Beading as a Hobby – It’s More than Fun!

Hobbies by their definition are activities that one pursues for the pure enjoyment of them. Stamp collecting, hiking, and scrapbooking are all excellent hobbies that can serve as a type of therapy and can certainly help one relax. But these styles of hobbies do have a drawback, there generally isn’t anything practical one can do with them. If you are a person who wants to pick up a hobby but also wants something more out of it than just the enjoyment, then you should consider the art of beading and jewelry making.

Beading and jewelry making is a very enjoyable and creative hobby that many will find therapeutic and fun. Yet, this style of crafting also goes beyond just enjoyment for its own sake as there are a lot of useful things you can do with the bracelets you make out of alphabet letter beads and necklaces you string with stone beads. Let’s take a look at just a few of the ways in which beading is also practical.

The Useful Side of Beading & Jewelry Making as a Hobby

• Making gifts for loved ones. This is a big one. If you love giving gifts to your friends, family members, colleagues, and others but often find yourself strapped for cash or uncertain of what to get them, then you can use your beading hobby to your advantage. Make them a personal anklet with your beading tools and supplies featuring their school colors or a holiday-themed necklace and pendant.

• Create home decorations. Speaking of holidays, there are a ton of home decorations you can craft after you buy jewelry making supplies online. For Christmas, you might bead yourself some unique holiday ornaments like a dozen different white snowflakes. For Halloween, spooky door decorations, beaded pumpkin coasters, and bat earrings are all wonderful ways in which to tie your hobby with holiday cheer.

• Make some money on the side. All of those things you make as gifts for others and those exciting holiday decorations can also do another thing: They can put some cold hard cash in your pocket. Selling the jewelry you make from sterling silver beads or a dozen snowflake ornaments is a great way to make money on the side and there are a ton of fantastic websites and platforms like Etsy to help you do so.

• Donate for a better cause. If you don’t need the cash, what about donating instead of selling? Homemade jewelry is absolutely something you can use for fundraising events, such as when your children need items for an auction that will raise money for their sports league.

When it Comes to Getting Started, Let Crystal Findings Be Your Guide

Our team at Crystal Findings is proud to host one of the largest collections of wholeslae beading and jewelry-making supplies in the country. We have everything you need to get started with this fantastic hobby today, and to take that hobby to more serious levels like selling jewelry online. Visit our website today to see some of our fanastic starter collections that will have you creating your own unique and beautiful beaded pieces in no time.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/beading-as-a-hobby-its-more-than-fun/

December 15, 2021 0

5 Important Factors to Consider When Buying Jewelry Beads

Buying jewelry beads can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for and where to buy them. With so many beads out there, and even more shops, it’s important to have an idea of what you need before you start shopping around. This article will help you narrow down your search by highlighting five of the most important factors when buying jewelry beads. Use this guide to find your ideal beads in no time!

Color:

Does a bead’s color complement other beads in your jewelry design? Is it on-trend with current color palettes? Keep this in mind to narrow down your choices based on color. Quality Shamballa beads wholesale USA will often come in a variety of colors. Take your time when shopping and choose one that complements your design, rather than clashing with it. Be sure that you have a few options so you can get exactly what you want.

Size:

The size of a bead is often important when you’re creating jewelry. If a bead is too small, it will get lost in your design, whereas one that’s too large can throw off the entire look of your piece. Getting to know sterling silver beads better will help you decide what size fits your project best. It’s also worth noting that there are some types of beads whose size doesn’t matter. Talk to an expert if you need assistance in this regard before making a choice.

Shape:

Another factor to consider when buying jewelry beads is their shape. Round beads are classic favorites that can complement any outfit. Chunky, irregularly shaped beads are also popular, but may be more difficult to match with other pieces in your collection. Of course, one shape isn’t necessarily better than another. If you like round or oval-shaped beads (or any other shape available), go ahead and focus on finding those styles alone.

Luster:

A good luster bead will look like it’s been dusted with an almost powdery layer of silver. If you hold a single bead up to your eye, you should be able to see a slight shine. In addition, good sterling silver beads are made of higher quality material and are typically shinier than certain other types of beads. You should choose sterling silver beads if you want your jewelry to stay shiny and bright for a long time.

