http://www.localbeadstores.com Support your Local Bead Store Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:13:18 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Do you like the look of antiqued or patinaed metals? Do you have metal findings that are looking dark and aged when you'd like them bright and shiny? Here are some ways to change the surface finish of sterling, copper and brass using materials you have in your kitchen. Blackening Sterling ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/11/12/natural-ways-to-patina-and-clean-metals/ Sometimes when you're looking in your bead box, or gazing at rows of beautiful beads at your local store you have to solve that age old debate: How much do I need? One, two, three strands? But what if you have  6mm and 8mm in this project and aunt Nancy says she wants matinee length? ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/11/10/how-many-beads-do-i-need/ The Beadin’ Path in Freeport issued a challenge to beadwork and fiber artists from all over the world: to accept, be inspired by and submit a mask for a show entitled ‘Behind the Mask’. Over 50 artists answered the call and joined in this challenge, creating beaded masks using varying ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/06/06/behind-the-mask-artist%e2%80%99s-opening-reception-at-the-beadin%e2%80%99-path-in-freeport-maine/ Many of you have enjoyed our "Party in a tube" kits and we've finally have been able to replenish our stock of "Party in a Tube" kits with Various colors combinations are available as well as styles. You can now choose the two bracelet (anklet) version or the necklace/bracelet set. The ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/05/22/party-in-a-tube-bead-kits/ Here is a great way to make simple and easy earrings and use your left over pieces of beading wire.  Start with a piece of beading wire twice as long as you want your finished earrings to be plus 1 inch.  Loop the wire thru the loop on your earring ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/05/08/easy-simple-earrings/ Types of Vintage Glass Pendants Written by Heather DeSimone of The Beadin' Path in Freeport ME. Recently Dara, our West Coast Sales Rep, had a Summer series of vintage bead trunk shows across California. We send Dara the best of our vintage finds for these shows. What is great is that we ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/04/27/vintage-glass-pendants/ Click below to see the store tour of member site The Garuda and I , (Friday Harbor, Washington State) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm79Ud068bE http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/04/27/store-tour-the-garuda-and-i-friday-harbor-washington/ I had a necklace come apart at the crimp and it taught me a lesson.  While the crimp looked perfectly secure, it wasn't.  Now, when using crimping pliers, I add a step.  After squeezing the crimp in the top groove of the pliers (the second step), I use the tiny ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/04/22/crimping-tip/ Why does a bracelet or necklace break and sling beads across the countryside? Because “Life Happens”. Whether the crimping was done perfectly or sloppy, the bottom line is that usually, either the crimp or the stringing wire was the weakest link in the piece. So, we got heavier gauge jump rings, ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/04/22/why-does-a-necklace-break/ Confessions of a Plastic Snob: Lucite and Plastic Beads Defined by Heather DeSimone of The Beadin' Path   I was a plastic snob. When we first opened a bead store, I would have customers walk in and say “So why shouldn’t I just go down to the local craft mall and purchase my beads?” ... http://www.localbeadstores.com/2008/04/21/confessions-of-a-plastic-snob-lucite-plastic-beads-defined/