Jewelry components?

[gem]

I'm wondering where to find the pieces (strands of pearls, findings, etc) to make different bits of jewelry, things like the billament trim on Tudor necklines (like what Kimiko Small has, here.) or the larger brooches or pendants, like  Sapphire and Sage makes. (another shot).

I haven't seen any of these bigger pieces in any local shops (Michaels, JoAnn, and Hobby Lobby all have fairly decent beading/jewelry making sections, and they have nothing like this), or online--tho' I know I haven't exhausted my online resources.  All I can find locally are *tiny* pieces.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

[isabelladangelo]

A C Moore or Michaels does have strands of freshwater pearls.  I just bought about five strands at Michaels a couple of weeks ago.  They come in a wide variety of sizes.  Most are 16" strands.  Look near the Blue Moon Gems.  For the gold; look for "gold findings".  I typically find them at Michaels or A C Moore but I've seen some nice findings at Joanns before too.  You probably have to glue a couple of findings together to get that look on to a gold surface.

[mieljolie]

You may have to assemble the parts yourself, if you go the craft store route.  They usually sell the back and jewels separately.  

You might try thriftstores, garage sales, etc. for something like the last example.  You'd be surprised what you find.  Otherwise just keep your eyes open for them at jewelry stores.

[lady serena]

I posted some links in the crafter section of the forum. I would suggest www.firemountain.com for most of the components.

[theatrekat]

you can also try :

www.artbeads.com
www.fusionbeads.com
www.jewelrysupply.com

the first two have a free shipping option, and the third has some swarovski beads that i cannot find on other sites.

but for the types of beads i tend to buy all these sites price them at about 1/3 of the price that they are in any craft or bead stores.

-kat

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

he jewelry pieces and 8mm glass pearls used for the French Hood and neckline of Lady Delaney's Tudor gown were ordered from www.sapphireand sage.com and www.firemountaingems.com

I used an invisible jewelry thread to string everything together,then to secure it all down.

I do not advise using acrylic beads for embellishing garb due to the fact that they do not hold up well when garb may need to be drycleaned.

[nliedel]

Buy enough from Fire Mountain, get a discount. I love them. Too bad I can't have sparklies. Darn middle class, anyway

[operafantomet]

If you come across multiple earclips or the likes at second hand store, flee market, auction or similar, you can get big quantities for a low price. The colour seldom matters (it's incredible what can be achieved with gold paint and "gems"), it's the shape that's important.

Jennifer Thompson bought some earclip stuff stuff for her Venetian courtesan girdle. She duplicated it in polymer clay, painted them + attached gems, and they look quite lovely. You can read about it there:
http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/venetian/index.html

My late uncle loved fleemarkets and auctions, and he bought tons of bijouterie/jewellery/stash for a low price. I always turned to him when I had a costume project, and after he died I also inherited some lovely stuff. I got around 15 pairs of tacky earclips with fake gems, and once I cut off the earclip-thing and attached them to a grand costume project of mine, they actually looked very cool:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/elissa/details/elissahem.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/elissa/details/elissaskirt1.jpg

[DonaCatalina]

I knew a lady who made the chain girdles for people in the SCA. She would shop thrift stores and flea markets for metal fasion belts and ressemble the components. She made quite a few 'collars of office' in the same way.
Chain Fashion belt
Other Chain Fashion belt

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

The Chain of Office I fashioned for the Earl was made from enamel pieces from Bracelts I bought for $4 on sale at JCPenny 5 years ago, with 6mm pearls and teardrops pearls I tore off a Christmas ornament. Tje jewelry wire is still holding up nicely.

[Lady Anne Clare]

I have a quick question, Would nylon "invisible" thread hold a girdle together if it was just made of small acrylic pearls? 

I made one last night from the fake pearl stash I had, not even thinking about if it would hold the weight or eventually snap during the day.  But I thought wire would be to rigid.  I used twill tape on the ends and they will be held together with a nice little pearl and gold pin I discovered in my jewelry stash.  I too had problems finding lovely jewels locally so I opted to go with what I had.

Here's a pic to give an idea of size.

[Baroness Doune]

My personal favorite
Tudor Jewels

[Cilean]

Check around where you are because I go to a Gem show and I get fresh water pearls that are round and slightly not and on the last day of the event, I dicker like mad.  I get strands for $1.00, now I have many sizes now, and I get as many as 40 strands at a time.

I used to hear that hobbylobby has some awesome peices, but they are not in California so I can't tell you.