Price:

The quality of a bead is directly related to its price. That said, don’t assume that more expensive beads are of better quality. While there are some high-end retailers with high standards for their products, many inexpensive beads come with lower safety and environmental standards. Be sure to research your supplier before committing to a purchase.

Based on your budget, style preferences, and other factors mentioned above, you can discover the right type of bead you want to use. Make sure to deal only with the best store offering quality Swarovski crystal pendants for sale and jewelry beads at reasonable rates.

December 15, 2021 0

Tips to Take Care of the Wearable Works of Art: Cloissone Jewelry

Some people like to hang artwork on walls and keep their digital screens updated with pretty pieces. For others, the best type or one of the best types of art is that which is always with you. Jewelry. Wearable works of art like Cloisonne beads bring daily, hourly, every second beauty to the wearer. Beauty both for the wearer to enjoy as well as those with whom they interact. But as with many things, precious items like Cloissone jewelry must be properly taken care of if they are to last.

Tips to Taking Care of Wearable Works of Art

There are a lot of different types of pieces you can make with custom jewelry making supplies that will require special care, but Cloisonne pieces are a great example of something beautiful that must be treated well if it is to last. The term Cloisonne, a French word meaning “partition”, is a type of classical metalwork technique in which very small precious metal filaments are combined with colorful glass beads and enamels. Each color bead is precision cut to be added into a piece of art so that the result looks very similar to stained glass windows. In fact, these types of pieces have another similarity to those beautiful glass windows: They require proper care or one risks cracks, scratches, and other damages.

How to Clean and Care for Cloisonne Jewelry

• Avoid harsh products. Never use any type of chemical or other type of abrasive cleaner on this type of jewelry. Instead, you should only use water and a soft, clean lint-free rag or cloth. The reason for this is because chemicals, even seemingly mild chemicals, can cause etching and discoloration in the Cloissone beads. This is likewise true for other types of special metals, for example when you buy gold filled beads in bulk you will want to check to see what chemical restrictions come with them before cleaning.

• Do not soak Cloisonne jewelry pieces. Yes, you want to use simple water to clean your jewelry pieces. But the technique here should be wiping the pieces clean — never soaking. Soaking this type of jewelry into water for any extended amount of time risks serious damages. That’s because these pieces will have small gaps within the enamel that are natural as part of their production. However, while normal, when water is allowed to be absorbed into these holes without fast drying, one risks it sustaining damage. This is especially true when the water is hot or cold as temperature extremes can cause metal to expand and/or contract. This is sometimes temporary but there is always a chance of water permanently warping the piece.

Get the Best in Jewelry Supplies From Crystal Findings

Whether you are looking to create your own Cloisonne jewelry or you have something else in mind, let our team at Crystal Findings be your wholesale website. We are proud to offer all types of finished and partial pieces for sale, and are considered the best places to go when you need to do something like buy stone beads online. Visit us today to learn more about why so many individuals and vendors choose us!

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/tips-to-take-care-of-the-wearable-works-of-art-cloissone-jewelry/

December 10, 2021 0

Have Your Jewelry Supplies Passed These Rigorous Manufacturing Tests?

Are you passionate about creating your own unique pieces with custom jewelry-making supplies? Creating your own jewelry is a fantastic way to really accentuate your own look and/or if you are looking to upgrade from a personal hobby, something that can really bring in the extra cash. But before you start wearing, giving, and even selling bracelets made out of Shamballa beads, it is important to make sure your jewelry supplies have passed the important manufacturing tests.

The Workmanship Procedure Inspection

When you buy jewelry supplies like our gold-filled beads in bulk, you will see that they have gone through a rigorous inspection check. This is a type of review that looks at the workmanship quality of the items to make sure that they are free of any manufacturing defects and that the beads conform to the stated and desired specifications. Whenever you buy jewelry supplies from any outfit, you should always check that those supplies have likewise gone through their own review process.

