Cheap Beads Are Used In Mardi Gras Throws

If you have never been to a traditional Mardi Gras party, then you are missing out. There are lots of different traditions and rituals which started at the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and have quickly spread to other Gras festivals around the county (and around the world). One of the most unique Mardi Gras traditions is the tossing of special items known as "throws" from this Gras floats into the watching crowds. These throws are usually strings of cheap beads, strings of shells, wooden doubloons inscribed with the logo of the float, decorated cups, decorated plastic items or small inexpensive toys.
Many of the "krewes" who ride on the floats in the Mardi Gras parades will actually spend weeks or months before each parade preparing their special throws. This preparation may involve hunting down and ordering throws, or it may involve stringing thousands of cheap plastic beads onto strings to use as gifts for the crowd. Whilst it is much easier for krewes to order their throws in readymade, spending time making throws can be an important part of the festivities for some smaller krewes.. Making beaded throws gives each krewe the opportunity to create something completely unique which represents their float. Cheap beads are widely available in lots of different colors, shapes and styles, so these groups have plenty of options to choose from if they want to design their own necklace throws. Many parents will also make their own throw necklaces if they are having private Mardi Gras parties with their families and children.
The period leading up to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the busiest times for printers and logo experts in New Orleans as krewes seek to get their logos stamped upon a wide range of items. Bead sellers have previously stated that tens of thousands of crates of cheap beads enter the city in the days leading up to the main festivities. Other cities which celebrate Mardi Gras have noted similar trends. Many of the beads which are used in New Orleans are ordered in from China, as Chinese bead sellers are best placed to fulfill such large orders for beads at an affordable price. In order to receive this many beads for the Mardi Gras Parade, most large krewes must place their order by September.
Throwing strings of cheap beads first became popular at the beginning of the 20th century. As "throws" became a more and more popular part of the Mardi Gras parade, krewes became more and more creative about what they decided to toss out to the waiting crowds. Krewes began to throw plastic toys such as Frisbees out to the crowd so that they would have something fun to take home with them. One krewe is even famed for handing out hand-painted coconuts to audience members, although these items are new usually handed out by people who are walking alongside the floats, as throwing whole coconuts was considered to be a serious health and safety issue.

Cheap beads are used for plenty of things. One of the most famous uses for cheap beads is in Mardi Gras throws.

FAQ: Jewelry Findings

If you are new to the world of hobby jewelry making, you may have a lot of questions about the materials and tools which you use to complete your projects. One of the products which people have a lot of questions about are jewelry findings, because there are such a wide range of different findings available. Here are answers to a few of the most frequently ask questions about the findings which are commonly used in jewelry making projects.
1) What are Jewelry Findings?
"Findings" is the name which is given to the wide selection of different items which are used to connect jewelry making components together. Without the correct use of findings, jewelry items would look very pretty but they would not be functional, as they would not be connected together properly, and it might be hard to wear them or attach them to your person properly. Examples of items which are considered to be findings include: jump rings, clasps, earwires, brooch assemblies, crimp beads and eye loops.
2) Why are there so many different types of findings?
Different types of findings serve very different purposes. For example, you cannot (easily) attach a brooch to a dress with a lobster claw clasp, neither can you safely fix a charm to necklace with a pin stem. Each finding has been designed with a specific purpose in mind, and when used for that purpose they are very functional. Whilst some modern jewelry makers like to "mix things up a bit" by using findings for something which they are not specifically designed for, there is no guarantee that these forms of experimentation will work! Because jewelry makers are constantly striving for perfection, new types of findings are regularly being invented to help to make things easier.
3) Is it possible to make my own jewelry findings?
It is possible to make some types of findings very easily if you have a little bit of experience of working with jewelry making tools, whilst other findings are almost impossible to make without the proper training and equipment. For example, it is very easy to make simple eyepins using thicker jewelry making wire and a pair of round nose pliers. Simply grasp one end of your wire and rotate the pliers so that a small, single loop of wire forms around them. Remove the pliers and you should be left with a small loop at the end of the wire which can be used as an eyepin. Being able to create this will give you a lot of versatility in your crafts. However, it is impossible to make your own versions of many of the types of clasps which are available on the market. Luckily, there are lots of different suppliers of jewelry findings available, so you will always be able to pick up these products.
4) Can I buy findings wholesale?
There are plenty of suppliers which sell findings at wholesale prices. Suppliers know that they are essential and are able to sell big packets at affordable prices.

