SCORE for me! (and a RAW question)

Nov 13, 2003 3 Replies
K

I finally found a bead shop close to me today (after searching for 2yrs!). They had really GOOD prices on some things, and really BAD prices on others; luckily, the expensive stuff was so ridiculously high, it was obvious;o) I got out of there only spending $40, and I have used all but three of the beads already (the three were the most amazing big faceted red coral things--still don't know what I will do with them, but couldn't pass 'em up at $0.45 a piece!:o)



They sell Swarovskis for nine cents a piece, which is about what I can find them for online (after shipping)....this is better for me, though, because the cheaper online crystal places require a license. This place sells wholesale to the public (just the crystals, not other beads), and discounts



30% when you buy more than a gross! I'm so stoked:o)

Now, a question: I bought a gross of bicones to make some of those RAW bracelets I saw selling at Nordstrom for $180. I've never done RAW before, but it looks easy enough. I just want to know, is the one-needle method faster than the two-needle method, or vice versa? Or is it a personal thing (different for different people)? And how many beads does it take to make one? Will a gross be enough? I got 4mm bicones, because that's what the Nordstrom bracelet used;o)



Oh! I've got one more! Why are there so many different kinds of Jasper? Are they all real, or like jade (meaning a lot of jade is dyed other-stone)? I couldn't figure it out, because some jasper was really expensive, and some was really cheap (I got cool zebra jasper for only eight cents per bead:o).


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M

KYLA!!!!

Look at my post on the Swarovski trip I am making on Friday. I can increase your load multiple times! I can get the bracelets of 4mm bicones for $2, which means about 4.2 cents. The funny thing is, that's the same price the

4mm rounds will be, also!

And the 6mm rounds were $3/~32 pcs, which worked out to about 9.4 cents each (rol's prices were 16cents).

These also include AB, I found AB2x's, "football", "nailheads", gads, TONS of them.

Okay, forgive me for being excited!

Mary

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M

Does anyone have a realy simple pattern to follow for RAW? I'm the type of person who likes to be SHOWN but I don't know anyone who does this sort of work. I would love to learn how ... marie~ "For what are we without hope in our hearts..." Bruce Springsteen

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J

Kyla,

Assuming you are talking about a single row of RAW and 4mm bicones......... I use a 2-strand clasp, have a 6½" wrist, and usually need 88 or 91 crystals. It depends on my tension and the type of beading line I use. I find I have a tighter tension with doubled Nymo (B) and use more crystals than if I use Fireline or plain ole' fishing line. Also, if I use a 1-strand clasp, I use 2 less crystals. I usually figure on just under 100 crystals for a bracelet. That gives me a few extra for my bead soup. Now if you have a larger wrist, it will take a few more crystals. Figure on 10 extra crystals per inch of bracelet.

Also, I use a single needle because that's the way I was taught. It means more passes thru the crystals so you get a sturdier bracelet but there's nothing to stop you from using the two-needle method and work it up and back.

Good luck and enjoy your addiction............

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