Any Jewelry fiends out there? Beginners suggestions.

[BarEdul]

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If you're looking into beading using real gemstones, silver, gold and other items,  I have all the  places to go and it is not Facebook.  One of the biggest rip off places to buy things is Michaels and Facebook.  Why on earth do I say that?  Why because people "destashing" are giving you a deal that is less than what they paid.  What they paid initially was insane.  If they aren't giving  you a true deal they are giving you a screwing at double, triple and quadruple the prices.   When I was making pieces of jewelry I understood that even as gifts "overhead" is your biggest monster to stop you from making any piece. 


So I learned to buy in bulk "not reasonable" for someone only wanting to make one or two pieces.   Many times you could slash prices merely by buying 5-10 bulk doesn't necessarily have to mean a gross.  Start buying with the prices of gold and silver in mind.  A beading site which provides hard wire of any gauge will have many of the precious metals at per ounce rates for the metals.  Stones are always dependent on market value and right now luxuries are way down.  It is actually a buyers market.

When buying look for:

1) size
2) quanity
3) item description
4) terms you don't understand
5) shipping and delivery terms

If it says something you don't know.  Look it up.  I have seen many new buyers buy "gold" or "silver" only to read in the description later what they missed in a hurry which was "gold tone",  "silver tone" or what might contain, lead, arsenic,  or the worst manmade when they thought it was genuine not lab created.

Never buy unless you know what stone you are getting.  There is a lovely stone out right now called Gold Copper Boronite.  It's gorgeous.  It is also man  made.  I haven't gotten into the particulars of how it is made yet.  But, just because it's a new stone doesn't necessarily mean it;s NOT man made.  I found both larimar and fire agate as I was beading.  Those are genuine, Mexican stones.   Yeah, nothing is real from Mexico, except the tequila,  actually not true, some of the best most beautiful finds are coming out of poorly developed countries and as the more expensive stones become harder to get the less noticed real stones are becoming ever more popular.  

So I have to ask do you know what a "thing a ma jig is?"   I do and its not just a thingy.



  thingamajig.jpg (Size: 43.24 KB / Downloads: 19)

[Vizth Hal]

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Looks like a board for wire wrapping, or setting small pieces of metal or wood so they will hold there shape.

Just a blind guess based on the way it's made.


Want one of those, but I'm still trying to find the funds for a solid steel stepped ring mandrill

[BarEdul]

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Thats a great guess Vizth Hal, It is actually called a "Thing a ma jig" it is for wire wrapping in patterns. I bought a plastic one. and found that is one of the best or easiest to use. The plastic ones are clear. It's nice for amatuers, take your wire pattern lay under the clear plastic place pegs where the wrap points are and in the sizes you need makes it much easier.

[BarEdul]

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How high of a quality of steel ring mandrel are you looking for? There are everything from plastic to aluminum, some with wood composites and of course carbon steel. You can also get them with or without a base for hands-free working. and the prices run from 13.99 (cheap make and style) chump change tO 83.99. Honestly, when I order, I buy in bulk and most items I can get a 50% or more discount for. Is this just a hobby for you or are you gonna try to make money with it? I have done both.

[BarEdul]

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Has anyone been following the trend of semi precious stones?,  Gold and silver?  Gold and silver are doing something hightly uncommon they are both going up in value at the same time.

Wonder how that happened?

[Twitchin Kitten]

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The necklace and bracelet set you made me are lovely. I even had the occasion to wear them last week when we were invited to Seder at my friend's house.

You know the gray beads are magnetic? pretty cool