Artisan-Made Focal Bead Swap

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Swap Coordinator:	Sprezzatura (contact)
Swap categories:	Miscellaneous Jewelry Handmade
Number of people in swap:	6
Location:	Other
Type:	None
Last day to signup/drop:	August 31, 2008
Date items must be sent by:	October 15, 2008
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
A focal bead is a beautiful bead that becomes the central part of a piece of jewelry. It's so amazingly pretty that all you really have to do is string it or put an earring hook on it. These are typically a little larger beads, and for this swap are made by hand. A focal bead is NOT: mass-produced a plastic pony bead a gemstone chip an "E" bead a seed bead found at your typical Craft Box Store, like Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's The beads for this swap will be found at your local specialty bead shop, at an art faire, or on Etsy. I am serious - please do not sign up for this swap thinking you can send in even the nicest bead you can buy at Michael's. So please make sure you understand the nature of this swap; read the description below and make sure you REALLY want to participate. RULES: Participants will select three to five focal beads to send to one partner. The total value of these beads should be at least $20. Try to pick beads based on your partner's profile. If you make glass beads, you can sign up and send your handiwork! That would be great! Participants should have a 4.8 or higher, and should have at least ten completed and rated snail mail swaps. Please contact me if you feel you have been unfairly rated. If you're new to Swap-Bot, you will have plenty of time to build up your rating before this swap begins. I do reserve to right to ban anyone with no or very little profile information, an inactive account, or other signs of flake-itude. This is a USA-only swap, simply because I don't know what sort of customs issues may arise from sending more pricey items overseas. I f you like you may start an international version. Please send with Delivery Confirmation and use padded envelopes and wrap these carefully. I will be taking my Prelim exams in August, so I won't be very active here from August 6-15. Messages left for me at that time will get answered once I'm available. (Please note that I've never purchased from the artist who made the bead shown here, but I thought the work was a good illustration of the sort of quality beads this swap is about.) Feel free to PM me or to ask questions and discuss here.

Discussion

breccamerie 08/18/2008 #

This sounds like fun, but I actually make my own glass beads. Could I produce 5 nice lampwork glass beads insteed of buying?

7bar7 08/20/2008 #

I can't believe there are only 4 swappers signed up for this swap.... Focal beads are IT... I LOVE THEM .... and can't wait to see the one I get.... EBAY has over 4,000. and ESTY has hundreds to choose from ... I am not at all concerned about getting one I don't like after spending $20-$30 on the one I send... they are ALL AWSOME... sign up NOW... join the awesome anticipation

breccamerie 08/21/2008 #

I would sign up if I could make my beads, but I don't have the money to drop $20 or $30 on beads esp. when I have $300 in glass rods waiting to be used in making my own. If I got an ok of it then I might join. I think the fact that the price is so high and between the possibility of flakers and getting beads you might not be able to use it's kept some folks away. You might drop the price and you might ask each person to post colors and favs here and then their partner can shop a bit more personally. You can buy some good focal beads for only a few dollars. You don't have to spend $5 or $6 on them. Just a few ideas.

7bar7 08/25/2008 #

If it's OK with the coordinator... YOU can send me a homemade bead of your own!!!!!!!! THAT would be extra special as far as I'm concerned.. I'll send her a note... Laurie

7bar7 08/25/2008 #

OH, Looks like you have already made one and sent it...my loss... maybe next time..

7bar7 08/25/2008 #

sorry I guess looked at the wrong name.. I'll PM you beccamerie. got all excited about having a bead made by the swapper... who knows... Laurie

Sprezzatura 08/25/2008 #

If you make glass beads and want to sign up for this swap and send your partner your own hand made beads I think that would be great! I just don't want people sending cheap plastic beads or stone chips...these should be super nice.

breccamerie 08/25/2008 #

Hey guys, I am in and I hope I do get you 7bar7, but if not we can work out a private swap later. Now I must say that I will be gone for almost a month during Sept. I actually have to go to my parents work shop, no kids, to make these beads due to toxic fumes and hazards. This presents a problem after the trip as I will have my 3 year old and no one to watch him as my parents won't return from vacation untill the end of oct. I will try to get these done by swap date (and probably more than 5- based on what I think is $20) however they may run a bit late. Hopefully not much! LOL If this would be a problem for any potential partners let me know and I will drop out and catch another round during a better time.

breccamerie 08/25/2008 #

Oh yeah, and mine are not anything like the millefiori beauty pictured above. That's profession stuff! I probably won't do historical beads unless requested by partner but you can check out some of my historical Celtic beads here. Mind you these are reproductions from beads 2000 years ago. :D http://www.kelticos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85

7bar7 08/25/2008 #

I'm so glad your in... Hope we get to swap... Laurie

jstubbs 08/29/2008 #

FYI, I have pictures on my flickr page of some of the focal art beads that I am considering for this swap. I make porcelain china painted beads and I am working on those, no pictures yet.

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