beading supplies:

- Findings, also called clasps, clamps, or closures, can also be purchased at beading shops, whether online or offline. Most findings come with instruction manual for easy use and application.

- Crimping beads are also needed to make sure that the clasps are attached to the jewelry. They are made from flexible metal that are squeezed and come in color gold or silver, and come in many sizes.

- Beading tools like pliers, wire cutter, jeweler tweezers are not really required but needed if you want the stringing of beads to be done easier and a lot quicker.

- Stringing materials must be carefully chosen depending on the beads and your level of expertise. The most cost effective stringing materials are the mono-filaments used in fishing line although beginners typically use the flexible kind of wire so they don’t shrink, curl or stretch.

Continuous experimentation with your beading supplies will improve your motor coordination, eye for fashion, and passion for details, which are all very important in making beaded jewelry and accessories.

Sleep Better With Hematite Beads

2010-06-03T00:50:00.006+10:00

Do you have trouble getting to sleep at night? Are you often tossing and turning, getting up in the middle of the night or blankly stare in your bedroom ceiling? Do you count sheep, drink a glass of hot milk or watch a boring show to get you to sleep?

If you are guilty to any one of these questions, then you have sleeping problems my friend. These problems may just be shallow sleeping disorders but still it concludes that you never get to have a goodnight sleep.

Many people find means to get them to sleep. But one discovery tells that by bringing a Hematite bead to bed can make you sleep in an instant. Hematite beads are made of iron oxide that is presented in a metallic black color. These are commonly found in bracelets and necklaces deemed to have healing powers that effectively cures anyone wearing them.

Aside from its capacity to make you sleep in minutes and wakes you up relieved and calm, Hematite beads can nurse back to health some mental and physical problems. Some of the healing properties of Hematite beads are the power to reduce stress, heals headaches and other pains, can help you with nervous attacks and anemia and restore a healthy blood circulation. Moreover, these magical beads can enhance your memory and makes you calm and peaceful all the time.

Most hematite beads are created into bracelets hence can suit anyone wearing them, either a man or a woman. Some are covered with designs that can form funkier appearance to your jewelries but still possess the same therapeutic ability. For some women, they choose necklaces and rings or even a set of hematite jewels to match their worn jewelries.

You can be stylish and at the same time healthy with hematite beads. Just make sure not to but fake hematite beads if you want its full healing powers to work on you.

Be Fashionable and Green with Vegetable Ivory

2010-06-02T22:09:00.006+10:00

With the emergence of the going green movement, everybody is doing their best to help save the planet in one way or another. People recycle more, use less fuel and coal, utilize biodegradable materials, reuse old things to create more useful stuff, and so much more. Going green has become ubiquitous these days that it has penetrated even the jewelry making industry as well, particularly, the industry of the vegetable ivory.

Vegetable ivory is a kind of hard nut that is amazingly similar to ivory. It also has a beautiful creamy tone and light feel that is fast becoming popular in fashion jewelry making. Vegetable ivory is also known as tagua nuts which are seeds of Phytelephas Aequatorialis Macrocarpa, a palm-like tree belonging to the ciclantaceus. They are abundant in tropical rainforests of South America particularly Bolivia, the Amazon, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia.

Not only are they beautiful but they are also environmentally and economically sustainable. They make it possible for people to create eco-friendly jewelry since the seeds are harvested without causing any harm to its tree, or any of the local wildlife nearby. Using vegetable ivory also prevents the elephants’ extinction because they serve as replacement for real ivory found in elephants’ husks.

Vegetable ivory can be cut, dyed, and polished into various shapes and colors just like that of real ivory. It is lightweight making it perfect for earrings; it is robust, and doesn’t break. Even with the passing of time, its quality does not change. It is also very affordable and can go well with any attire and getup. Thus, they are made into beautiful necklaces, colorful bracelets, stylish earrings, and other ornaments and decorations. It is no wonder then that vegetable ivory has indeed become sought after in the jewelry fashion industry. With vegetable ivory, you help bring fashion to the next level --- the level of economical and environmental sustainability.

