
Nature has a way of recycling non-biodegradable things. Take glass for instance. Glass bottles that are thrown into the sea, both by accident or on purpose, are eroded and smoothed over time due to the friction caused by crashing waves and sand. They turn into interesting shapes, colors and sizes which are then picked up by beach goers and are usually kept as mementos or as glass beads for jewelry making.
For those of you who love to collect glass beads or would like to start a collection now, here are some ideas and on what you do with the pieces. Remember, not all pieces of glass beads you see along the shore are suitable for making glass jewelry. You have to choose based on size, color and shape to ensure that your glass jewelry is not haphazardly done.
If you happen to pick up glass beads that are of very similar shape and size, you use these pieces in making a pair of beautiful earrings. It’s pretty rare to get glass beads along the shore that look similar. Usually, one needs to buy the commercialized version of these beads to make sure that the earrings he or she makes are perfect.
Aside from earrings, you can turn these pieces of eroded glass into bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and anklets. Let your imagination run wild and don’t be scared to experiment.
Because beach glass is considered natural, they don’t come with holes in them where strings usually pass through for jewelry making. What you can do is to be a little bit more creative with the use of your wire. Using any kind of wire you want, wrap it around the beach glass in many different ways to come up with many different designs.
But basically, what you do is circle the wire to your beach glass several times to secure the loop. Place this loop wherever the top of the pendant should be. Use a hot glue to further secure the ends of the wire to keep your glass bead snug and won’t prick you when wearing the necklace.
From here, there are many other possibilities you can do for your beach glass beads. For bracelets, you can wire the glass beads in a similar fashion but put a loop on both ends so you can slide the glass beads into a chain. A simple lobster chain can then secure the whole bracelet. You can now make an array of beautiful glass jewelry using this simple wiring technique.

Beads are like women. They come in the same general look and purpose but every detail is not exactly alike. Not a single bead is exactly the same as the other hence, the more elegant and valuable they are. For such a unique person is also a unique gift to give. Give a girlfriend, mother, wife, sister, friend or even some girl special like a bead jewelry to make her feel special. It can either have a single bead pendant or a fully covered beaded bracelet.
Glass beads jewelries are one of the most popular gifts to give a woman. These are crystals of many beautiful colors worthy of anyone’s praise. It is one-of-a-kind a

There are many types of glass bead jewelry and many kinds of glass beads to use. If you are a bead maker yourself, try producing matchless designs only for a special woman. If not, there are many glass beads jewelry available in jewelry stores to choose from. You can even ask a bead maker friend to create a beautiful glass bead jewelry just for that special woman.
Make any woman be reminded of how special they are in this world through glass bead jewelry.

Glass jewelry offer certain shimmer and spark that further bring out its beauty and elegance. When worn to match an attire, they have the ability to make the wearer look stunning and more gorgeous than when not wearing one.
Though it is great to use real gemstones in jewelry making, with glass jewelry, you are nit limited by nature. You can go as eccentric and wild as your imagination wills it. With glass, you make make it look like anything you want. Glass jewelry is a lot more versatile and flexible which is why glass jewelry never go out of style.
Because glass can imitate real gemstones, they tend to become the more affordable alternative when one wants to seem like wearing expensive precious stones like diamonds, but is actually just wearing glass jewelry.
So, if you need a piece of jewelry that’s stunning and gorgeous, but don’t want to break the bank acquiring one, glass jewelry is what you need. They never go out of style and can bring out your unique personality and flair in fashion.

The look of every glass bead seems too complicated to do. However, with the appropriate tools and the right knowledge, you will be able to create your own glass beads. In making these elegant beads, you need to have some wires, threads, needles, mandrels, torch, cutters, pliers, vermiculite, kiln wash, some shaping tools and of course different color for your glass beads.
There are many ways to create glass beads considering the many advance technology these days. But, the simplest and most popular technique in creating glass beads is lampworking. This is a very easy process and even you can do it. All you need to do is use a gas-fueled torch to melt glass rods. Then, wrap these hot glasses in a heated mandrel, w

