GliderCENTRAL

~Beads~ Which ones & Where?

Posted By: DirtyPaws

~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/05/09 02:41 PM

I'm just wondering if there are certain beads we should not use when making toys. Such as the wooden ones ~ I don't think they would clean well anyway. But like, as long as they don't chew/break them are all beads safe?

Also, has anyone found a good website to order beads cheaper than Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby. The pony beads are pretty darn cheap anyway but like the nicer beads at Hobby Lobby can get expensive if you want to use a bunch of them. And I want the letter beads also and to get enough letters for a bigger project you have to buy several packs. I thought it may be cheaper if I could get those letters bulk. I haven't searched online yet, I thought I'd ask you guys first.

Thanks Robin for the Rexlace site! I ordered 600 yards yesterday!!!!!! roflmao
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/05/09 02:57 PM

I get my toy making stuff at birdsnestonline.com They have good prices and ship pretty fast.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/05/09 07:49 PM

Pony beads (or larger!) are the best to use. If they can get their mouth around it, they could swallow smaller beads. Other materials to think about are wooden (you can use them, but they have to be an "approved" wood, so check the safe plants section and good luck finding the wood type on the package. shakehead ) or the kinds with the shiny coating.

You know how grandma taught you to test a pearl for a fake? Just rub it against your teeth. If some of the coating comes off, that's bad. If it stays on, you're good to go! thumb LOL


as for cheaper, I ordered from Oriental Trading once and got all these beads that were disfigured and had little hangy edges on them! It was a bargain... that I couldn't even use. shakehead duh. BUT... check out these if you're looking for something different:
http://www.rockportroost.com/partsbeads.html
Posted By: DirtyPaws

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 12:33 AM

Okay, thank you guys for the links. That birdsnest site had like a bazillion pages of bead types! My goodness! I haven't been able to go through all of it yet but I'm sure I'll find some good stuff to order.

And I had forgotten I had Rockportroost saved already. I'm just now starting toys so I'll have to look back through my favorites links.

I wonder if I could clear coat my own wooden beads? dunno

Also, if anyone knows where (local or online) to get alphabet beads with vertical holes let me know. They're harder to find than I thought. All I keep finding are the metal ones and some really funky colored ones instead of the pretty colors that come with the horizontal holes.

thanks
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 04:30 AM

I'm also curious, as we make several glider toys with beads. I know about the size to use, to avoid choking and all, but my curiousities are.. Are the wood beads safe, are glow in the dark beads safe. And so on.. I'm sure we'd all appreciate the info if anyone could input..
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 12:31 PM

When using beads, make sure to get Pony Beads that have no extra coating or "features". Beads to avoid are:
Glow-in-the-dark
Aurora borealis coating (looks like it has an oil slick on it)
Glitter

Wooden beads made for parrot toys are okay to use for glider toys.

Hope this helps.
Posted By: SariYappa

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 01:06 PM

I usually get my alphabet beads on ebay. They usually have the best bulk selection. I also love rockportroost, but I use them more for chain and bird toy parts... I'm going to check out the other bird site now! smile
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 02:59 PM

Suz, Glow in the Dark beads have been ok'd as they do NOT actually contain phosphorus to make them glow, as previously thought. thumb
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 03:00 PM

what about the glo in the dark rex lace,

Is that okay??
Posted By: DirtyPaws

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 05:17 PM

Okay, I found a TON of places to buy beads in bulk online. And even bulk alphabet beads by the letter. I'm going to check prices in town tonight. Still haven't found a good selection on vertical hole alphabet beads.

Where is the safe plant section? I'm working so I could only look for so long......... I swear I saw on one of the above mentioned links some of the wooden bird toy parts were made of pine.

Tammy, check rexlaceclub.com and see if they say if their GnD lace is phosphorus free. May not mean everyone else's will be though. dunno

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Oh, my Hobby Lobby has beads 1/2 OFF this week!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 05:26 PM

It does not say anything about what it is made of

http://www.rexlaceclub.com/Products/Rexlace-Plastic-Lacing-100-yard-Spool-Nite-Glow__RX100-31.aspx

HELP!!!
Posted By: Dancing

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 05:48 PM

Some time back it was posted that glow in the dark items were not safe for gliders. I don't remember why but just dismissed the idea under the idea of "why take a chance".
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 07:22 PM

Originally Posted By: Dancing
Some time back it was posted that glow in the dark items were not safe for gliders. I don't remember why but just dismissed the idea under the idea of "why take a chance".
the only reason we weren't using them was because of the chance of throwing off their diet with phosphorus. They don't contain phosphorus, so we re-evaluated that statement. dunno I think they're pretty much okay. We went round and round in that post and those things are so non-toxic it's ridiculous. It was like 6 months ago, otherwise I'd try and find the post. I can't remember at all what it was called anymore. dunno
Posted By: SariYappa

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/06/09 08:34 PM

I also noticed that the bird link had wood bird toys and it said "soft pine". That bothered me, because I always thought bird wood was good, but isn't pine toxic to our little ones? Ughh, you can never stick to a rule 100%! roflmao
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: ~Beads~ Which ones & Where? - 02/07/09 01:31 AM

The only reason I dont use wooden beads is Im worried they will gnaw on them and swallow a small piece or something. And I like that the pony beads match the fleece I have better than the wooden ones. But that's just me smile
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