During a workmanship or procedural check, a given piece of jewelry or grouping of supplies will be inspected for:

• Scratching, denting, excessive soldering, excessive and visible gluing

• Pieces that do not conform to the manufacture designated fit or do are missing stated parts

• Poor finishing, mismatching colors, or items that do not have the correct patterns as stated by the manufacture’s design

• Any pieces with dangerously sharp points or edges or with any frayed and exposed wires• Overall bad symmetry or misalignment

If any of the above issues are apparent during a workmanship check, they should be pulled immediately. If you are getting supplies that are not checked, then you risk something like a malformed pendant or dangerously sharp bracelets that can cause injury to yourself, your gift recipient, or your customer.

REACH Testing

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. This test refers to European Union standards but those buying jewelry internationally should consider checking suppliers for it as this testing helps to restrict the use of certain heavy metals. For example, compliance with REACH means that jewelry has negligible or otherwise safe levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, and other metals that are dangerous in certain amounts.

Pull Testing

Those buying chains, bands, or other pieces of jewelry that have some type of closing system should check to see whether the manufacture or seller puts those pieces through a pull test. A pull test measures how well a fastener or stringing metal is able to withstand a determined amount of pull force. This is an important test to use whenever buying wire, chains, and fasteners to use with heavier beading materials like Swarvoski crystal pendant beads or Cloisonne beads.

Visit Our Website for the Best in Quality Jewelry Making Supplies

Our team at Crystal Findings is proud to offer one of the United States’ largest collections of wholesale jewelry and beading supplies. On our website, you will find tens of thousands of different styles of beads, pendants, chains, and much more. We choose all of our products for their ability to pass the most rigorous of manufacturing testing to ensure that our customers get the best in quality and safety.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/have-your-jewelry-supplies-passed-these-rigorous-manufacturing-tests/

December 10, 2021 0

Is it Time to Take Off your Jewelry?

We know that wonderful feeling when you have a piece of jewelry that just perfectly suits you. Maybe it is a Swarovski crystal heart pendant that is the ideal size and weight, sitting nicely along a lovely silver chain, or maybe you took custom jewelry making supplies to create a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet that perfectly matches your eyes and hair. Whatever the case, taking off these unique pieces may be something you try and avoid. Let’s take a look at some times when maybe it’s time to overcome that struggle and take off the jewelry… at least for a little while.

**3 Times You Should Take Off Jewelry**

**1. Swimming and showering.** The bathtub, the swimming pool, the local river spot, and the ocean all offer fantastic outdoor recreational possibilities. Unfortunately, they also all pose problems to jewelry. Rings sourced from all types of materials risk becoming slick and falling off. The chlorine in the pool and salt in the ocean can damage the precious metals and rocks of Swarovski beads and crystals. So unless you are wearing something truly waterproof, it tends to be a good idea to take jewelry off when swimming or bathing.

**2. Working out.** That same salt in the ocean that can tarnish precious metals also exists in your perspiration. So whenever you work out to the point of sweating, whether that is running out in the park or lifting weights in the gym, take off those precious metal pieces. In addition, if you are in the gym, it is a good idea to take off any rings and earrings you might have on. You don’t want to wear rings in the gym because the combination of sweat and many moving machines poses a risk of degloving. Similarly, long, hanging earrings can get caught and tear your ear if you aren’t careful. It is true that some appropriately fit stone beads and other types of jewelry made from wood or stone beading tools and supplies can withstand perspiration and, with the right fit, don’t pose a big safety risk. But small risks are still risks and something you will need to be wary of when working out. Most will find it better to play it safe and remove all jewelry before you head to the gym.

**3. Heavy cleaning.** What type of cleaning supplies do you use at home and potentially at work? While there are some fantastic eco-friendly, non-chemical cleaning supplies available on the market, most of us still find the need to use more intensive chemicals. After all, nothing can get ugly stains out quite like bleach. But take care as those chemicals are truly stain-fighters, but they can also tarnish your Swarovski beads and crystals. It’s a good idea to either ensure all jewelry is safely tucked beneath your clothes (such as those beautiful pendants) when cleaning or to remove altogether.

