THE COLLECTION

The vast majority of the materials I use are seed beads, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Seed beads are made of glass. The variations in color and texture come from the finishes applied to their surface. BeadLoomery descriptions often note the colors or finishes used in a piece, including 24K gold or sterling silver. Because seed beads are glass, these designations always refer to plating, even if the word plating does not appear.

 

Many BeadLoomery designs incorporate other components—hand-blown glass beads, clay focal pieces, metallic clasps, etc. I’m often inspired by hand-crafted or other unique components, and when I include them, I credit the artisan, if known.

 

If the materials used to create a piece include precious metals, such as 24K gold, sterling silver, or artisan-crafted copper or bronze, the description will note it.

​

Terms your reference:

• Gold-filled refers to products made from a layer of gold bonded to a brass core. A gold-filled item must contain five percent or 1/20th gold by weight. The gold in the product is further defined by karatage—for example 14K gold-filled or 14/20 gold-filled.

• Gold vermeil is a thick layer of gold plating (at least 2.5 microns) over sterling silver.

• Sterling silver is an alloy comprised of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, also referred to as .925. The copper hardens the silver and makes it more durable, making it suitable for products like chain maille, for example. It will also cause the silver to tarnish over time unless properly cared for.

• Fine silver is pure silver, also referred to as .999.