What to do with tiny gold filled beads

[Former_Member]

I went to make an order tonight and discovered when I last bought 300, 2mm gold filled beads, I accidentally ordered them with the wrong hole size. 22 gauge wire barely makes it through the hole, really shouldn't try.

Fortunately I had older beads still around and was able to make the order.

But now, what to do with these beads? Would have to use 24g wire or less (which I do have). I have no brilliant ideas at the moment and really don't want to leave them sitting gathering dust while I wait for one to strike. More actually, have time to even have an idea.

Does anyone use these, should I just destash them at cost? The price for them now is just a few cents less then what I paid. Any ideas?

[khmetalwork]

drill the holes larger?

[AnjasArts]

You can use them to make earrings.

[Former_Member]

Well kh I may try that but I think it would just ruin the bead, they are hollow and really really tiny. I was seriously turning them around thinking maybe I got a batch without holes. lol

Anja, I don't know, earrings with 24g wire? Kinda flimsy. I guess my best bet is to save them to weave into a pendant here or there. I used to do that. Been a long time since I made any really ornate pendants. They sell better at shows and I haven't done a show in a few years.

[AnjasArts]

Depends on if you are using head pins or not. You could also do establishments on the larger wire like you say for the ornate pendants.

[wavejewelry]

I often use those small beads, on 24 ga wire, at the base of a bead dangle. For example, the herring weave earrings with black onyx that you make could have a B onyx bead dangling from the loop at the end with the tiny bead at the end to accent the bead. Or a smaller GF herring weave ornament with 3 stone beads on 24ga and the tiny GF beads at the ends.

[spindlecatstudio]

Could you do something like this with them
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110167179/spiral-earth-tone-wire-wrapped-beaded

[Former_Member]

Awww heck you guys are awesome. My brain is so fried with day to day stuff that I fear I am losing creatvity.

[Former_Member]

Maybe I'll actually make myself something. I have a strand of real 4mm sleeping beauty turquoise with my name on it. Between that and a cabochon I've been meaning to make into a pendant for myself for 5 years now....

[Former_Member]

Use them as spacers with 3mm or 4mm beads, and they will light up the strand! Or, as ornamental beads in earrings. That size bead can be useful to prevent wobbliness on a strand if other bead holes are too large, except if they are so large that they swallow up the little beads! Except, why not use them somehow as a strand and actually "bead" over them?
As you may have guessed , I love tiny beads, frequently using sizes 11-13 beads and #15 needles. I'd hate to see you sell them without exploring what you can do with them!

[Former_Member]

How about putting them inside some clear lampwork hollow beads and stringing them up as necklace? I've seen this look really cool. You should be able to get the lampwork with what ever size opening you would need.

[vintagecalif]

If you use 24GA and wirewrap the headpins, you shouldn't have a problem.

Just making a loop or using eyepins in 24 GA is where the problems arise.

[Former_Member]

Hey thanks for more ideas!