Subscribe for All of Your Jewelry Tips & Don’t Forget to Visit Our Store

We hope this piece of jewelry advice helps you as you decide which jewelry to wear and when. When it comes to adding to your collection, you will want to visit our extensive collection available online at Crystal Findings.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/is-it-time-to-take-off-your-jewelry/

December 1, 2021 0

How to Wear Bracelet: Without Overdoing it

The stylish man and the stylish woman is the individual who knows how to wear accessories and they wear them well. One such accessory that can really finish an outfit and give a person that added pizzaz is a bracelet — but this is true only if you don’t overdo it and you get the right style of bracelet for you and your lifestyle. Think of the simple braided leather bands on the outdoor enthusiast and the sleek bracelet made of sterling silver beads on the scholarly type.

But how do you determine the right bracelet to wear and how to wear it or them without overdoing it? The following are the three things to consider as you look around at bracelets for sale or beads jewelry making supplies if you plan to make your own bracelets to wear:

3 Things to Look for When Buying & Wearing Bracelets

• Choose the Right Fit and Proportions. While yes, some people can make extra loose bracelets shine and others look slim and fantastic with tight, choker-styled bracelets, they are the outliers. For most people, to get a good look with bracelets requires them to fit so well upon one’s wrist so that only one or two fingers can slide beneath them — not tight but also not overly loose. Additionally, it is a good idea to choose a bracelet based on the overall size of your wrist. In other words, those with slim wrists will look best with bracelets with thinner bands while those with thicker wrists should opt for bracelets with larger or chunkier profiles.

• Overall Style. Ask yourself what is the look you want to go for? In most cases, you are wearing bracelets in order to personalize yourself and your overall look. For example, many men and plenty of women like a more natural look. This means earthy tones, high-end jeans, and dark-colored shoes. For this overall style, wood, leather, and stone beaded jewelry all would look fantastic in complement. For those women who like to dress up and make an entrance, something silver or a bracelet made of gold filled beads would be the better choice.

• Wear for the Event. Just because you have an overall style does not mean that style is right for every occasion. When you are going to more formal events, you might choose a simpler silver or gold chain that adds to but doesn’t detract from your main outfit. In contrast, when you are heading to the park for a jog or to picnic with friends, then you might opt for a chunkier, more personal piece with Crystals. Want to stand out in a crowd? Get a necklace with a prominent Swarovski crystal heart pendant.

Simple is Great, Unique is Best

When in doubt about the right bracelet to wear, the two things to keep in mind are simple and unique. A slim beaded bracelet can go with a thousand outfits and one you make using beading supplies online or retail store online will always be a hit. Visit our online store to learn more.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/how-to-wear-bracelet-without-overdoing-it/

October 16, 2021 0

Are You New to Jewelry Making? Here are a Few Tips to Buy Jewelry Supplies

New to jewelry making? For newbies, there can be a lot of options available, from pre-assembled kits to buying jewelry supplies to create unique designs. Purchasing bulk jewelry supplies can be overwhelming. Beginners aren’t aware of what they are looking for and how to shop and eventually end up overpaying. Are you confused about how to buy jewelry making supplies online? We’ve got you covered! Here we’ve listed a few tips that help you buy Swarovski crystal beads and other jewelry-making supplies.

Create a Plan

Start your jewelry-making project by creating a diagram of your designs. This helps you find out the tools and components you need. Note the components and include product numbers. Don’t discard these diagrams because you will need them later to recreate customer favorites later.

Source the Right Tools

During the initial stages of your journey, your school/guide might have supplied you with the necessary tools that you need for each project. Now, when you start creating your own designs and projects, you will need to find out the right tools that you need for your custom designs. This helps you to complete each task quickly and efficiently.

Don’t Forget Your Future Plans

Are you planning to make the same jewelry in bulk? If yes, consider buying the jewelry supplies in bulk online. Wholesale sterling silver beads and findings and other jewelry supplies are available online at competitive pricing, and you can also get quantity discounts. Moreover, purchasing bulk items in a single order also helps you save on shipping.

Create a Supply List

Before placing your order, create a supply list in which you write the product name, product number, and quantity of the supply you need. Find good discount ranges online, check out online reviews of the vendor, and then place your order with confidence.

