# Any Jewelry Makers/Beaders Out There? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594 "2012-12-20T01:43:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/21 "2012-12-21T03:43:35Z")
> [@I\_Like\_Pie](#): > > I’m working on a couple pieces for my boyfriend’s mother for Christmas and I was just wondering if any of you make jewelry? > I mainly work with gemstones, glass beads/Swarovski and metal. I’m not particularly into bead stitching but I have so much respect for people that can do it. I’ve taken a dip into wire work but so far haven’t had the patience for it. I’d also like to try metal work. > Anybody else? I’ve done some, haven’t dug out the beads, wire, etc., in a while though, and I’m still at beginner competence level. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/22 "2012-12-21T03:45:09Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > In addition to jewelry I also make soap (melt & pour) and various concoctions in my kitchen. I spent the whole day today making bath salts and scrubs, body lotion, massage oils and lip balms. Getting ready for Christmas! Is it possible to make one’s own bubble bath or body spray? I can’t find much I like lately at Bath & Body Works, and I really don’t like their price tags. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/23 "2012-12-21T03:49:38Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Is it possible to make one’s own bubble bath or body spray? I can’t find much I like lately at Bath & Body Works, and I really don’t like their price tags. Oh yes! There are recipes all over the internet. Let me go down to the basement and find my order form and I’ll get you the name of the company that sells shampoo base. BRB ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/24 "2012-12-21T04:23:36Z")
Okay, I’m back. [Elements Bath and Body](http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/) sells a shampoo base that you can use to make bubble bath, liquid soap, and of course shampoo. All kinds of other supplies too. For Melt & Pour soap base and beeswax (for lip balm) I like [Candlewic](http://www.candlewic.com/default.asp). Tons and tons of recipes [here](http://soapnuts.com/index.shtml) and [here](https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/default.asp). Many craft sites have links to other sites for supplies and recipes. And don’t forget eBay. Shop around for the best prices and most reliable suppliers. The ladies really love me at Christmas. I make them all soft and smooth and smell so goooood! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/25 "2012-12-21T04:24:11Z")
Thanks. Finding suitable bottles would also be nice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/26 "2012-12-21T04:36:11Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Thanks. Finding suitable bottles would also be nice. 🙂 Dollar stores are a great source for spray bottles and other containers. Thrift stores often have unique items, and I stop by [this place](http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm) every so often for the best prices on plastic and glass jars and many creative ways to package my crafts. (e.g. Test tubes, syringes, beakers, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/27 "2012-12-21T11:36:34Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’m jealous of your photography skills. Even when I have IMHO a pretty cool piece, I haven’t had much luck doing anything creative with the photos. > I do a LOT of spiral ropes because once you have the skill down they go pretty fast and look a lot better than most techniques that go fast. 🙂 The best thing to do for photos is to take them outside on a sunny day. Set for micro and use a stand or be very, very still and hope that there’s no breeze. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Like\_Pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@I\_Like\_Pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Like_Pie)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/28 "2012-12-21T21:06:23Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Okay, I’m back. [Elements Bath and Body](http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/) sells a shampoo base that you can use to make bubble bath, liquid soap, and of course shampoo. All kinds of other supplies too. > > For Melt & Pour soap base and beeswax (for lip balm) I like [Candlewic](http://www.candlewic.com/default.asp). > > Tons and tons of recipes [here](http://soapnuts.com/index.shtml) and [here](https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/default.asp). > > Many craft sites have links to other sites for supplies and recipes. > And don’t forget eBay. Shop around for the best prices and most reliable suppliers. > > The ladies really love me at Christmas. I make them all soft and smooth and smell so goooood! 🆒 Thank you for the links, I want to try making some things! ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/29 "2012-12-22T00:21:05Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > The best thing to do for photos is to take them outside on a sunny day. Set for micro and use a stand or be very, very still and hope that there’s no breeze. I’ve tried photographing them outside before and wasn’t pleased with the results, but maybe the light wasn’t good that day. I’ll have to give it another try in the spring. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/30 "2012-12-22T22:39:00Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’ve been beading since high school, although I haven’t been very productive recently. I have some pictures of my recent-ish projects online at [http://picasaweb.google.com/lemonlibrarian/](http://picasaweb.google.com/lemonlibrarian/) Wow! I love the little pouches…seed bead work is fascinating to me. I mostly do single-strand necklaces with stone, pearl, or glass beads, and seed beads as spacers. I’m _this_ close to signing up for a Pinterest account; until then, hopefully my links will work. [Here](https://sites.google.com/site/yaybeads/gallery-3/IMG_1203.JPG) is one that features some pressed glass beads; [this one](https://sites.google.com/site/yaybeads/gallery2/IMG_1126.JPG) has dyed pearls and glass crystal-cut beads. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/31 "2012-12-23T02:43:53Z")
So pretty, **Jeep**. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/32 "2012-12-23T14:07:03Z")
Love that dyed pearl one, **Jeep**! ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/33 "2012-12-23T16:25:36Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’ve tried photographing them outside before and wasn’t pleased with the results, but maybe the light wasn’t good that day. I’ll have to give it another try in the spring. I’ve never tried it, but I’ve heard people say you can improve your lighting and photography for stuff like that by turning a cooler on its side and sticking the piece in. Apparently the white walls diffuse the light like those umbrella things photographers use and you get a more even, natural light like you would get outdoors on a sunny day. You might also keep an eye on the electronics section of your local Dollar Tree. I’ve seen miniature tripods in ours on occasion. It might not help much, but for a buck, what can it hurt? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Like\_Pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@I\_Like\_Pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Like_Pie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/34 "2012-12-28T20:50:29Z")
[Here](http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/cesalyers/IMG_20121228_154202_zpsdf2d6102.jpg) is the finished set I made for my bf’s mother. I love sterling! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/35 "2012-12-28T22:55:30Z")
I made jewelry (with purchased findings and beads, mostly glass) and sold it at outdoor festivals for about 8 years, from roughly 1999 to 2007. Fizzled out after that; was planning to start making my own glass, but the economy started tanking and hubby’s job precluded him from helping me on weekends, so we put it on the back burner and it’s still there. Most of my finished inventory is gone, though of course I have pieces I made for myself and lots of pieces, parts, beads, etc. But I made a few pieces for Christmas this year and wow, has my near vision deteriorated. Dang bifocals. No idea how I sat and made stuff for hours on end. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/36 "2012-12-28T23:16:29Z")
I’ve done a bit here and there. I have a small collection of beads, but I don’t get it out that often. I need a bead board with a lid so I can put it away mid project. If I could do that, I would bead more often. I’ve done several pieces in the last couple of weeks with my sisters but I haven’t photographed them. Two of them were my first successful multi strand necklaces. I made a full set of copper/red/black bead and chain yesterday but I’m going to pull apart the bracelet to make a second necklace for layering instead. Beading is fun and easy, unlike some of my other crafts. Like I said to a niece the other day, all you need to be good at beading is decent eye hand coordination and an eye for color and balance. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![I\_Like\_Pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@I\_Like\_Pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Like_Pie)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594/37 "2012-12-31T17:44:33Z")
I’m seriously considering getting back into selling at craft and trunk shows. Jewelry making is something I really enjoy and I feel like if I can make money off doing something I love then why not? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jewelry-makers-beaders-out-there/644594.md?page=1)