Quick Tip Tuesday: Clear Storage Tubes For Findings

Many times when you purchase seed beads, they come packaged in handy little clear storage tubes.  Beadaholique, for instance, sells our Miyuki and Toho beads this way.  I've come to love these clear storage tubes so much, that I even break up my hanks of Czech seed beads and carefully pour them into tubes for easy access and seed-bead-uniformity.

Yes, these tubes are well known as keepers of the seed beads, but did you know that they make excellent storage containers for findings as well?  I have found them indispensable when it comes to organizing my head pins, eye pins, jump rings, crimp beads... you name it!

jump rings and crimp tubes and head pins, oh my!

They provide great easy access storage, plus you always know what you are getting because of the fact that the tubes are clear.  I like to make it even easier on myself and neatly hand-write out little labels with the appropriate description or item number.  The best part about it is that the tubes fit neatly into these bead pavilion organizer shelves, so they can stand upright on their own and have a very uncluttered appearance. I keep them right on my desk so the findings can be right at my fingertips, right when I need them.

clearly labeled and ready to use

Do you have any organizational tips you'd like to share?  We would love to hear them!


-Andrea

Introducing Silver Filled Findings and Wire

You may have noticed that the price of silver has risen lately, and found, to your regret, that many of the beautiful sterling silver or fine silver findings and wire that you counted on being able to use in your jewelry are becoming cost prohibitive. 

Did you know that the price of silver has actually been rising steadily for the past ten years?  When Beadaholique started offering sterling silver beads and findings more than 10 years ago, silver cost around $4 per troy ounce.  Today it costs almost $40!  In fact, the price of silver has nearly doubled in the last year alone.  

What are we poor beaders and jewelry makers to do? Our other main alternative, silver-plated brass findings, while extremely affordable, and ideal for beginners, or younger beaders, has a short life, appearance-wise.  Electroplated silver is mere microns thick, and can easily wear off, or corrode off under normal use.

The jewelry industry as a whole is facing the same conundrum, and manufacturers are, almost in unison, turning to the same solution to the problem.   "What is it?" I hear you cry.

(Trumpet flourish) 

Silver-filled is making a comeback!  Silver-filled, also once known as rolled silver or Sheffield silver, is a relatively thick layer of silver mechanically bonded over a metal core, usually brass or copper. This silver layer, because it is many times thicker, is by its very nature highly superior to and far more durable than a thin electroplated layer of mere silver plate. 

We are pleased to announce the arrival of silver filled findings and wire at Beadaholique.  Silver filled offers the same beautiful appearance and warm shine of solid silver at a considerable savings. Silver filled wire and components can be used much the same as their sterling silver counterparts, and with proper care, these pieces will last a lifetime. Silver filled is usually available less than 50% of the cost of sterling silver, making it an excellent choice for jewelry making. 

When shopping for silver filled items, you will often see in the descriptions numbers such as 99/20, 99/10, 925/20, or 925/10. What do these numbers mean? The first number will always tell you if it is fine silver (99% silver) or sterling silver (92.5% silver) which has been bonded over the core. 

The second number tells you the thickness of the layer. For instance, a 20 represents 1/20th, which means that the silver layer is 5% (1/20th) of the total material weight.  A 10 indicates that 1/10th or 10% of the total material is silver.   So in the case of silver filled, the smaller the second number is, then the higher quantity of silver (which seems counter-intuitive, I know).  Make sure to ask your supplier for these details if they do not disclose them. 

 
Almost anything you can do with sterling silver, you can do with silver filled. Compared with silver plated findings and wire, whose electroplated layer can easily scratch and come off (and so is best for inexpensive fashion or costume jewelry), the thick silver filled layer enables you to create heirloom quality jewelry that will stand the test of time. 

With silver filled you can use many of your favorite silver jewelry making techniques which were difficult or not possible to do with silver plate. You can create a rich patina with liver of sulfur, wire wrap intricate patterns that will retain their finish, texturize with a hammer, wire work to create your own clasps and ear wires, create chain maille, etc. Once again the world of making jewelry with beautiful, high quality silver components is available to you. 

To care for your new silver filled jewelry, you will want to follow the same guidelines as when caring for solid silver. Store your materials in sealed plastic bags to slow down tarnishing cause by sulfur and oxygen in the air.  When you are wearing your silver filled jewelry, try to keep it away from excess perspiration, chlorine (take off before swimming) and other chemicals. If it does become tarnished, use a silver polish to bring back its shine and luster. Look for cleaning and polishing products that are approved for silver, these will work well on silver filled as well. 

At Beadaholique we are pleased to offer many silver filled items. Wire is available in 6 gauges ranging from 16 - 26 in both half hard and dead soft. We also have a great selection of round seamless beads, head pins, ear wires, jump rings, crimp beads, toggle clasps and several charms. As more and more manufacturers expand their of silver filled offerings, our selection will grow. We will continue to offer sterling silver items as well as silver plated, so now you will have 3 choices and can decide which one is best for you. 

If you are hearing about silver filled for the first time as you are reading this, I hope we answered many of your questions. Silver filled is a beautiful, affordable alternative to sterling silver that can be used much the same way as sterling. 

Widespread opinion holds that the price of silver will not be declining anytime soon and will most likely rise. Out of this, the silver filled industry was born and will continue to grow. You might not have heard much about silver filled in the past, but chances are you will be hearing much more about it in the coming months and years. It is an excellent new resource and one which we are excited to see develop. 

If you have any questions about silver filled, please post them to this blog or to our Facebook page. 

-Julie 

Vive la Vintaj Revolution!

