Cat's Eyes - Dzi Beads - Crystals

Let's take a break from the unique dzi beads, and come back to conventional beads. But instead of discussing about the beads themselves, we'll be talking about beading needles - needles that you use to pass your strings (or rather, your stringing material) through small-holed beads.

There are quite a number of beading needles available to beading enthusiasts these days, but among the most commonly used are: Conventional beading needles (for the lack of a better and more unique name), twisted wire needles, and big-eye needles. Let us start with the first.

Conventional beading needles are narrow-eyed needles, which are relatively fine and long. Some are actually as along as 3-inches, but no matter the length, they are best used for small-holed beads like pearls and certain seed beads. However, while the small eyes are advantageous in keeping this sort of needles fine enough for even the smallest-holed beads, they are remarkably dificult to thread through.

Twisted wire needles are also rather fine, but they are completely different from conventional beading needles. For one, they tend to be one-use needles, i.e. use once then throw. Such needles have a large loop on one end - which is where you pass your stringing material through - and a twist on the other end. When you pass one of these needles through a small-holed bead, that loop will collapse and the stringing material will be secure.

Last but not least, we have big-eye needles. These are not one-use needles like twisted wire needles, but they do not have small eyes like conventional beading needles. These needles have a special threading mechanism which make them the easiest needles to thread. They work best for fairly small-holed beads.

So, that's about it for this post. Hopefully this meager introduction in beading needles will help in your overall beading studies!

Posted by at 5:38 PM | Permalink

Dzi beads are probably one of the most misunderstood types of beads. When you say dzi beads in front of a friend, they’ll most likely be conjuring images of some sort of tiny, obscure bead attached to a wrist chain or necklace. Little do they know about their true aesthetic and talismanic properties.

Dzi beads are generally not the type of beads you’ll be using in a beading class. You’ll rarely see them mixed with conventional beads, such as plastic or metal beads. Dzi beads are actually patterned beads mainly of cylindrical or tabular shape, which play an important role in Tibetan culture. While their true origins are unknown, many believe that they come from the hands of the gods – thus lending a mystical feel to the primarily agate beads.

Most dzi beads come in shades of red and brown, though the etched patterns can come in a myriad of other colours. They also come in various sizes and forms, though they are more often classified by the pattern etched on their surfaces. But whether we are talking about three-eyed long-type beads or tiger stripe totem dzi beads, bear in mind that different patterns lend to different properties.

In any case, it must be noted that the prices of authentic dzi beads have risen dramatically in the past decade, with higher quality beads fetching thousands of dollars. This, of course, has resulted in fakes flooding the market, whether made of natural agate or worse still, plain glass. Generally, these beads are identifiable by their “newness”, though expert forgers can still fool the general buyer with well-placed smudges, scratches and chips.

Overall, it must be said that not very much is known about dzi beads, with experts still attempting to come up with rational descriptions of their talismanic properties. But what is known can already fill multiple books, so let me continue with this topic in another post. I’ll most likely be addressing some of the more common types of dzi beads available.

Posted by at 1:36 AM | Permalink

We’ve talked about beading a little bit before. But to really get into the subject, we will first have to examine why in the world someone would want to do something as sedentary, and presumably boring, as beading. A recent article brought up how beading is a new form of therapy for women. That is, fun therapy.

Beading not only provides its practitioners the joy and satisfaction of creating something truly unique, but it also serves as an avenue for women to socialize. Contrary to popular belief, beading is often done in groups, or at least pairs. There are even beading parties, where tens of women congregate to bead, and bead. As beading utilizes only your hands (and your brains), the socializing can happen while you’re beading with your group mates.

And another advantage of beading is that it is relatively inexpensive. You will not need any expensive machinery or tools, nor will you need to spend thousands of dollars to learn how to do it. Beading can be self-taught, and most often, that’s how most people learn beading. Whether over the Internet, or through books in the local library, there is never a shortage of learning materials.

So, if you happen to have tons of unproductively used spare time, why not start beading? After all, you could even sell your creations. How many hobbies can provide satisfaction, fun, and the opportunity to make money?

 

Posted by at 12:31 PM | Permalink

Beads can be made from almost anything, but one standard type of bead is the metal bead. As the name goes, metal beads can be made of various types of metals - from non-precious metals such as brass and copper to precious metals such as silver and gold. And it's not necessary for each metal bead to be made of only one type of metal. Combinations of metals can be used. In fact, there are so many combinations of metals that can be used to make metal beads that this category of beads alone is quite large.

But I will list down the common types of metal beads. Each type of bead can come in various sizes and shapes.

1. Base metal beads
   These beads are made of non-precious metals such as bronze, copper, aluminium and nickel. Like in conventional jewelry, these metals beads are cheap replacements for more expensive ones.
   
   
2. Precious metal beads
   Precious metal beads are mostly made of pure gold. These gold beads can come in two forms, 24K gold (100% gold, but is soft and very expensive) or 14K gold (58.3% gold, and is relatively stronger and less expensive). These type of beads are much less used compared to the rest due to the price and relative softness.
   
   
3. Plated beads
   Plated beads refer to beads that are created through electroplating. Again, this concept is similar to conventional jewelry, where more expensive metals - such as gold and silver - are layered over cheaper base metals such as copper. Plated beads are relatively cheap, but the plating can degrade over time.
   
   
4. Filled beads
   Generally refers to gold-filled beads. The name "gold-filled beads" is actually a misnomer, given that gold-filled beads are not filled with gold. Rather, the gold is on the outside, while a base metal is inside. The resulting bead not only looks like gold, but is very durable.
   
   
5. Sterling silver beads
   These beads are a mix of silver and a stronger metal (such as copper). Usually the mix is 92.5% silver and 7.5% of the stronger metal. One reason why sterling silver beads exist is the fact that pure silver is too soft a metal. Moreover, while sterling beads tarnish easily, they have the advantage of being less prone to triggering allergic reactions compared to other non-pure metal jewelry.
   
   
6. Vermeil
   A special type of plated bead, where sterling silver is electroplated with gold.
   
   

While metal beads will only form part of your arsenal of beads, it is worthwhile to understand their various types as you will most definitely find yourself using them.

Posted by at 5:14 PM | Permalink