Jewelry findings are an essential part of the jewelry making process. Buy or make your own jewelry findings to help to complete your project pieces.

Where To Buy Wholesale Jewelry Supplies

A lot of people have turned to jewelry making in a bid to keep their costs down, and others have turned to jewelry making in an attempt to make a little extra money from a home business. It is an enjoyable hobby which can be inexpensive if you know where to go find all of your supplies at a low costs. Buying wholesale jewelry supplies is a great way to ensure that you have plenty of materials to work with, without inflating your costs. Here are some tips about where to find the best wholesale jewelry supplies at the best prices.
1) Online Companies
Online sellers are great places to look if you want to find wholesale jewelry supplies. Because they are not affected by the same constraints as sellers who operate from a physical high street location, online sellers are able to offer wholesale prices on many of their supplies. When you are shopping online, it is even possible to deal with sellers who operate in a different country to your current location, meaning that you will have access to an incredibly wide selection of products at great prices.
2) Trade Shows
These shows are set up to help manufactures to introduce their products to a wide range of people at once. At these shows it is usually possible to pick up wholesale jewelry supplies. Some sellers and manufacturers even offer special, limited edition products at these shows, which it is not possible to pick up elsewhere. Visiting a trade show will give you the chance to talk to sellers and manufacturers face to face, and share information with them. Sellers will sometimes run special tutorials which may help to give you extra hints and tips about how to use their products. One of the disadvantages of shopping at trade shows is that you may have to travel to get there and you may have to pay an entrance fee to gain access.
3) Hobby Clubs
Many hobby clubs run schemes to help their members to gain access to beads and other jewelry supplies at wholesale prices. Big clubs are able to negotiate fantastic deals with manufacturers to help their members to get wholesale jewelry suppliers. Being in a club can help you to get a kind of collective bargaining power which can be used as leverage to enable you to get great deals from manufacturers which they would not be able to give to a single buyer. Other manufacturers and sellers offer special discount codes to club members. These discount codes may not be widely known, so ask other club members for advice.
4) Travel Abroad
If you see a gap in the market, you may be able to travel abroad to look for your wholesale jewelry supplies. Although this will not cut costs in the short term, you may be able to start up your own import business if you are proficient in the language and have a proper understanding of the customs and business regulations which operate in both countries.

Wholesale jewelry supplies can help to keep your costs down. There are lots of different places to pick up wholesale jewelry supplies if you want to make jewelry.

Supporters' Bracelets Made With Wholesale Beads

Summer is coming around again and the FIFA Football World Cup is about to start. Many countries are already beginning to succumb to football fever and as the tournament gathers pace, the excitement is sure to build up more and more! Everyone wants to show their support for their favorite football teams, and with 32 different teams to choose from, there is something for everyone! If you want to make a little bit of money from your jewelry making hobby, you can make and sell supporters' bracelets using a selection of wholesale beads and some jewelry making supplies.
Wholesale beads are an inexpensive purchase and they are a great choice for this sort of project because they come in such a wide variety of colors. It is possible to buy wholesale beads of a uniform size and shape in almost any color you can imagine. It is also possible to find these uniform beads with numbers or letters printed on them, which will give you even more flexibility about the supporters' bracelets which you create. As well as making bracelets which include country names, you can make bracelets which spell out the names of popular players and their shirt numbers. Wholesale beads are also a great choice because they are durable enough to stand up to the rigors of an active, sporting lifestyle.
Making these types of bracelets is very simple. It is so simple that you can even make bracelets to order for people whilst they wait, as long as you have a lot of different color wholesale beads with you at the time! Because they are fun and simple bracelets for football supporters, it will be a good idea to thread them onto a thin but strong piece of elastic. Using elastic will mean that they can be slipped on and off of the wrist with ease by pulling them over the hand.
Cut a piece of elastic which is just long enough to go around the buyer's wrist. Clamp a bulldog clip over the elastic about half an inch from the end to prevent the beads from falling off as you work. Choose the beads that you need and then thread them on in order. The best beads to choose for supporters' bracelets are ones which represent that country's national colors. If you have letter beads, these also make good choices. If you are using two colors, thread them alternatively and if you are using three colors, thread them in an ABCABC pattern. If you are using letter beads, make sure that you have an equal amount of color beads at either side. Leave about half an inch unbeaded at the end of the elastic.
Once you have finished threading all of your beads, unclamp the bulldog clip, taking care not to spill any of the beads. Tie both ends of the elastic together as securely as possible. Make sure that all of the beads are sitting correctly and then hand the finished product over to your buyer!

