The amount of beads that you need for a 32 inch badge holder will depend on the width of the beads. For a general idea of how many beads you will need, you may want to check out our "Beads Per Strand" chart available in our Learning Center Resources. This chart may assist you in determining a ballpark figure of beads that you will need if you are using a variety of sizes, or will give you a more exact answer if you are using all one size bead:

http://www.artbeads.com/bhowmabeareo.html

Isn't that a pain after making something beautiful? Only thing I can think of is clear nail polish--kind of a hassle and you'd have to prop it up to dry or do half at a time, maybe on a piece of waxed paper. This is the reason I don't use products like that. :(

Good luck!

Michelle, aka Poozemom, Pa.

Pearls are traditionally strung on silk cord knotted between each pearl. I like the look of pearls strung with fiber for a traditional look but a "floating" pearl necklace strung on wire with crimps holding the pearls in place can create a light, airy, modern look. I hope that helps.

You can use buttons as links, dangled charms or multistrand spacers. You can also use buttons as a part of a homemade clasp, similar to our pre-made button clasps found here:
http://www.artbeads.com/button-bead-clasp.html

For inspiration on how to create your own button clasp, we would recommend checking out our Opulence Necklace design in our Learning Center. Simply substitute a button for the 12mm Swarovski Round bead used to make the clasp, and you've got the basic instructions that can be adapted to fit your own design. You can see this necklace design via the following link:

http://www.artbeads.com/opulence-idea.html

You can use them as focal pieces in necklaces as well as links. We have two free ideas in our Learning Center that use these flowers:

http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski-prom-necklace-design.html

http://www.artbeads.com/patch-of-posies-necklace-design.html

Since the 4627 Fancy Octagon is a cabochon, you can create a setting for it by making a beaded bezel using peyote stitch. We have a picture tutorial in our Learning Center that features the basics of even count peyote stitch, and we also carry some excellent seed bead books that will provide you with more in-depth peyote stitch instructions:

Peyote stitch tutorial:
http://www.artbeads.com/how-to-make-even-peyote-stitch.html

Getting Started with Seed Beads:
http://www.artbeads.com/book-128.html

Beading With Peyote Stitch:
http://www.artbeads.com/book-39.html

hi, seems like it would be lovely wrapped
or twisted with clear or craft wire,to give it strength. then weave,twist, twirl around
lace and soft fabrics, transparent,or
toolle [sp] ....... then you could add crystals etc.. to create one of a kind necklace..... just a thought.. hope it helped.
Shray
p.s concerning '''channel crystal 'chain' ''

We sell all of our Swarovski beads by the individual piece so you can order the exact amount you need.

The iron on crystals that we carry are the hotfix crystals pre-made into a design.

These crystals are designed specifically for clothing so you can choose to make your own design using the individually sold hotfix crystals or the pre-designed iron on transfers with the same results.

We have three different tips in our Learning Center on how to attach a bail/make a bail for pendants. Please see below:

http://www.artbeads.com/thquteforusb.html

http://www.artbeads.com/howtomawrewr.html

http://www.artbeads.com/bail-for-flat-pendant.html