What is Swarovski Crystal? Many people misunderstand that the raw material used in the manufacture of Swarovski crystal objects occurs naturally, like rock crystal. Swarovski Crystal is not a natural crystal,...
When buying beads and findings on ebay, you may find that many will list their items as sterling silver, however be aware that if items are listed as "Bali Sterling Silver" or "Tibetan Sterling Silver" these...
As suppliers of Beading Tools for some years now, one of the most common questions we are asked is 'what type of pliers should I buy?' This guide is complied by Graham Halls of CJ Beaders, specialists in the...
How To Use Calottes (Clamshells/Necklace Ends) In Your Jewellery Making Necklace Ends, also known as calottes or clamshells, are a great way to finish the ends of your jewellery creations. They give a much...
The purpose of my guide is to warn buyers about cheap Chinese metal beads which many bead sellers choose to describe as Tibetan Silver. Also to make it clear to these sellers that they are actually breaking...
BEWARE OF FAKE Swarovski® Goods!Most people dont handle Swarovski Crystals every day like us, so may not be able to tell the difference between rhinestones and Swarovski Stones.Please understand, Swarovski is...
There are thousands of listings daily in the "beads" section, some are fantastic value for money, others are simply NOT! If you like to make your own jewellery items or are thinking of taking this up as a new...
There are hundreds of different types of seed bead out there with a range of different sizes, shapes and finishes. As beads vary from manufacturer to manufacturer so does the quality of the bead itself. As a...
How to use Folding Crimps Folding crimps are used for finishing the ends of a variety of materials, from flat cords, (such as ribbon and suede) to round cords (such as leather and cotton etc.). As their name...
There are lots of things to take into consideration when you start off with jewellery making as a hobby, the first will probably be the cost of getting a good stock of beads and findings together! There is no...