Designed by Kathy Mannix

By: Andrea Morici, Senior Designer

It is hard to remember life as a jewelry designer before Vintaj Natural Brass Co. came along.  Let's cast our minds back--what materials did we, as beaders, have available to us?  Well, we had our beads.  Beads are ancient, and although many new types have been designed over the centuries, not many can claim to have revolutionized the industry.  After all, it is rather difficult to reinvent the wheel.  What about metals, findings?  We had silver.  We had gold.  We did the best we could with what we had.

As someone who has had very little experience with soldering, I often found that I was searching for ways to create pieces that appeared more "metal-smithed", as opposed to just simply "beaded".  My options were limited as far as how to display a focal bead and make it look like it was placed in a real jeweler's setting.  This notion was especially difficult for me since I desired to evoke a vintage feel with my work.  I'm sure some (if not most) of you can relate.

Enter Vintaj Natural Brass Co.

Vintaj was started by sisters Wendy Mullane and Jeanne Holland along with their good pal, Jess Italia-Lincoln.  It all began when the two sisters were teaching a jewelry design class to a women's group at their church.  One day, a fortuitous thing happened:  Jeanne decided to pry open a filigree bead and wrap it around a glass bead, creating a technique that the folks at Vintaj have since dubbed "creative settings".  When they asked Jess Italia-Lincoln to climb on board, her marketing acumen and keen eye for unique design further propelled the sisters' vision.  Thus, Vintaj was born, and the world of jewelry-making has been (in this humble beader's opinion) forever changed.

In the past decade, the price of silver has nearly quintupled.  The price of gold has climbed into the stratosphere.  So it is no surprise that, for a while now, beaders have been experimenting with new, more affordable metal options.   Simultaneously, trends have been leaning toward vintage and earthy looks.  This is the perfect storm that helped make Vintaj as popular as it is.  The old-fashioned brass stampings, with the signature Vintaj natural, earthy patina are so versatile in color and in function.  Finally, I can display my most precious beads by wrapping them like little treasures in warm, antique-ish stampings.

We, as beaders, are very lucky to be practicing our craft during a time of great innovation in the industry.  The plated items that have come along in the past several years are of a much higher quality than those that used to be available.  Also, we have seen some very interesting metals (and metal finishes) take center stage.  Not only brass, but also copper, pewter, gunmetal, bronze and Shibuichi (among others), are becoming popular alternatives to standard silver and gold in the world of jewelry design.  And almost every metal or plated metal is available in antiqued finishes.  Of course, you cannot have all of these beads, pendants, and stampings coming in cool metals and finishes without the accompanying findings and chain, which are now widely available.  We are fortunate to have these options at our fingertips.  I personally think that Vintaj may have had a hand in opening the door to this brave new beading world.  For that, I thank them.

A Beginners Guide To Chain

The use of chain in jewelry design has never been more popular.  A quick look at our Projects and Inspiration page will give you some idea of the many ways in which chain can become an integral part of your overall design.  Most folks naturally think of incorporating chain as part of a necklace or bracelet design but why not earrings?  Think creatively about the uses of chain in your designs and you may be surprised in the direction it may go. Knowing that many of our customers like to be in the know about all things jewelry, I put together this small guide that includes pictures and definitions of some of the more popular types of chain that you'll find on our site. Click on the name of each chain that you see in red to be taken to a search result for that type of chain found on our site.  The guide is by no means exhaustive but we've included the most popular styles.  Hope you find it useful! As always, we welcome your comments.

	Bar Chain:  Just as the name implies each bar has eyes at either end that are each joined to the next with a link.  The bars themselves may be straight, curved, dapped etc.
	Ball Chain: Also know as Bead Chain, has round beads fixed along the length of the chain.  You may at times see this chain interspersed by short lengths of chain.
	Box Chain: The links of a box chain are square, creating a smooth square chain.  Another common name for this type of chain is Venetian chain.
	Cable Chain: A cable chain, also known as link chain, is made up of round or oval links of uniform sizes. This is the chain that most people think of when they think of "chains".
	Curb Chain:  A chain with oval links that are twisted to lie flat.  You will often see these links diamond cut.
	Figaro Chain: The Figaro chain, like the curb chain has flattened links. Unlike the curb chain, it does not have one uniform size links alone. Instead, it usually has 2 or 3 shorter links alternating with a longer link.
	Rolo Chain:   The links of a rolo chain may be round or oval but are always symetrically joined together as pictured.  This chain is perfect for hanging charms or pendants.
	Rope Chain:  The oval links of a rope chain are arranged so that the resulting pattern resembles a length of rope.  This is a very durable chain and quite popular for men's as well a womens jewelry.
	Snake Chain:  Snake chains are not made of links but rather of round curved metal plates that are joined together to form a flexible tube.  This slinky tube resembles a snake's skin.  Omega chain is a variation on the Snake Chain but is distinguished by the fact that it's round plates are straight and not curved.

Visit To A Stamping Company

Summer Greetings to All Our Friends~!
I just returned from a short break visiting family on the east coast. It was a great trip. I love Los Angeles but I miss seeing everyone from my little town. Plus I get to play the tourist, which generally involves dragging my sister all over the #*&%!! state while we explore the sites we have no excuse for never having visited when I lived there.
One of our excursions was to a vendor who happens to produce many of those lovely vintage stampings you see on our site. Now I know what you're going to say. Hey workaholic, what are you doing working while you should be vacationing?! Believe me when I tell you, sis and I had a ball as we were treated to the grand tour of this enormous plant.
I've captioned some photos and short video clips below to show off some of the neat things we saw. My apologies if the quality isn't the best. I shot these using my iphone as I walked through the plant.
Here is a short clip of a die stamping machine in use. The machine is operated with a foot pedal and stamps a brass blank with 12 tons of force.

Here is a short clip of a tumbling machine in use.
This machine will clean and polish freshly stamped pieces before they're sent to the plating company.