There is no definite length of time in the lamp work method. It depends on how you do it right and the kind of glass beads you are working on. Once your beads are clean and smooth, they are ready to be made into gorgeous jewelries.
There are many different types of glass beads and each are created in different ways to give them their own distinction and unique beauty. All these offer you wider selection for your glass beads jewelries and can enhance every design you make out of these different glass beads.
The usual concern most beaders have when it comes to making bead jewelry is what kind of beads to use. While there are a variety of beads to choose from, it is important to know what your goals is. What is it that you plan to achieve with the bead jewelry you’re making? Would you want to create an elegant necklace to match a cocktail dress? Are you into casual bracelets good for everyday wear? Would you like to make some pairs of earrings that will highlight your face? Knowing what your end goal is will help you choose which beads to buy for your project.
In terms of getting the best of both worlds, glass beads are usually favored by beaders when making both formal and casual designs. Because of the way they spark, glass beads are beautiful enough to pass as real gemstones and are therefore nice to wear when wearing dresses and other more formal attires. Moreover, glass beads are affordable enough to be worn every day to match any of your casual getups. With the many colors and kinds glass beads have, you can create as many simple and casual designs as you like to match every daily outfit you have.
The following are the kinds of glass beads perfect for both formal and casual wear. Try them and see what kinds of designs you can come up with:

Fiberoptic Cats Eye Beads
This type has fantastic shapes and striking sheen and luster. Depending on how light passes through each of the fiberoptic cats eye beads, a beautiful shimmer is made when the shade changes from dark to light and back. This type of beads is not just perfect for bead jewelry but can also be used for other artsy projects like scrapbooking.

Furnace Glass Beads
This kind of beads is pretty special because it is hand-made by glass artists. It is also called cane glass because its usual patterns are same with candy canes. Furnace glass beads have exciting shapes, colors and sizes. You will definitely have fun using them for your bead jewelry project.

Mixed Glass Beads
For The Love of Beads has a variety of glass beads. From Indian Fancy beads, to Chinese Opaque beads, to the popular Czech Glass beads. They also have light-flickering foil lined beads plus two-tone "AB" beads, matte flower beads as well as painted pieces. They will surely make all your bead jewelry creations look like they’re done by professionals. With the use of mixed glass beads, you can even start a small business and sell your wonderful creations.
With these varieties to choose from, you will continuously be inspired to make as many designs as you can think of. Thanks to the popularity of glass beads, you will never run out of options to use. Enjoy your bead jewelry project and keep on beading!

Starting on a new project with glass beads, it is sometimes an uncertainty as to what colors to use for the project. Expert beaders may find these easy due to much experience with glass beads. However, for the newbie in bead making, glass bead colors adds beauty and option for your project and not a pressure for you to choose the perfect color. To work in a breeze with these glass bead colors, you must keep in mind a few tips.
Glass bead color comes in variety of tint such as the pink, blue, red, green and black. Further, these colors have different color intensity. Although this can seem confusing, remember to enjoy your work always.

But, you must also bear in mind that your design is what limits your choice

The only thing you must always consider when doing your glass bead jewelry of any other beaded jewelry is have fun. Bead making is not a stressful activity nor is it strict and always by the rules. It is fun, spontaneous activity that lets you run your creative minds and create a boundless masterpiece of genuine art. You may feel a little lost or doing it wrong, but you can always go back and do it again, no added pressure.
Beading Jewelry
Creating beautiful pieces of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories is usually the most common use for glass beads. They are inexpensive and with a little bit of practice, very easy to do.

Beaded Curtains or Lamp Hangings
Like what was mentioned, glass beads can be used for embellishing and creating other beautiful things. Two of the things you can do with glass beads are beaded curtains and lamp hangings. Any ordinary piece of fabric can look more vibrant and exciting by adding these colorful glass beads. A once boring-looking curtain will now become a work of art and can become a subject of conversation when you have guests at home. Like making beaded jewelry, beading your curtains and lamp hangings are also fairly easy to do.

Beading Fashion
If your needing a new look or new sets of clothes but you don’t want to break the bank by buying new ones, you can embellish your blouses, dresses, skirts and pants with glass beads instead! You will instantly look fabulous and the clothes you’re wearing will automatically look brand new. Even top fashion designers are doing this so why can’t you? You can always look for exciting patterns online and with a little sewing knowledge; you’re off to a brand new you. There is nothing more beautiful than being uniquely you. And glass beads can definitely help you in that department.

