Not Really Gold Beads and Findings

We realize that the title to this category, "not really gold beads and findings" is a bit off from the traditional, but it seemed the appropriate name, to (a) avoid any confusion about the metal content of these beads, and (b) also let people know that they are the color of gold, even if not the real deal. In this category of jewelry supplies you will find brass, metalized plastic, as well as vermeil, gold plated, gold filled, or gold washed beads and findings. Any bead that is yellowish metal, but not at least 10 karat gold goes in here, as do head pins, connectors, and crimp beads.

This is a fun bead category to work with, as the holes on most of these beads are quite large. Most of them are low cost as well, so it's a good group to use if you are just starting out with jewelry making. Beading with these large hole beads often includes making hemp macrame jewelry as well as childrens' beading projects. (Mixing these beads with gemstone beads is their most common usage, but they can also be blended nicely with crystal, glass beads, shells, and pearls. They offer the benefit of a great classic color as well as large holes and a reasonable price. Of course, the ones that are gold plated will be a higher price than the brass or metalized plastic, but they also do a better job of fooling the eye.