Got Beaders Block?

     Everyone gets it from time to time, whether it's a particular strand that you're dying to transform or maybe a certain style that you're wanting to reproduce. Buying the beads can be easy, but figuring out where to go from there can be frustrating.
     We've got the cure for bead block sitting right on our book shelves. Directly below our great book selection are a collection of maroon binders that are jam packed with high
quality scans of years worth of customer and employee creations. They're loosely grouped into categories like Pearls, Wire Wrapping, Straight Stringing, Multi Strand and many
more.
     Since these are other people's pieces we aren't able to make photocopies, but we have a collection of chairs directly next to the book case where you can comfortably sit and search for the inspiration for your next great design!

A little about our ancient beads . . .

Did you know that we specialize in ancient beads? Well, take a look at our banner above the blog title, and you'll see that we're a little obsessed. For 20 years the owners traveled around the world in search of these treasures, and although there's not much more to be found we still have quite a collection of fabulous ancient pieces to share. These beads hail from every corner of the world and come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Some of our favorites are the Tibetan turquoise (like those incredible pieces in the center and bottom left), the African amber, the African amazonite and of course the coral! Please stop by and have a look, each collection has it's own rich history and we'd be more than happy to tell you all about it! Or, for just a quick history lesson go to our website and click on the bead collection of your choice.

New Gold Filled headpins

This week we received some great 24 gauge gold filled balled headpins in two different sizes (a two inch and a one and a half inch). What makes these note worthy is the larger size of the ball on the bottom and the over all great quality of the pin. It's the little things that make us happy. :)

Swarovski Crystal Price Drop

Exciting news for all you Swarovski fans! We have expanded our new low 30% discount on Swarovski Crystals to include other shapes and sizes. Any size/shape of one color purchased in a quantity of 50 will receive the discount. Crystals priced at $1 or more each only need to be purchased in a quantity of 25 to achieve that discount. Such a deal! At that price you don't have to compromise, you can have them all :).

And then there was Pearls and Pyrite....

It's been a while since the last post, so I have A LOT to share. This is a continuation of the previous post, covering beads that came in during our last extra large shipment in September. Some of you already get our emails, but for those of you who don't here is the lastest letter that Karen recently send out. If you'd like to get our emails, please email us at lostcitiesbeads@att.net and let us know, we'd be happy to add you to our list!


Hi fellow Bead-Lovers,
Last message just couldn't cover everything I wanted to tell you about! This time I'll focus on some of the Pearls, Pyrite and Labradorite. There is also some Lapiz and Serpentine (my favorite color combo - lime and cobalt!) and a few sparklies - Amethyst, Citrine and Quartz.

Luscious Pearls

All of these would look terrific worked with copper wire and findings.

Row 1 is big coppery sticks, luminous with pink, gold, and green highlights - $19 per 16" strand!

Row 2 and 4 are the same, just different sizes. Yummy chocolate milk duds with glimmers of pink, green, purple and copper - $21 per 16" strand.

Row 3 are simply shiney green peas. Nearly edible. $24 per 16" strand.

The last 2 rows are spectacular copper 'potato chip' pearls. They are a luscious shimmery copper with just a bit of gold and pink. Two sizes, the larger slightly graduated - $66 and $79.

FABULOUS COLOR COMBO - LAPIZ AND SERPENTINE

The new Lapiz is of a very bright and vibrant blue with little flashes of pyrite. Small 8mm rounds are $22 and larger 10mm are $41. Great polish and shine.The Serpentine came in 6mm rondelles and 17x12mm flat ovals. The ovals really show off the wonderful character of the stone - a mix of lime and celery greens with black and white matrix and the small rondelles are a perfect spacer. I just love that blue and green together!

LUMINOUS MAGICAL LABRADORITE

This stone seems to be everyone's favorite, probably due to the glow of changing colors from within. It is SO beautiful!Pendants came in a nice assortment of shapes, all drilled front to back, all with shimmers of blue, green, and gold. Only $5.75 each.

The smallest new strands are the 6mm flattened, faceted rounds at $22. Next is 8mm faceted rounds at $35 and 10mm rounds at $41.The large flat, faceted rounds (20mm) are softly pale - $38 and the slightly larger ovals (18mm x 24mm) are a little darker - $47. Both are just breathtaking.

RAW AND RUGGED - NATURAL PYRITE

Here's a chance to add a unique new stone to your collection - Pyrite. Also known as Fool's Gold. This is how this type comes right out of the ground. Surprising little cubes from 5mm up to about dice size.All strands only $13. We also carry a supply of Pyrite in smooth rounds, rondelles and coins.

CITRINE AND QUARTZ AND AMETHYST....OH MY!

Citrine in a wonderful new cut - kinda a brick - sorta random faceted yet smooth - we'll just call it gorgeous. In shades from pale gold clouds to rich whiskey amber. Very pretty!Sold by weight - strands from $48 to $58Quartz - a stone but utterly transparent. Rondelles gleam with tiny facets. Very sparkly!16" strands $18.Amethyst in a good rich deep purple but not so dark you can't see that royal color.12mm faceted rounds - $4410mm faceted rounds - $356mm faceted rounds - $254mm faceted rounds - $22Strands of irregular droplets, tumbled to a gleaming smoothness.16" strands - $25Also available in singles for earrings or pendants - $1.30 each

Please note that prices mentioned in Lost Cities' emails, blogs, handouts, websites, etc. are effective the date of publication. They are subject to market conditions and availability and may be modified as necessary at Lost Cities' discretion.

Bead Happy -Karen and the Team at Lost Cities