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About Us and about Beadsite's beads |
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Beadsite is based in Aberdeen, N.E. Scotland,
UK and run by Hilary Milne. I have been selling my jewellery online
for many years, and found that the beads were taking over my life -
and living space! There are a growing number of UK based bead shops,
and as a sole trader I cannot compete with their range of products,
so my aim is to provide a more specialised service of (hopefully) irresistable
beads from around the world for like-minded jewellery-making beadaholics.
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Lampwork Glass beadsI buy some of the world's finest handmade lampwork glass beads directly from individual bead designers across the world. To me, every one is a work of art and a minor miracle of the artists' skill and patience. The vast majority of lampwork bead makers are women who work from home, and who started making beads as a hobby until it became an obsession. The bead on the right is by UK based Judith Johnston, but I also buy from Canada, USA, Australia, and Germany. All the lampwork beads I have for sale are "one of a kind", and cannot be repeated. I sell both individual focal beads and also sets of beads. I hope you will become as obsessed with the artistry of these beads as I am! |
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Greek Ceramic Fine Metal beadsThe second group of wonderful beads I have to offer you are Greek ceramic beads, which have had fine metals, such as gold, silver and copper applied under pressure, and then the beads are re-fired at high temperature. This fuses the metal to the bead and makes the coating exceptionally hard-wearing. I am told that the beads are almost impossible to break. Many of the beads that I currently stock in this section have large holes suitable for stringing on cord and leather thong. They will dull over time on exposure to air, so I advise keeping them in sealed bags until needed for use. No abrasive products should be used on them, but I find a polish with a soft silver cloth helps to restore the shine. |
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Polymer clay beadsA true clay has fine particles of silicate suspended in water, whereas polymer clay has fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer - but it can be used much like clay. The ones on the right are my very first attempt! Beads made from polymer clay are baked in an oven then polished to a shine. The beads do not have designs painted on them but like millefiori are made up of canes of multiple colours. The skill needed to make these beads is every bit as involved as making lampwork glass beads. |
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Silver Clay beads and jewellery componentsArt Clay Silver is a compound made up of 100% silver powder mixed with binders.It is available in a malleable clay like form, allowing you to mould it into your desired shape. Extreme heat (e.g. kiln, torch) will burn off the binders, leaving 99.9% pure silver metal. I have recently been on my first course and hope to be able to offer some pieces in the near future. |
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Bali silver beadsBali silver beads contain the same equivalent silver content to sterling silver. I will also have a small amount of jewellery findings for sale from time to time. There are cheaper Bali-style beads available now from China and India, but the quality is very low. I will be offering the best quality I can find which comes direct from Bali. Welcome to my world! |
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