Search results matching tag 'Pearls'

Where to buy pearls

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

We're already starting to work on our Pearls special issue (on newsstands in April 2010). I really love pearls, so this is one of my favorite special issues to design for. Right now, I'm in the early stages — finding supplies. It's not difficult to find quality pearls, but I'm on the hunt for unusual shapes and colors. Some options I've been considering:

• House of Gems: I just got some stars and flat teardrops. The teardrops are drilled end-to-end (instead of top drilled), so I'm excited about designing with them. White pearls are so classic and feminine.

• Lucky Gems also carries some interesting shapes (like cross pearls). I bought my supplies for the July cover project ("Pearlish figure") and design alternative from them, and I'm hoping to see them again at the next JANY show. (At the last show, vendors showed lots of pearls — sold in strands and as finished jewelry.)

• Pearlwear: for reasonably priced seed pearls and keshi pearls. They also carry quarter-sized coin pearls.

• RIngs & Things does cash-and-carry shows, and they'll be in town next week. At the last show I bought a multicolored strand of 16 mm round shell pearls in pale mauve and peach.

If you've got favorite pearl sources, let me know. I'm always looking for new places.

Bonus design: Design alternative for pearl necklace (July 2009 cover)

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

I just wanted to share a design alternative I made for the Pearlish Figure necklace (on the cover of the July issue). (For the main version, I used two strands of cornflake-sized white keshi pearls and a mix of pale grey and blue crystals.) In the design below, the bronze pearls below are much bigger — 20–22 mm.

If you use larger pearls, you can create a lush necklace with only one strand. This strand has a variety of shapes; some of the pearls are dense and puffy and some are smooth and flat. I strung the pearls with 4 mm light smoked topaz bicone crystals because I wanted the sparkle to match. (That's also why I finished with a copper clasp and chain rather than gold.) I bought the golden champagne pearls from Lucky Gems & Jewelry Factory. You may also want to try Pearlwear or Eclectica, 262.641.0910. Just make sure the pearls are top-drilled to get the clustered look.

For earrings, I chose two of the smaller pearls and strung them on handmade head pins from Lauren Hadley (available by phone order, 201.767.1229, or mariemarie103@aol.com).

I would love to see how you've made the cover look your own. Feel free to send a jpg to nfujimotoATbeadstylemagDOTcom.

Where can I find large-hole pearls, similar to those in Jan. issue?

Heron_Moon_Designworks — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:06:02 GMT

I finally have enough cash to buy some large-hole pearls (that would fit onto silk strings) as featured in the January issue of BeadStyle.

I have looked and looked at the Eclectica website but can't find them. It's entirely possible I'm just not seeing them there, or maybe they no longer carry them.

Does anyone else know where to find 8-12mm freshwater pearls in muted and dark-ish jewel tones, with holes large enough for stuffing three silk strings through?

I would be so grateful for an affordable source! (I live on Social Security--and love to make jewelry; am I crazy or what??) Thanks so much to anyone who can help!

Terri

http://heronmoon.etsy.com

Looking for a few great books!!

IBBeadin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:48:56 GMT

I am looking jewelry-making books on all aspects of the craft. Seed Beads, Wire Working, Pearls, General, Crystal, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations? I read the reviews on Amazon but I am never too sure of those so I figured I would ask here.

Thanks,

Jeanne

Re: Knotting vs stringing pearls on wire

BeadyBead — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:01:39 GMT

Hi lindydonna, The main difference between silk thread and wire is that silk is highly absorbent while wire is not. Dirt accumulated in the drill holes due to the use of wire will result in quality pearls losing their luster. This problem is greatly reduced when quality pearls are strung on silk thread. When the thread becomes dirty or if spaces between the pearl and knot occur, it is time to restring the necklace. As Russ Nobbs had mentioned, knotted necklace should be restrung depending on how often the wearer wears it. There are a variety of materials to knot pearls. Pure silk could be used if you are stringing high quality pearls. Pearl silk is also available now, being a blend of pure silk and polyester thread. For mineral and imitation pearls, you could use polyester thread, nylon thread or a mix of both these materials, called "stringth" thread. Also, a fully knotted pearl necklace has the advantage of not spilling the pearls everywhere should it snap; only one pearl would slip out if that were the case. I hope this information is useful to you! All the best in your stringing endeavors.

Lotus

Shewolf — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:09:24 GMT

I just finished this piece. Here it is...

necklace "Exotic Flower"

Shewolf — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:28:17 GMT

This necklace is 22 inches and features 1.5 inch Mother of Pearl flower as its center piece. A simple design combined with Fresh Water Pearls,Green Avetnurine, Swarovski Crystals, Gold-Plate Wire, and Gold-Plate Clasp

Set "Aurora"

Shewolf — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:43:59 GMT

I really enjoy work with Fresh Water Pearls, Mother of Pearl, Gold-Plate Wire.

Did you like this?

My latest creation

LaShelle — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:38:07 GMT

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Blue pearl wedding

gimmegems — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:58:17 GMT

My first attempt at wedding jewelry.