[Looking 4] Custom bead supply

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am looking for a specific type of glass beads to be made. I have
checked my local bead suppliers, artists, shops, and Internet, etc.
and cannot seem to find it. Can anyone suggest a bead maker that if
given a picture/sketch she/he could make it? If this is possible, I
would need at least 500 beads (depending on the price) to begin
with. Some of the local bead artists have tried but it is not
exactly what I am looking for. I think one of the problems is that
I need the hole to be about 1/4". Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
Dolphin

2

Hi Dolphin.

Ask on the website of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers:
http://www.isgb.org/index.shtml

Click on the “ISGB Forum” link on the welcome page and register as a
new user so that you’ll be able to post your request in the category
concerning beadmaking.

It would help if you could post a copy of your sketch so that
artists who might be interested could check it out.

I think that the 1/4" diameter opening could be achieved. Some of
the beadmakers have used tubular steel mandrels as large as 1/2"
diameter.

HTH
Pam Chott
Song of the Phoenix

3 
 Ask on the website of the International Society of Glass
Beadmakers: http://www.isgb.org/index.shtml Click on the "ISGB
Forum" link on the welcome page and register as a new user so that
you'll be able to post your request in the category concerning
beadmaking.  It would help if you could post a copy of your sketch
so that artists who might be interested could check it out.  I
think that the 1/4" diameter opening could be achieved.  Some of
the beadmakers have used tubular steel mandrels as large as 1/2"
diameter.

Responding to this, even though I can’t find the first post about
this…

ISGB is a great forum. But it’s a non-profit forum, and there are a
lot of rules about selling things or making money via posts there.
Since I don’t know the exact query, nor all the details of the rules
on isgb (it seems kind of random sometimes), I can’t comment as to
whether or not this question will be removed, just stating that
there is a possibility of it happening.

Another option is www.wetcanvas.com. The rules about money are a
little more lax there, and more things fly, even though their policy
is vague too. I think more glass artists who would take a comission
for custom work are on wetcanvas. Plus, it’s a lot easier to see
their work, since pictures can be hosted on the site.

I do know that glass beadmakers can do work on larger mandrels.
Quite a few people make glass rings, so the only difficulty is
finding the supplier for the mandrel. I think one of my catalogs has
mandrels up to 1/2" listed in it.

Dawn