Alternate uses for FW pearls.

[gemologist]

Ok, so the price for some freshwater pearls is really low, so what else can be made with freshwater pearls other than jewelry. I am posting some of the things I have done with them, please contribute your stuff as well.

If you want a free sample of some FW pearls to experiment with, let me know by sending me a PM, tell me what you want them for, and If it sounds interesting, I'll even pay for shipping.

Now, here is what I have come up with, I know there are many people on this board smarter and more talented than myself, so what have you come up with.

Pearl encrusted frame.

I took a 2x4 and ran it through a router with a fancy edge on it, then flipped it over, did the same thing, then split it with a table saw, and cut it with a skill-saw, stapled it together and glued on the pearls using a gradual light to dark pattern with several different types of FW pearls.

Also, I made some gel candles

I used penrecco HD gel, fragrance and 6mm FW pearls, on the top is sprinkled an exclusive product I am producing called "pearl shells" It is the semi-crushed outer layers of lusterous nacre (unfortunatly they do not photograph well )

And for now I will conclude with the candle and pearl suite that is in my bedroom,

consisting of several pounds of pearls and a gel pearl candle, a white taper candle and a tealight in a frosted votive holder (available at Ikea) or if I get around to it, my website.

Please someone else come up with some pics of what you have done or I will be forced to let loose with my crushed pearl experiments and my pearl button blouse.

 

[jshepherd]

Can you resubmit this post but shrink the pictures? They are cutting off part of the text. Try not to go larger than 600 pixels.

 

[callire]

I'm am terribly unoriginal, I'm afraid, but I'm highly tempted to go bedazzle (fw style) a picture frame or something. Actually, all my "innovations" usually are just to store/display them (I'm a big fan of the cigar-box-turned-jewelry-box crafting movement).

COOL idea with the candles, I'd have to see them in person though. So how did you do it? I think it'd look really cool with Keshi pearls. It makes me a little sad though, to think that they're in wax forever.

Maybe you could get one of those glass-topped jewelry boxes and filled the inside layer with a collage of button/keshi fw under the glass... oooh...

 

[callire]

(pics didn't load before)

WOW! I love the bottom one where the pearls are supporting the candles. I think I like that the best. Tre classy and chic.

 

[gemologist]

INCOMING! smaller pics.

 

[gemologist]

Pics are now within tolerable range, and I really will be posting the crushed pearl powder as a paint treatment and the pearl button blouse once I finish with them.

 

[pattye]

Hi Gemologist!

Wow! Great ideas, the frame is great! I probably would just trot down to TJ MAXX and get one to glue the pearls on. Heck, probably have something in the garage I could use!

The candle treatments are so yummy! Love the luxuriousness of candles nested in the pearls! Am intrigued by pearl powder------

 

[PearlPoor]

Pearls attached to leather?

Pearls attached to leather?

I love the ideas. Is it possible to attach pearls to rim of lampshade? How would attach them to leather or jeans?

PearlPoor

P.S. Maybe to tall tapered, dinner candles for special occasion? Would they burn or melt?

 

[knotty panda]

Boo has some wonderful pearl sandals posted somewhere on the forum. I can't find it though. Cigar box jewelry box? A humidor for pearls. I use my wooden cigar boxes for storing my beading supplies and tools. They are all lined, varnished and have handles.

 

[gemologist]

Cool, I wanna see the sandals .

I am planning on doing a taper candle as soon as someone places a 3mm pearl special order with me.

Jeans and leather, I know one of my customers does that using glue, but you can't put it on a part of clothing that is going to move much or get much wear unless you sew them on, or you can custom drill them, two drill holes at an ange, which meet half way through the pearl would allow you to sew them on. Also, you can use cloth bead making supplies and glue a button pearl or a coin pearl on to use as a button. (I am going to cheat and use the original buttons and just glue the pearls to them).

I like the idea about the lampshade, that would be fun.

I am thinking about doing some wood furniture, using them as accents, and if I ever find the pics, I once made a wood turned pen with whole pearl inlays in striped ebony. What a Mess!

 

[gemologist]

Found the pen!

I am uploading the photo now, should be there in a minute or two.

 

[Caitlin]

Here's one of Fab-Boo's sandals. I've been wearing them a lot because the suede insoles don't get all sweaty- in addition to being so over all beautiful. Beauty and comfort, that's what these sandals are about.

 

[barbie biggs]

Caitlin they're so cute I just love them! Why did I know there'd be lavendar in there?
barbie

 

[Heidi]

So many great ideas here! Now I am motivated to stock up on something less than gem-grade pearls to adorn my house.

Hi Caitlin -
Those sandals look awesome! I agree that comfort and beauty need to be in alignment.

 

[Caitlin]

Boo is an incredibly creative member. That why I call her Faboo!

 

[Raisondetre]

I totally agree. Boo is Faboo! I still can't figure out how she swapped pearls for the original beads ... I'd make a total mess out of it.

 

[Caitlin]

She bought Coldwater Creek thong sandals with tops of mesh. Then she wove the pearls into place with metal link work. They are faboo!

 

[knotty panda]

I can't do this. I've got the get ready for Fay. But here I go! Looks like she attached two lengths of chain with fishing line maybe? Then took headpins and wove them through the chain to secure the pearls ending with a wrapped loop. THEN she looped on the fringe pearls!

Ok, here comes the groner ... NO SMALL FEAT! Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[Heidi]

*groan*

Even with that, I laughed. Great minds think alike? Maybe???

 

[Caitlin]

Hi
Aaargh!

You are right knotty. Even though the fishing line is not in this photo. Wazzup? You get some too?

The two pieces of chain are attached by little loops of monofiliment line which run through between the chain and the mesh all the way to the other end anchoring the chain. It looks like security.

Then a head pin with a pearl on each side of of the chains begins the pearl work. The head is in the top pearl then two chains then a pearl on the bottom with a loop. At the bottom is the third pearl with a short head pin with a loop and the two loops are joined, so the bottom pearl is free to swing. She did five of those going to the center, then started adding pearls between the two chains- a lot of them purple.

Ones kind of similar to this go for $85 and up, in the online shoe stores. These are prettier and a lot more work to make.