Mark Meckes
20th December 2003, 07:49 PM
From:_ mark meckes
Date:_ Wed_Feb_28,_2001_ 10:25 pm
Subject:_ Smallest Bamboo Product?:2mmX3mm Beads
Here's a picture of the smallest bamboo product (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=513) I've been able to make - 2mm X 3mm Beads...magnified through the camera lens.
Showing with it are 2 pairs of ear-rings using different beads.
Here is also a picture of a batch of 2mm x 5mm beads. (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=514)
These beads also have beveled edges - necessary to
remove the sharp flange on the edge of the cut.
This is probably the most difficult part of making small beads. The smaller the bead, the more difficult they are to make.
I will explain how I make them at another time.
They are also dyed, to impart a two-tone color with the natural color of bamboo.
These beads are made of Pleioblastus simonii, grown in
the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The climate is
cold here and P.simonii rarely grows taller then 5-6
feet tall (compared to 20 feet that it can grow in
warmer climates) But the bottom 3 feet is usable for
craft and the culms are round with no groove, so they
make nice round beads.
Bamboo beads, of the cylindrical tube variety, have
other uses then jewelry. They can also serve as spacers
and washers etc. I always like to have them around
when I'm tinkering with bamboo various projects.
I haven't yet drawn the line when a cylindrical tube
is no longer a bead...you can make some pretty long
and big tubes from bamboo...come to think of it, one
could make pretty funky `beaded curtains' with these!
I first met my sweetheart through the sale of some of
my small beads for jewelry. Never did I ever dream
that my tiny beads would make such an impression!
There are some things in life, that can never be
predicted.
Mark Meckes
Note:
Bamboo dust and filings could be considered smaller
products....on their own.
But when they are mixed with glue to build up shapes,
or added to paint, to create texture, they become a
bigger product
Date:_ Wed_Feb_28,_2001_ 10:25 pm
Subject:_ Smallest Bamboo Product?:2mmX3mm Beads
Here's a picture of the smallest bamboo product (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=513) I've been able to make - 2mm X 3mm Beads...magnified through the camera lens.
Showing with it are 2 pairs of ear-rings using different beads.
Here is also a picture of a batch of 2mm x 5mm beads. (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=514)
These beads also have beveled edges - necessary to
remove the sharp flange on the edge of the cut.
This is probably the most difficult part of making small beads. The smaller the bead, the more difficult they are to make.
I will explain how I make them at another time.
They are also dyed, to impart a two-tone color with the natural color of bamboo.
These beads are made of Pleioblastus simonii, grown in
the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The climate is
cold here and P.simonii rarely grows taller then 5-6
feet tall (compared to 20 feet that it can grow in
warmer climates) But the bottom 3 feet is usable for
craft and the culms are round with no groove, so they
make nice round beads.
Bamboo beads, of the cylindrical tube variety, have
other uses then jewelry. They can also serve as spacers
and washers etc. I always like to have them around
when I'm tinkering with bamboo various projects.
I haven't yet drawn the line when a cylindrical tube
is no longer a bead...you can make some pretty long
and big tubes from bamboo...come to think of it, one
could make pretty funky `beaded curtains' with these!
I first met my sweetheart through the sale of some of
my small beads for jewelry. Never did I ever dream
that my tiny beads would make such an impression!
There are some things in life, that can never be
predicted.
Mark Meckes
Note:
Bamboo dust and filings could be considered smaller
products....on their own.
But when they are mixed with glue to build up shapes,
or added to paint, to create texture, they become a
bigger product