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Post by Tela on Oct 24, 2011 10:11:16 GMT -5
I am the only one that has a problem designing with beads? I feel like I don't have enough beads to work with and I can't afford the large pallet of beads that I need. I started collecting delicas because I love them, but I don't have much else besides stone beads for necklaces. ARRGGGHHHH! I wish I were rich so I could buy a bead store!
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Post by glenda on Oct 24, 2011 14:32:15 GMT -5
But Tela, if you owned a bead store you would never let anyone buy any!! ha ha I know exactly what you mean about the need for such a vast variance in colour and size!! Which is why you can never have too many beads!! I buy a few every now and then! If I was rich I would fill a swimming pool with beads and dive in!! ha ha
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Post by Renate on Oct 24, 2011 16:15:06 GMT -5
Oh, how well do I know that feeling, that there are never enough beads, Tela. Meanwhile I have a VERY good choice of seed beads, but still never the right ones for a particular project. So, having a shop full of beads probably would not help either. ;-)
I had a light bulb moment when I was trying to follow a beaded beads tutorial. It is not all about having a stock of beads to dive in.
Ask yourself:
What do I want to make? A necklace, earrings, a beaded cuff with bezel, a beaded bead? Does the project require particular bead sizes, shapes, colour combinations for best effect? And how many?
Obviously you would need a very different set of beads for each project, in very particular sizes and colours and amounts. It doesn't help if you have a whole colour palette of delicas, when you need 3mm crystals to achieve a certain result. And so the reasonable beader would buy them only when required. ;-P
Of course there is also free-style beading, and I *know* a bead hoard stock is very convenient then, but I guess the results are better with a little planning.
Regarding my bead hoard stock I find that I always return to the same kind and colours of beads. So a limited palette should be ok. If you can resist the temptation. ;D
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Post by Tela on Oct 24, 2011 17:31:38 GMT -5
I went and bought a whole bunch of beads when I was first learning beading. But, when I did, I bought a lot of the same pallet. Mostly colors I thought I would use most in my work. So, now I am a little limited in size, color, shape etc. What you say, Renate, makes the most sense, buy as needed and start stocking up the leftovers. But, I tend to design best with the things I can lay my hands and eyes on. I don't know if I can look at pix online of beads (which is where I do most jewelry shopping) and get a good idea of what goes together.
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Post by glenda on Oct 25, 2011 2:02:02 GMT -5
Renate most definately makes the most sense from both financial and storage point of view. The trouble is, when ispiration strikes if I don't act it will go again - she won't wait for me to shop online!!! So at least if I have something in the right size I can go with the flow! - Never was a particularly sensible person. Impulse and I are best friends!! Apart from that I don't drink or smoke and so when I want to treat myself I head for the bead shelves!!! - aint nobody gonna stop me (other half tried - and failed!!)ha ha ha Maybe I am just hooked - is there such a place as Beadaholics Anonomous?! ha ha
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Post by Dearrings on Oct 28, 2011 18:39:10 GMT -5
Hi my name is D, and I'd like to open this meeting of Beadaholics Anonymous by saying that today Michael's had a grand opening of a store near me. I HAD to go check out the quality of the beads, make sure everything was up to par ect. And then I don't know how it happened,( but it might have involved elves taking me hostage and subliminal messaging) but one thing led to another..... Hey, at least I'm past the denial stage right?  I don't think there will ever be enough beads, stones or crystals for me, but I'm learning to take a critical approach to buying and see what I can actually use. For me, this means "What can I wrap?" rather than "OMGlookaprettybeadIwantIwant". Also, I tell myself that part of the creative challenge is to make as many unique and different pieces as I can, using a only a few types of beads. This is as much a challenge as the shape or size or design of a piece. Of course, the minute I set foot in a bead store... |
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Post by Tela on Oct 29, 2011 9:10:08 GMT -5
I know what you mean about those dang elves!!! I always walk out with more than I planned to get. Usually, I don't even find what I am looking for, either. But, I end up in a trance, slightly drooling and dumbstruck. It's soooo embarrassing....  |
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shiny
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Post by shiny on Nov 9, 2011 21:27:21 GMT -5
I swap beads with a friend. When she finishes a project, she sends me her leftovers and vice versa. She sends me lots of things I would never buy on my own. I get lots of ideas from the beads she sends, and she creates beautiful things with my leftover beads.
We could organize a bead swap here!
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Post by Tela on Nov 9, 2011 21:46:41 GMT -5
That's a great idea! (Both your swap idea and what you and your friend do.) Renate and I were talking about doing something like that and weren't sure how to go about it. I think with a small community like ours it would be great AND doable. It is certainly worth thinking about. Maybe after Christmas, then we could all get a second Christmas for ourselves! LOL!