Wholesale beads can be used to make lots of different things. These supporters' bracelets which are made using wholesale beads and elastic will have a high profit margin.

The Advantages Of Using Wholesale Acrylic Beads

There are a lot of different types of beads on the market today, meaning that jewelry makers and craft hobbyists have a wide range of items to choose from when they begin a craft project. Wholesale acrylic beads are just one of the many different sorts of beads available, so why should consumers choose wholesale acrylic beads over any of the other varieties on the market? Here are just some of the advantages of this type of bead compared to others:
1) Less Expensive
Wholesale acrylic beads are easy to make in large numbers, so companies are able to sell them at a much lower price than they are able to sell other kinds of beads which may be harder to make. For example, glass or gemstone beads may require intensive polishing in order to make them look attractive, and they therefore cost much more. Despite their low cost, acrylic items do not look cheap.
2) Widely Available
Because they are easy to produce, these beads are widely available, meaning that you need not worry about where to find supplies. There are plenty of sellers on the high street and on the internet who will be able to sell you these beads at great prices. This is especially useful if you are embarking on a large project where you might need a lot of items and could easily run out. Being able to get hold of more wholesale acrylic beads with great ease can help to give you real peace of mind.
3) Variety
Because of the manufacturing process, it is easy to find these beads in a wide variety of styles, shapes and colors, meaning that you will always be able to find what you want. It is possible to find a lot of styles which it simply would not be possible to create if you were using any other material. This will help to give you a lot of choice and versatility as a consumer.
4) Weight
These beads are really lightweight in comparison to gemstone, glass or metal beads, meaning that they can be worn very comfortably all day long, whether they are used on a necklace, a bracelet or on any other item of jewelry. Their weight also helps to make them an excellent item to use in a huge range of different craft and fashion projects, including projects where the material or fabric being used may not be strong enough to support heavier types of bead.
5) Durable
Wholesale acrylic beads are able to withstand a range of temperatures and pressures which some other types of bead are not able to withstand. For example, acrylic beads will not crack as easily as glass beads will if they are subjected to heat or pressure. This makes them an excellent choice for projects where the finished items may be expected to withstand certain pressures, for example a bracelet for a person who has a very active lifestyle and does not want their jewelry to be damaged by everyday use.

Wholesale acrylic beads are a great choice for jewelry makers and craft hobbyists. Wholesale acrylic beads are widely available at low prices.

