Exclusive New Findings!

Beaders are always looking for something special to help their designs stand out.  An unusual clasp or ear wire can go a long way toward differentiating your jewelry pieces from every other beader out there.  Let's face it -- locating a great finding can be the biggest challenge in beading! 

Bead World has recently started commissioning a line of exclusive hand made findings in sterling silver, 14K gold filled and copper, to help add a dash of distrinction to your designs.  This artisan line is made in the US (we LOVE that!) by designers who love beads and beading as much as you do!  We absolutely know that these fun findings will be instant classics!

Vintaj Arte Metal

Just when we thought Vintaj couldn't get any better, they've launched a new line - Arte Metal!  Designed to coordinate with gunmetal and blackened silver, Arte Metal features a rich, black patina.  We are so excited to offer a selection of Arte Metal stamping blanks, ribbon slides and pendants.  Let us know what you think!

Marcasite Butterfly, Vintaj Arte Metal, $2.65 at Bead World

Compass Ribbon Slide, Vintaj Arte Metal, $3.45 at Bead World

Waterlily Ribbon Slide, Vintaj Arte Metal, $3.45 at Bead World

Vintaj Fabulousness

Three really cool chicks.  I mean, the kind of chicks you'd just want to snatch up, carry around in your pocket and keep forever.  Those are the kind of women that are behind Vintaj natural brass beading components.  Sisters Wendy and Jeanne, along with their dear friend Jess, started the Vintaj company to bring innovative, vintage inspired beading items into the marketplace.  These hip mamas wanted to work for themselves, so they could have a flexible work environment and keep their focus on their children.  Plus, they figured that we would want all of this gorgeous stuff to play with.  They were right!

An instant favorite of beaders everywhere, Vintaj items have been repeatedly featured in every major beading magazine.  What's not to love?  Unlimited creative options, gorgeous hand rubbed patinas, pieces that work together in a variety of ways, "alternative" setting techniques (yes, a dragofly wing is a perfectly reasonable prong!) -- all created using an eco-friendly, lead free process that's healthy for both the earth and your children.  (Yes, they are going to put that in their mouth!) 

At Bead World, we are unabashed lovers of the entire Vintaj line, and we carry a lot of it in our stores.  Just look at the gorgeous things you can make with their unique pieces!  (Yes, I gush.)  We "borrowed" these great design ideas from the official Vintaj Co. website -- there are a million more where these came from.  Check out their blog, too.  It's always full of great ideas.  I want to hear all about how much you guys love this stuff.  Send me pics of your projects, and I'll add them to the blog!

PMC -- What the Heck Is It?

As the first bead store in the Phoenix area to teach Precious Metal Clay classes, we hear a lot of questions about this remarkable material.  "How do you work with it?"  "What can you so with it?"  "What the heck is it?"  Precious Metal Clay (or PMC, as it is more commonly called) is a mixture of .999 silver ground up into a very fine dust, water and and organic binder. It has a texture similar to polymer clay and can be molded, shaped, rolled out, stamped and cut with cookie cutters. When fired in a kiln, all that's left is the solid fused .999 silver.  What this means to a crafter is the ability to make custom silver charms, pendants, findings and more without having to learn silversmithing skills.  Many items that are time consuming and difficult to create using traditional methods are a snap with PMC.  It's so fun designing unique silver elements that it becomes an addiction!

PMC comes in a variety of formulas. They vary in firing time, firing temperature, workability and finished strength. Choosing the right PMC formula for a given project is very important, so we strongly recommend taking a beginner's class to help you get started.  If you live in the Valley of the Sun, I know some great bead shops that teach PMC classes!  Bead World markets PMC in several ways. Of course, we teach PMC classes and sell PMC products, tools and supplies. We rent kiln time and workshop time to clients who have not yet invested in their own full home studio. We also sell several beautiful books on PMC.  If you don't live in the Phoenix area, PMC and PMC supplies are available through many bead stores throughout the country and in online stores.

If the idea of creating custom silver pieces is appealing to you, check out PMC and all you can create with it.  You'll be so glad you did!

My Favorite Jewelry Finding of All Time!

I'm pretty picky when it comes to choosing findings for my beaded treasures.  I like my pieces to be modern, clean lined and very, very solidly built.  Wimpy, wiggly ear wires simply will not do!  That said, this 40mm sterling silver hoop finding from Nina Designs is my absolute favorite finding OF ALL TIME.  I've been using it for years, and continue to go back to it time and again.  It is quite substantial and holds up to an amazing amount of wear and tear.  Of course, there are less expensive hoop findings out there. (This one retails for around $40.00 in our Bead World stores, with a smaller version for around $25.00.)  But I've never found a hoop finding that feels or looks this good.  I'm happy to pay a bit more for a piece of jewelry that will last and look every bit as fresh and new five years later.  A couple of examples of the earrings I've made...

Faceted 4mm apatite rondelles with sterling silver spacers

Smooth 3mm ruby rondelles... you can never go wrong with rubies!

Let me know what your favorites are!