What is Roman Glass?
This is characterized by the luminous colors which you can see within the glass with your naked eye. Most common colors are purples, aqua, blues, and pinks. It was first created in the first centuries during the Roman Empire, when glass-making techniques were revolutionized by the introduction of glass blowing. The glass created before had bluish-aqua tint to it and was used mainly for bowls and vessels in all shapes and sizes.
Caring for Roman Glass Jewelry
If you happen to own a piece, like in a form of cufflinks, or a historic-glass-on-a-chain, or a pair of stunning earrings, here are a few crucial guidelines to caring for your Jewelry:
- Do not get it wet with water. Always remove any jewelry before you take a shower.
- No swimming with jewelry on
- Don’t let it come in contact with any kind of hair and body spray as well as perfume.
- Don’t lket it come in contact with lotion and cream.
- Don’t touch it as much as possible.
If you're wondering what’s all this fuss about, the simple answer would be: to keep your Roman glass jewelry shining and glistening for the next 2000 years.
Like we said before, the glass – which is made up of organic matter - continues to react with its environment. Just as other elements affect the glass in the past, they may still continue to do so in the present. When cleaning your jewelry, just polish the gold and silver parts with a clean cloth and avoid the glass. The best thing to do is to give the jewel to a specialized jeweler and have him clean it for you.
To sum it all up, the best way to take care of your Roman glass jewelry is to always handle it with care, because believe it or not, you're handling a piece of ancient history.

Watches often come with simple and classic bands. Some even are limited to plain colors of white, black, green, blue and red. But, these days, a fashionable look is a lot famous compared to plain ones and a wider selection of different colors are usually sought after by many people than ones with limited choices.
In stores lately, one may notice some watch band designs having a mix of more than three colors. Few of these watch bands are made of rubber and others are even made of other materials aside from pure gold, silver and leather. There are already many different designs and materials used in making watch bands.
Like many accessories, a watch can also be flexible in terms of its function. You can transform your watch into a bracelet you can use as a frill in your wrist and with any outfit you wear by making your watchband into a glass beaded watchband.
To have this kind of jewelry, you can either buy a customized watch or create your own watchband. In order to make your own watchband, you need to hav

Before starting on your glass beaded watchbands, think first of a cool design and finalize it. Make sure that you have all the materials to make your work continuous. After you have all the materials and the design, you can start on your beaded watchband. It is similar to making your beaded bracelets or jewelries. Just make some glass bead strings and attach your finished glass beads strings to your watch face. If the strings are now attached to the watch face, make sure to have a clasp to be able to open or close your watchband when wanting to use it.
Creating your own accessories in many different designs and methods is very fun and fulfilling especially if done by yourself. You can simply have it the way you want it to be, save cost from buying a ready made one and be proud of how creative you can be.

Begin with the end in mind.
For beginners, it's easy to get lost in the details of beading. You have to know how to take a step back when picking up the colors for your jewelry project. Consider the emotions that you would like to convey, and the clothes you want to match them up with. If you are looking to make an elegant and classy impression, choose the rich, dark, and warm colors of glass beads for additional impact. If you’d like to convey a more playful spirit, consider more bright colors to let your personality shine through.
Let bead patterns become your guide.
Patterns are there to help you in your jewelry bead making project. But be flexible enough to follow your instinct should the pattern prove to be boring for you. Patterns are just there to help you out and show you the way. They are not exactly rules that you have to strictly follow

You can always turn back the clock on color.
One of the best things when it comes to making your own glass beads jewelry is that you can never go wrong. Whatever colors and shapes and designs you make, they will always come out creative and beautiful. You can always correct a style when you’re not feeling happy with it, until you achieve that piece of design you feel happy with. Always trust your judgment and enjoy the process.

Allow me to say first that making jewelry using glass beads brings out the creativity in anyone interested in this hobby or craft. Beads in general are celebrated in art communities worldwide and some pieces are highly treasured by collectors. So before you start your amazing artful journey into the world of jewelry glass beading, you have to first learn the essential beading supplies you will need:
Glass
Sodium lime is usually the choice of bead makers. It melts a lot quicker than any other type of raw material, does not need the extreme kind of heat that hard glass needs, and it has a bigger color palette. When choosing which kind of glass to buy, always use one kind. You cannot combine the two (hard and soft) because these two raw materials are not compatible with each other. They will just crack when mixed together.
Torch
I suggest that you get the Hot Head Torch. Although there are other kinds out there, this particular type is an excellent choice for any soft glass bead maker. It only costs less than $50, it burns at a temperature perfect for melting the soft glass, and can do without oxygen unlike other bench burners.
Bead Release and Mandrels
In making glass beads, a thin, steel pipe called mandrel is used in the middle where the glass is wound around it. This helps form the shape of the beads, allowing it to have the necessary hole in the middle, while bead release is the one that covers a part of the pipe so you can easily take out the beads when done.
MAPP Gas of Propylene
Use this gas to make your Hot Head Torch work. It is placed in a small bottle that you can screw to your torch. You can usually find this kind of gas at a supplier of lampwork glass beads, hardware store or welding shop.
Annealer or Vermiculite
The glass is heated for a certain period of time. Afterward, it has to go back to room temperature to avoid cracking later on. Using an annealer or kiln can best accomplish this task since it can hold extreme temperatures and control the anneal cycle, making the final product come out intact. If an annealer is too expensive for you, you can use vermiculite in the mean time. With vermiculite, you can put your work inside then just retrieve it after about 8 hours.
These is the pair of glasses you wear to protect your eyes from the sodium glare brought about by heated glass.
Ventilation System
Make sure you work in an area that is properly ventilated to remove fumes which are harmful to your health.

