Nearby resources for *making* jewelry?

[elfword.livejournal.com]

I have several stones from a beach trip with a friend, that look better when wet. I'd like to make jewelry out of them in a way that will keep water locked around either one stone (for a necklace), or several stones (for a bracelet). A custom-sized glass container (that also holds it still on the inside), or shrink-wrapping them in durable but clear plastic, seem like my only options.

Any ideas for people / places nearby that might be able to help me with this?

Comments

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

There's a bead store in harvard square (I think it's church street?). There's another bead store in Wakefield, on a side street less than a block away from Main Street. It's front door looks onto the parking lot of the big Sovereign Bank (which is on Main Street Wakefield).

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Yep, Beadworks (http://www.beadworkscambridge.com) on Church St.

[valadil.livejournal.com]

An alternative to keeping them wet would be to use a gloss or varnish. The spray on gloss for gaming miniatures works well and I believe that Your Move Games stocks it.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

This or put them through a rock tumbler to give them a natural sheen.

[maru-mari.livejournal.com]

this.

[hefox.livejournal.com]

Ah, what I was going to say!

My sister had one of those and that did make rocks look quit nice, but I think it was a bit annoying to run? too long ago

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Polyurethane. Great stuff! I prefer it to smelly sprays because it's less wasteful. Just dunk, dry, done.

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Also, butcher's wax works. You can get it at Ace Hardware (it's just floor wax).

[eredien]

If you wanted to be really fancy you could embed it in lucite, but I recommend the rock tumbler or gloss/varnish.

I miss Spark Crafts. The few times I've been into Beadworks I've had run-ins with unhelpful store clerks and generally felt unwelcomed. I like to support local companies whenever possible but didn't feel good about spending my money at Beadworks, and just ordered a bunch of new jewelry supplies online this week.

Any other recommendations for bead stores in the area, folks?