THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

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Reader Question - What to Do With Broken Beads? Posted: 02 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT The Reader Question thread is where I pick an emailed question or comment to share.  I don't claim to know all the answers but I do my best to help. Shaylynn of Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe posted this comment, "Random question-- do you know of any good uses for broken/cracked/uncut-hole beads? I've amassed a little collection and feel bad throwing it out!" It's not quite a random question because Shaylynn raised it on my Reader Question - What Glues to Use in Jewelry Making post.  She was obviously deciding whether it's worth trying to rescue some beads with glue. If you know of a lamp work artist, make friends with them. The scrap glass may be of use to them as they can melt it down. I do know of lamp work artists who use recycled glass. Yes, recycling is really big! Precious metal beads should be saved just as you would the wire scraps. Some suppliers are now buying small amounts of collected wire and beads from artisans to make bigger batches which they in turn sell to smelters. Smelters typically need at least 1 kg so selling to a middleman works if you are not likely to amass that amount quickly. Non-precious metal beads as well as rejected glass may be recycled - you'll have to check with your local recycling depot if they are suitable. Another suggestion is to use them creatively in a mixed media mosaic picture. Shaylynn herself replied with another idea, "I might also try to make some bead cages for the beads with poorly made holes. Other than the fact that no wire can go through them, they are perfectly good."  Yes, wire-wrapping (see link below) is an excellent solution which also works for undrilled sea glass and marbles . Before You Go : Repurposing Jewelry Findings Using Up Your Beading Wire Scraps for Earrings How to Wire Wrap Sea Glass How to Fry Marbles and Make Crackled Bead Jewelry For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips Liked what you read? Don't miss a post! Subscribe via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE! *Click on the link in the confirmation email to activate subscription Be a Fan!

How to Use Fusable Beads to Decorate Ear Buds Posted: 01 Jul 2011 03:30 PM PDT For the Younger Set Part 2 of 2 I've never really paid much attention to plastic fusible bead until now. These are picture construction toy kits made by companies such as Perler or Hama Beads.   They are typically assembled on some sort of peg  system and fused together with an iron. You can also create pendants made from them. xMeerjam on Cut Out and Keep came up with an alternative use.  She made a slit in each bead and decorated her ear buds! What a clever idea. Imagine the color combinations you can use.  This would be an easy craft project for tweens and teens. More Childhood Inspired Jewelry Children's Art Turned into Jewelry Make This Awesome Spirograph Inspired Necklace Childhood Toy and Game Inspired Jewelry and Tutorials For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips Liked what you read? Don't miss a post! Subscribe via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE! *Click on the link in the confirmation email to activate subscription Be a Fan!

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