RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: DonaCatalina on July 12, 2008, 06:30:13 PM

Title: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: DonaCatalina on July 12, 2008, 06:30:13 PM
I need a new source for 5mm round earl beads in a cream color.
http://www.sunshinecrafts.com
now only carries the 4mm and 6mm and I've already started using the 5mm.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: Cilean on July 12, 2008, 08:17:25 PM
Would these work?

http://www.artbeads.com/5810-crm5.html (http://www.artbeads.com/5810-crm5.html)


http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H206897SB (http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H206897SB) These do not give a MM size  ??? :(

Cilean


Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: Master James on July 13, 2008, 09:21:24 AM
I buy all my beads from Fire Mountain Gems and they are great and a good price.  I would go with the glass ones though as the acrylic ones tend to chip and lose their luster VERY quickly.  You can get really good glass ones for a relatively inexpensive price.  I got around 1000 4mm glass ones from Fire Mountain for $15.  Now while that's over twice what you would pay for the acrylic ones, I think they look much more real and hold up way better.  Just a thought.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: isabelladangelo on July 13, 2008, 09:45:59 AM
Quote from: Master James on July 13, 2008, 09:21:24 AM
I would go with the glass ones though as the acrylic ones tend to chip and lose their luster VERY quickly. 

Ditto.  I tend to go with real freshwater pearls when I can and glass if I simply need too many to afford the real stuff.  (Freshwater tends to be fairly cheap though.  A 16" strand can cost as little as $2.)  I'd go with glass if you don't want to spend a little extra for the real FW pearls.  I buy all my beads either at AC Moore, Micheals, or one of our local bead shops (beadazzled, the bead shop, we have a ton around the Washington DC area).
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on July 13, 2008, 11:34:46 AM

Acrylic beading is nice for  chemises  or shirts that can be washed on a  Gentle Cycle then hung dry.

I do concur that glass beading works the best for garb. Which reminds me, I need to order nore 4mm glass diamond cut beads for a Doublet I am making.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: DonaCatalina on July 13, 2008, 03:01:13 PM
I agree the glass beads are more durable. But I need about 3500 and I was hoping not to break the bank.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: Master James on July 13, 2008, 03:55:49 PM
Like I said, I was able to get around 1000+ 4mm glass pearls for around $15, which is only a little more than you would pay for acrylic ones.  I think when I was looking it was around $10 for 1000 acrylic 4mm pearls.  So for 3500 you're probably looking at around $55 for glass and $35 for acrylic.  I know not everyone's finances are the same but for a more durable and better look , I think its worth the $20 extra to go with glass over acrylic.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: gem on July 13, 2008, 09:55:45 PM
Except that, as she's said, she's already started the project:

Quote from: DonaCatalina on July 12, 2008, 06:30:13 PM
I need a new source for 5mm round earl beads in a cream color.
http://www.sunshinecrafts.com
now only carries the 4mm and 6mm and I've already started using the 5mm.
Title: Re: Acrylic Pearl Beads
Post by: Master James on July 14, 2008, 08:32:49 AM
OOOPS!  My bad!  Missed that!  :-[