Plan Your Budget

While placing bulk orders, it’s common for beginners to get tempted and stock up on supplies that they don’t end up using often. So, keep track of your budget using a spreadsheet or a budget tracker.

Find a Reliable Supplier

As a beginner, it’s pretty easy to fall prey to fraudulent suppliers who provide low-quality items at a considerable price. So, take your time to research and find reliable suppliers who offer premium products at the best possible prices.

So, what are you waiting for? Find a trusted beading supplies and start creating your dream jewelry making projects.

October 4, 2021 0

Is Wearing Jewelry While You Workout a Good Idea?

Working out and wearing one’s favorite jewelry are two activities that interestingly have a lot in common. After all, we pick out and wear favorite jewelry pieces like a Swarovski crystal heart pendant because we want to accentuate and bring beauty to a part of our body, in this case, our neck and chest. Similarly, most of us work out in part because we want to likewise accentuate the body parts themselves; slimmer and more toned arms and legs. So, when it comes to working out in public, is it any surprise that many people want to wear jewelry?

However, wanting to do something does not mean that it is okay. Before you head out to the gym in your sterling silver beads, there are two big things to consider that will determine whether or not donning on those pieces are a good idea: Safety & Jewelry Quality.

Safety Issues With Wearing Jewelry While You Workout

The number one type of jewelry that is almost universally a bad idea to wear while working out is rings. Rings are generally a bad idea for workouts, but especially whenever you are using your hands around exercise equipment. This is due to the rigidity of metallic rings in general as well as the snug fit of rings around most peoples’ fingers. Say you catch the corner of the ring on some type of exercise equipment, you risk a snag or fall situation in which the ring gets caught, and your skin tears with it in what is called a ring avulsion injury. This is incredibly painful and may be debilitating.

Outside of rings, however, most jewelry can be safely worn with the right precautions. Generally stated, you want to avoid any type of jewelry that snugs too tight to the skin, such as choker necklaces, but also avoid anything too loose and dangling as those also increase the risk of getting caught on something and torn from you.

Choosing the Right Quality Jewelry for Working Out

After jewelry style, the next thing to look at is what your jewelry is made out of. That’s because when you work out, invariably you will sweat. That sweat contains two things most metals hate the most: Water and Salt. Jewelry that is comprised largely or in full from a base metal of copper, nickel, or brass, is especially sensitive to degrading when exposed to sweat. They will corrode and often will leave an ugly green or blackish staining on the skin.

The good news is that if you choose quality pieces or non-metallic pieces, you won’t have these issues at all. For example, where gold-plated jewelry is sensitive to water like those aforementioned base metals, gold-filled beads are not due to their unique construction. When buying and choosing beads jewelry making supplies for making your own pieces, consider wood, pearl, or similar non-metal beads as your prime workout jewelry.

Visit Our Online Store for More Options

So are you ready to make and build up your own workout jewelry? Visit our online shop to get started so you can enjoy pieces that make you feel better as you get your body in better shape.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/is-wearing-jewelry-while-you-workout-a-good-idea/

October 2, 2021 0

Do Swarovski Crystals have Resale Value?

Swarovski crystal jewelry and art have enjoyed lasting popularity. Designers love the sparkling crystals, and collectors can’t get enough. But do Swarovski crystals have resale value? The worth of Swarovski crystals is closely tied with their availability or rarity, historical significance, and replacement value.

Narrowed Sales Channels in 2021 Boost Secondary Market Value

Swarovski determines how many crystals it will produce. It has frequently used this tactic over the years to create exclusive products. Once the pre-determined quota is met, a piece is retired. These discontinued pieces hold their value in the secondary market. Swarovski pieces are bought and sold in many online marketplaces, enjoying an increase in value and demand due to their limited availability. Prices in the secondary market are relatively stable. However, recent news may indicate an upcoming rise in the value of Swarovski crystal jewelry and art.

The company’s recent announcement surrounding changing business practices may give crystal values a boost. The amount of time available to purchase Swarovski crystal beads online may be limited. In order to make crystals more exclusive and boost prices, Swarovski plans to stop supplying loose crystals and to many jewelry brands and third-party resellers, turning their focus to apparel and accessories in the luxury market.

