Beading Supplies We Love - All Comments

re: Chinese Crystal Beads

sarah451 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 01:56:53 GMT

I won't say that I have no Chinese-made beads in my stash, but I do my best to avoid buying them. After all the publicity regarding dangerous heavy metals in children's toys and pet products, I just don't trust the Chinese manufacturers. They have a different point of view from Western culture.

I worked for an engineering firm that had some Chinese customers who came to our offices to help work on a long-term project. They were around for several months. Not terribly long after they arrived, we were instructed to never leave any documents or floppy disks on our desks. Why? Because the Chinese customers were picking up things randomly — things that had nothing to do with their project, mind you, and including things like the installation disks from Microsoft Office — and just making copies of them. In our eyes it would be plain theft. From their point of view, apparently, they have no respect for the concept of intellectual property.

I can't say if the finishes will come off, if there are dangerous heavy metals other than lead in the crystals, or if the working conditions are making the Chinese workers ill. I just know that I don't trust Chinese-made goods any more.

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

VonVonne — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 14:07:00 GMT

If $100 f/one case is right, that's too expensive; would rather spend it on beads, and could certainly make do with something else.

re: Beading Threads - Why (I Hope) Nymo Beading Thread Will Never Go Away

bryanbear — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:02:37 GMT

I have never used Nymo but have it lying around near my beads, but have heard about its pros and cons. I like tsummerlee from youtube, prefer synthetic materials for jewelry making and beadembroidery. Synthetic thread ,beadbacking ,beadfoundations will last the test of time can get wet and if left in the sun for a few hours wont rot or fall apart! My father was a fisherman and I know powerpro and fireline and spiderwire fishing lines will stand up to anything! I also love using the new tulip beading needles from japan you can easily thread up to 10-12lb fireline in them with ease! No more fighting to thread your needles. Ladies try them out! Also peltex70 is amazing beadfoundation and cheap by the yd compared to lacystiff stuff!

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

CindyM@29 — Sat, 25 May 2013 21:19:24 GMT

I agree with the rest of you. $100 for what was originally a tablet case. Just ask me how I know. I have found some great ones at discount stores like TJMaxx for about $25 or less.

Just find the ones that zip all the way around so that it will lay flat. Some of them have places to slip papers and you can add the elastic strips to hold any tools.

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

Lmaranda — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:26:08 GMT

Too expensive

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

Janz Joolz — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:23:08 GMT

I agree with the other comments. "Starting at $100" is kind of crazy expensive! I can buy a lot of beads for that kind of money! Years ago I bought a similar tote at my LBS, except it has loops and pockets on both inside walls. I glued a piece of vellux to some heavy cardboard cut to size, and slipped it inside. Not as fancy as the Ezel version, but just as effective!

re: Vintage Beads I Love: Mercury Glass Beads from A Grain of Sand

frances22 — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:34:48 GMT

I was just wondering, if these glass beads had mercury in them & mercury is a poison.. would you be careful not to be cut by them. I have some very old Christmas beads, passed down from a long ways back. Jean

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

tcwhit — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:36:39 GMT

I have to agree that for the price, it's not that spectacular. Great idea, great design. I still wouldn't pay more then 25 dollars for. Pencil cases are cheaper. So are the make up travel bags.

re: New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

suescowden01 — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:46:20 GMT

The organizer looks cool and like it would come in very handy. However i checked their website and the $100.00 price tag is a bit expensive. Especially when it's "man-made" leather and suede. They really should just say pleather because real leather isn't man-made. The writer of the article got this for free and I wonder if the article would've been so glowing positive if they knew the actual price.

re: Chinese Crystal Beads

frog71 — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:17:39 GMT

I've found the Lima Beads Chinese crystals to be quite nice. According to their website they work closely with the factory to ensure quality.

re: Chinese Crystal Beads

krisclark3 — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:20:45 GMT

No, the Chinese crystal are not the quality of higher priced ones, but there is also a range of Chinese crystal. I have seen some that is just cheap and tacky looking, other that is very nice looking. The holes are not as centered, etc. as mentioned by others, but for many uses they are great.

re: Ask the Expert: Seed Bead Finishes Part 1 with Guest Blogger Beki Haley

CarolC@109 — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:45:39 GMT

Why are there NO galvanized "true" blue seed beads?

Carol

re: Beading Needles I Love: New Tulip Brand Beading Needles from Japan

cilla1 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:13:47 GMT

i like the big eye needles but i will try the tulip ones when i see them

re: Book Review: Suzanne Golden Presents - Interviews with 36 Artists Who Innovate with Beads

SuzanneG@26 — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:46:20 GMT

Thank you for this fabulous review....

re: Chinese Crystal Beads

Serena Dennison — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:16:16 GMT

Where Can I find Chinese Crystal Beads? I love to find new places to shop. Can anyone help me out on this one please?