Reject Beads

PopcornMom · #1 2013-08-24, 6:26am

As a 2 year newbie, I have accumulated many "reject beads." When I say "reject" I mean beads that totally failed, are broken, or just otherwise un-useable. What do you do with them? Do I just throw them away? Or is there another way to use them? If they are a solid color can they be re-torched? I would love to hear your ideas.

queenofsheba52 · #2 2013-08-24, 7:28am

I put my reject beads on top of the soil in my potted houseplants. Some pots have so many that you can't see the soil -- kinda pretty.

--Helene

houptdavid · #3 2013-08-24, 7:33am

You can pull stringer from them if they are large enough, just be careful not to get into the bead release

You can use them for frit, but again you don't want the BR in there

You can melt them into cabs, (search forum)

You can give any good ones to BOC

You can string any whole ones on copper wire and hang them in the trees

Or you can just toss them in the ocean, a pond, lake, the woods, etc

Pat · #4 2013-08-24, 9:36am

I just throw them away.

krisb16 · #5 2013-08-24, 9:41am

Bead Poker. One mans trash is another mans treasure. Or woman's, as the case may be.

steiconi · #6 2013-08-24, 9:46am

What Krisb16 said.
Most people are not nearly as knowledgeable or picky as you are, and would be thrilled to have the discards. One friend of mine is using them in a mosaic; others make bracelets. They also look nice in a clear vase, like those flattened floral marbles. I have a bunch (selected to go with my decor colors) in my grandmother's candy dish.

Alaska · #7 2013-08-24, 1:19pm

Also, as suggested above, turn rejects into frit. The bigger pieces work well for surface decoration for pendants and marbles.

Lisi · #8 2013-08-24, 2:39pm

Beads that are obviously messed up I will just throw away. If they are not evenly rounded and have a "wobble" when turning on a mandrel, or have too many tiny pits in the surface of the frit, I don't sell those. I won't sell the ones where I mess up my dots or stringer, or if I don't like how the colors swirls turned out. I sell lampwork "orphans", but they are all perfectly good beads.

I have pounds of these seconds lying around, because I don't want to throw them away. I used to sell them for 25 cents a piece to someone on Etsy. Now she is making her own beads so she does not need my seconds anymore apparently. What do I do with all these? I can't give them to BOC, can I? They are frit beads mostly, with 1/16" holes. I thought BOC didn't want frit beads because of the lead in the frit.

Sorry, I didn't mean to derail your thread. I just figure someone here would know more about BOC than I do.

mewkittie · #9 2013-08-24, 3:06pm

If they are cracked in half, those can be melted into cabs. Or even used for bezel settings.

Even solid colored beads are hard to retorched unless you like picking out any scum the hole where the bead release touched.

People that make mosiacs might like broken beads. I've seen some of those cement mosiacs with beads in them and they look really cool. Might be able to sell them by the bag.

I didn't know that BOC doesn't want beads with frit on them. I've been donating some of mine. Would like to know for sure so I don't purposely use frit in the beads I'm making for them.

Eileen · #10 2013-08-24, 3:14pm

Most frits are OK I think, but not the silvered ones, etc. that have the metallic finishes unless they are encased. You could send a message to Robert Simmons to check for sure.

tammydownunder · #11 2013-08-24, 3:37pm

I wouldn't waste time trying to make them into frit. Too much time and energy spent. But, there are plenty of ways to recycle beads into something creative.

28676bhe · #12 2013-08-24, 3:49pm

I live in a rural neighborhood on 5 acres, so I just throw them into the woods in hopes that a future young pirate will discover this bounty of beads that are a scattered treasure waiting for them!

Kirima · #13 2013-08-24, 4:05pm

You could just let those beads go! Kind of "loose" them, where ever. Loose them on a road where lots of people might walk by? People might have fun finding them!

At least this could and might make someone smile!

AVTrout · #14 2013-08-24, 5:17pm

I, too, am in this situation, although my failures aren't too bad....I dunk the horrible ones in water without even putting them into the kiln.

houptdavid · #15 2013-08-24, 8:41pm

Or you could just keep them to laff at years later when you open a box and find them

deena · #16 2013-08-25, 8:18am

I give them to my grandchildren They are 6 & 9. They love playing with them.

demcc2 · #17 2013-08-25, 8:44am

Everyone's comments are awesome but David was right on...If there are any decent ones (not broken, no sharp ends) and they are clean, you can donate them to Beads of courage!

If you geo cache or know anyone who does you can leave them as treasure

Duane

Dragonharper · #18 2013-08-25, 3:34pm

I save my wonky marbles for geocaches.

Eileen · #19 2013-08-25, 4:10pm

I keep meaning to put a few nicer ones in my purse with a tag saying,
Finders Keepers, yours to keep or give away, or leave it for someone else to find another day!
or something so I can leave them places.

Sheila D. · #20 2013-08-25, 6:06pm

ISGB also has a program called Release a Bead. You add a little note with the artists name and whoever finds the bead goes on the website and tells where they found it. It's kinda cool!

I keep mine in clear glass jars or spread them around outside....let friends paw through them...I wouldn't make frit out of them either, it's not worth it.

PopcornMom · #21 2013-08-25, 9:24pm

Those are all wonderful ideas! Tammy, I love your creativity! I guess I will hang on to mine a while longer. They may still be useful one day!

Tia Marie · #22 2013-08-26, 4:45pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammydownunder

I wouldn't waste time trying to make them into frit. Too much time and energy spent. But, there are plenty of ways to recycle beads into something creative.

This is pretty cool, thanks for sharing!

I guess they ("scrap" beads) would go well as a tassel trim on almost anything, too. Lampshades and chandeliers...Thanks for the inspiration here.

I make magnetic insects with my broken in half beads. Just make antennae with wire (tucks nicely into the hole cavity, too) and glue to a piece of magnetic strip .
Some of my plunge dot beads that I didn't like have made for good dragonfly heads, used wire and beads for the body and crocheted wings.

essiemessy · #23 2013-08-26, 5:21pm

A friend makes mosaics. I send all my rejects to her to use in her designs

losthelm · #24 2013-08-27, 1:05pm

There is also the bead rescue project, though its pre 1600 bead designs.
a lot of pre1600 beads where a little rough around the edges and a little wonkie, so its a good place to spread some good will.

dla · #25 2013-08-27, 2:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by losthelm

There is also the bead rescue project, though its pre 1600 bead designs.
a lot of pre1600 beads where a little rough around the edges and a little wonkie, so its a good place to spread some good will.

Please explain "bead rescue project". I have no idea what that is.

losthelm · #26 2013-08-27, 4:02pm

hears the webpage that's being updated.
www.beadrescue.com/project.php
and the facebook page
www.facebook.com/TheBeadRescueProject

They basically take reproduction style beads mount them on cards and play Easter egg hunt at SCA events. it tends to be a good way to promote your work and find homes for less than perfect beads.

CreativeSpirit · #27 2013-09-03, 9:34am

I put mine in a huge vase, they look pretty!

Peace Wendy

FosterFire · #28 2013-09-03, 9:37am

I put mine in the liquid hand soap pump.

tela · #29 2013-09-03, 9:43am

As long as there is nothing sharp, I give them to the kids I know. Or put them in a free kids bowl at the venues I sell at.
They are thrilled with their treasures.
They also drag their parents to where ever I am selling my firsts...

lillianw · #30 2013-09-03, 10:36am

I sold a bunch of mine on etsy for $25 and then also made a "wand" of beads for my flower box--put them on a mandrel, glued the bottom one with E3000, then stacked them up and glued the top one too and put it my planter box right next to my front door--very pretty