Choose your Beads Wisely

2010-06-01T23:23:00.008+10:00

Picking the appropriate items for a certain project makes the perfect outcome. Those people enthusiast of DIY projects often needs many crafty materials that are suitable in creating the exact artistic result. Let us take for instance girls loving beaded jewelries.

For some who love these beaded charms but does not have the ability to create one often find some of these colorful trinkets in fashion stores. However, for some women who find bead making a hobby, here are some tips for you when selecting your materials.

Beads are inventive materials available in variety of colors and shapes. They can either be pink, blue, orange, white or even black, crystal, jade and wooden. Their shapes may come in form of cubes, rounds, hearts and even cute boxes and shapes like stars and moons. When choosing for the right color of your beads, always consider your project first. Will the theme be a vintage, colorful, perhaps a beach theme, or a garden theme? Color does matter. You cannot just put some black beads in light color themed project.

Shapes count also as a great significance when choosing your materials. You can place some beads shaped as flowers when doing a garden themed project or some wooden beads to create a wooden design.

Like shapes and colors, size of the bead must also be mull over before deciding on your materials. Will you do a small size project or a big one? You do not want some big beads in your small sized project. It will look awkward in the end. For instance, a small bead may not really be great alone in a ring but perhaps if combined can form a great string of funky bracelet.

Although these factors are only minor for some people, choosing the appropriate materials with the right fit in your project will yield you unique upshots.

Style Up Your Wrist With Eco-Friendly Tagua Nut Bracelet

2010-06-01T22:07:00.005+10:00

Every woman needs to feel pretty most of the time, and that includes even the young ones. Typically, one need not work very hard to attain a certain look or make a unique statement. Oftentimes, it just takes wearing a particular colorful accessory or jewelry to complete a desired look, or to make you look uptown and trendy.

One accessory that can make you draw a crowd’s attention is a nifty, stylish, and colorful tagua nut bracelet. Tagua nuts are seeds of a palm-like tree belonging to the ciclantaceus, with the scientific name is Phytelephas Aequatorialis Macrocarpa. They grow in tropical rain forests of South American countries like Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. Even by this alone, a bracelet made of tagua nut already sounds so exotic.

Wait until you hear that these tagua nuts, once dried, can actually be carved just like that of an ivory. It’s no wonder that they are also traded as vegetable ivory or vegan ivory, as a substitute for elephant ivory, used not just for beads, but for buttons, figurines and other fine jewelry as well. This curbs the killing incidence of elephants for their ivory husks, and tremendously stimulates the South American local economies in the process.

Bracelets and other jewelry made from the tagua nut is a unique and eco-friendly way to accessorize any of your outfits. Tagua nuts, once dried, can be dyed into a myriad different colors, which is why they are perfectly made into trendy and stylish bracelets perfect for a girl of any age. Even when this is the only accessory you wear, the vibrancy and flair their color brings is enough to make you look groovy and feel pretty.

Try donning a tagua nut bracelet today. Better if you can make one for yourself to mix and match with your various outfits. Doing so will not only bring a stunning look to your wrist, but you have helped saved the environment and the economy as well.

Cats Eye Beads - Bring Fashion Into Your Everyday Getup

2010-05-31T23:34:00.008+10:00

Trends come and go but jewelry will always be a hot fashion item that will never fade. Wearing one has been done since the early biblical days, and today is no exception. Even when we live in this advanced technological age, jewelry is still a must among people, for both men and women, young and old.

Jewelry created from beads of different materials that are combined together can produce a stunning and exclusive personal fashion statement for you. Cats eye beads is one of those natural gems that can easily attract attention. Cats eye beads are also referred to as fiber-optic beads. They are called as such because they have a band of light that runs through the center which resembles that of a cat’s eye. These colorful beads change hue as they capture and reflect light. As such, they can be made to match your getup and give you that overall look of flair and fashion.

With cats eye beads, you don’t only keep up with what’s trendy and hot, but you also tap into that power source of energy that helps give you clarity and free you of stress. This is because cats eye beads are amazing sources of such powers too. They encourage passion for life, enhance willpower and drive your will for success. Cats eye beads boost self esteem, give courage, determination, and strength.