How To Select Cheap Beads To Make Jewelry

Beaded jewelry is very popular these days for many reasons, one of which is that it is extremely customizable. There are several different kinds of cheap beaded jewelry that you can make on your own, such as earrings, bracelets, anklets and armbands of your choice and pattern.
Historically, beaded jewelry was made with seashells, glass, wood, gems and metal. Today, if you want to make your own jewelry out of cheap beads, you'll be stunned by the amazing array of beads in different textures, shapes and sizes. And isn't that great? After all, who wants to wear beads that are worn by hundreds of others? By customizing them, you can make gifts of all kinds of patterns and colors and please your friends.
How to choose: You need to think hard before actually selecting beads. For instance, you need to consider the kind of jewelry you want to make. Perhaps you want to take advantage of a trend and give it a spin or you want to make your own signature ultra modern style. The options for you are myriad, so don't let anything come in the way of your cheap beads and your imagination.
You can choose from pearl, seed, crystal, glass and plastic beads that are easily available on the market.
If your choice is something chic, select beads of glass and plastic in different colors and a few in gold and silver. Do you want an ethnic look? For this, you'll need to select earthy colors and natural shades like brown, tan and black. To give a better overall effect to your jewelry, add in some painted wooden beads in rich colors like red, green and yellow so that they brighten up your jewelry.
You can also buy your collection of cheap beads online, but before you press that button, ensure that the site has a relaxed return policy in case you receive damaged beads. If you don't find this out and are landed with broken beads, you will be paying for them but not using them. So, if making cheap beads jewelry is your little business, imagine the loss you're going to incur.
If it's not your business but just a hobby, it's good to buy in bulk and share the expense with a friend. This will help you, as otherwise it would take you a very long time to exhaust the entire stock of cheap beads that you buy in a wholesale lot. If you're purchasing them online, it means you don't get a chance to examine them personally before buying, so here's one more reason for finding out about the site's exchange policy.
Lastly, inspect the beads for any imperfections. If you find them not rounded but oval, reject them outright. Also, make sure that they aren't scratched, broken or chipped as these will be useless to you.

If making cheap beads jewelry is your hobby or your line of business, be very sure of the kind of beads you want as this will tell on your creativity and your standing as a hobbyist. Don't choose by any other parameter except color, material, texture, gradation and smoothness before you start using them.

Advantages Of Buying Acrylic Beads For Making Jewelry

Often, when people refer to plastic beads they really mean acrylic beads but they call them plastic because they have a glossy look. Acrylic beads are synthetic in nature. They are used to make attractive jewelry for children but women too choose them for their innate beauty and for the fact that they are light in weight.
If you're wondering if you too should opt for acrylic beads for your jewelry, consider the advantages. They are many and definitely worth thinking about. Here are a few of them:
· You can get acrylic beads in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as flower beads, round beads, tubular-shaped beads, beads shaped like animals, etc. Other shapes include balls, cubes and barrels. Because of the variety of shapes, people of all ages love them.
· These beads are lightweight, strong and can easily be hung round your neck or your wrists. They are also smooth and look very like gemstones. You can also string acrylic jewelry beads and pendants with rope, string and wire and not feel weighed down by them.
· You can find these beads in a variety of solid colors, which can give a simple effect to your jewelry.
· These beads are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from four millimeters to eight millimeters.
· They are much cheaper than glass beads though they can look like the genuine article.
· Whether you're a jewelry hobbyist or you make it for profit, you can find suppliers of acrylic pendants and beads at specialty jewelry stores and at nationally renowned arts and crafts stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Target.
· Acrylic jewelry can be very eye-catching and appealing due to its sheen. Beads are available in both opaque and translucent varieties and in a multitude of colors and shades, making them ideal for necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Acrylic jewelry with a distinctive sheen may include stardust, B-Plated and miracle beads.
· You can wear acrylic beads jewelry in any kind of climate because these beads can withstand extremes of temperature very well.
· Acrylic beads are synthetic, so it's possible to get them in a variety of textures. This means more variety for you, so use your imagination and come up with some amazing designs.
· Acrylic mixes well with other materials to give a colorful and quality piece of jewelry because of the range of colors, sizes and shapes. The result is usually wonderful, to say the least.
Use acrylic beads to stunning effect when you make inexpensive but beautiful jewelry with contemporary designs that can be worn anywhere and everywhere.
Final Caveat
Acrylic beads are affordable, versatile and eye-catching, so they present great scope for you to create the best kind of jewelry ever. Patterns that make you feel confident, attractive and energetic will draw more attention to you. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and buy your stock of acrylic beads and keep those hands moving.

If you love making jewelry, buy acrylic beads for their versatility. They offer a great scope.