Captive bead rings are exactly that - a ring with a bead held "captive" within the ends of the incomplete circle. The pressure from the shape of the ring holds the bead securely in place. Most of the time, we leave the beads cradled in their original beds and leave them alone. But occasionally, a bead may fall out or you might just want a change of pace. This is when a replacement bead is necessary, and most people just head to the piercing studio or body jewelry shop.
Of course there is nothing wrong with getting your replacement bead(s) from those sources. You know you'll get something specifically designed with body jewelry in mind. But to say these selections are sometimes limited is an understatement. You have your standard hematite, surgical steel and gold beads. Then there are some more colorful choices of UV, cat's eye, and maybe even crystal beads - all of which are usually priced at a markup that would make your jaw drop to the floor.
The fact is, you can get any of these beads at a local craft/hobby store. Instead of paying $5.00 or more for one bead, you can buy a whole package of beads for less than that and have extras to spare if you lose one. And the selection of beads, especially at some of the stores, is vast. You could wear a different color and style of bead for each day of the week without breaking the bank.
Are these beads really OK for body jewelry? Of course they are. Many of them come from the exact same source the piercing studios get them from. It's important that your jewelry is clean, including the bead - but it's not necessary for the bead to be autoclave sterilized like the ring itself. Soak it in some rubbing alcohol, pop it in the ring, and you're set to go with a brand new piece of jewelry.
Since I started making jewelry almost a year ago, I have become very familiar with many bead sources, and here are my favorites:
Retail Stores
- Hobby Lobby If you're fortunate enough to have one of these stores in your area, it's my favorite retail source for beads. You can get everything from inexpensive (but attractive) acrylic beads to genuine lead crystal - and all at really good prices.
- Jo-Ann Stores Much more than just a fabric store, Jo-Ann's has a really nice selection of unique and some semi-precious beads.
- Michael's Michael's selection isn't as good as the above stores, but is still decent and with good prices.
Online Stores
- Pyramid Beads They have a regular online store, but Pyramid's eBay store is actually easier to use. These czech beads are just gorgeous and some of my favorites, and Pyramid's customer service is excellent.
- Thai Gem If you want super high-quality semi-precious or precious beads for a special occasion, this is where you want to go. Thai Gem also has an eBay store, but for beads, you're better off using their regular online site.
- eBay Seller - Seapirate She doesn't have an official "store", but the link will take you to her auction page. Enjoy the dazzle and sparkle of Swarovski crystal - these beads are fabulous and her prices are unbeatable.
