Jewelry Beads

[daffodil]

I'm trying to find a place to buy some beads shaped like pigs, cows, and chickens. I don't really care what they are made out of but all need to be the same material. Would like about 1/2" to 3/4" in size that have a hole from back to belly (top to bottom). Found some glass beads but they are a bit pricey. Anyone know where to get some at a good price. I want some plain colored beads too. I want to make some key chains out of them. There aren't any craft stores close by here. I'll have to be able to order online. Also wanted a dog face bead around the same size. Already checked out ebay and etsy and did google search. Nothing.

[tomato204]

There are beads you can buy that are oval or round in about that size. They come in wood, shell, bone etc. Why not make a design of your own and lay it over the oval with the hole already drilled and cut it out, giving you the animal you want?

[daffodil]

There are beads you can buy that are oval or round in about that size. They come in wood, shell, bone etc. Why not make a design of your own and lay it over the oval with the hole already drilled and cut it out, giving you the animal you want?

Do you mean like with clay???

[neparose]

Could you maybe de`coupage[?sp] a picture onto a bead/disk? Possibly find images on the computer and size them to what would fit? That way you could buy a cheaper bead, or drill some wooden disks and you would have a huge variety of possible pictures from the internet. A few extra coats of the medium should give enough protection to the images....

[daffodil]

Could you maybe de`coupage[?sp] a picture onto a bead/disk? Possibly find images on the computer and size them to what would fit? That way you could buy a cheaper bead, or drill some wooden disks and you would have a huge variety of possible pictures from the internet. A few extra coats of the medium should give enough protection to the images....

That might work. I guess I could shrink them way down. I thought of doing the discs with paintings on them but that would take kind of long to do. I made a couple beads out of clay today. It takes long to do and they are kind of big/bulky. I made a mold of a button but it came out to flat and long to use it for what I want. It was cute though.

[dademoss]

I have seen animals beads in a couple of catalogs my wife gets, you can go to the websites and see if they suit your needs:

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.firemountaingems.com/

[tomato204]

I was talking about using a flat bead like these....
http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H201352CX
Then cutting them to an animal shape.

[sissy]

I found these at one of the other links using search


http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=dog+beads&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=17&y=10

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=pig+beads&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=15&y=13


http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=animal+beads&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=11&y=13

And these at the other one
http://www.firemountaingems.com/search.asp?skw=animals+beads
Hope it helps
sissy

[daffodil]

I have seen animals beads in a couple of catalogs my wife gets, you can go to the websites and see if they suit your needs:

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.firemountaingems.com/

oriental trading didn't seem to have too good of reviews on the things I liked.
I have the fire mountain gems catalog but I checked out the link. They have way more stuff online! Found some cute things there.

[daffodil]

I was talking about using a flat bead like these....
http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H201352CX
Then cutting them to an animal shape.

How would you cut something like that? Special tool???

[tomato204]

A coping saw will cut shells, fine-tooth blade. A Dremel tool with a round blade will cut them, but not as delicately. A regular file or diamond nail file will help with the sharp edges, as will sandpaper. Sandpaper of 600 grit will put the shine back on shell pieces.
One word of warning when cutting or grinding shells- some of them emit foul odors and a trace of cyanide gas while being cut, so do it outside or under an exhaust fan. It's just a little, but hey I think I might be allergic to cyanide, don't really wanna know. I have done a lot of shell work and never had a problem, just so you know.

[cartershan]

We have a store called Hobby Lobby in Alabama. I'm pretty sure they are throughout the southeast. I don't know the website address, but I'm sure you could google it. I do know that you can order on line. The store here has probably 8-10 aisles of nothing but beads. Maybe you could find what you are looking for that way. The store here is huge and is really inexpensive on everything. Beads, frames, soap making supplies, silk flowers, candles, candle kits and accessories, all kinds of wood and craft, etc. Shannon

[daffodil]

We have a store called Hobby Lobby in Alabama. I'm pretty sure they are throughout the southeast. I don't know the website address, but I'm sure you could google it. I do know that you can order on line. The store here has probably 8-10 aisles of nothing but beads. Maybe you could find what you are looking for that way. The store here is huge and is really inexpensive on everything. Beads, frames, soap making supplies, silk flowers, candles, candle kits and accessories, all kinds of wood and craft, etc. Shannon

we used to have the hobby lobby where I used to live but none out this way. Nothin out this way actually. I found a couple good websites with things I like. Now I have to round up some money to buy a few things. I'll try googling it though. Might find something I need. Thanks!