Welcome to The Purse Forum.

tomato4 · Oct 17th, 2009, 11:27 PM

i wanted to make a bracelet out of thicker jewelry wire but i can't seem to find beads with a big enough opening to fit through the wire. where can i find beads with a larger opening and how do i even search online? the wire i want to use is 16 gauge if anyone can give me any direction. thanks!

ShimmaPuff · Oct 18th, 2009, 12:00 AM

If you're searching on eBay, Etsy, or both, I'd try doing the search title and description thing, and include the word "hole" in your search string.

People are more likely to include the size of the hole when it is larger.

You could do the same thing with searches in the larger bead stores like Fire Mountain, Aunties, Artbeads, Brightling, etc, and if you can't find it, you could always email and ask which ones have larger holes.

Generally, anything that is called a "pony" or a "donut" will have a larger hole.

ILuvShopping · Oct 18th, 2009, 03:16 PM

I would say just go to a bead store or craft store so you can see the bead in person. There lots of beads with a larger opening so you should have some pretty good luck. I'm not a huge fan of buying beads online because I can't get a sense of the size (even if the size is listed).

grayxie · Oct 19th, 2009, 06:04 AM

The online bead stores are usually pretty helpful when you ask if X bead can fit X size wire.

xlana · Oct 19th, 2009, 03:46 PM

Fire Mountain Gems usually replies with very helpful advice and give you information such as the bead hole size if you ask them about a particular bead. I've had the same problem before and they responded in about 2-3 days which is super fast for bead stores lol.

Usually larger beads will have larger sized holes. Larger acrylic beads almost always have larger holes of around 2mm. HTH!

k2sealer · Nov 7th, 2009, 05:08 PM

Also try Shipwreck beads. http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/

Oct 17th, 2009, 11:27 PM	#1
tomato4 OP Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,974	beads with larger opening? i wanted to make a bracelet out of thicker jewelry wire but i can't seem to find beads with a big enough opening to fit through the wire. where can i find beads with a larger opening and how do i even search online? the wire i want to use is 16 gauge if anyone can give me any direction. thanks!
tomato4 OP Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,974

Oct 18th, 2009, 12:00 AM	#2
ShimmaPuff Sentient Post Whore Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 9,616	If you're searching on eBay, Etsy, or both, I'd try doing the search title and description thing, and include the word "hole" in your search string. People are more likely to include the size of the hole when it is larger. You could do the same thing with searches in the larger bead stores like Fire Mountain, Aunties, Artbeads, Brightling, etc, and if you can't find it, you could always email and ask which ones have larger holes. Generally, anything that is called a "pony" or a "donut" will have a larger hole.
	__________________ http://www.tzuchi.org/ http://www.commongroundrelief.org http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/chooseagift.aspx Your Friendly Resident Poor Person Embrace Inspired Pride! Experimental Blog Follow Me on Twitter

Oct 18th, 2009, 03:16 PM	#3
ILuvShopping <3 Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,974	I would say just go to a bead store or craft store so you can see the bead in person. There lots of beads with a larger opening so you should have some pretty good luck. I'm not a huge fan of buying beads online because I can't get a sense of the size (even if the size is listed).
	__________________ . . Whimsy Bits..... a bit of whimsy.... Up and Running!! Check out my handmade jewelry http://whimsybits.etsy.com

Oct 19th, 2009, 06:04 AM	#4
grayxie NOMtacular! Joined: Mar 2008 Location: PA Posts: 5,313	The online bead stores are usually pretty helpful when you ask if X bead can fit X size wire.
	__________________ Wishlist L.A.M.B. Lipstick Saddle Alston COACH Leather KOI fob

Oct 19th, 2009, 03:46 PM	#5
xlana Gizmo Loves RM Too! Joined: Sep 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 3,953	Fire Mountain Gems usually replies with very helpful advice and give you information such as the bead hole size if you ask them about a particular bead. I've had the same problem before and they responded in about 2-3 days which is super fast for bead stores lol. Usually larger beads will have larger sized holes. Larger acrylic beads almost always have larger holes of around 2mm. HTH!
	__________________ Click on the banner to visit my Etsy store! -Holiday specials have begun at the shop!!- >>> TWITTER <<< >>> BLOG <<< *WISHLIST: LV Strap [ ], RM Pepper Rocker w/ Gold Studs [x], RM Easy Rider Date Clutch [ ]* Waiting for *Spring 2010*...

Nov 7th, 2009, 05:08 PM	#6
k2sealer Call me K2 Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,033	Also try Shipwreck beads. http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/
k2sealer Call me K2 Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,033

Welcome to The Purse Forum.

Our Purse Forum, or TPF, is the #1 online social network for everything designer handbag related. Join over 200,000 enthusiastic members in this friendly community and start engaging in the discussion today.