Now, when people see you wear a handcrafted cats eye beaded necklace, or earring, or bracelet for example, and they see how good you look in it, and how you are living the happy life you have, you might just start a whole new trend yourself that people will start buying similar accessories. So never be afraid to explore what you think will look best on you. Keep exploring and reinventing yourself. Keep learning something new. This endeavor need not be expensive with affordable and powerful natural beads available almost everywhere for you.

Jade Beads Finesse and Function

2010-05-29T02:09:00.006+10:00

It is a fascinating thought when modern times adapt to what may be the trend in the early days. Take for example jewelries. Many stones and gems that are widely utilized as a jewelry supply today are used even in the past as part of a jewelry piece, an ornament or even a weapon.
One good example of such versatile stone is a jade. When we think of a jade stone, we would imagine a green stone often in bracelets and jewelries. However, other colors are also present in jade such as pink, black and white jade stones that are affluent in Myanmar. We are just too stalled by the overbearing quantity of the color green jade stones.

Jade has two types namely the Nephrite, meaning kidney, and the Jadeite. Jadeite is the green colored stones often seen and used by many people these days. Although these stones may look mundane and homogeneous with other stones and gem, jade has its own finesse and function that can entice even the most regular person in the world.

Aside from its beauty, this precious stone are believed to treat disorders related to our loins and kidneys. Often we find jade bracelets in older folks and reckon this as a fashion accent. But, little did we know that these are purposely worn for health reasons.

Jade stones are also used in decorating some craft works like jewelries, home decorations and other frills in the body. Jade beads are commonly found in necklaces, bracelets, rings, bangles and even on hair accessories and belts. These stones are even included in weapons like amulets and swords.

The captivating aspect of jade beads is its beauty that could create a graceful appeal to anyone wearing them. Today, women regard fashion as partly a necessity and luxury. The need to look practically great entails the need to make use of everything fashionable as well as functional. People seek jade stones because of its versatility and beauty.

Whatever role it portrays hundreds and thousands of years ago, it still plays the same part even these days.

Beading – More Than Just a Fashion Thing

2010-05-29T00:18:00.009+10:00

Have you ever thought of investing your hobby far beyond personal benefit? Do you want to do more than just collect stuff that may interest you? For some people, they wanted to do a lot further with things that fascinate them. For instance, girls may often collect pocketbooks but in the end sell these pre-loved collections to people who may want to own these items.

At least that way, she can earn extra income from that venture, not to mention less clutter in the cabinet, while another will enjoy the experience she can get from the purchase; both a win-win situation.

There are many other examples of how you can enjoy your hobby as well as gain extra cash and give happiness to others. One prevailing example for such is beading. A lot of girls are into bead making simply because it is fun, creative and very stylish. Moreover, with knowledge on how to make bead jewelries, you can mix and match any beads you like and create your very own fashionable set of beaded jewelries.

You can now have your beaded necklaces, bracelets and pair of earrings to match any outfit you have in going to school, strolling in parks and even on a romantic date. Still you can think beyond that personal benefit and move further to what is sensible. Through bead making, you can be more practical.

How is that so? Although bead making or beads are deemed as a hobby and a fashion accessory, these can be sold to many interested people who may want to look chic with beaded frills. You are not only enjoying you hobby, saving costs from buying marked up jewelries by making your own and can earn extra for selling some of your creations.

Many individuals are hooked on this endeavor for the reason that they can freely create unique designs of jewelries made of lovely beads as well as more people will appreciate their creative output. (Of course, money generated is already a given)

Attain Higher Knowledge and Wisdom When Wearing Coral Beads

2010-05-28T23:09:00.008+10:00

They say most of us women are vain. We like to wear what’s hip and cool; we like donning what’s trendy and fashionable; and this goes for jewelry too. It’s not just something to accessorize our overall look, but we make sure they’re affordable, comfortable, and go with our overall personality too. So, whether you’re a diamond person, or the one who goes for the plastic kind, or the one who likes beads and crystals or the metallic type, wearing jewelry, in one way or another, definitely brings out the best in you.

