There is a project in the current issue of B&B (April 2008) which calls for size 15 gold plated charlottes which I cannot find anywhere except where the international shipping is $15!  I thought of just using 2mm gold plated round beads but they are larger than size 15, aren't they?  Also, how durable is gold plate for use on a bracelet.  How long would the plating last before it wore off? 

Thanks for any information.  I did email the artist to see if she sold these charlottes but she only sells them with the kit to make the bracelet.  I already have or have easy access to the other components other than these gold plated size 15 charlottes.

Jane.

If you have never tried Out on a Whim, beading supplies on the internet, then take a look at where I purchase many of my beads, especially size 15/0. http://whimbeads.com/cart.asp?pg=products&grp=202 Thy have 24kt gold 15/0, which you will pay the high price, but they also have the galvinized gold further down the list.

Any mettalic finish beads will rub to a white or dark color. There is nothing that can be done about that. I have said it before about the patina of beads, it can add to the ambiance of your work if you consider the finish durabilty on the beads selected.

Hope this helps.

Erin

I believe you are talking about Jenjen Bai's "Golden Glow" bracelet, on p. 38 of the April issue. You could substitute size 13 Charlottes or size 15 gold colored or plated seed beads. You may have to adjust the bead counts, but since the rest of the bead is finished, you'll be able to see how many you need as you go. There are many places that carry size 13 Charlottes: Rings and Things (rings-things.com) and Shipwreck Beads (shipwreckbeads.com) both carry them. Firemountain carries several shades of size 15 gold metallic rocaille seed beads. I purchased the size 15 Charlottes in the green bracelet at Eclectica. They don't show them on their Web site, but you can e-mail them at eclecticainfo@sbcglobal.net. I hope this helps.

Thanks.  It is so frustrating when I can't find a component for a pattern that is in a magazine.  I found some 2mm gold plated beads at abeadstore.com for 2.25 for .25 oz. and  shipping is $8.50 but, still, these are larger than size 15.  The pattern specifically calls for size 15 gold plated charlottes.  I will continue to look.  The trouble with ordering them from whimbeads is that I most likely will get dinged with our two taxes and another $5 broker fee as they are over the value of the $20CDN which we are allowed to import before having to pay the taxes. I guess, in doing the paperwork to charge the taxes, they charge a broker fee. 

Thanks again.

Jane.

Thank you.  Do you think size 13 would be about the same as 2mm?  I figured 2mm was about the same as a size 11 seed bead. Designerbeads.com, here in Canada, has size 13 charlottes.

Jane.

 

 

Sorry, I forgot to add that Fire Mountain charges something like $17 to ship to Canada (even if it weighs an ounce) and Rings and Things has a $25 minimum and it would be all I ordered so, again, even if I ordered more to total $25, I will likely have to pay our two taxes and the broker fee.  I will try eclectica, too.  Thanks.

Jane.

Hi Jane,

 Try www.designerbeads.com. The store owner is a member here, her name is Laurie, her selection of beads (including 24K plate) is awesome, and to top it off, she's in Canada. I bought my first goldplates (charlotttes) from her - great service, nice lady.

FWIW I found these sizes at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seed_bead:

13/0

1.5mm

15/0

1.3mm

I don't know if charlottes measure the same.

 

 

Sorry about the shipping costs; I didn't realize you were in Canada when I wrote my reply to your original post. I think your best bet to look at the shop directory in the back of the magazine. The Canadian stores are on p. 144. If none of them are within driving distance, you can try contacting the stores via phone or Web site to see if they carry them and if they will do internet or phone orders. Good luck. I measured a size 13 silver Charlotte, and it was about 1.6 mm, so a size 15 Charlotte would be even smaller.

Thanks everyone.  This is my first time (or second or even third) finding it difficult to locate specific components used in patterns which are offered in a magazine.  But, I might try the size 13 charlottes from designerbeads.com.  I just thought the bracelet's beaded beads were beautiful and have three nieces and a daughter which have birthday's coming up over the next four months. The designer's kit is $55 or so, so 4 times $55 is a bit too much just so I can have the size 15 charlottes.  Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.

