What metals now?
July 5, 2009 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Beading, Metal Clay, Suppliers & Product Reviews
As the economy continues to be in a bit of a slump, many of us are looking for ways to cut our costs without sacrificing taste and artistic merit. For several years now, I’ve been mixing copper, brass, and pewter into my designs…at first because I liked the look, and in addition now because they are more affordable.
I have a list of metal bead suppliers that has links to many fine companies, but I notice that most of them specialize in silver and gold. Vintaj is listed, a wholesaler of brass beads and findings, and also Green Girl Studios, which has pewter delights as well as silver.
Here are some additional sources of copper, pewter, and brass:
Rings & Things
Fire Mountain Gems
HHH Enterprises
Auntie’s Beads
And for metal clays, including the new BronzClay and CopprClay, don’t forget about Rio Grande!
Jean Campbell, at Beading Daily, has provided a wonderful chart which gives you the low down on copper, brass, and pewter, including how to care for them.
Copper is cheap and can be gotten from a hardware store. 100 feet of 18 guage for under $3 CDN.
It flattens out nicely for making components with a ball peen hammer.
Really good point, Paul! Folks who want to make their own findings rather than buy pre-made ones would do well to remember their friendly neighborhood hardware store…or Home Depot