On the other hand, what others don’t know is that wearing some jewelry can also be about amplifying the psychic power that is in you. What do I mean by this?

All of us have some form of psychic abilities to some extent. But because we lead such busy and harried lives, we unknowingly just set them aside. Coral beads, for instance, can help you to effortlessly tap into your higher self. Coral beads are not just about admiring or wearing this red or pink gem made from the skeleton of a coral species. Even without you knowing it, coral beads can help you attain higher knowledge and wisdom. The way coral beads are made, they vibrate at certain frequencies that coincide with the vibrations of your higher brain power. The result? You become smarter than usual, and you don’t even have to try. You just have to wear coral beads!

People who know of this secret wear coral beads when they go to important meetings, or take the board exams. They don this special gem when they need some assistance in being able to think quickly and clearly. You can too. Now, you not only explore the new trends that change from time to time; you not just wear what’s new and in style; you also get to improve the ways of your mind and increase your level of thinking. And this is all because of coral beads.

The Truth About Agate Stones and Its Psychic Powers

2010-05-28T03:40:00.026+10:00

As soon as puberty sets in, we see many women begin to take an interest in wearing jewelry -- from plastic to metal, to precious stones and beads. These stylish and flashy accessories are oftentimes a must because they make women and girls alike even more pretty. But did you know that some jewelry have other uses aside from just making you look dashing and chichi?

Take agate stones for instance. Agate stones are considered semi-precious, being one of the oldest and most powerful stones in recorded history. It is known to ward off storms as early as the biblical times. They are a microcrystalline variety of quartz silica, particularly that of chalcedony, and are chiefly noticed for their fine grain and bright colors. Agate stones are traditionally associated with volcanic rocks, but are typical among metamorphic rocks as well. Sounds pretty exciting, isn’t it?

Being semi-precious in nature, prized for its antiquity, and having fine texture and vibrant colors, it was no wonder when agate stones were soon made into beads for jewelry, starting as early as the Babylonian times. They can match any style, color and make of any outfit when worn as a necklace, a pendant, an earring, a ring, and a bracelet, and are not as expensive as other semi-precious stones and crystals.

The most interesting thing to note here when wearing agate crystals is that they can help bring about psychic healing and power to whoever wears them the most. With agate stones, one can achieve strength, healing and protection. They can aid a person against bad dreams and give protection against the daily stresses of life. Agate stones that come with banded colors can be placed on your head while sleeping to ensure you get to have a colorful variety of dreams.

Agate stones may also be used for those of you who usually experience stomach upsets, u

sually brought about by imbalanced emotions and stress. Even if agate stones can’t change your emotions, they will somehow influence you to accept these emotions and give you the courage to move one. The reason they are considered powerful is because they grant strength to people and help them move on.

With these things in mind, you now know that jewelry can do more than just make you look fashionable. Wear some now and achieve these healing powers. One best way to test it is when you have to make an important decision. Wear agate stones now and see its psychic powers at work.

Chic Beads for Strut

2010-05-28T03:40:00.023+10:00

Fashion is a craze these days. Many people, most especially women, have done a lot to make themselves fit in the fashion world. From trendy clothes to chic shoes and fashionable bags to stylish accessories, you name it, any girl have it (or want it badly). Go on a closet raid and you will find different designs of tops, dresses, shoes, hats, scarves, gloves and the like. This shows how passionate a woman could be to look not just good enough to say, “You look nice.” but great enough for anyone to say, “You look fabulous!”

Any girl’s wardrobe is not complete without a set of cool accessories to match any outfit for that day. It may be a pair of cute earrings or a dazzling necklace or even a beaded bracelet, for as long as it suits the attire, then it is in the collection. Girls just love to indulge themselves in these frills since it can add glamor to their overall appearance and what is more glamorous than some beaded jewelries in the body.Beads, like diamonds, are also a woman’s best friend. In fact, almost any jewelry can be a girl’s best friend. It is because like diamonds, these can create a lovely look to a boring appearance. However, unlike diamonds, these can be less expensive and easily acquired thus more women are into beads.
Another good thing about beads is that these can come in variety of colors, sizes, forms and style that can produce a wider selection to choose from. You can simply mix and match these beautiful pieces and create a masterpiece you can flaunt to people. These modish beads are great to strut along with a trendy outfit and a cool pair of shoes.

