Are You a Bead Snob?

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

ppeeler — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:18:50 GMT

I don't think I'm a bead snob at all. I'll use whatever it takes to get the look I want. I buy a mix of materials from high to low priced. I like to make hemp jewelry as well as beaded jewelry. I do some work considered to be "traditional", and I do a lot of bead netting, but what I really like to do is to use nontraditional items mixed in with beads, semi-precious stones, etc... For example, I found an amazing stick on a recent walk. An insect problem sometime in its life had created a wonderful design on the wood. I already have plans to use pieces of this stick in a necklace design with seedbeads, natural stones, and metal components. An old metal key paired with beautiful Swarovski crystals makes an intersting and eye-catching earring or focal piece. I like colors, textures, and unexpected elements in my pieces and I get that from mixing components. That's what is important to my designs.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

aubreysbeads — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:04:49 GMT

I grew up with my mother always recycling something, even our clothes. My dad would decorate our walls with shells and other odd things he finds on the beach - looking back our house looked like from Anthropologie catalogue but I never appreciated it back then - now it is cool! I think this is why I love paper beads and has been making them for business and as a hobby. They are very light and can be made to look expensive. I want to share with you and check them out for yourself - aubreysbeads.com

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

Jubeadilation — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:22:30 GMT

I run workshops and theorise that it is better to use cheaper alternatives when they are available because, although my students end up with a great piece of jewellery, it should still be classed as a "practice piece". If they want to, they can then repeat the style with more classy resources. But I do want the jewellery to last and look good for several years, so I use reliable products like Artistic Wire. Ideas at my website www.jubeadilation.synthasite.com

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

Catwren — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:51:55 GMT

Wow! I really DO fit in! I have had people looking down their noses at me since I am a true bead snob. I have learned that not everyone is willing to pay $200 for a necklace unless it is all precious metals! A friend commissioned a bracelet for her mother's Christmas gift. I used a higher end gold-plated clasp. The base of the bracelet was a peyote stitched band of Delicas and was "embroidered" with crystals, semiprecious stones, Czech pressed glass, and seed beads. She couldn't understand why I did not use a 14K gold clasp (ahem 58%gold, not solid!). I explained to her that this type of jewelry is for occaisional wear, not daily use and that the added cost of a "solid" gold clasp would increase my price to her substantially. I still don't believe that she understood! Needless to say, she changed her mind on the deal although I made this for her at cost!. I later sold this bracelet to a lady who was thrilled with the workmanship and could have cared less about the clasp! I also made 5 times the money! Le'ts face it, there are customers who know what purpose our jewelry is created for and I am totally honest about all materials used and that yes, despite carefull construction, there may be a break down the road which I am always willing to repair at no charge. I evn repair the work of others and am amazed at how poorly constructed these pieces are and the use of discount store type components. So, I use the best materials always and shy away from plastic, resin, or lucite pieces although lately I have had a change of heart and am beginning to use resin, lucite, and a little polymer clay pieces! I am also am incorporating found objects: rocks, sticks, feathers, and sea glass gathered on the beach behind my home; old keys, watch parts, old broken costume jewelry. I feel that the overall appearance of a piece is what sells! I ordered a TON of semi-precious chips and when thy arrived, I had no clue of how to make these work well for me. Everything I tried looked cheap and messy. Then, lightbulb! I began stringing the chips, separating each one with a seed bead or small fw pearl. WOW! What a difference! This technique enhanced the appearance of the chips so they seem like individual jewels and not a clump of choppy, chunky colored rocks. Yes, you CAN make a silk purse out of a sow's ear if done correctly and tastefully! Let your hair down, throw caution to the wind and CREATE!!!!! It is the end result, not the path, that is important, am I right? Blessed Ostara! Catwren >^^<

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

Evalie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:49:05 GMT

I AM A BEAD SNOB....mostly. I have been beading for over 30 years in one form or another and have aquired a love of well made beads in any material.Personally I don't use plated or plastic items, but it is a personal preference rather than snobbery. I have seen some beautiful beads made from these materials that were not cheaply made at all! I don't believe a love of a well made component of ANY material should be considered inferior if it is integral to a well designed piece of jewelry or art. Isn't it all about being true to our own personal vision? (And our customers, of course) As long as designs reflect the feeling we wish to convey, our jobs are well done.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

Firespiritdesigns — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:04:52 GMT

I'm so glad someone in the "upper beading world" :)......finally admitted to doing this! I, too, have done this for years, especially if the bead looks like it just belongs there. I got cured of my "bead snobbery" years ago when I first started beading seriously by a friend who owns a bead shop. Thank you for coming out and admitting what you do......the bead police aren't listening, are they?!? Tricia Brett FireSpirit Designs

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

prettysmartideas — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:04:48 GMT

I am, I suppose, a bead snob. I use sterling and genuine stones because the basis of my work has to do with the energetic properties of the stones. I have used brass on occasion because it gives a gold look for people who want gold color, and the price is still in my normal pricing range. Two years ago, I had a request to do a few pieces as a donation for a church holiday auction. I happily did the pieces but when the auction came up, my suggested prices had been slashed to less than 1/4 of what I thought was fair, given the work and the materials (the prices would not even cover the materials) When they came around again, last year, I suggested that I make pieces with coated copper art wire and glass beads. It turned out that, this time, the church people were the beading snobs, and wanted my fine stone and silver pieces for their thrift shop prices. I donated a few pieces anyway, but did not follow them. The pieces I do require a good amount of time and effort, and are designed to be not only beautiful (according to me), but also “working pieces”, i.e. things that people can wear to achieve certain effects in their health or other situations. I would not want to use cheap materials. I am thinking about doing another line of simple strung bead pieces (as opposed to intricate wirework), with inexpensive beads I can pick up at shows or on-line sales, which I can offer at lower prices, but I am struggling with this idea. The lower priced line will not have any relationship or even share the look of my usual work. I don’t like the idea of making something that I would not wear, myself (I am allergic to base metal). I don’t know that it would be enjoyable to make such pieces.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

