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| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2008-08-30, 7:45pm
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passionate about pets
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Join Date: Oct 26, 2007
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
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Chain buying questions.....
I wanted to buy some Sterling sliver chain to make some bracelets out of but i am unsure on what size, style, and gauge to buy. can someone give me some pointers on what kind i should buy. and maybe where i should buy. I was thinking about buying it at Artbeads. but if there is a better place to buy then i will look at that.
I was also wanting to know if i should buy a tumbler to tumble the bracelets . I don't know much about jewelry making so anything will help. I make stuff for myself but if i ever sell any of my stuff i want to make sure it lasts.
here are a few pictures of Other LE'ers braclet work. I like they type of chain they have but i still have no clue what size/style/gauge they are using.  i like the look of this bracelet but i have no clue if it has a chain
 i really like this kind of chain
I would also love to know what everyone uses to make this kind of bracelet. I have heard of beadalon but i heard it isn't so good.....so what do you use then to make this kind of bracelet?
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2008-08-30, 7:50pm
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The bottom is made from multi strand beading wire and crimp beads - straight bead stringing technique. The 2nd photo wire wrapped onto sterling chain... take a few beads with you when you go chain shopping. That will help you gauge sizes.
This first... can't really tell what technique was used. If you live near a good bead store, they usually offer great classes and can help with materials.
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2008-08-30, 7:56pm
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passionate about pets
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I would prefer to buy online ......living in Canada i find we don't have as much choices for supplies. and i am kinda asking if anyone can tell me what type of chains these are.
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-08-30, 8:36pm
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Flaming Redhead!
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Join Date: Jul 18, 2006
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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The first is strung...no chain is used. You string your beads, but put a jumpring with a few charms attached to it between your larger beads...hope that made sense.
The second uses a rolo chain...You can buy rolo chain in bulk without finished ends or you can buy them as bracelets and add charms.
The third, as was mentioned above, used multi-strand beading wire...my preference is Soft-Flex but I've used Accuflex as well in the past. It's usually all about what's on sale, cheapest shipping, or lowest price for me.
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A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
- John Keats
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2008-08-30, 8:40pm
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passionate about pets
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Alex9- thanks. god to know the names of the chains i like. Rolo chain.....could you recomend a web site that sells these items?
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2008-08-30, 8:41pm
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Looks like softflex to me. The last picture has the softflex sicking out of the crimp. Also looks like there are covers over the loop in the toggle. Those covers are nice.
It may be beadalon but I would use softflex instead..... AND I get mine at Artbeads!
Second one looks like a commercially made chain.
Top one looks like softflex also. Lower right of the picture has some cord showing.
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Heather Ferman Web site:
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Viking knit End Caps for sale:
[/url]https://heatherferman.etsy.com[/url]
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2008-08-30, 8:49pm
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Flaming Redhead!
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Storm...when I was doing alot of that style I was getting my chain from eBay...but because that was more than 5 minutes ago I've long forgotten who it was I purchased from. Now the chain I buy is at shows...the vendor is great but sadly does not have a website. Sorry I can't be of more help there...
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A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
- John Keats
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2008-08-30, 8:54pm
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does anyone else know where the best place to buy the rolo chain or something similar to it online at a good price?
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-08-30, 8:57pm
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Life is change. Love it
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Join Date: Oct 10, 2005
Location: Ontario Canada
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Storm, I use this chain for my bracelets and dangle necklaces. It looks absolutely awesome, and is so easy to make dangle bracelets! http://www.beadfx.com/images/bs066-02.jpg
I use this http://www.beadfx.com/images/96036002.jpg for all my bracelets. It is heavy duty sterling silver over stainless steel.
Beadfx is a great store, and you don't have to pay duty or customs charges because they are in TO
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cRlyn, cause Traci says so
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2008-08-30, 9:00pm
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Carolyn - do you have any pictures of your work.....i would like to see the chain on something.....i think it looks quite nice. i will have to look up there web site!
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-08-30, 9:09pm
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passionate about pets
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with the rolo chain i have no clue what gauge i should get?
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-08-30, 9:11pm
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Life is change. Love it
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Join Date: Oct 10, 2005
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All my bracelets using that chain have sold at my local gallery. I'll be making another one in a few days and will take a pic.
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cRlyn, cause Traci says so
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2008-08-30, 9:18pm
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ok 
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2008-08-30, 9:24pm
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formerly JewelsByJenny
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I like that chain. I haven't seen anything like it before.
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Jenny
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2008-08-30, 9:29pm
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formerly JewelsByJenny
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Jenny
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2008-08-30, 9:31pm
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ooooo that is cute.....but for $3.60 and inch.....I am unsure. mind you i don't really make that much jewelry
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2008-08-30, 9:39pm
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formerly JewelsByJenny
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Yeah that's expensive. I once bought some pre-made bracelets from Firemountain and it turned out they were way to fine for the garden bracelet I made. I was dissappointed, it was really hard to tell by their pictures the actual size of the chain. I ended up ordering chain from Monsterslayer and it was reasonably priced and I think sturdy enough.
https://www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/...ainsSpool.aspx it was the 6.0mm large sterling cable you have to scroll down to see it. I don't have a picture of anything made with it though, hope this helps!
