Here is a sampling of what you will find at Bonjour Beads:
Gemstone strands & focal pieces - A sampling of stones in stock include: Abalone (OK, not actually a stone...), African "turquoise" (jasper), many shapes in lovely blue Amazonite, Amber in 26" ready-to-wear multi-tone strands (Fabulous!), Amethyst, "Artistic" jasper (I love this stone - now in deep reddish-brown tones, too; A/K/A "Landscape stone"), Australian green jasper (very popular), Autumn jasper in 10 different shapes & sizes, Aventurine, some lovely Black banded agate pieces, Black onyx, Blackstone, Carnelian, gorgeous Chrysocolla (natural blue-green), various Corals, Crazy lace agate, Fancy jasper, Fluorite, Garnet, Goldstone (also in blue), Howlite (white & dyed), Labradorite, Lapis lazuli, Lepidolite (a rich, purple color), Mahogany obsidian (cocoa brown w/black), Malachite, Magnetic "Hematite", Moss agate, Mother-of-pearl (white & natural beige), Moukaite, Ocean jasper (another favorite of mine), Olive "jade" (serpentine), Peridot, Picasso Stone, Picture jasper, Purple crazy agate, Purple Sugilte (dyed), Quartz crystal, Red coral, Rhodonite, Rhyolite, Rose quartz, Sardonyx (incl. "eye" beads), Serpentine (looks like, & often referred to as "jade"), Shell heishi disks, Snowflake obsidian, Sponge coral in blue & red, lots of Sodalite, Tiger-eye, Tree agate, Turquoise, Unakite, Yellow "turquoise" (jasper), Zoisite...as well as Mixed-stone strands, and a small sampling of other stones not mentioned here. For most of the stones, I offer full strands, half strands, and individual beads & focal pieces, so you can easily mix & match, and get just what you want for your project.
Sterling Silver, 14 kt. Gold-fill, and Vermeil (Heavy gold-plate over Sterling) - Beads & findings, including Ear- threaders & Chandelier components, crimps & crimp covers, head & eye pins, ear wires, jump rings, clasps for single & multi-strands, etc., etc...; also Sterling chains in finished lengths (16", 18", 20", 24"), & a variety of Sterling & Gold-fill chain by-the-foot.
Titanium & Niobium - I have Titanium (Ti) ear wires & post earrings. They are a matte silver-gray and are hypo-allergenic, surgical implant grade metal, which is recommended for those of you with metal sensitivities. Niobium (Nb) (Currently out-of-stock) is also hypo-allergenic, and comes in a variety of anodized colors, including blues, green, pink, purple, yellow, and a very rich bronze tone. The anodizing (coloring) does not affect the hypo-allergenic property, and greatly expands your design pallette. I stock ear wires, head & eye pins, & jump rings in 4, 5, and 6 mm. For those of you handy with wire-working, I have a sampling of wire in Titanium and the Bronze colored Nb, so you can make your own clasps & findings.
Swarovski crystals - I stock mostly 4 mm bicones, but have a few other sizes & shapes, including small faceted octagons & points for hanging.
Glass strands - Czech, including my favorite, Cathedral beads, as well as round, fire-polished (faceted), & "dagger" beads; crystal cubes; fiber-optic Cat's eye (it's always good to get more fiber); millefiori in flat squares, ovals, & rounds; & some Chinese glass shapes, including cubes, faceted, & Lampworked. Strands start at $1.25 Regular retail price. Also, choose the mix-and-match India glass beads in a wide array of shapes, sizes, & colors, sold by the gram - buy one, or buy a bag full! And, because sometimes it's all you need, I've put together "just a pinch" of assorted seed beads in teeny bags (about 20" strung) for only 35 cents!
Pendants - All are ready to put on a chain or cord: Gemstone points with bails, and various Gemstones in Sterling settings, including some funky large pieces in Artistic Jasper, Lapis, Graphic Feldspar, & Turquoise; others include Abalone, Agate, Black onyx, Carnelian, Malachite,Tiger-eye, etc., & Dichroic glass; Shiva lingam stones w/bails; also a variety of Sterling designs ...reasonably priced, too, starting at just $7.95!
Finished jewelry - Original designs, & ready-made, including some cool lariats and extra long styles I picked up in New York, $12 - $18 Regular retail price. Earrings range from $2 - $25 Regular price; Necklaces from $5 and up; Bracelets from $2.50 - $25.00; Rings in Sterling with Gemstones at 3 for $25.00. I also have those fun magnetic strands in 3 lengths to wrap as Bracelet, Necklace/Lariat, or Anklet, from $5 - $12 Regular price.
Miscellaneous - I carry the Soft Touch** line of beading wire (**Registered trademarks of Soft Flex Company); Silver-plated & Gold-plated Memory wire (and special memory wire cutters--DON'T use your good pliers!); German Beading wire in Gold & Silver plate, copper & brass -- a less expensive alternative to Sterling or Gold-filled, and good for beginners in wire-working; 3/8" Organza ribbon for stringing, as well as cotton, satin, silk, & polyester cord by-the-yard; Rubber neck cords with clasps & Rubber tubing - works great for covering Memory wire; a small assortment of necessary tools, including individual pliers & sets in zipper pouches, Crimping pliers, round & flat nose Nylon jaw pliers, oh-so-cute 4-piece mini-pliers sets, Rosary pliers (round nose with cutter---a good starter tool if you can only get one); Nippers; and other related items, including instructional Books & Booklets.
Gift Items - Neat little electric lamps made with Rock Crystal & Rose Quartz specimens, and Amethyst & Citrine crystal cluster tea light holders. The following are all under $10.00: Cloissone Hummingbird ornaments; Copper wire & gemstone chip mini-tree sculptures; cute little Magnifying Glasses (5" overall length) with carved bone handles; Brass wind chimes; Gemstone wands (just for fun, or use as massage wands, mmm...); and under $5.00: Magnetic Butterflies, Dragonflies, & Frogs; pairs of magnetic "Hematite" ellipsoids; mini-millefiore glass sculptures; Brocade bags & Jewelry pouches; and more...
....so, while you're here, choose the beads to complement your personal style -- from classic to chunky funky. If you've never beaded before, I'm here to give you tips so you can complete your necklace, bracelet, anklet, or earrings -- anyone can do it! Save a couple beads from the strand, and you can make a matching pair of Sterling or Goldfill earrings for $1.50 or less! I know - I can't believe it either!!
See you soon,
Dianne Becker, Owner, Bonjour Beads
