| There are many, many different types of beads on | | | | antique, and, if you use them right, they can often times |
| the market, and what kind you use is up to you. There | | | | appear very sophisticated, yet go with practically |
| are glass beads, acrylic beads, wooden beads, metal | | | | every outfit you own. Most of the wooden beads that |
| beads, gemstones, crystals, and many others. There | | | | I use are a deep dark brown, while some people |
| are so many in fact, that we are not going to discuss | | | | prefer the lighter, oak colored beads. It's your jewelry - |
| them all at once. So let's get started. | | | | you decide! |
| Glass Beads | | | | Gemstones |
| I use a lot of glass beads in my own jewelry. There | | | | Who is making the jewelry really makes a big |
| are many pros to glass beads; some of these are that | | | | difference in what beads you choose - if you want to |
| the jewelry itself feels good on your skin when worn, | | | | make jewelry, but you're on a low budget, then the |
| that there are many different finishes to get any look | | | | best beads to go with are probably the cheapest - |
| you may want and that there are often times glass | | | | acrylic and glass. On the other hand, if you're trying to |
| beads that are made to look like gemstones - that | | | | start a business, and you have some good start up |
| way you can get the look for less money. They are | | | | money, then gemstones and crystals are probably |
| relatively inexpensive compared to many other types | | | | your best bet. Real gemstones and imitation |
| of beads and so that makes them easy to collect. | | | | gemstones are both very popular in the jewelry |
| Also, most beads that you find in the beading section | | | | making world. Real gemstones are more expensive |
| of an average craft store are normally glass because | | | | than imitation, but you probably expected that. They |
| they are very pleasing to the eye. | | | | have such a wide variety of gemstones on the |
| Acrylic Beads | | | | market, it would probably be annoying to you to list |
| Some people don't mind the look of acrylic beads in | | | | them all here, so I'll only list a few: Turquoise, Rubies, |
| their work... and I admit that there are several types of | | | | Malachite, Garnets, and Black Onyx are only a couple |
| acrylic beads that look somewhat like glass beads. | | | | of the possibilities. |
| However, I don't enjoy using acrylic. It obviously is | | | | Crystals |
| personal preference, but my preference is that when I | | | | Now we come to crystals. I'm going to mention one |
| use them in my jewelry it gives it a childish feel that I'm | | | | type: Swarovski Crystals. They are probably the most |
| definitely not going for when I make my own jewelry. | | | | expensive out of everything, if not one of the only |
| But on the other hand, if that is the look that you want | | | | brands you'll ever come across, but they are beautiful. |
| for a particular piece, then go ahead and buy those | | | | They are well worth the price that they charge for |
| acrylic pieces. One of the pros of acrylic beads is that | | | | them (about $3.50 for a pack of (48) 4mm beads. |
| they are so cheap. | | | | They come in tons of colors as well as shapes, and |
| Wooden Beads | | | | the same company produces quality pearls if you |
| A lot of times having wooden beads in your work will | | | | were thinking about incorporating them into your work. |
| add a lot of interest. They add a feel that is almost | | | | |