Earlier this week I heard from Ana at Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos who had won a one-of-a-kind bead kit that I gave away during Lori Anderson's Virtual Craft Fair last year. Ana's posted some of the pieces she made with the kit on her blog, including a pair of earrings using some of the recycled glass I sent.
Recycled glass beads are often made from glass bottles. They're commonly available in white, brown, green, and blue. I love the white glass beads; their frosted, icy look is perfect for winter jewelry.
Tips for Working with Recycled Glass Beads
- Pair beads with contrasting finishes: These rough, matte beads look great when paired with smooth, shiny beads.
- Limit the number beads used: Glass is heavy, so take care when deciding how much to use in a single design. Rather than create solid strands of glass beads, it's best to create beaded links like Precious Metal London did with her bracelet or mix the beads with lighter materials.
- Sort by size: The size of the beads are not identical since they are cut by hand. The shade of the color can also vary within a single strand or lot. If you're creating earrings or other projects that require similar sizes and colors, sort the beads before you begin.
- Use spacers or thicker stringing material: The holes on these beads can be large and rough. You will need to use spacers or thicker stringing material so that the beads do not move around on your wire and damage it. I'd be cautious about using silk or other delicate stringing materials that might be easily torn or cut. This necklace from Beach Girl Beads uses leather cord which provides a smooth contrast to the rough glass beads. It also uses knots to hold the beads in place and minimize wear and tear on the cord.
Do you have any tips for using recycled glass beads?