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bracelet sizing, and beads :)

Hi all, I am back after a looooong absence, and have been enjoying looking at all of the beautiful work that you all share!

My 1st question is, how much ease do you allow when making a beaded bracelet? I want to make some for myself, crystals, bali, etc...and have a large 7 1/4 inch wrist. How do I figure my finished length taking the toggle or clasp into mind? Is it just trial and error, or is there some method?

2nd question: I would dearly love to support my local bead store, and still plan to, but I find that .35 for a 4mm bicone swarovsky seems expensive, and her prices go up to about 1.15 for a larger round. Anyway, I love the crystals and would love a cost efficient way to get them. Any recommendations? I would also like to find the sterling toggle clasps and bali spacers, bead caps etc...for less too. I have found a plethora of sites, but am having trouble sorting through the multitudes of items available!

Thanks in advance, and thanks for all of the wonderful inspiration!

Arleen in GA

Reply to
Arleen
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The amount of extra length you need depends on the diameter of the beads you're using. With round beads, it's generally recommended that you just add 3 beads; if using other shapes, use enough extra to add up to 3 x the diameter as measured perpendicular to the stringing direction (give or take a bit is okay).

Celine

Reply to
Lee S. Billings

Ahh, I see...thanks Celine, that is very helpful! BTW, I looked at your beautiful pieces on Ruby Lane, I especially love the crystal cat necklace! Arleen

Reply to
Arleen

Swarovski sources:

INM Crystal

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No wholesale number required, $50 minimum, wholesale prices if you are willing to buy 150 of the 4 and 6mm bicones.(all I buy, so I can't speak to other prices) Halsteads
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Does require a wholesale number, $100 minimum, but only have to buy 100 of a color to get the price. ME Lampworks
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She's just starting to carry 4 and 6mm bicones, at wholesale prices if you buy a gross, very good prices even at lower quantities. (And especially nice for me since she lives less than a mile away from me. :-) INM has the best color choices, but has problems keeping things in stock.

Karin

Arleen wrote:

Reply to
Karin Cernik

Arleen: http://www.expressive-impressions has 4mm bicones starting at .05 depending on quantity and color. I believe there is a $50 minimum. They also have great prices on toggles and other findings, too. Maybe you'll find something there.

I've bought from them for quite a while, and if you don't have a tax id, just give them your SSN.

Reply to
lgreene

Thank you, I try. That tip, BTW, is out of the Rio Grande catalog. If you go to their website

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they have a whole bunch of helpful tips about various aspects of jewelry-making.

Celine

Reply to
Lee S. Billings

Letrinka is my favorite source for Swarovski.

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You might find better prices with more restrictions, but I just love working with her. For odd colors and a better range of satins I go to 2Bead. Which is eluding me at the moment.

One thing that will determine the length of bracelet you like, is how your thumbs spread. I find that I spread my hands very wide, so that it's easy to break bracelets or bruise my hand from bracelets, so I always wear bracelets tighter than many people do.

Tina

Reply to
Christina Peterson

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

] Anyone have her store name? I NEEEEEED it.

Blackcatbeads

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----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

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(Jewelry)
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newest creations:
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----------- The measure of the menace of a man is not what hardware he carries, but what ideas he believes.-- Jeff Jordan

Reply to
vj

thanks for all of the helpful answers! I really appreciate the knowledge that you all have of this craft, it is truly amazing! Thanks again, Arleen

Reply to
Arleen

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