The materials and equipment used in making glass beads vary depending on the design. You would have to use any of these tools in order to create the kind of glass beads that you want:
· Wires
· Threads
· Needles
· Soft glass
· Matches
· Kiln wash
· Vermiculite
· Mandrels
· Torch
· Cutters
· Pliers
· Shaping tools
· Glass beads
For your glass beads, either cats eyes beads, furnace glass beads and mixed glass beads. They are popular, do not cost much and come in various shapes, color and sizes.
You can also use fire polished beads made in Czech Republic. They, too, are popular when it comes to making crafts and accessories because of their durability and beautiful designs. They are made by heating them until they melt which gives them that smooth, bright and shiny look. They give any jewelry a unique and fabulous touch without costing a lot.
Glass beads are always perfect for creating that unique piece of craft whether it is jewelry, an accessory, an additional design for clothing, etc. With the number of variety available in the market, you will not run out of ideas and materials to choose from. Bring out the flair in you by creating your own glass beads.

The thing is, when we think of earrings, we think of those expensive ones made of silver, gold and diamonds. But the truth is, you can create your own fancy-looking pair using your own glass beads supplies. You can even combine it with other beaded materials and create a design that is uniquely you!
The truth is, earrings don’t need to be fancy in order to look good and presentable to the public. You can look elegant and posh even without spending tons of money to get that particular chic look. All you have to do is either buy a beautifully crafted beaded earring or make one yourself using your own glass beads supplies.
Did you know that American Indians used to create beaded earrings for their women as well as very intricate and elaborate designs for their beaded jewelry, intended for different purposes? These designs included dream catchers, which are ritual items they place on cradles and other sleeping areas to drive away nightmares and bad dreams. A common gemstone that they use for their earrings are turquoise beads, which gives strength of conviction and character to whoever is wearing them.
Today, we can see this dream catcher design turned to earrings for women and not just as an accessory inside the bedroom. Some of us have also carried on this practice of creating their own earrings from their own glass beads supplies. Beaded earrings, because of the variety of beads available in the market, are easily very colorful, chic and elegant, with a touch of that vintage charm. If you’re seeking for a new look and a new feel for your sense of fashion, creating earrings and other accessories with the use of glass beads supplies is definitely the way to go.

When the rosary was first made, it contained 150 glass beads, which serve as a mirror to the set of psalms that the Bible contains. Anybody who doesn’t have regular access to this set of Psalms can just move along the string of rosary glass beads and pray. This benefits the blind and those people who have no means of learning how to read.
However, it should be noted that rosary beads were not always strung together. It used to be just stones kept in one’s pocket which get sorted as the individual prays. It was only much, much later that these beads were thought to be strung together for ease of use.
In the beginning, the “Hail Mary” was not really part of the prayer. It was only added to introduce Angel Gabrielle and they chose to do this before the “Our Father”.
Today we find that the Dominican rosary contains 59 beads. They are divided into ten sections which are called "decades". These beads are crafted with a larger bead used to say the 'Our Father' prayer followed by ten smaller beads used to say the 'Hail Mary'.
You can create your own rosaries too, using glass beads and other beaded materials.

