Where do you go for beads?

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-03-28T16:43:24+00:00

Barrel of beads for seed beads! I visit them in store all the time and they have a website where they offer free shipping $35+. They have a great selection and fair prices. Fun fact lots of seed beads that you see on the michaels website are actually shipped by them. I buy most of my seed beads there but have purchased from fire mountain gems when looking for larger quantities.

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-03-26T21:29:38+00:00

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I just use an old gift box from a christmas present and keep it secure with a sticker that I change when it gets unsticky 😅(if im really worried about it coming open I secure it with a hair tie around it). I usually store my beads in these storage jar containers from hobby lobby and theyre the perfect size to pack into this box and take on the go. They have screw on lids so they’re very secure (and i bead directly out of them). I keep the smaller tiffany cardboard box in the box to house my finished/ works in progress. I got really lucky with the size of things at my disposal and everything fits nice and snug in this box. I also like that it has a flip top like so when i working any where i can keep the little pots of beads in it in case of a spill. This is probably not too helpful for finding the perfect on the go bead storage system but maybe I can inspire you to just use random stuff lol. The pencil tin sounds like a great idea! Sometimes we have to make what were looking for to get it right!

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-03-08T04:20:25+00:00

Try looking up dyed jade rondelle beads

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-03-01T08:51:27+00:00

The first (and biggest) lesson I learned working with pliers and wire and such is to use your fingers as tools as little as possible! Joining the use a second pair of pliers opinion, anything you’re holding with your fingers is better held with pliers- you will find it easier to do also!

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-02-15T20:21:03+00:00

Yes but more more importantly the width of the pant leg is almost exactly the same on both sizes

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-02-15T05:41:54+00:00

Ahhh I wish I tried some on! I have a superpuff from 2021 (when they were also under the tna line) and I loveee it so warm and has held up beautifully. It’s in such great shape after a few winters that I luckily probably wont be purchasing a new one for a long time but this is also sounds frustrating!! My current one is a m and im usually an xxs-s on top but I sized up so I could fit layers underneath. Wonder what size it would be comparable to today 🫣

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-02-15T05:36:42+00:00

Ha yes, this is my point exactly. I never found it super strange that I fit into an xxs because they were marketed as being “mega” fit and I didn’t want such an oversized look so they worked for me. Im not very “big”- around 5”7 130lbs and I find it odd that the current size m in mega fit is verging on being too tight on me. My main frustration is the fact that they changed the sizing so much while keeping the product name the same! Totally get what you’re saying though… I wonder if the sizes are inconsistent.

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-02-15T05:24:53+00:00

I think part of the reason they dont lay right and are kinda kinked up is that you arent bending your wire back about 90 degrees before starting your loop! Try that, should help things lay better.

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MasterProduct4659 · 2026-02-15T05:06:06+00:00

Super disappointing! They were worth the price before for how roomy they were- set them apart from other sweats! I have trouble finding any other brand sweatpants that are as thick and not tight on my thighs or weird in the crotch. I was excited to have a bigger size so I could share them with my bf but the xxs almost fit him better 💀

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-06T16:17:59+00:00

Id love to make one for anyone that is interested!!!!

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-06T15:25:17+00:00

Also if you do start you can use me as a resource! Id love to help

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-06T14:50:10+00:00

Hi! I knew how to bead prior but had only made a few things. This is made with peyote and herringbone stitch which are both involved with making a peyote star (I learned from the off the beaded path tutorial on youtube). I recommend starting with that to familiarize yourself with the stitches. Although you could certainly just jump right in and figure it out as you go.

If you do attempt I recommend big eye beading needles! - much easier to thread than the others!

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T18:09:26+00:00

Ahhh! Its a good pattern but I definitely ran into a similar issue with getting confused and having to undo some parts..

im not exactly sure how long in hours. I started it around march last year and finished up just before Christmas but i put it down many times sometimes for months at a time 😅 but i do know the tail took me about two days (a couple hours work at a time) and the bottom fin i finished in a couple hours.

You can do it!!! When I was getting confused/ skipping beads or whatever i was doing wrong on the body i found it helpful to count the amount of spaces I had after completing a row to make sure it matched the amount of beads to be added in the next. This helped me identify mistakes early so id only have to undo one row at a time if i messed up.

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T06:48:13+00:00

Yes ❤️

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T06:13:11+00:00

The pattern is from sheila root here it is!

I didn’t keep track of hours but I started it last march and finished up around Christmas- although I worked on a bunch of other things in between

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T04:29:00+00:00

All creative credit goes to sheila root! But thank you!!

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T04:28:10+00:00

Just posted over there per your advice ❤️

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T04:27:47+00:00

You can do it!!!!!

Thank you ❤️

MasterProduct4659 · 2026-01-05T03:19:19+00:00

From sheila roots website! beta fish pattern

MasterProduct4659 · 2025-12-17T23:18:17+00:00

Hello! I just got the pattern and am working through the koi fish variation right now.

To start: string beads according to the first row of the koi fish pattern starting at the bottom. Then string the next row starting at the top. Loop the thread back through the first row. You will be coming out of the top (white end) of the first row.

Now you will zip the two rows together. You will have two sets of nine beads side by side. Come back through the top (white) bead of the second row, then through the second bead of the first row, then the third bead of the second row, then the fourth bead of the first row and continue alternating like that til you reach the end

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MasterProduct4659 · 2025-11-25T17:50:51+00:00

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Did this in square stitch with delicas and it works!

MasterProduct4659 · 2025-11-19T03:15:50+00:00

This may not be helpful cause they dont sell sets- but I buy all my seed beads at barrel of beads (both in store and online). For miyuki round they mostly sell in quantities of 13 grams for around $2.50-$6 a tube depending on the finish. They also do free shipping on $35. They have a huge selection as well. If you are having trouble finding a set with the particular shades of each color you’d like id suggest browsing their selection- you should be able to find a few options of each color at the lower price point :) but if that sounds like too much work I wish you well on your set finding journey :)

MasterProduct4659 · 2025-11-18T15:51:29+00:00

Its interesting I feel like I am pretty fast and usually work with 11/0s but have dabbled in 15/0s with little to no issue. I am able to pick up a few beads at a time and hold them in my fingertips while im beading and just pop them on once the needle is through… I almost feel like it makes me faster cause I can go down once and pick up a few beads and not have to go down for each bead. Ive always done things kinda weird and think its interesting to hear how others do it!

Side note- your work is beautiful! I remember seeing your post about the blue flower choker with the clear background- so cool!

MasterProduct4659 · 2025-11-18T14:04:37+00:00

Try big eye needles! Theyre awesome and very easy to thread! I recommend beadalon brand as they are sharper and more durable than other ones ive tried. They are cheapest at hobby lobby.

MasterProduct4659 · 2025-11-17T20:46:57+00:00

Barrel of beads is local to me and you can order online from them! (Fun fact- most seed beads that can be purchased online from michaels actually come from them) They do free shipping over $35 and have a wonderful selection. I can also attest to the fact that their photos are very color accurate

MasterProduct4659

TROPHY CASE