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Jenny
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2008-08-30, 9:43pm
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thanks, there prices seem good but shipping might be a bit pricey. artbeads has similar prices and they only charge me $1 for shipping
do you know what gauge rolo chain i should buy? i really have no clue
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-08-30, 9:45pm
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formerly JewelsByJenny
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Join Date: Sep 04, 2005
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I haven't used rolo myself, I would like to though. I would think you would want it somewhere around 4mm or so, but I'm not sure.
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Jenny
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2008-08-30, 9:52pm
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ok thanks
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2008-09-01, 9:08am
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Location: NC
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Hi Storm, I'm glad you asked this question. Your not alone with the difficulties of choosing a good affordable chain! I've looked at some in different catalogs and on-line and still am not sure what to get. Sigh. Of course making any decison for me is hard these days.
You could try calling Fire Mountian Gems. They have super friendly customer service people. They might be able to tell you whats popular right now. And I know they will take returns. Again, they have excellant customer service.
Maybe if you just bought some from a reputable store, that is good about returns, you could take a stab at say the Rolo chain, and if it just doesn't look like what you hoped, return it for larger or smaller.
Or go to the local arts and crafts store to see how big the chains look. Though sometimes they don't even have the size marked on them.
Another idea would be to look at jewelry makers sites. Sometimes they say what size chain they are using. Or they might be selling just chain that don't use anymore. Guess I should take my own advise 'ey? 
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Angela
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2008-09-01, 9:39am
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passionate about pets
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Thanks Angela, that's all good information. It is really hard to figure out what style size type of chain to use in a design. i guess trial and error seem to work the best I hate returning things, so i think that won't be an option for me. i would rather give it away if i don't use it.
Thanks again
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-09-01, 9:40am
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In the first and second pictures does anyone know what the little pearl looking beads are called?
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2008-09-01, 10:51am
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Hi Storm,
I like to get chain from Rings and Things...they have a website www.rings-things.com and a catalogue. I'm pretty sure that all of the chain in the catalogue is shown actual size. This helps with picking guages. I've been very happy with the service from this company and with the prices.
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Shadow
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2008-09-01, 2:24pm
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thanks Shadow i might just have to order a catalogue
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2008-09-01, 4:53pm
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Storm, I like Artbeads service, but I find them expensive for things like this. Try monsterslayer or even FireMountain. If you do Fire Mountain, you get a good discount with multiple purchases. Monsterslayer is quick and the prices are usually good.
I'm one of those people who has had a bad time with Beadalon. I'd definitely recommend the Softflex. Waaaay too many repairs with the Beadalon.
I'm pretty sure those are pearls. You can get them in tons of colors. You can also get glass pearls that look very similar to those above.
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Learning glass
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SRA
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2008-09-01, 5:41pm
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Hi,
I'm new to lampworking. I wanted to learn everything about jewelry and that's part of it. I do, however, know a bit about wireworking. A GREAT source for jewelry, tools, findings etc. etc. is riogrande.com. You have to sign up and get a customer number. They'll send fabulous catalogs which are quite instructive. Their shipping is cheap and their silver/gold is cheaper than elsewhere and a good quality. I'd probably use 16 or 18 gauge wire. I can tell you in a bit because shortly I'm going to make a necklace from my first lampworked beads. It sounds as if you'd like to buy pre-made chains, etc. Rio Grande has plenty of choices. Have fun, but look out!!! You may expand into metal working.
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2008-09-01, 5:52pm
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passionate about pets
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teachertracey - Thanks. I have only really ever used artbeads and mainly because of shipping. We get hosed here in Canada for shipping from most companies and because artbeads charges only $1 for shipping to canada i love them for that. I will compare prices then at firemountian and monsterslayer.
Thanks for letting me know what those beads were....I figured they might have been pearls but i had no clue they came in so many colors
I do have a question for all of you if you feel like helping me out. I make these caterpillar looking bracelet things and i was wondering how much you all think i should sell them for? I am looking for a price or price range. I do make the end bead myself, and i weave the whole bracelet with Robin Atkins technique. 
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Nortel Minor- Natural gas & Oxycon
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2008-09-01, 6:20pm
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I don't know how much, but I like it. I think they get a little/lot more for the RA bracelets with handmade lampwork. Maybe someone who makes them could tell you...there's been an exchange going on in the Patio.
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2008-09-01, 6:32pm
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i have seen RA bracelets go for around 65 - 150+ depending on the person selling them. Because i am using seed beads and only 1 lampworking bead. I am just unsure on what to sell them for . i have someone asking for one and i don't know what to tell her
eta - i also don't seel any of my work yet ..... so i don't know where to start
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