Determining Swarovski Crystal Value on the Secondary Market

A number of factors impact the value of crystals on the market, whether you’re buying or selling a more widely available Swarovski crystal heart pendant or limited edition figurine. These include:

• Availability

The rarer the piece, the higher the value. Retired or discontinued pieces can be especially valuable.

• Country of origin

Limited access to online marketplaces drives up value, while access to an abundance of secondary resellers may lead to lower values.

• Condition

Typically, only broken, chipped crystals decrease in value – though this scenario is exceedingly rare. Swarovski crystal pendants, beads, and flat back stones are made of extremely durable glass. With the rare exception of occasional glue discoloration in some older pieces, they rarely show signs of aging.

• Packaging

Original packaging increases the value of Swarovski crystals. Authentic Swarovski packaging boxes are critical to the value of the piece, particularly with limited or numbered edition pieces, where packaging is fitted to the shape of the item.

• Certificates

Like any numbered or limited edition item, a certificate of authenticity is integral to resale value. The number on the certificate must match the number on crystals precisely. Like original packaging, there is no substitute or replacement.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to add the authentic beauty of Swarovski crystals to your jewelry. Shop the expansive selection of jewelry making supplies wholesale at Crystal Findings today. Our authentic Swarovski crystal beads and pendants come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, including affordable Swarovski factory packs. Add the lasting radiance and value of Swarovski crystals to your upcoming design today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/do-swarovski-crystals-have-resale-value/

September 16, 2021 0

Using Pinterest to Boost Your Jewelry Business

Surrounded by sterling silver beads and findings and don’t know what to do? Gain a little inspiration from fellow crafters and jewelry resellers on Pinterest. Jewelry and jewelry making are among the most popular Pinterest categories. It is the perfect place to uncover new materials and designs you’ve never thought of before. What are the top boards to follow?

Harper’s Bazaar

Harper’s Bazaar is a trusted source for fashion trends, and its jewelry-inspired Pinterest board is exceptional.

Lauren Santo Domingo

Travel back in time or gain inspiration from present-day jewelry trends. Lauren Santo Domingo’s Pinterest board covers everything from modern Swarovski crystal heart pendants to antique Portuguese royal jewels. No matter your style, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration here.

Christie’s

Christie’s is another trusted source of fine jewelry, featuring exquisite, classic designs with lasting popularity.

Roomattic Jewelry

Every style of jewelry you can imagine presented in a single board. If your ideas are filling stale, don’t miss Roomattic.

How to Grow Your Jewelry Business on Pinterest

In addition to being an excellent resource for inspiring new designs for your jewelry business, Pinterest is also a great place to market your work. How can you get a traffic boost to your website from this popular online resource?

• Spend time browsing and pinning

Create a board. Pin. Re-pin. Repeat. A huge part of marketing your business on Pinterest is knowing the ropes, so it will take you less time when you are trying to promote your own jewelry images.

• Pin your own products

Fans are great – but don’t wait for others to pin your products. Put yourself out there!

• Build up your boards

Pinning more than your own products prevents your board from becoming boring. (Besides, Pinterest frowns on this practice.) To give yourself a traffic boost on Pinterest and on your site, cast a wide net, pinning a wide variety of jewelry styles and products, like gold filled beads and findings and stunning Swarovski crystal beads online. Varied boards are a critical part of creating a more interesting account and increasing exposure.

• Follow your favorites

Reach out to pinner comrades with similar taste, following their accounts – they’ll often follow you back. Do the same for friends and business owners you know, boosting your followers.

• Pin from the source

Make sure you are pinning from the original website, giving the proper credit. Avoid pinning from the home page. Attaching the image link to the actual item page ensures browsers find exactly what they’re looking for.

• Go vertical

Vertical photos take up more screen space, enjoying increased exposure and likelihood of repining.

• Drop it when it’s hot

Pin during high-traffic times, such as after dinner when people are home to boost traffic.
Bring your inspiration to life. Shop the wide selection of jewelry making supplies wholesale at Crystal Findings today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.crystalfindings.com/using-pinterest-to-boost-your-jewelry-business/

September 1, 2021 0