Good Luck
Cilean

[operafantomet]

The Chain of Office I fashioned for the Earl was made from enamel pieces from Bracelts I bought for $4 on sale at JCPenny 5 years ago, with 6mm pearls and teardrops pearls I tore off a Christmas ornament.

Christmas ornaments is another great resource! 

[Amyj]

I have gotten a ton of stuff inexpensively at the local "Trading Company" stores...some people call them the Chinese shops...Lots of cheap costume jewelry to take apart and reconfigure to your likes!  As for clear nylon thread...I wouldn't use it.  I did and had a necklace burst mid-day at faire.  Now I use the metal "tiger wire".  I holds up better.  Can't wait to see pictures of the finished projects!

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Does anyone know where one can get just the settings like these?



Sapphire and Sage seems to cell them only complete withthe stone and I'd like to get some bulk

[operafantomet]

Might not be perfect... but if you look at doll house supplies they'll often offer quite decorative miniature frames. The one above looks somehow finer, though.

[DonaCatalina]

Does anyone know where one can get just the settings like these?



Sapphire and Sage seems to cell them only complete withthe stone and I'd like to get some bulk

I've seen settings like this in the Rock Barrell

[DragonWing]

Have you tried AC Morre or Michaels, I know I have seen them there.

[Baroness Doune]

Fire Mountain Gems has those settings.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

If you know the exact location/link please renmail me. I am having ZERO luck finding them on any site.

Thanks

[DonaCatalina]

If you know the exact location/link please renmail me. I am having ZERO luck finding them on any site.

Thanks

They have a lot more in their catalog than on their website. Order their print catalog.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/catreq.asp

[Adriana Rose]

I LOVE fire mountain gems!

They have a really good turn around for shipping and thier stuff is very good quality.

Also with those findings you are gonna need Carboncons, make sure that they are the non facted kind for the most historical look

[jmkhalfmoon]

This is a great thread!  I'm just starting to think about my next project which includes heavy beading and a pretty ornate garter.  Fire Mountain seems like they have everything I need!

[broadwaygal24601]

I have this place called Name Brand Clothing (Half of Half) by me that gets returns, overstocks, ect. from dept. stores and they have TONS of brooches without the back pin things for like $2 each. Sounds like a lot, but these things are about the size of your palm, so I picked up 3 I just couldn't resist. I also found a bracelet w/ four bigger pieces to use for the same $2 for the bracelet, so I'm using that on the girdle.  I'm using 2 on a girdle I'm making for myself and using the 3rd as either a center piece on my bodice or possibly on some headpiece...not sure.

So, check at stores like that...maybe bigger places like Big Lots does that too, I'm not sure, but it's worth a look.  Any place that gets store broken/damaged/returned items might have some...and it's a great way to get bargains...just use some heavy adhesive to attach a loop on the back where ever you want to hang the piece from or sew it on your garb.

Thrift stores are awesome too.  I found this gold ring that fans out around a faux pearl in the center...really looks period...for $2. 

Here are the pieces I got:

Don't know where to put this one yet:


Going on my girdle where the waist part meets and goes to single strand down:


Maybe on end of girdle or headpiece


Four pieces to use on girdle

[Orphena]

I shop thrift stores for some things - such as brooches, or heavier chain for a quck girdle - try the purse section, the 80s had a style of threading the purse strap through a chain. Also old belts and jewelry can be taken apart.

My best find was a set of gold badge backings - they had no pin attatched, were basically a metal disc with 4 "claws" and a pair of holes on the back.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Costume/143_4347.jpg
I glued flat glass marbles to them, put a ring of pearls around them, and attached them with chain to make a jewelled girdle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Costume/143_4348.jpg

I have also used fancy buttons for a quick girdle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Costume/143_4335.jpg


For those in Ontario, check out ARTON Beads - 510 Queen St in Toronto - they have brooch backings like the ones pictured earlier in this thread, plus LOTS of other jewlery supplies.

Glass beads would make a lovely addition to some pearls to make a beaded trim - just be sure your pearls aren't too cheap or they will loose their coating!

[Merry]

I have this place called Name Brand Clothing (Half of Half) byThrift stores are awesome too. 

Here are the pieces I got:

Maybe on end of girdle or headpiece

This one is stunning...definately put it in a prominent place.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I just recieved my newest Fire Mountain Gems catalouge filled with over 1,000 pages of beads, jewelry findings, etc. They are now offering Gold Filled Filigree pieces. I use Filigree for Hats, embellishments on garb, for belts, etc.