BLONDIE-POP — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:41:07 GMT

NOT A SNOB! i do mix beads also, but never seed beads. i started looming before even trying to bead and i too learned a few lessons. i make children stretch braclets because were i sell the moms ask me to. i make them with size 8 cheap beads in all beautiful colors and sell by 3. we all know they break fast, and have 2 left. (unless they have 3 girls,grangirls etc) you really need to know what your doing, where to cut, crimp, and save. i can't aford alot of expensive gems exc...but what i do buy for the lesser looks great and more upscale. if you went to the forum and read further......i agree with the druk beads "i love them" . my policy is....if all falls use pearls or a druk beads. this was a great article. and alot of people making jewelry need to learn the difference between INEXPENSIVE & CHEAP. also, i never use sterling silver wire under 16 guage. i use a german wire which acts and needs to be treated like silver, and it is inexpensive. all my customers know, and they lover it. i mark my work silver or sterling silver. silver pieces are all marked on the tag, and they are happy,

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

gipsygirl — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:45:42 GMT

Since I live on an island the amount of costumers is limited and if I go too high end I will not sell much. Up in the States I buy cute stuff at Wallmart and am on the internet daily for sales. I put nail polish over findings that are not precious metals to keep them nicer longer.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

toothbrushrug — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:13:35 GMT

Ah, the dangers of not reading thru to the end of a communique. I didn't see the "include your email". My email is homespun@pacifier.com. No pictures. I wish I had pictures, but my myrtle nut necklaces were before I became obsessive about signing any artistic work and taking pictures of it.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

bizzylizzy3 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:02:34 GMT

I don't consider myself a Bead Snob. I love to work with all kinds of wire, findings, and beads...depending on the piece. Often lampwork or large glass or gemstone beads are very heavy if that's all you use in a rather large piece, so sometimes I use wood, metal filigree, or some nice looking plastic or acrylic beads to keep the piece from being too heavy to wear comfortably. Also, when experimenting with a new design or a new technique I sometimes try it first with less expensive materials.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

CrystalCubeBead — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:30:26 GMT

YES! I only buy what looks good to me. Of course, sometimes when I get home, they don't look so good, so I put them aside probably to never be used. I also tear apart things that don't look right. I do NOT buy high end, because I'm not selling, so I'm not looking at that market, nor any other market. I only buy low end for working with cub scouts. Stan B.

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

OnyeN17 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:53:26 GMT

I used to be a total bead snob. If it wasn't stone, sterling, HQ glass or Swarovski, I wouldn't go near it. Nowadays, I think I bead with just about anything. I cruise all the craft stores for bead sales (I've found nice beads at Big Lots and Wal-Mart too!) but I also support my local bead stores. I absolutely love using chunky lucite, resin & acrylic beads as base beads for making beaded beads, as well as inexpensive spacers. More and more, I've seen necklaces that look really expensive turn out to be very elegant-looking resin or acrylic/plastic. I never turn down gifts of "cheap" beads (anymore) 'cause I never know what keeping them around could inspire. Seed beads and crystals are still my favorite media, but I enjoy exploring the infinite possibilities of all types of beads. I definitely prefer Japanese seed beads over Czech (for the uniformity) but again... all beads carry beautiful design possibilities. I love beading found/recycled objects (boxes & bottles especially). And I always let my customers know if I am using plated/base metal findings (for allergy reasons) but I do make good use of them! http://DesignsByOnye.etsy.com http://flickr.com/photos/onye

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

MelindaB@14 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Nemeton ~ I know what you mean by "cheap & cheerful" mass produced lampwork... its not fun even for my kids... we have about 4-5 lampwork artists that we order our beads from as well as some "orphan" lots where you get lots of beads from the same lampworkers we love! We also use quality findings but have fun with the rest of it all... so snobby maybe with the lampwork & findings but open to most anything else, we've even made "rose petal" beads from special occassions. Beading is so much fun for me & my kids, its a fun family activity with at least 3 projects going!

re: Are You a Bead Snob?

Nemeton — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:18:35 GMT

No, I'm absolutely not a bead snob - I will happily bead with anything that has a hole in it (and quite a few things that don't, as well)! I do try to use 'better quality' beads for the work that I sell - and I always try to ensure that my engineering and finishing are as good as I can make them - but for me the idea comes first, and if the idea needs craft wire, plastic beads and cheap, wobbly Indian seed beads to make it come out right, then that's what it gets! I do love real lampwork beads though, the sort made by real glass artists - I have largely given up on the 'cheap and cheerful' mass-produced lampwork because of problems with cracks (from poor annealing), sharp-edged holes, and what the lampworkers describe so beautifully as 'bead poo' - i.e. dust and bead release left in the holes because the beads haven't been cleaned. All of these are potential hazards to the wearer and so I try to avoid these particular beads and source properly made equivalents wherever I can. And yes, I totally agree with Jan, you need to be honest and thorough in your product descriptions at all times when selling your work!