Source for inexpensive crystal look beads

17 years ago

In my latest issue of Romantic Country on pg. 78 they have a bowl full of 3" styrofoam balls covered in what they describe as acrylic or glass bi-cone beads (mix of 4mm and 6mm sizes) or round beads (4mm).

They used beading or sequin pins to hold the beads on the styrofoam. The ones in the picture are pink and look so sparkly with the pins in them.

I looked at beads at Joanne's today, and the bags are so small, I think it would take several to cover a ball. Anyone have a source for inexpensive beads?

I should probably ask over on the crafts forum too.

I just thought these were so pretty and I have a bag of styrofoam ornaments I saved when the silkish covering was coming off. Thought this might be just the thing to use them for.

Luvs

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Comments (13)

hi2all
17 years ago
That sounds pretty, Luvs. I don't have any sources for you. Maybe someone will be able to help.
Purplemoon
17 years ago
Well I originally bought my beads and supplies from eBay and then continued buying from certain sellers and didn't have to bid. But not sure on prices compared to Michaels or other places. Walmart had some decent looking beads, tho probably not the bi-cone ones Luvs mentioned. Here in Phx we have several huge bead stores that serious "beaders" go to. I shopped at one occasionally but preferred my online sellers ultimately.
Luvs, if you go to ebay and just type in bi-cone beads, then you can see what prices and lot sizes come up to compare to Joann's.

Karen
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Sandi_W
17 years ago
Luvs, I just tried to find the magazine through google so I could see a pic and couldn't. Can you help us with that?

I can't help you with inexpensive beads. Wish I could. I've bought my few at Walmart and Michael's. I think Karen has a good idea about checking ebay. Your idea sounds absolutely so pretty. Let us know about the beads.
luvstocraft
Original Author
17 years ago
I did my best to take a picture of the project for you. Couldn't figure out how to turn the flash off, so hopefully between the two pics you can get an idea. When I saw them, I thought they would be really pretty on stacked plates or as ornaments. No source list for the beads--I"m afraid the beads might cause them to be too expensive too be practical. Sure are pretty though. Luvs

{{gwi:1418535}}
hi2all
17 years ago
Luvs, just to show you how really stupid I am, I have a question for you. Would the beads used on costume jewelry be too cheap looking? I am talking about things like those 72" long beaded necklaces.

Lee
luvstocraft
Original Author
17 years ago
This article says you can use glass or plastic. I found some beads that I thought might work at Joanne's but there were not very many in a bag. I know from doing the half marbles on things that it always takes more than you think. That's why I thought I would need inexpensive beads if I wanted to try it. Might take several bags of beads to cover one ball. Karen sent me a link to ebay, so I'm going to check that out. Sorry the pic is sideways, I rotated it on Photobucket, but it still came out like this. Afraid I am not very good at this stuff. Luvs
hi2all
17 years ago
You are doing just fine with the pictures. You can say you did it intentionally so we would get our neck exercises. lol
Purplemoon
17 years ago
Glad you showed the photo, Luvs. The bi-cone beads are just stunning on that one ball. I never bought any for my jewelry making but might for this project, which of course is now also on my Too Long To Do List. I think the beads on eBay are the best bargain, and if you get multiple items from a seller then shipping is really a good deal too.
thanks for sharing!

Karen
judithva
17 years ago
Luvs, I am taking a little break from working outside, I've been working in the yard since 7:30a.m.

I do a little bit of beading myself. A great place to get them from the internet is www.firemountiangems.com They have loads of stuff and for decent prices. I have ordered from them before and was happy with them. Michaels arts and craft has beads too, but more pricy.
luvstocraft
Original Author
17 years ago
Too funny, I clicked back in here--and the pics are the right way! I swear they were sideways when I first posted! I guess I'm losing it!

Have any of you "beaders" ever tried something like this? I saw some pins at Joanne's too, they were gold and fairly long. For the glass beads, I think I would prefer silver. Wonder if just regular "sewing" pins would work just as well? They come in various sizes too. Imagine it depends on the pin head size--so it wouldn't go through the bead holes.

Thanks for the links, I'll add this to my "to do" list, and try to collect the needed items for it.

Luvs
Purplemoon
17 years ago
Judith, in case folks don't notice and try to paste the info on Fire Mountain beads into their browser, check spelling on mtn first. The a and i reversed. I totally forgot about them, and I've ordered a lot of stuff from them myself. Brain Fog or Old Blonde, take your pick!!!

Luvs, straight pins might work tho maybe not as long or strong as the ones recommended is my guess.

Karen

Karen
luvstocraft
Original Author
17 years ago
One of the ladies on the Crafts forum recommended this site too. Looks like pretty good prices.

http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/dept_view.php?DPath=BEADS~BDGLAS~BDGL~BDGLBCN&Page=1

Luvs
Purplemoon
17 years ago
Well, the old blonde here forgot she'd recently recieved her Fire Mtn bead catalog in the mail. Looked up the 4 and 6 mm Swarovski bi-cone beads, they are the most sparkly in my opinion. You can get packs in different sizes but just for example, the 4mm in a pack of 48 is $2.25 for up to 14 packs. If you order more, the price goes down. The 6mm come in packs of 24 and they are for $2.42 each pack for up to 14 packs. The minimum shipping is $6.70. Otherwise it's approximately 10% of the order's cost.
Hope this helps. I try to not look at their catalogs as I buy. Great deals and neat stuff, including charms.
Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Fire Mountain Gems

Source for inexpensive crystal look beads

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Source for inexpensive crystal look beads

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