Jane.

Hi Jane,

I too loved that bracelet pattern so I bought a hank of gold 13/0 seed beads (and the rest of the required beads in 2 colourways!) from beadFX Inc. in Toronto.  Given that Maryelizabeth has given the sizes and they are almost identical I would give it a try.  The beads were $14.40 for the hank but you'll have lots forever. No shipping on orders over $100.00 and the express post is only $4.95 I believe to anywhere here.  I usually get my orders within 3 days max.  Give them a look - everything is 20% off right now until Sunday night.

www.beadfx.com

Hope this is of some help to you.

Thank you!  I looked at beadfx.com and only found this:  66601009 but it can't be the same as you bought as the price is different.  (You need to scroll down almost down to the bottom of the page to see this item number at beadfx.com). 

Jane.

 

 

 

Opps - my mistake Jane.  I was reading from my invoice and I gave you the price for the item underneath the hank.  It is $8.30 regularly, now $6.64 and that is the correct item # 66601009.  I went back to the site to double check.  I have had that problem with their invoices before - just the design of them not the accuracy or anything. 

Sorry for the confusion!

 I was out of town last month so I just noticed this thread. The difference between the 15/0 and 13/0 gold charlottes that I have handled is not easy to tell without a measuring instrument...to the eye they are the same. But in the gold plated charlottes there is sometimes a difference in the quality of the plating. The best ones have a heavier plating and the price reflects that. Some have a thinner coating and this wears off more quickly. I tested the c32,c27 by wearing some on a wire ring and it took over 10 months for the plating to start to show a silver plate undercoat. One strand of the 13/0 with the strong plating is 2.25, item c27 and a 1/2 hank of the good ones is 12.50 (c32). C32a has the lighter finish and costs less for that reason. See items c32 and c32a here -

http://designerbeads.com/gallery/index.php?cPath=14&sort=3a&page=3

I hope you have found what you needed. 

 

Laurie

designerbeads.com 

 

 I have 13/0 gold plated charollets for $4.00 per string and $43.00 per hank. Shipping to Canada I use the Post and their rates are very reasonable. If interested just email me.

You may also want to check Laura McCabe's site. She carried 15/0 24K gold plated charlottes. Very friendly and prompt.

Anita R.

Hi there,

I just came upon this discussion, I guess you have already found what you needed, but just to let you know, if you order something that is quite small and doesn't weigh much you almost always get away without paying taxes and import tax.

I've ordered small orders from whimbeads several times (6 tubes for example) and just got it in my mailbox with no extra charge (the order was aroud 40$). It makes a big difference.

Also, I don't know if you know the store Artbeads.com, they don't have charlottes, but they deliver to Canada for 1$, so it's always worth it, and it's always pretty quick shipping.

For the question about the charlottes, I was going to say check Laura McCabe, but someone already mentioned it. I usually substitute regular 15/0 for the charlottes and have never really found it a problem, but then I've never used charlottes so I can't tell how much of a difference it makes...

And I usually coat my gold plated beads with Krylon (put them in a ziploc, spray the krylon, shake well to make sure all are coated and let dry - do it outside preferably) before using them so that the color doesn't wear off too much.

hope it helps

 I just saw your question and assume you've solved the problem. But if not, and for future reference, check out www.empyreanbeads.com.  They sell 15 Charlottes in gold, silver, copper and many other colors.

Hi Jane
If you still haven't found what you need, I know our store has 15o gold-plated charlottes. You can order online at www.beadseast.com . I'm not sure the shipping price to Canada, but know you can choose shipping options. FYI All Laura McCabe's inventory is coming to our store so she can concentrate on designing, so if you wanted to order something from her store, you can find it at our store now.

 

Hope this helps!