There are times when we are trapped in a certain part of our beading process and ponder on what colors we will choose for our project. Colors of our glass beads may be in many kinds, not to mention in many shades. But then, it must not stop us from creating a beautiful piece in the end.
The good thing about glass beads though

To help you in deciding what color you will use for the project, you must imagine first what will your project or glass beads jewelry look like in the end. It will give you an idea what colors to mix and use in your project. It will also give you a glimpse on the pattern you will use for your jewelry.
Or perhaps, you want to consider your emotions or motive on doing the project. Will it be an I-feel-elegant-today glass beads jewelry or let-us-rock-and-roll glass beads jewelry? In any project, considering
Colors may be countless but these do not exist to make your work complicated rather these are present to provide you more options in your project as well as more selections on how to be more creative in your glass beads jewelries.
Because of the countless number of beads available all around the world, it is but natural for bead manufacturers, makers, explorers and discoverers to categorize them accordingly for easy classification. Beads may therefore be segregated into the following categories: coral, amber, glass beads, metallic, seeds, to name a few.
Below are the five rarest types of antique beads.
Excavated Roman Glass Discs

When the remains of Roman glassware have been discovered from hundreds of years ago, they were cut and made into small discs. These glass beads are lustrous, polychromatic and shimmering in nature. They are usually turned into various accessories that can match classy and elegant outfits.
Tibetian Coral And Turquoise

As its name suggests, this kind of beads originated from Tibet in the Himalayas and are typically aged between 100-200 years. The contrast between the red color of the coral and the blue hue of the turquoise sea makes for a striking and stunning effect on any accessory, be it a necklace, an earring or a bracelet.

Islamic Jasper Cube Beads
These beads are perhaps one of the oldest of all antique beads. They are very rare, dating back to the ancient Islamic regime in 17th century. Wearing this kind of beaded jewelry shows how truly special, rare and exquisite you are.
Mercury Glass Beads

These colorful and antique beads were made by being hand blown. They are also referred to as mercury glass garland beads, which are considered very special because of its natural component, material, design and color. They are hollow inside, made of gold satin, and are very light.
The Filigree Silver And Jet Rosary Beads

Just like the Islamic jasper cube beads, the Filigree Silver and jet Rosary Beads also date back from the 1700s. As such, they are also one of the rarest and most antique of all beads. They are a form of carbon which is very precious to bead collectors. Their irregular shape came from being hand cut by skilled craftsmen.
All these antique beads came from the Far East and other early European nations. They are very much prized and coveted by collectors all around the globe. If you happen to have one, treasure it with all your heart and cherish it for eternity.

These days, they are available in many different sizes, colors, shapes and types. And speaking of types, glass beads can be classified as Czech beads, dichoric beads, furnace beads, fire polished beads, lamp work beads, and many others. Because they have excellent finish, glass beads can be available in a wide variety of designs. Their luster, gloss and shine make them very attractive, and help make the wearer look more stunning especially when paired with the right dress or attire.
Glass beads can be made into just about any kind of accessory --- bracelets, necklaces, earrings, dangling earrings, armlets, anklets, rings, as an additional ornament to bags, shoes, shawls, and even as decorative pieces for the home. When they are mixed with other materials like wooden beads, or pearls, copper wiring, and gemstones for instance, one can make a very fashionable and unique statement when it comes to fashion accessories.
Glass beads are indeed blessings to all jewelry, ornament and artecraft enthusiasts. They provide high quality and durable materials to any craft and serve as a source of joy to people who love creating beautiful handmade jewelry. Moreover, thanks to the emergence of the internet, you can now choose to shop for your glass beads online. So start your adventure now and learn to discover your true beauty through the many wonderful creations you can make with your glass beads! Enjoy!

Reward your friends from all the great things they have done for you by surprising them with a lovely handmade glass beaded friendship bracelet. Knowing that you personally made these things is sure worth their sweetest smile and appreciation. Here are what you need to do to create a pretty glass beaded friendship charm.
First, all you need to do is know the design of your friendship bracelet. Iden

Buy all these stuff and start making your friendship bracelet. You can start by making a knot on top and fasten the thread. Then put on some glass beads. You can make a pattern that has meaning or emotion towards how your friendship is meant for you. You can either place your mutual favorites and some col

This is great because it is not just your ordinary bracelet that you can buy at the store. It serves a great worth for your friends for many reasons. First, you gave it. Second, you made it yourself. And the best of all, you create something memorable and meaning for them.
Appreciate the friendship that you have with your friends and make it last forever with your precious handmade glass beaded friendship bracelet.

Faceted glass beads are known to be long lasting. They can last you longer years without chipping off or fading. Even if you often use

Because of its expert cut, faceted glass beads are renowned as a very charming bead. Many famous personalities used these glass beads considering th

Selecting high quality materials makes superior jewelries. Thus in choosing your own materials, choose what will make your jewel pieces elegant and worthy of praise. With faceted glass beads stringing in your wrist, you can never go wrong.