Get Creative & Make Bead Jewelry It's Easy!
A Fun Leisure Time Activity, Save Money, Look Good!
Why Buy A Kit?
- Save time. Everything you need is in the kit. No trolling the web or running around to craft stores to look for parts.
- Save MORE time. Every one of Jane's kits can be completed by beginning beaders in less than a couple of hours! If the kit takes longer we tell you.
- Save money. You get just the quantities you need, with no need to get stuck with large bags of beads if you only need a few.
- Save MORE money. Create your own version of those elegant, expensive gemstone jewelry styles you admire in the magazines and see on the celebs.
- Look smashing! You know what looks best on you--so give the design your own special flair.
- Collect compliments when your friends & family see you in your beautiful new jewelry.
- Update your wardrobe. The pros know that accessorizing is the best way to make old outfits look new and fresh.
You Get the Best Support
Questions about anything bead-related? Call JANE for support 10 am - 2 pm Mountain time. The instructions I write for these kits draw on my training as an educator and technical writer. Check out sample how-to at Bead Projects.
Everything you Need to Know About Seed Beads (the tiny ones) Scroll Down the Page
Who Doesn't Love America?
Lil Birdie told me America loves jewelry & beads, look how the necklace makes her outfit at the Emmys! You can make a similar one for yourself with our beads and instructions. See how the necklace draws attention to her face! And how would she look without the necklace? The dress really needs it. She made a great choice, to stick with black/gray/crystal.
Quick Easy Tear Drop Earring
You've seen this graceful teardrop shape everywhere--American Idol, America's Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars. Make it your own in a smaller size for day, and go all out for the larger size for special nights out, with yummy Swarovski briolets. You'll have plenty of beads to make 2 or more pair of earrings. This style looks great with long hair because it shows up! A simple twist of wire finishes this pretty one piece earring for pierced ears. The kit contains high quality Cazech glass beads, Swarovski drops, and goldtone accents plus complete easy instructions. Skill level: EASY. Easy tear drop earring kit, $19.99.
Colorful "Twist & Out" Earrings
I call these stunners "Twist & Out" because it only takes a few minutes to make a pair of unique earrings to match any of your outfits. Then you're out the door! You decide the length, color combinations, and in a trice you have a great new accessory. Make these your signature look! Skill level: EASY. Twist Earring Kit, $12.99.
Like it? Like it for $800.00?
Here's 3 strands of pretty turquoise beads. You can make this necklace yourself, for about $150.00 depending on the quality of the turquoise. The seller of this necklace didn't identify what type of turquoise was used. Probably doesn't even know! If you make it with Chinese turquoise it will cost even less. I dont even have anything for sale on my pages that costs $800! Am I missing out? Are my prices too low for such high quality? Hmmm. ....
Unbelievable Natural Coral Stunner
Here is a coral design that will instantly become your most precious piece of jewelry. It's not at all difficult to create. The coral is already jaw-dropping. You just add dangles of whatever you want. In this case the customer wanted gold, crystal, smaller coral pieces. You will restring the coral pieces with your dangles. This is not for sale as a kit. You can purchase the coral necklace, ready to wear, and order the components for the dangles separately. Allow 10 days for delivery. Extreme Coral Necklace, $555.00.
Necklace Wardrobe--Your Style, Your Colors, Presto!
In just a few hours you can create a beautiful wardrobe of necklaces that will highlight and enhance any clothes you wear. All you do is make single strands of seed beads and small accent beads and add a pendant. The strands look good on their own as well. I love the look of the antique porcelain shard pendant with this design. You can turn almost any large gem into a pendant with ease. The large turquoise oval drop pendant is an outstanding piece to wear. It draws the eyes to your face and the compliments keep coming. When you tell people you made it they will surely respect you! Instructions included. The kit price does not include the pendants, we will add them to this page soon although you can locate them on our other pages. You can specify the color combinations you want--reds and purples, blues and greens, neutrals, metallics, pearls, etc. Each kit contains enough beads to make four strands in different colorways. Presto Necklace Kit, $29.99.
Overpriced Seen on Internet
This bracelet although attractive, is not worth $286.00! We can do better and come up with a more interesting design.
Silver Bangle
Here's a clever idea, a sterling bangle with 16 loops to which you can attach anything you want, with a jump ring. This is so easy to put together, it's not a kit, but you can order the bangle and create your own design. Get tired of it? Change it! One size fits most wrists. Made in the USA. Sterling bangle with loops, $80.00.
Design with Fire Polish & Swarovski Faceted Beads
Here are 2 strands of 6mm fire polish beads in rainbow colors. One strand has 3 dangles of Swarovski machine cut faceted drops. These types of necklaces are easy to make. You'll find free instructions for basic jewelry design easy to understand.
Realistic Leaf Pendant
Here are some pretty design elements. Realistic maple leaves of resin. Specify green or iced crystal on shopping cart. Size is 18mm. Leaf pendant, resin, green or iced crystal, 20 of one color for $1.99.
