Pearls for Jewellery Making!

August 24, 2012 at 1:26 pm | Beads, pearls, Swarovski Crystal Beads

Pearls are for every occasion!

Pearls have always been my jewel of choice. My obsession began when I started collecting pearls as a child. Every year my collection increased by one when I was allowed to choose the perfect oyster that housed my treasured pearl on our family holiday. Whether round or irregular, large or small, acrylic or freshwater, natural or coloured, I love them all. Being a pearl enthusiast, it’s great to be constantly surrounded by the extensive collections of pearl beads available at Bluestreak Beads.For me, pearls have marked major milestones in my life such as birthdays, graduations, and my wedding. Wearing my grandmother’s pearl necklace has become a tradition for most women in my extended family. Do you have a similar tradition in your family? Jewels passed on from generation to generation? If not, why not start now. Create a fabulous pearl necklace, earrings, bracelet, tiara, or hairband that will be worn and cherished by generations to come. We have glass, Swarovski crystal pearls, and freshwater pearls ranging in colour, size, and shape to suit your every need.  Pearls are one of the most versatile jewels, suitable for any occasion.  Whether you are looking for a subtle but elegant accessory or something more bold and eye-catching, we have a pearl to suit your needs at Bluestreak beads. Our 6mm and 8mm round glass pearls come in various pastel hues, while our Swarovski crystal pearls range from 3 to10mm round to twisted pearls in many colours  including white, cream, cream-rose, peach, rose, black, purple and  bronze. We have round, button or coin, oval, rice-grain, and baroque freshwater pearls. We’ve just had a new shipment into the Bluestreak Beads warehouse and now have nearly 20 different shades of pink, blue, and green baroque pearls in stock. Overwhelmed by the selection of pearl beads on offer? Unsure of which pearly colours to choose? No need to worry, we sell these baroque pearls in sets of coordinated colours that include seaspray, berry, and warm brown. For something unique and distinctive, why not spice up your earlobes, neck, or wrist with a splash of lime with our bright lime baroque pearls. In whatever pearl project you choose, have fun and happy beading!

Coloured Freshwater Pearls

Swarovski Charms and Settings with Crystal Stones

June 27, 2012 at 8:41 am | Charms, Charms Bracelets, Swarovski Crystal Beads

Every home jewellery maker loves a Swarovski Bead, a tiny one to use as a sparkly spacer bead, one of the designer shapes for a pendant or earring, maybe a traditional facetted round (Swarovski style number 5000) for a classic necklace design. But Swarovski do not only make beads for jewellery makers. They make stones and the settings to put them in and they make charms, plated in sterling silver with the stones already set into them, for those of us who want it already done for us. Who wouldn’t, sticking fiddly little stones into tiny little cup settings is a time consuming job.

Swarovski Charms

Little charms in the form of hearts, rings and simple flowers settings are available, there is a good colour choice of the stones. We like to use them for more delicate charm bracelets and simple earrings.

Check out the sizes of the charms before you order, things always look bigger on the screen!

The 10mm flower pendant has a solid back and is silver plated, the one in the photo is peridot (light green), we also stock fuchsia, aquamarine and crystal. Use them on a charm bracelet for a bit of extra sparkle.

They look really good mixed with an array of bright beads on a chunky chain as a charm bracelet. Swarovski use different sized stones in the multiple stone settings appropriate to their size. Plating is high quality as you would expect!

Find our range of  Swarovski Charms set with stones for jewellery making.  here and give them a go next time you want something a little different for your beady hobby!

New Swarovski Findings and Charms

May 14, 2012 at 11:41 am | bluestreak beads, Swarovski Crystal Beads

Since our new website has been up and running we have a little more time to get all of our wonderful new jewellery making stock up for sale! This week we have some gorgeous new swarovski findings.

We also have lots of Swarovski  Charms coming into stock. Starting with these pretty heart pendants, This charm has a bail and is set with 12 Swarovski crystals, size pp24, it is also sterling silver plated. You could use it  on a charm bracelet or make a pair of them into earrings or hang one on a simple chain for  a delicate necklac

The headpins are set with a Swarovski crystal, size pp18 or approx 2.5mm across. They are sterling silver plated to  microns. They are really lovely used with an glass oblate or cushion bead to make a glam pair of earrings with added sparkle. Swarovski Crystal Headpins are 39mm or 1.5″ long.

