Beads Beads Beads
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
Canada
June 5, 2016 10:14am CST
When my husband came home from the Y yesterday he told me the Church at the end of our street was having a yard sale. I was out of the house in 5 minutes. I was looking for beads.
Why are you looking for beads, you ask? Because I like to use recycled beads on my art. My slate is usually used roofing slate and to finish my larger pieces I cover the wire that hangs them on a wall with beads. Its just a fun thing to look at instead of a black wire...
I don't want to spend the money to buy new beads and trust me, on a good day I can get 5 pounds of beads for next to nothing at yard sales. Yesterday's stash cost me $7.00.
There were three big sales two at churches and one on the main street.
I usually look for the big sales where many people sell. That increases the chances of finding beads (necklaces and bracelets) for sale. I also check out the charity shops when I think to stop and look.
Speaking of necklaces and bracelets. I brought them home took them off their wire or string and washed them, dried them and then put them in some boxes I keep just for beads sorted by color and shape.
Why did I wash them? You wouldn't believe how dirty the neckless's are. Who washes their necklaces? I don't think anyone does. I was stunned to see how dirty necklaces can be. I don't want my customers to look closely and see crud on the beads.
The top photo is the beads I bought yesterday drying. The lower photo shows the covered wires on the top of my finished slate ready to go to the stores.
I love using recycled items in my art.
22 people like this
23 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
It was important to me to dress up the hangers from my slate - the big slate pieces i paint. They sell well and bring in a lot of money so finding beds at yard sales is perfect!
1 person likes this
@miniam (9151)
• Bern, Switzerland
6 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate
Beads at yard sales are also not as expensive as buying from a shop.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
6 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate I love the mix of colors, they look great.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
I might be exaggerating, I didn't weigh them but the bag was heavy when i got home. I will just use them on my art, I have a good stash now.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
5 Jun 16
I would wash them also, I hate touching stuff so many others have touched. Sounds like a good haul!
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
It does tend to creep me out when you know how sweaty they must have been at times.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
Thank you, they make the slate more attractive too.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
7 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate Oh I see - how wonderful! The beads on the wire finish off the project beautifully.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
I paint on used roofing slate. Because they are heavy (heaver than canvas and wood) I use a heavy wire to hang them on the wall.( not very attractive...) All my stock is in the car at the moment because i am delivering today but this photo attached is a Christmas slate I kept because i really liked it and wanted it for myself. The slate is misshapen because it is used slate that broke so I used it as it was. At the top you will see the wire with beads on it as decoration. That's all its about! Thanks for asking!
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
8 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate thank you.This is really so beautiful. I 'm not artistic myself but admire people who are. I have a friend who makes a lot of things from things we would normally throw away.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
21 Dec 16
oh i'd believe it.whenever i recycle beads i buy at yard sales and such,they're almost always crusty.people wear them til they fall off practically.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
21 Dec 16
When I first noticed a few filthy ones I was thinking yuck...Some people must sweat a lot while wearing their jewelry.... or wear them all the time. Now I was all of them.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
22 Dec 16
@scarlet_woman Commenting on your comment was a good thing to do. I was out looking for an interesting lamp shade at a couple of Charity shops, found one and also found about 5 pounds of beads... all washed and ready to use when I need them. When I took them apart the string holding them together was so dirty I felt dirty... yuck
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
27 Jun 16
Awesome finds! I don't blame you for washing them. Beads are mostly worn around the neck and during hot summers all kids of sweat can get built up on them. I am glad that your art work is selling like hot cakes!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
28 Jun 16
I'm liking it a lot but also looking forward to be away from my studio for a few weeks and camping in the boonies with my sister and both of our children, they all will gather again this year, it s been years since the last time...
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Jun 16
Earlier I read a post about bein lazy, now I understand, you're the total opposite of lazy .... but I gotta say I like lazy better 
You've made me wonder if I should wash my old costume jewelry, mostly they're strung on thread of some kind, can you recommend a way to wash them without ruining the neckless?
You've made me wonder if I should wash my old costume jewelry, mostly they're strung on thread of some kind, can you recommend a way to wash them without ruining the neckless?1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I actually don't know. I rarely wear a neckless so mine have never been washed. To wash the beads I take them off their strings, toss them in a big plastic bag and swish them around for a few minutes.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Jun 16
Oh boy @PainsOnSlate if I took them apart I'd never figure out how the artist put them together
All my costume jewelry is very dusty, maybe all I need do is rinse them off a little.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
@rebelann Don't take them apart unless you are going to give them to me. A light wash shouldn't hurt them or wear them our in the rain...just kidding.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
5 Jun 16
What a great finder you are Paints! I adore beads and trinkets and stuff like that even though I wouldnt do anything with them, just to look at them is so beautiful.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I have a stash in my basement you could come and see anytime. Now I have enough to probably last me until fall but I'll probably go out on Saturdays to see what for sale.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
I have purchased clothing for next to nothing at yard sales and thrift shops just for the piece of fabric.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
I can imagine you do. I tell my sister she should do that but she ins not inclined to go to yard sales. I saw boxes of fabric at the Church sales and thought of my sister... She's a quilter.. Next time I see it I'll think of you..
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
I will do that @Morleyhunt the two church sales were in Vineland and Beamsville. Both had fabric...
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate if you see those boxes of fabric. Don't just think of me...let me know 
not that I rally need more fabric....although you just never know.....
not that I rally need more fabric....although you just never know.....1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I never thought to wash my necklaces until I realized how dirty some were. I never wore my necklaces very much, I imagine they are pretty clean.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate i have this long pear necklace..might clean them ;(
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
8 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate What a good idea but I guess you have to have an artistic bent of mind to think it out. Could we see a finished work complete with the bead covered wires,please?
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
If you look down below I posted a photo on @MsTickle comment. I had just taken all the newer stuff to the stores so had to find one of my favorites I saved for myself to show.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Jun 16
Thank you, I enjoy decorating my art with beads.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I don't wash my own but they are rarely used. Because I work with the beads, I want them clean.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
7 Jun 16
Wow it looks like you hit the mother load.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
7 Jun 16
what a great find indeed! jest love what'cha do with 'em :) yepperz, that jewelry can get purty scuzzy 'n most folks pay such no mind.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
It was an icky find one day while I was paying with my beads... Now they get washed the moment then come into the house...
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
6 Jun 16
That's a good haul of beads you got there...and a nice selection..., they look very effective on the wire...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
Thank you, I really enjoy working with them. They do spruce up the finished product.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
That is what I use. but I take mine apart first to use in my art. I haven't washed any of mine yet but I'm thinking about it ...
1 person likes this