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Post by christine on Nov 9, 2011 22:28:26 GMT -5
I think a bead swap is a great idea. I have so many seed beads from a time when that is all I used, however, I never seem to have the right beads for a project. I don't have many Delicas and so many projects call for them. Afraid if I don't start using them, they will stage an uprising and make a break for it!  |
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laura
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Post by laura on Nov 10, 2011 4:11:03 GMT -5
I have my problem with beads hanging in the air right now.. I'm out of 0.4mm wrapping copper and need to go shopping.. I've Tried to go to the shop close to my work that sells wire but is mainly a sewing supplies and equipment store, so it's safe - they don't have anything else I want. Bought 0.8mm for earwires but they're out of 0.4mm too.. And they say they'll have it in about two weeks time. Now there's another shop.. They always have wire, but I'm afraid to go there.. The owners have just returned from Czech Republic and they have a message on their website that they brought a new huge selection of seed beads.. This makes me even more reluctant to go  I'm broke!!! (and to make matters worse, they have a very nice discount scheme for buying more beads) Soo.... should I wait for two weeks or risk lugging home another kilo of seed beads?  |
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Post by Tela on Nov 10, 2011 8:35:17 GMT -5
Laura, I wouldn't trust myself.... just sayin' |
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Post by Renate on Nov 10, 2011 15:22:04 GMT -5
Laura, if you are really serious about it: leave your credit card at home, and take only a small sum of money with you, enough for one or two spools of wire. (what a cruelty! It hurts just to imagine) But if your question was more of a rhetorical(sp?) nature ;D the next thing I expect to see here is a photo of your new beautiful irresistible beads.  |
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laura
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Post by laura on Nov 10, 2011 16:33:58 GMT -5
Leaving CC at home won't help, as I have online banking account and carry the codes in my head  I actually paid that way several times when shops didn't accept cards and I was out of cash. And every shop has a PC with internet... I'm still holding myself. And find many excuses not to go - too cold to walk, too late, too dark, traffic jams on the route, I can wrap with silver plated for a change.. But the weekend is coming and I think I need copper. And.. I think.. I need more beads.. (must admit I've actually dropped my seed bead swatch/sampler in the backpack this morning.. you know.. just in case I'd be passing by the bead store.. by chance) |
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Post by Renate on Nov 10, 2011 17:11:28 GMT -5
Resistance is futile |
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laura
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Post by laura on Nov 11, 2011 6:45:19 GMT -5
Kate, I've seen some inexpensive cabs for learning here (I've seen this shop recommended on some forum) www.designercabochons.co.uk/cabochon%20jewellery.htmRenate - today I have a new excuse not to go - have to package and ship a new order (and also.. one less reason not to get mooooore beads.. I've made a sale, so I deserve to get more supplies, right? ) |
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Post by Tela on Nov 11, 2011 7:49:26 GMT -5
Kate, I moved your thread to a new one so it won't get lost in beads. Hope that helps.
Laura- Good for you!! Yes, now is the time to splurge ;D
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Post by christine on Nov 11, 2011 9:51:32 GMT -5
Laura, Sounds like it is time for more supplies. Reinvest in yourself! |
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laura
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Post by laura on Nov 16, 2011 9:55:53 GMT -5
Just back from the hunt It wasn't too bad.. only 660 grams of beads.. 13 new colors of seeds - some are VERY exciting colors - and a handful of glass beads. Oh yes, and I did remember to buy the wire too ;D I'm glad this time they had brought mostly luster finish seed beads (screaming violets, pinks, blues) and I don't like them too much. I prefer matte finish and calm/natural/earthy colors, which they don't have too many.. |
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Post by Tela on Nov 16, 2011 14:25:17 GMT -5
Wow 660 grams?  You go, girl! That might keep you awhile. Or, on second thought maybe not. |
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laura
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Post by laura on Nov 16, 2011 15:37:50 GMT -5
It's not much... only 13 colors... Preciosa's "default" package is 50grams.. By the way, here is my solution to deal with some bead problems. Maybe it's an old trick, but I haven't seen anyone else using it. It helps to keep sanity in the bead shop. As soon as I'm back with new selection of seed beads, I stitch them on the sampler. And I'm taking this to the shop - helps to see what beads you already have and/or select new beads that match. The beads are sewn to the piece of white synthetic "felt", so it folds or rolls nicely for portability. Here's ugly flash photo to illustrate  |
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Post by Tela on Nov 16, 2011 18:34:52 GMT -5
What a great idea!! I can see how handy this would be. |
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Post by glenda on Nov 19, 2011 9:44:02 GMT -5
That's a really cool idea Laura. ;D It's not much... only 13 colors... Preciosa's "default" package is 50grams.. By the way, here is my solution to deal with some bead problems. Maybe it's an old trick, but I haven't seen anyone else using it. It helps to keep sanity in the bead shop. As soon as I'm back with new selection of seed beads, I stitch them on the sampler. And I'm taking this to the shop - helps to see what beads you already have and/or select new beads that match. The beads are sewn to the piece of white synthetic "felt", so it folds or rolls nicely for portability. Here's ugly flash photo to illustrate |
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I'm broke!!! (and to make matters worse, they have a very nice discount scheme for buying more beads)
I actually paid that way several times when shops didn't accept cards and I was out of cash. And every shop has a PC with internet... 
You go, girl! That might keep you awhile. Or, on second thought maybe not.