Prices for these headpins start from 24p

New Swarovski Crystal Disc beads

April 24, 2012 at 6:51 pm | Beads, Swarovski Crystal Beads

Lovely New Swarovski Crystal disc beads are now online at Bluestreak Beads in our vast Swarovski section. As official stockists of the famous Swarovski crystal beads we like to provide a good selection. Look out for new styles online on a regular basis.

These little discs make pretty earrings with the addition of just a headpin and ear wire! Choose from Amethyst, Aquamarine, Crystal and the new Swarovski colour, Silver night.

Swarovski Twist Disc Beads

Jewellery Making -Vintage Bracelets

October 22, 2011 at 12:11 pm | Beads, Swarovski Crystal Beads

I’m starting to think about Stocking fillers and tree presents. . . . . I know Christmas is still a couple of months away but I might as well use my jewellery making time to add to my stash of gifts. If I make jewellery that I like I can always keep it for myself

I’m starting with bracelets this year, mostly because I like making them but also they are really popular and they can use up lots of odd beads in different shapes, sizes and colours especially if you go for the vintage look which is so fashionable still.

For a pretty handmade vintage beaded bracelet you will need some jewellery making chain, black or copper plated works well and a handful of headpins and spacer-beads. Next you need to choose all your beads and pendants. I like a real good mix of colours and materials to include filligree beads, glass beads, stampings, pendants and pearls. You may prefer to stick to a colourway such as goden browns and autumnal shades in an assortment of bead types, include some swarovski for a bit of sparkle and maybe a special clasp to finish the piece in style.

Bracelets such as these also sell well at  fairs and markets. Make a nice collection of them,  pop them in  pretty boxes with a little “handmade by me” label and you should have a successful day at the craft fair.

New Swarovski Rings!

September 8, 2010 at 5:31 pm | Swarovski Crystal Beads

They are not cheap but they are exquisite. New on the jewellery design table at Bluestreak Beads are these gorgeous Swarovski Crystal rings.

Swarovski Fancy Ring

We like to use them as connectors in necklace stringing or as a the basis for a stunning long drop earring. So if you feel like splashing out on something really special try these swarovski rings in Crystal copper and plain crystal.

Swarovski Crystal Heart in Red Magma!

December 10, 2009 at 9:56 pm | Beads, Pendants, Swarovski Crystal Beads

This really is a BIG bead, well more of a pendant really. . . . . .It is the stunning Swarovski Crystal heart in glorious Red Magma. It is a big item, 40mm across, perfect as a knock out pendant.

Red Magma swarovski Crystal Heart

We have hung it using a solid STS silver  bail, designed specifically for swarovski pendants.

If you prefer someything a bit more discreet we have the entire range of Swarovski crystal hearts in stock from 10mm up.

Heart with silver bail

Swarovski Crystal Pendants for Christmas

December 6, 2009 at 12:59 pm | Beads, bluestreak beads, Swarovski Crystal Beads

To add a drop of glittery glamour to your decorations splash out on some Swarovski Crystal Christmassy pendants.

Swarovski Snowflake

The snowflake pendant pictured comes in three sizes and we also stock it in plain crystal in the 20mm size.

Hang them from candlesticks to add class and sparkle to your Christmas table.

The smaller sizes are great for jewellery making. Pop a pair of festive handmade earrings in a someones stocking.

Swarovski Galactic Pendant

November 9, 2009 at 9:14 pm | Beads, Swarovski Crystal Beads

The very stunning and sparkly Galactic Pendant……..in gorgeously rich Red magma, one of Swarovski’s newest colours, is now available on the site.

Red Magma Galactic Pendant

Hang it on a vintage style chain or thread a piece of suede thong through it. Add more crystals and create a cluster necklace. Making beautiful  Jewellery with this lovely crystal is a piece of  cake.

If you prefer your Swarovski pendants  in other colours there are plenty available including clear, silver shade & golden shadow.

Swarovski Crystal Pearls

August 25, 2009 at 1:56 pm | Swarovski Crystal Beads

We are now stocking a range of Swarovski’s gorgeous crystal pearls in 4 handy sizes and 6 colours.

Swarovski Crystal Pearls ~ Cream

Pictured left  are the cream ones, other colours available are creamrose, bronze, white & black.

We will be increasing the range over the next few weeks.

Swarovski Pearls are nice & heavy with a flawless warm sheeny finish.

Our Swarovski pearls can be threaded with silk or one of the flexible  threads that we sell.  You might like to  have a go at stringing them in the classic way by knotting them with a pearl knotting tool.