Dyed Beads

Jul 16, 2003 2 Replies

On my recent jaunt to New Mexico and Colorado (about which more later) I bought a strand of rust colored carved serpentine beads. Silly me -- I didn't realize they were dyed, and the dye rubbed off onto the tissue paper they were wrapped in and rubs off on fabric.



I soaked them and scrubbed them, which helped somewhat (and also made them much paler), but they still shed enough dye that I don't feel like I can incorporate them into a piece that I intend to sell.



Is there any fix for this? Could I spray them with Krylon or something? Or do I just need to tell anyone who winds up with them to only wear them with black :-)



Elise


-- This is a post-only address. Send replies to e_lewis AT bellsouth DOT net (with the obvious corrections)


Try soaking them with 50/50 white vinegar and water. The mild acid helps to remove excess dye without damaging the stone.

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

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After you soak and let them dry, test again for color fastness. I did this with a swimsuit and it still ran. Can you believe a swinsuit that wasn't colorfast in water! Bright pink, all you need is to have pink running down your legs when you get out of the pool or forming a pink puddle under you on the towel! Took it back as defective and shoot it was really cute and fit nice.

Susan W

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