Stunning Easy Lady Bracelet
Now you can also order the kit with all the items you need to complete this stunning bracelet except the Beadalon, which you can order separately. The kit is $25.00 (I sell the same bracelet off my wrist for $65.00)
"Pearl" Lasso Necklace FREE Instructions
 |
Click the image to see a larger photo |
| Above, the designer for St. John (those expensive knits) was photographed in Vogue Magazine wearing a lasso like this, only this one is prettier than hers! I would estimate the retail price of her necklace to be at least $250.00. Our costume pearls are healthy 8mm and we added tassels of crystal AB drops. This style is very easy to make and even easier to wear because it is completely adjustable to your preferred length. To make one like this check out our free instructions--they are on the Projects page. |
THE ALLURE AND EXCITEMENT OF SEED BEADS
You can achieve looks and effects with seed beads that would be impossible with other beads. Immerse yourself in thousands of colors, finishes, and textures. Study the photos of my projects to see how you can adapt them to your own color and size preferences. Read a book about it. There are many books on seed beading or bead weaving at your library or the book store or Amazon.
If you do any beading at all you must at least try seed beads. Chances are you will get hooked, like me and so many others! Order a kit or two to see how beading relaxes you.
Besides, seed beads are the cheapest beads on the planet! No, the Dutch did not buy Manhattan for $24 worth of seed beads.
FREE Instructions for a Seed Bead Bracelet!
Here are free instructions for a seed bead project--a charm bracelet that you can make in an afternoon and wear for years. I love this bracelet. It's lightweight and the charms you choose will make it unique and interesting.
Bead Finishes
Transparent, silver lined (silver coating inside), transparent rainbow (AB coating outside), opaque, inside color, inside color rainbow (AB coating), matte (flat, satin finish). You can achieve almost any design texture you want using a variety of these seed bead finishes.
All the beads you need are included in our kits. No need to purchase a pound of one color when you want to get a variety of colors. You can find other sources for bulk seed beads on the Internet.
Basic Supplies & Tools for Jewelry Design:
- bead board
- needle nose pliers
- round nose pliers
- flat nose pliers (optional)
- sharp scissors or nipper
- jewelers wire cutter
- 60" tape measure
- 18" straight ruler
- millimeter gauge (optional)
- Krazy Glue
- scotch tape
- bead mat
- sewing needles
If I don't have Nymo or another thread whose purpose is seed weaving I use upholstery thread or jeans thread, but not all-purpose sewing thread, which frays and weakens easily. I use large size seed beads or beads with large holes, so I can work with an ordinary sewing needle, which is easy to thread.
Bead Sizes:
Seed bead sizes range from 6/0 (the largest--mm size?) to 22/0 (the tiniest). My designs use sizes 6/0, 8/0, and rarely, 11/0. The larger the number the smaller the bead. Seed beads are the most inexpensive glass bead you can buy. Which is great since each project uses so many of them! The costly aspect of seed beading is your time.
Beads per inch, per gram
- Size 11 ... 18 per inch, 225 beads per gram
- Size 10 ... 16 per inch, 200 beads per gram
- Size 8... 11 per inch, 150 beads per gram
- Size 6 ... 10 per inch, 100 beads per gram
The larger size beads allow you to use an ordinary needle which is easy to thread, you can finish a project more quickly, and it’s easy to see what you are doing. The larger holes of these beads allow several pass-throughs with no problem.
My eyesight requires me to design with larger beads. I have also woven jewelry with 3mm and 4mm glass beads/pearls and you can achieve lovely results with these sizes as well. (Note about pearls, coral, and most gemstone beads & chips, their holes are outrageously tiny so only a very fine needle will work--and no pass throughs.)
Kit Contents
My kits contain detailed and carefully written instructions, more than enough beads to complete the design, and any findings such as clasps, earrings, chain, etc. needed for the design. Not included: thread or cord, needles, tools, books, or beeswax. (Some kits may contain thread.)
Sunny Combination
Here is a unique combination of Czech fire polish drops in orange/yellow 2-tone with golden yellow "amber"
oval beads that are transparent smooth polished resin with interesting inclusions that sparkle. The
beads are connected with wire loops. Kit not available.
Three Beaded Designs--Ideas for You
 |
 |
 |
| Left, Sapphire Czech flowers, Swarovski sapphire AB tapered beads, with Swarovski black diamond AB machine cuts in 8mm. The beautiful vintage clasp from the 1950s is pure deco in the characteristic rectangle shape with 15 tiny brilliants set into a chased silver frame. Very elegant. |
| Center, This fan shaped beaded "fringe" is a very hot look any time. You can make it easily and add the fan to any choker. The foundation beads are 6mm antique copper fire polish, and the fringe segments have copper-decorated Czech bead in aquamarine, with Swarovski chrysolite AB diamonds. It's a very rich "Victorian" look. |
| Right, this bracelet and earring set shows the impact you get with a beautiful silver cloisonne bead such as the tapered bead with blue and maroon enamel in this design. Combined with aqua beads and the bracelet is delicate but has great impact in the cool color scheme. Earrings too, note how the cloisonne bead is reversed. |
Copyright Beads by Mail 1999-2008. All rights reserved.
Email janey@beadsbymail.com . Phone (U.S.)800-572-7920 or (outside U.S.) 719-598-1506.