Beads are part of the fashion rage since many, even famous people, ideally wear these chic frills for a strut of elegance and a great fashion taste.

Turquoise Beads in Jewelry

2010-03-31T17:21:00.001+10:00

The robin-egg blue hue of the turquoise gem is what makes it distinctive and unique among all other stones. The birthstone for the month of December, it is unmistakable in its characteristics, and makes it a favorite among jewelry fans and enthusiasts. The use of turquoise dates back to the Egyptian and Aztec times, and is probably one of the most ancient gemstones in history. The derivative of its name is thought of to come from “Turquie”, the French name for Turkey, which was mistaken to be the stone’s origin.

Found in arid, dry conditions, turquoise was mostly mined in Persia, now known as Iran, until it was discovered to be present in the areas of the western and southwestern United States. Turquoise is found in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. It’s no surprise that the Native Americans from the US and some tribes in Mexico have been using turquoise beads and stones since before its potential as a mining resource was recognized.

Native Americans were producing solid turquoise beads, mosaic art and carvings before the traders came in and influenced their art of jewelry making. It is believed that the combined designs of turquoise beads and silver, metal or red coral in jewelry were only applied during the arrival of the settlers.

Turquoise beads remain to be one of the more popular gemstones for jewelry supplies today. It’s wide spectrum of shades offer a diverse color palette for jewelry designers and collectors. Developments in jewelry making offer many forms, shapes and designs for individual beads. Along with the assortment of colors of turquoise, this ensures a different and personal piece of jewelry. For those who believe in the power of stones, it is considered that turquoise beads hold special healing properties, and is known as the gemstone of communication. Turquoise is believed to enhance communication skills while strengthening your immune system, particularly from throat infections and allergies.

Picking the right turquoise is essential to make sure you have high quality gems. Make sure your turquoise beads come from a reputable supplier to be certain of its integrity. Because of the demand for turquoise beads and stones, there is an emergence of synthetic production of the gem to meet industry demands. A licensed gemologist can determine your gemstone’s quality. Turquoise beads are timeless in their beauty and elegance. Their history is without question and any jewelry collector should be proud and privileged to own a piece of quality turquoise bead jewelry.

Grab your partner and do-see-do

2005-12-05T22:55:00.000+10:00

Matchups are out, and from what I've heard we all seem to be happy? Yes? No? I'll be posting the blogroll in the next day or two.

Happy swapping.

the pleasures of an airconditioned study....

2005-12-03T19:19:00.002+10:00

have enabled me to get everything organised and ready to email out.

My husband installed an old airconditioner we had *rotting* in our shed, in my study - and now I'm sitting in arctic chilly-ness safe from the blazing Queensland heat, typing, sewing and generally enjoying my time here. Yesterday however - I was melting, and sitting in perspiration and couldn't even be bothered to check my email.

Thank you everyone for your prompt returns of the information surveys.

I've had a number of suggestions and ideas for what we should make - but I'm keeping mum at the moment. The only thing I'll say is that we're going with an idea someone in the group other than me, came up with.

The ball is rolling...

2005-11-27T23:22:00.003+10:00

I have just sent an email to everyone with some ideas for the swap, a request for input (if you have any), and a list of questions to answer. Please, pretty please, respond before next Saturday.

If you know you're participating, and did not receive an email - please contact me and I'll make sure to put you on the mailing list. second_string@mail.com

Hopefully everyone will know who their partner is, and the exact nature of the swap project by this time next week. Then we can all have a break over Xmas, and get right into it in the new year.

I'm hoping that by giving a fairly generous chunk of time, most people will have finished their swap and have it ready for posting mid February. I'd love it if we all started receiving our parcels in the first week of March.

Second String's New Home

2005-11-24T03:30:00.000+10:00

This is Second String's new home. It's much easier to manage if all second string stuff is in one place.

Please use the second_string@mail.com address as before.

I'll be sending out some more information on Monday November 28th.