People often ask me what my beads are used for. If you are one of those people I will help jump start your creative thinking with a few ideas that come to mind.
Are you interested in learning to make jewelery? You could design your own pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Glass beads can be strung on cord, leather, silk, or wire. To secure the beads and attach clasps you can use knots, crimping beads, and glue when appropriate.
If you don’t make jewelery and don’t want to learn how there are many bead-able items available today as well. Pandora bracelets, Chamilia bracelets, and Biagi bracelets are an elegant way to wear large hole beads. Also many suppliers make interchangeable pens, bails, rings, forks, knives, and wine stoppers…
A small touch of glass can be just the right element to liven up a room. If you are especially creative use artful lampwork beads to spice up your decor. I’m not much of an interior decorator, but I can imagine how sophisticated some of my focal beads would look as light pulls or fan pulls. Some other items that could be displayed around the house are beaded candle holders, picture frames, lamps, and tassels.
Lampwork beads can be incorporated into knitted items like scarves or hats. The contrast of shiny glass against fiber will make a typical pattern more exciting. Beads can make fun zipper pulls, and buttons. Keep it simple and make some wine glass markers for your next party.
Finally, lets get to my favorite. I enjoy a finely made glass bead displayed all on its own. Whether it rests carefully on a display or is just hanging around on a dresser or shelf. There is something about a bead left as is that I enjoy the most.
Now I leave the rest up to you. What will you make?