Latest from MrBead, How to
Store Beads, and Free
Shipping
To go to the MrBead store
click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
Click a picture below to see one of this month's new beads. To receive free shipping enter "beadbox" (without the commas) in the box at checkout, and click "Redeem Coupon". Use NOW - as expires Friday 22nd January 2010. Only for use at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk and cannot be used with any other discount or eBay.
To see all What's New click
MrBead.com or
MrBead.co.uk
How to Store Beads
Eventually every beader is faced with the
dilemma of how to store their beads. Everyone has their own way depending on
quantity and availability. Some beaders use a fishing tackle box, plastic shoe
boxes, wood or plastic utensil trays from Wal-Mart or Tesco – others, clear sliding
drawers designed for nuts and bolts, plastic pencil cases, or plastic drawer
storage bins. All these compartments are the ideal size for storing beads,
findings, and tools. Sturdy and portable, they allow you see project options at
a glance.
Inside these draws you need to separate different types and sizes of beads. For
loose beads, tubes are good with a label or photo around. Zippy or sealable
plastic bags are great for strands - plus they have the advantage of a large
opening to get a scoop or counter inside to retrieve loose beads. These bags can
be brought from freezer and stationary stores. If you store your beads in
little draws you may still need to put them in plastic bags too - in case the
whole cabinet gets accidentally kicked over. Another way is to build
narrow shelves for baby food jars. You can even screw the top of the lid to the
top of the shelf so they always go back neatly. For small loose beads you can
use 35mm film containers, candy tins, aspirin bottles, and paint cans for larger
beads.
One beader has eight
spice racks that turn, brought at yard sales for $2 each. Plus 16 glass jars
with lids for her seed beads. Each jar has several shades of the same color. She
just turns the rack to find the color she’s looking for and the type of bead.
Another beader uses Tic Tac containers when she travels. They are small enough
for all the different colors she needs and they never spill. She also
stores beads in margarine containers because they are flat and she can pile them
on top of one another. Other people use empty travel-size baby-wipe containers
to transport their beads. These are lightweight, the right depth to hold
tubes of beads, and they fit easily into a purse. With a little imagination,
you will find many every-day containers ideal for beads. Transparent or
partly-transparent draws are good for seeing what’s inside.
However,
as your collection grows you will need a more and more containers. We use
plastic draws that are stacked together and labeled on the front with a
photograph and a description of the beads inside - each measures about 8 x 8 x
18 inches. These are ideal for us and sometimes we stack them ten boxes high,
almost 6-feet up. Each draw has a specific type or size of bead. Some are
categorized by the kind of stone and color, as well as size. All jades are
together, as are pearl, turquoise, and agates. They are also arranged in
alphabetical order, and in Hong Kong we have an Excel data base so we can search
which draw your beads are in.
top of page
See our wholesale packaging section at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
top of page
To view all are old newsletters click
here To go to our MrBead
store click MrBead.com or
MrBead.co.uk
