so, I'm waiting impatiently for my order from Fire Mountain Gems. I am getting tiny gypsy bells for the tips of my petals, and aurora crystal beads for the ends as well which will be 'dewdrops'... Also got some green and red opalescent seed beads that I think I will have no problem finding a use for!
What's your favourite product from this store, and/or your favourite beading project?
i've never heard of them, but what you have described sounds amazing. be sure to post pictures when they arrive!
I just love to look, online, or at the catalogue, good for ideas.
Now, if I only had some time! LOL
LadySesan:
www.firemountaingems.com
So much less expensive then trying to find what you need at JoAnn!
I used to shop there religiously.
Then I started going to wholesale jewelry/bead shows. Anxiously awaiting the sept 3rd show.
I'm a big fan of blue lace agate.
I also really like the colored fresh water pearls in the potato shape, I don't know why it just calls to me.
faerie related I think the czech fire polished beads are the best.They have that rainbow multicolored fantasy look that I love. Particularly the clear ones.
i give you crazy props for working with seed beads.
I have a lot of patience, but I don't think I have the visual acuity or manual dexterity to work with seed beads.
well, the seed beads will just be scattered about on the ends of the 'petals', so it's not like I'm holding to a real design, or anything! at least not at this point! though I did buy SO much, I may do some fancy things with the remainder!
Fire Mountain Gems is my #1 go to place for beads, glass pearls, Bolo tips, filigree pieces, cabachons, etc.
I just received the new catalouge and I had to restrain myself from putting in another order. I will be re-ordering something soon, I am sure.
My favorite thing from them.... EVERYTHING!!!
Beads = Crack for me!
I need to find a pattern for a pansy plant to bead on the stomacher of my Ptaradactyl bodice then I get to get beads!!! * evil cackle*
I LOVE semiprecious gems and freshwater pearls
I find it so hard to navigate, b/c they have SO MUCH stuff, and if you're just starting out with beads &c, it's really hard to know what you need. :-\
The best is to get a catalog and start dog ear-ing the things you like.... then narrow it down to what you want, then down to what you need, and then finally, what you can afford. :'(
I think they have the best catalog of any beading place I've ever seen.
I've ordered a few things from them, plan on getting more when I need it.
Quote from: gem on August 11, 2009, 07:41:57 PM
I find it so hard to navigate, b/c they have SO MUCH stuff, and if you're just starting out with beads &c, it's really hard to know what you need. :-\
Yeah, I find it hard to find to go through their site as well. And I'm the kind of person who needs to see and feel beads in action before buying them. But it helps living in a big city where beading is the latest thing, and there's a bead shop on every block... It would probably be different if the selection was poorer where I lived.
Good idea to get a catalogue, by the way! It'll make it easier to narrow it down and look it up online later on.
It is hard to see what beads are what. The first order I did was on line and I thought they were a particular type only to get them and find they weren't.
The catalog is huge and the pictures of the beads are much easier to see.
I just ordered some earring cards and racks from them because they were cheaper than the other place I was getting my supplies from.
I have been using Fire Mountain Gems for about 5 years. I also use Rings & Things for alot of my beads. Plus I live in a large city and we get bead shows every so many months. I started to bead just to make myself some anklets to wear over my ankle brace and it became a addition because of how calming it is for me and now I have started a jewelry shop at the KyHRF. I am now in the process of teaching my 14 year old niece since she has A.D.D. and it helps her to focus on projects.
wahoo my beads are here!!!
lol just needed to share.
now if only work would be over so I can go play!