Real brass/real copper findings

[truegem]

Why is this stuff so hard to come by? I mean, I know it's not impossible to find, but you do kind of have to search for it. Some bead stores don't sell anything but the plated stuff. Is it me? Maybe I'm the only one who likes the stuff, lol....

[truegem]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82794459...earch_type=all

See? When you read the fine print, they are not copper....they are stainless steel...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97320048...earch_type=all

[Three Muses Glass]

I have that problem too! They didn't used to be so hard to find. Thunderbird supply has some nice copper and the big sale starts Thursday. No brass though. I like brass but I guess now it's the red-headed stepchild of the jewelry world. I find some vintage on ebay here and there. Some of the Vintaj stuff is nice but usually antiqued.
I used to have a bunch of places bookmarked that sell copper findings. I'll be back with them if I can find them.

[BeadBlossoms]

What type of brass are you looking for? I sell vintage chain and findings that are solid brass. Most of the new stuff is plated, but not the vintage pieces. Let me know what you are looking for, and I'll see if I can find it for you

[Three Muses Glass]

Well Donna, if you're taking orders..lol
I'd like to see some nice hollow brass rounds. I can still find (and have) solid vintage brass beads but too many get too heavy. A nice tasteful filagree would be good sometimes too. Lots of them look cheap to me and are probably plate? I don't know. Oh, and not antiqued.
Am I asking for too much? This isn't even my thread.

[truegem]

Donn, I'm looking for everything. I just want a place to go where I can just dive in and not worry that it's plated, or that the beads are plastic underneath. I'll check out your shop, though. =)

[BeadBlossoms]

I know I can get my hands on some nice hollow ribbed beads that are very lightweight - I believe my warehouse has them in many sizes.

Rebecca, some of my solid brass is not antiqued, it is raw brass. But any raw brass that has not been treated will patina over time unless you seal it somehow. So it ends up looking "antiqued" in the long run anyhow Other pieces I have are Banana Bob, who was a very upscale costume jewelry line in the 80's, and I bought a lot of the excess inventory components. Brass with enamel, crystals, etc.

But I also do have Trinity Brass, which is brass that has been plated with silver or gold or a patina. Very high quality, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them in my designs if I'm not making a sterling piece. The plating does not crack when you manipulate the pieces, as cheaper silver plated findings do. But they are a bit "antiqued", though some of the silver is quite shiny.

BTW - If you are ever in doubt if a piece is brass, put the piece to a magnet. Brass will not stick, but if it's plated steel, etc. it will stick to the magnet.

[FiredDesires]

have a look in here

http://www.lythastudios.com/123bead/vintage-metals.html