How to Make Jewels, Gems, Crystals, and Pendants

I found this easy to follow video on how to use resin to make your own gemstones and such. While I don't use this exact technique, viewers of the video can appreciate some of the ways jewelry makers can use resin to make jewelry.

Sterling silver bali beads on sale

I will have silver bali beads on sale at the Thornebrook Art Festival (first weekend in October) for $1.00 per gram. This is part 2 of the post showing pictures of some of the beads. (View Monday's post of the bali beads on sale.)

Coil style beads (approximately 5 to 6 mm round)

Large beads (approximately 12 mm across by 8 mm)

Spacer beads (approximately 6 to 7 mm across)

Spacer beads (approximately same size as above)

Heart shaped beads (approximately 6 to 7 mm across)

Beads caps (approximately 8 mm by 10 to 11 mm)

Rectangular tube beads (approximately 2 mm wide by 5 mm long)

Small beads (approximately 2 mm round)

I'll have pictures up Friday of some of the jewelry that will be on sale.

Sterling silver bali beads on sale

As I'm getting ready to put some jewelry on sale at the Thornebrook Art Festival in two weeks, I'm also cleaning out my studio to bring some sterling silver jewelry findings on sale as well.  I have taken some pictures of bali beads that are suitable for stringing, making earrings, etc.  The going price for sterling silver bali beads is $2.00 per gram.  Since there is a bit of tarnish on them, I will be selling them for $1.00 per gram.  They will sell on a first come, first served basis. 

If you want to purchase the beads now, please contact me and I will be happy to get you an order together.  I will not hold orders, however, without payment.  Shipping charges will apply if you do not want to pick up at the Thornebrook show.

Here are some sample pictures.  I will also list some on Wednesday of this week.

Hexagonal small (2-3 mm) beads

Bead caps (3-4 mm)

Bali beads suitable for having several strings go through at once (6 to 7 mm long by 3 to 4 mm wide)

Large beads (about the size of a marble)

Spacer beads (3 to 4 mm wide by 6 to 7 mm across)

Spacer beads about the same size as the beads listed above.

Bead caps (about 6 mm across)

Spacer beads with large holes

"Crescent roll" style beads (about 8 to 10 mm long)

Pictures of my local bead shop

 I took my new silver earrings class examples by Gifts of Avalon, Gainesville, Florida, on Monday.  Since I know I have readers from all over the world, I thought it might be fun to post some pictures and hear comments about how this bead store is alike or different from yours.

They always have a large rack of books available for purchase.  The latest beading magazines are usually there too.










 There is a HUGE selection of beads!  Shoppers can purchase them as singles, strung, or as "hanks".











The glass counter here has the class examples for the upcoming months.  I'm not the only who teaches jewelry making there.  There are several other local jewelry artists who teach bead weaving, glass fusing and other metalsmithing techniques.







Gifts of Avalon also has a nice selection of semi precious stone beads.  There is a nice assortment of colors, shapes and sizes.











A closeup of of some turquoise, sugilite, jasper and coral beads.












How can you make beaded jewelry without metal findings?  Trick question!  This is a picture of some of the large trays of copper and bronze beads.  There are sterling silver beads for sale as well.









 Sometimes store owners, Trude Spillane and Rhonda Bergman, buy beads in bulk.  They will repackage them into smaller containers for sale at a bargain price.














Currently, Gifts of Avalon does sell beads and jewelry making items on their website.  There store has a lot of inventory, so I would even recommend you to call if you don't find what you're looking for on their jewelry store site. 

Does this look anything like your favorite bead shop?