Hi There from Canada......

Like Nicole, I am pretty new to beading, but I have been lurking on this group for months and am constantly in awe of the amazing things that you do. I live in Toronto, btw.

I have never done beading before, but have done other crafts. I decided to take a few classes at Michael's because retirement was getting a tad boring. By the second class, I was hooked and have been running as fast as I can to learn even 25% of what you all know. There is so MUCH to learn. I still find it hard to visualize metric sized beads....tell me

1/2" and I can, but not 10 mm.

I am doing strictly beading, both stringing and wirework. I am in the process of buying gemstones and sterling findings, now that I know how much I love doing this. The hardest part for me is getting the inspiration when working on something, but I just lay it out and adjust here and there and eventually I have a "eureka" moment.

I have enjoyed the friendly banter amongst the group and have also learned quite a lot by seeing the things you make, etc. Like Nicole, I am building up my inventory and did buy several interesting strands over in Portugal in June in a tiny little chinese store. We are still not sure (my helpful bead store owner and myself) if I have jade or aventurine, for instance.

So I am looking forward to being able to ask some fairly basic questions I suppose, and I imagine Nicole is in the same boat as I am. I am constantly pouring over magazines and all of your websites for inspiration and knowledge.

Cheers.....Heather

Reply to
Heather
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Welcome, Heather!

Sounds like you are as hooked as the rest of us!!

Reply to
Beadbimbo

In message , Heather writes

Good to have you with us. Shirley

Reply to
Shirley Shone

Hi Heather, Welcome to the group and to beading!! As far as your aventurine or jade strands go, jade beads have a creamy appearance. Aventurine has shiny bits, mica in the quartz stones and is usually more of seagreen than jade. If you post a picture, maybe someone can tell you. Aventurine is also a lot less expensive than jade.

Patti

Reply to
Patti

Thanks, Patti.

I will take some photos over the weekend. They are more of a seagreen, but no flecks in them that I can see. But I will put a strong light on them and double check. The couple who own the local bead store are at odds as to which these are.

The ones that fascinated me are hard to describe, but they are agate I believe and about 2 inches long. I will try and photograph them so that the colours show up. Every one is different and I haven't seen anything like that in stores here. No clue as to how to deal with them either. (G)

As for price, I would have to give it to you in Euros, or convert to Cdn and then you could guestimate it in US dollars. This man spoke no English and I do not speak Portuguese, so it was fun trying to bargain him down. He knew how to do that, lol.

Cheers....Heather.

Reply to
Heather

You could try scanning them if you have a scanner. I often put my beadwork on the scanner and get better pictures. Shirley

In message , Heather writes

Reply to
Shirley Shone

I never thought of doing that. Thanks, Shirley. I will try that method. I went down and had a good look at the *jade*....the larger beads are all a sort of milky seagreen, the smaller have some that are a tad darker and I can see some tiny flecks of dark green or black in some of them. I need new glasses!!

Thanks for the idea.

Heather

Reply to
Heather

Welcome Heather!

I know there are a few Chinese gem bead stores up in the Markham area.

Barbara

Bead & Polymer Clay Habitué

There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)

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Like Nicole, I am pretty new to beading, but I have been lurking on this

Reply to
Barbara Forbes-Lyons

Thanks Barbara.....you surprised me with this tidbit. We live on the western outskirts of Toronto and happened to be very close to Markham yesterday for a doctor's appt. It does have a very big Chinese population.

There are quite a few bead stores in Toronto proper that I haven't had a chance to get to yet. One is Beadfx which has a huge website and is further east than Markham. We have 3 (including Michael's) here in my city so have access to 3 quite different types of gems, beads and findings.

Cheers.....Heather

Reply to
Heather

Welcome! :)

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Hi Heather!

-kalera

Heather wrote:

Reply to
Kalera

I've bought from BeadFx online and have been happy with them.

Reply to
Vibrant Jewels

for my last job, I spent 3 separate weeks in the Markham area at the corporate hq, so i got to poke around the area quite abit. Barbara

Bead & Polymer Clay Habitué

There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)

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Thanks Barbara.....you surprised me with this tidbit. We live on the

Reply to
Barbara Forbes-Lyons

Good to hear that, Karleen. I haven't bought anything online so far, but do get all of their *flyer* emails, etc. They seem to be well thought of. I am toying with trying something with copper findings, so was looking for them on their website.

Heather

Reply to
Heather

That explains it. I am in Brampton, about a half hour west of Markham. We will be heading back into the same area on Thursday and maybe I can talk him into poking around as well.....but somehow I think not. (G)

Cheers....Heather

Reply to
Heather

Welcome Heather!

Reply to
Valerie

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