Hi and welcome, LB! Just to repeat, a hot plate (or a crock pot, etc) will NOT properly anneal your beads! Find someone with whom you can batch anneal, or save up and buy yourself at least a small kiln.
That said, I have some very small beads (less than 1/2" across) that have survived over 5 years without ever being in a kiln. I still believe that it's more luck than anything else, though. I've used unknown-aged imported beads in personal jewelry that has, after over 5 years, decided to crack and to scratch me. I'm cynical about not-annealing, believe me!
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Karen Sherwood
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