How can I see more designs from our Lowly Beaders?

[Nicole]

Hi everyone!

I looked but wasn't able to find the rules about advertising here. Someone please point me to them if you can.

I'm actually asking out of curiosity, I don't have anything to sell, myself. But I enjoy following the discussions among the beaders here, and I have noticed that many, if not most of the beaders here mention having wholesale or resale licenses, or whatever they're called, and that many people here actually design jewelry professionally, or at least sell their designs as a hobby.

Whenever I read these threads, it makes me curious to see more of everyone's designs and what you all have for sale. But other than a few of the "big" vendors, I never really see any links to anyone's sites. Is this because of some kind of rule that I'm missing? Thanks.

Nicole

 

[danachit]

Nicole, I sell professionally but only by word of mouth. I don't have more than a few pics because I don't know how to successfully photograph my pieces. Looking into a light box early this year would be a good goal!
I, too, love seeing what others have created. It inspires me!

 

[Valeria101]

RE. photos... down this LINK there is a neat how-to DIY lightbox story and some more resources of the like. Maybe it heps in the meantime

 

[jerin]

RE. photos... down this LINK there is a neat how-to DIY lightbox story and some more resources of the like. Maybe it heps in the meantime

Hi Valeria,

where is the link?

 

[knotty panda]

The only thing I sell is knots and that's word of mouth too. If someone has a piece I made that isn't knotted, they are family and it was a gift.

 

[Valeria101]

Oops!

LINK to Amy O'connel's jewelry photo guide.

 

[pmorna742]

photographing jewellery

photographing jewellery

RE. photos... down this LINK there is a neat how-to DIY lightbox story and some more resources of the like. Maybe it heps in the meantime

I don't recommend light boxes; a waste of money, as far as I'm concerned. Much better to have your jewelley sitting infront of a window, on a clear, but not sunny day. I eventually paid a photographer to take the photos of my jewellery for my website. I use slate to set the pieces on, giving it 3 coats of varnish first, so's it doesn't scratch anything delicate. It's a perfect medium. (If you look at the photo I posted of my lampwork glass/pearl/labradorite necklace, you'll see what I mean.) You have to have a decent camera, too.

Morna

 

[Sueki]

Here's one of mine - large Tahitian baroques; a beautiful charcoal / pewter colour, with gorgeous, delicate rainbow overtones.
Although the overtones aren't strong, I love them just as much as strong rainbows; the subtle hints of colour are fascinating, and have a beauty all their own.

 

[pattye]

Thanks Sueki!

Those are lovely! What are the spacers? Did you string it?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Sueki]

Hello Pattye,
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I strung it myself; the beads are sterling silver, either 4mm. by 2mm., or 3mm. by 1.75mm. The knots tuck very tidily inside the silver beads.
I was a little dubious about using silver next to the pearls for fear of scratching or damage, but I'll keep an eye on the pearls and re-string if necessary.

 

[Caitlin]

I like the silver on that necklace better than gold- or white gold. Good job!!!

 

[Sueki]

Oh, thanks Caitlin.
The pearls are a gunmetal grey, and I felt that silver was the best compliment to them.
Many thanks for your comment.

 

[Ingykiz]

Beautiful and unique. Is that an everyday strand for you? I think the silver spacers add a real new dimension that strand. Good design.

 

[knotty panda]

I agree about the silver. A much better choice than white gold. Very pretty and I'll bet very pretty on. And so proudly worn too! How do those pearls feel? Are they smooth to the touch? I've started noticing how different pearls feel in my hands.

 

[Nicole]

That's so pretty, Sueki! Is it for yourself? I had the same uncertainty about putting swarovski crystals next to pearls, I also thought they would get scratched. It's a dilemma, because the traditional knotting which keeps pearls safe and protected on their strand has stood the test of time for good reason. On the other hand, creative folks like the beaders here will want to experiment and combine pearls with other materials and techniques.

I really like the fact that the necklace is knotted and also has the sterling sliver spacers between pearls. I've never really seen that done. At least, I've seen pearls strung with other gemstone/metal accents, and I just assumed that they weren't knotted. Maybe the knots were hidden, like yours. I always learn from the people here.

The whole knotting thing still kind of baffles me. I've read some of the advice and directions posted on these forums, and I've even watched the video clip that's been linked to here a few times. But for some reason it still sounds confusing. I've never tried knotting, so that's probably why it seems confusing. I would like to learn, but I would rather learn from someone in person rather than try to figure it out myself.

Anyway, the necklace is beautiful, and the pearls are beautiful. The pearls do appear very smooth. You labeled the pearls baroque, but many of them appear very close to round to me. It might just be the way they photograph. I wonder, is this kind of shape what's meant when pearls are described as semi-baroque?

Nicole

 

[Sueki]

Hi Ingykiz,
Thanks for your comment; yes, I am afraid that it is an everyday strand, in as much as all my pearls are.
I tend to wear what I like, when I like.
This particular necklace looks as good with jeans and a shirt as it does with the little black dress. But the same could be said for all my pearls.
I can dress up a couple of rows of freshwaters with a brooch or two as enhancers, and it looks a million dollars. Well, o.k., maybe not to the enlightened folk on here, but to most people I meet.....

Hi Knotty,
The pearls feel great - smooth as silk, and tactile. As with all my pearls, I can't keep my hands off them when wearing them.


Hi Nicole,
Yes, it's for me. I love pearls and can't bear to part with them.
Even when making presents for family and friends I have a hard time deciding to part with them.......
Re. knotting - I myself find it not at all difficult; fiddly and time-consuming, and requiring the patience of Job, and frustrating sometimes, especially when I get to the end and the silk breaks aaarrrggghhh.... - but not difficult.
But I was a seamstress for many years and well-used to threads and needles and fiddly, fiddly work that needed endless patience.
I read these forums for months before joining, and used all the tips and advice I found here.
Then bought Henrietta Virchik's book and several strands of beading pearls to practice on.
The crystals - I'm not too sure if I'd risk those - they are, presumably, faceted and the edges may well scratch the pearls.
These silver beads don't have any sharp edges next to the pearls.
You are quite right re. the pearls being semi-baroques.
I checked the info. from the vendor, and these are, indeed, semi-baroques. There are a couple of round / off-round pearls, but the spacer beads give the illusion of the pearls being rounder than they actually are.
Thanks to all of you for your positive comments - I am sitting here with a big grin on my face, and now consider myself to be a lowly beader at last.
Not, you understand, an esteemed beader; but I am confident now that I can make a simple knotted string of pearls as a gift and be fairly sure that the recipient will be delighted.

P.S. And I've solved the problem of silk breaking - don't knot with chapped hands......

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I would like to buy that book-- the one by Henrietta Virchik. Is is commonly available in bead shops or is there a reliable online source for it?

 

[Caitlin]

I found it at the Land of Odds.com Also Suzanne Hye of Ebay's Hye on Beads was one of Henrietta's students. I think she has it too. I am sure she has the video by Henrietta.

 

[Sueki]

Ah, thank you Caitlin - once again you beat me to it.
It's also here - and this is the vendor I bought mine from.
I hope I'm allowed to post the link.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pearl-Bead-Stri...QihZ023QQcategoryZ494QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

[Caitlin]

Yes you are allowed to post a link. Advertising is when someone joins only to advertise their wares. Reviews and links to third parties are an important part of our function. We like it when sellers can put up a webpage under their signature, and of course when our growers get something special, we love to see it.