Author: Beads N Crystals

Hey, everyone! We’ve got some exciting news for you – we’ve enlisted the help of a new addition to the team in 2024. Please give a warm welcome to Travis, our not-so-average kind-of-work-experience guy. He’s here to sprinkle a bit of chaos, a dash of laughter, and a whole lot of creativity into our digital world.

Travis is not your typical tech genius. In fact, he’s the kind of guy who thinks “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” is designed to give you time to do a little dance! But hey, who needs perfection when you can have a truckload of charm and a heart full of enthusiasm, right!?

We’ve tasked Travis with the important mission of improving our website. Now, before you grab your precious beads and crystals and head for the hills (although we’d prefer the beach – although South Bank is about as far away as we get to go for a day out!), let us reassure you – Travis is a lovable klutz, but he’s got a knack for turning oopsies into “happy little accidents,” as he likes to call them.

Picture this: Travis, armed with a keyboard, and a mouse packed with a few too many LED’s, ready to conquer the vast realm of cyberspace. He’s got a determined look in his eyes, and his fingers are flying across the keyboard like a caffeinated hummingbird on a mission. We swear, it’s like watching a toddler discovering the joy of finger painting – except Travis is knee-deep in HTML, or SQL, or whatever that tech garble is. Don’t ask us!

The best part? Travis is also a closet beader! A natural-born crafter, not that you’d ever guess that at first glance. Get ready for some of the quirkiest posts you’ve ever laid eyes on. From bead-based life hacks to crystal-themed interpretive dance routines (don’t ask, just enjoy), Travis is here to sprinkle a little joy into your crafting journey.

So, buckle up, Beads N Crystals fans, because you’re in for a wild ride in 2024. Travis is here to make your crafting experience a tad more adventurous, a lot more amusing, and just a smidge less predictable. But fear not! Behind that slightly tousled hair is a guy with a heart of gold and a secret genius waiting to be unleashed.

Stay tuned for the misadventures of Travis, the crafty Web Wizard (sort of) of Beads N Crystals. You won’t want to miss a single click, crash, or giggle. Happy crafting, and may your beads be ever in your favour!

Live, Love, Laugh & Loom a Leather Lariat,
the Beads N Crystals Team

See! We’re not ‘that’ kind of bead shop!

In the ever-evolving world of jewellery crafting, choosing the right materials is key to creating not only stunning pieces but also ensuring comfort for the wearer. One shining star in the realm of findings is surgical stainless steel, and today, we’re diving deep into its brilliance and the hypoallergenic benefits that make it a game-changer for jewellery enthusiasts.

1. The Stainless-Steel Symphony: A Primer

Stainless steel is more than just a robust alloy; it’s a symphony of durability, versatility, and sleek aesthetics. Comprising iron, chromium, and other alloying elements, stainless steel boasts corrosion resistance, making it an ideal candidate for various applications. In jewellery, its popularity has soared, particularly in findings like clasps, ear wires, and jump rings.

2. The Hypoallergenic Marvel: A Relief for Sensitive Skin

One of stainless steel’s standout features is its hypoallergenic nature. For individuals with sensitive skin prone to irritation or allergic reactions, stainless steel findings act as a gentle saviour. Unlike materials that may contain traces of nickel or other allergens, high-quality stainless steel is known for causing minimal to no skin reactions, making it a perfect choice for those with sensitive ears or skin.

3. Corrosion Resistance: Enduring Beauty

Ever had a favorite piece of jewellery lose its lustre due to tarnishing or corrosion? Stainless steel findings wave goodbye to such worries. Their inherent corrosion resistance ensures that your creations maintain their sheen, even after prolonged wear. This characteristic is especially crucial for items like clasps and earring backs that often come into contact with skin and moisture.

4. Durability Beyond Compare: Jewellery That Lasts

Stainless steel findings are the unsung heroes when it comes to crafting durable jewellery. Their robust nature ensures that your creations withstand the tests of time, resisting scratches, dents, and the wear-and-tear of everyday life. For pieces that are meant to be cherished for years, stainless steel findings provide the structural integrity needed for longevity.

5. Budget-Friendly Elegance: Affordable Luxury

Creating exquisite jewellery doesn’t have to break the bank. Stainless steel findings offer an affordable alternative to pricier materials without compromising on elegance. Crafters can indulge in the luxury of creating high-quality, budget-friendly pieces that radiate sophistication.

6. Design Freedom: Versatility Unleashed

Stainless steel findings open up a world of design possibilities. Their neutral and timeless appearance complements a wide range of materials, from gemstones to glass beads. Whether you’re crafting a classic necklace, bohemian earrings, or a modern bracelet, stainless steel findings seamlessly integrate into diverse design aesthetics.

7. Environmental Friendliness: A Green Choice

For eco-conscious crafters, stainless steel findings present a sustainable choice. The durability of stainless-steel means less frequent replacements, reducing the environmental impact associated with disposable or short-lived jewellery components.

In conclusion, stainless steel findings emerge not only as durable and visually appealing but as champions of hypoallergenic jewellery crafting. Elevate your creations with the resilience and elegance of stainless steel, ensuring that your masterpieces not only dazzle the eye but also comfort the skin. Embrace the brilliance – stainless steel findings are here to redefine your jewellery-making journey.

