Crystal, Glass or Plastic Faceted Beads
The Choice is Yours
I perfer the Round Plastic Faceted Beads for all my large projects and the Crystal Bicone Beads for all my jewelry projects.
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Crystal, Glass or Plastic Faceted Beads
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From Faceted Bead Art Gazette, January 2, 2004, Issue #0003 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See all available articles. When creating FacetedBeadArt I always suggest you use TRANSPARENT faceted beads. However, you have three choices as to what beads you can use... Faceted Beads I personally use 4mm transparent round plastic faceted beads and now 4mm transparent crystal bicone faceted beads. Why? FACETED - because of the multiple faces, they sparkle when the light hits them. This adds greatly to the beauty of the piece. 4MM - At .1576", this size is just right. For me, anything larger is just too big and nothing smaller is available in the beads I use. (Smaller sizes are available for the bicone, but are too small and can cost as much as the 4mm.) My first project was the American Flag. It was to be 3' x 5' and it ended up containing some 70,000 beads. I wanted the beads for this project to be small, but not too small. As soon as I saw the plastic faceted beads I fell in love with them so I chose the smallest size available and they turned out to be perfect. TRANSPARENT - light can pass through. This characteristic enhances the sparkle effect of the faceted beads. In addition, when used with clear monofilament fishing line, the combined effect is one in which the beads seem to hang in thin air. Also, if hung in a window the two together make a nice stained glass effect. ROUND PLASTIC - For me, the price is right and the shape is very uniform and gives your piece a symmetrical look. They also make absolutely beautiful bead art. CRYSTAL BICONE - For my small satterns, the price is perfect. The shape of these beads is also uniform and gives your piece a symmetrical look. As suncatchers, the peices are quite stunning. Round Faceted Beads These are all available in 4mm and Transparent. The main difference is the price. Approximate Cost Beads Per Bead Pattern with 1,156 beads Plastic Round Faceted Beads ¼ of a cent $2.89 Glass Round Faceted Beads 2¢ - 5¢ $23.12 - $57.80 Crystal BiCone Faceted Beads 5¢ - 10¢ $57.80 - 115.60 Crystal Round Faceted Beads 14¢ - 35¢ $161.84 - $404.60 The glass are called Czech faceted beads and are made in the Czech Republic. The regular glass beads are referred to as Fire Polish. There is also an AB version or Aurora Borealis finish. This finish has an iridescent coating. The disadvantage of the Glass beads is they are not always uniform in size. I find these beads work best in my doily patterns. Where can you find Czech faceted beads? I have provided a few links on my links page. You can also search thru the many sites via any search engine. Just enter 'Czech beads' and go. (See the Google Search Bar located at the bottom of this page, to get started.) Be sure to compare prices and color availability before making your purchase. The round crystals are called Swarovski 5000 and the bicones are called Swarovski 5301. All crystal beads are also available with the Aurora Borealis finish (AB). To learn more about Swarovski Crystal Beads please visit http://www.crystal-beads.co.uk/About-Swarovsk-crystal.html Where can you find Swarovski Crystal faceted beads? I have also provided links for these beads on my links page or Search for 'Swarovski 5000' 'Swarovski Beads' 'Swarovski 5301' (See the Google Search Bar located at the bottom of this page, to get started.) The supplier I use is Bolek's Craft Supplys They carry all the colors that I use in my patterns and many more. You can also find links to other sites that provide plastic faceted beads on my links page. I hope you will find the faceted beads as enjoyable to use as I have. Happy Beading, Shell, Bead Artist - FacetedBeadArt Search for the page you need... |
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