If you’ve never tried your hand at beading, you may be feeling a little lost when faced with mountains of beads, pliers, wires, string, and rings. The great news is that learning how to bead for beginners is actually super simple and can be really rewarding from your first project!

Start out with beading 101

Beading as a craft can become incredibly complex and ornate, with some experienced beaders even creating elaborate 3D shapes. Fortunately, beading is also one of the more forgiving crafts to start out with — at the end of the day, you’re just threading beads onto some kind of material to make a continuous string. This string can then be closed with a loop ring, a knot, or a number of different techniques to become earrings, a key chain, a necklace — you name it! Once you have a few beading 101 skills under your belt, you’d be surprised at how quickly a simple string of beads becomes a much more complicated and impressive project.

So, are you ready to learn how to bead for beginners? Let’s get started!

Everything you’ll need for bead making for beginners

First thing’s first, it’s important that before you start out any project, you have the tools for the job. There are more tools you can use to get a professional finish, but here we’re focusing on the basics essential for any simple beading craft.

• Beads — OK, this might sound obvious, but there are a few things to consider when choosing the beads for your project. Size is an important element to take into account. Big beads require fewer to fill in a space or make a necklace, but they can also be heavier and may be less wearable as a result. Smaller beads will inevitably be cheaper, but they can also be more fiddly to thread, and require many more individual items to complete the same length.
  Beginner beaders often underestimate how many beads they’ll need to finish a project. To avoid this, do some simple maths before you start. Measure the length of the jewellery you want to create, then divide that length by the width of your chosen individual beads. You only need a rough estimate for this, but you may be surprised at how many more beads are required to get the job done.

• String or wire — A nylon string, fishing or metal wire will be needed to actually thread your beads on.

• Jewellery pliers — Jewellery pliers will be your best friend in the beading process, allowing you to manipulate closures and fastenings, hold things in position and have better control over small and finicky designs. You can choose from round nose, chain nose and flat nose pliers, so it might be worth asking your local bead shop for their advice on which pliers will suit your chosen beads and fastenings.

• Needles — If you’ve opted for a very thin wire or floppy string, you’ll probably find a needle is required to give you enough control and rigidity to get the beads onto their threading. Long beading needles also allow you to lay out portions of your design and make sure they’re right before you slide them onto your thread for the final design.

• Wire cutters or scissors — Your stringing material will dictate which one of these you choose, but sharp cutting implements that are suitable for your chosen material will save your nice fabric scissors from getting wrecked — all while giving you clean cuts for a more professional finish.

• Jewellery findings — This is a somewhat obscure name that means the fastenings, crimp beads or other coverings you will use to finish your piece and allow it to be taken on and off. Take into account your stringing materials when choosing these, and make sure that you select an appropriate fastening that can support the weight of your design.
• Storage — Finally, invest in proper storage for your beads and tools! A see-through hard case is a great option because it allows you to easily see what you have in your stash, while the rigid case will keep things from moving around. A disorganised craft station is a sure-fire way to feel overwhelmed and make mistakes in your project, so it’s well worth your while getting one of these.

Beading 101 — your very first project

Once you have all of your materials, you’re ready to start your very first project! A necklace or a bracelet is a great option for this because it only requires one thread and can be easily closed with a fastening of your choice. Plan out your design beforehand, so you have a rough idea of the materials needed, but don’t be afraid to experiment and go with the flow — sometimes, the beads will dictate their own design!

Lay out your materials in a clear and uncluttered workspace, and remember to enjoy the process, frustrations and all. If you do get stuck, a great tip is to research the technique or problem and watch a tutorial video — often, seeing something in front of your eyes is easier than reading about it. Before you know it, you’ll be beading with the best of them, as your confidence and skills grow.

Beads N Crystals — your go-to destination for beginner beading

No matter how large or small the project you’re attempting, at Beads N Crystals, you’ll find a huge range of tools and supplies to make it a success. We have a vibrant community of keen amateur and professional beaders, so you can stay in touch with the latest beading news and learn new techniques to improve your skills. If you’re ready to embark on your beading 101 journey, check out our affordable range of beads, gemstones and seed beads today, and start creating!

Exciting News: Unveiling Our New Website for a Seamless Bead Shopping Experience!

G’day, bead enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to announce the grand reveal of our brand-new website, designed with you in mind. At Beads N Crystals, we understand the importance of a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience, and our revamped and ever-evolving online space is geared towards making your bead-hunting journey more delightful than ever before.

What’s New?

Intuitive Navigation: Say goodbye to the struggle of finding the perfect beads. Our new website boasts an intuitive navigation system, making it a breeze to locate exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you’re a seasoned beader or a newbie, you’ll find our website user-friendly and efficient.

Mobile-Friendly Design: We know you’re on the go, and our mobile-friendly design ensures that you can browse, shop, and explore our bead collection from the palm of your hand. Embrace the flexibility of shopping whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

Why the Change?

We’re committed to providing the best possible shopping experience for our valued customers. The decision to revamp our website stems from a desire to offer a seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free journey as you embark on your bead-crafting adventures. Your feedback has been invaluable, and we’ve listened closely to your needs to create a platform that aligns with the Beads N Crystals commitment to quality and excellence.

Explore, Shop, Create!

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into our new website, explore the extensive range of beads, crystals, and accessories, and let your creativity flourish. We’re excited to be part of your crafting journey and can’t wait to see the amazing creations you’ll bring to life with Beads N Crystals.

Happy beading!