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#1
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Czech machine-cut crystals
I got my Czech crystals today! OK, so I have to say... if the Swarovski
people aren't wetting themselves yet, they should be. Although the cutting isn't *quite* as fine or precise, (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order (which I suspect is partly because of careful culling on Letrinka's part... thank you, Letrinka!) THESE ARE DAMN GOOD. They have the sparkle and the prettiness, at half the price. I realize that I am basically repeating what Kathy N-V said, but it bears repeating... Swarovski needs to watch their behind! These are nothing like the rather flat, dull Chinese crystals I ghave seen. My thoughts on these: they don't come in as many colors as the S. does. I didn't order any ABs, so I can't address the quality there. I have spotted a few in my order that are included or pitted, and will need to be discarded. However, overall, not only am I sure that the unwary might be taken in if these were subsituted for Swarovskis, I am now *positive* that I have myself been taken in! My lesson learned: only order from known, reputable dealers in Austrian crystal. In summary, I think I like 'em. I'm only using them to space my bead sets, though, so I may not be the pickiest customer in town! I have a LOT of Swarovskis left, so it may be a couple of weeks before I am using the Czech consistently, but I will make note in my listings whether I use Czech or Austrian crystals, just as an FYI, so that buyers know what they're getting and can re-label them accordingly if they use them in a finished piece. Delivery from Czechbeads was, BTW, insanely fast. -- -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay |
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#2
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My nephew's gf sent me pics of the ones she has picked up for me right in
Czechoslovakia. Can't wait to get them!! I asked her to pick some up after I got the email that she was bead shopping for me, based on Kathy's review. Lisa "Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... I got my Czech crystals today! OK, so I have to say... if the Swarovski people aren't wetting themselves yet, they should be. Although the cutting isn't *quite* as fine or precise, (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order (which I suspect is partly because of careful culling on Letrinka's part... thank you, Letrinka!) THESE ARE DAMN GOOD. They have the sparkle and the prettiness, at half the price. I realize that I am basically repeating what Kathy N-V said, but it bears repeating... Swarovski needs to watch their behind! These are nothing like the rather flat, dull Chinese crystals I ghave seen. My thoughts on these: they don't come in as many colors as the S. does. I didn't order any ABs, so I can't address the quality there. I have spotted a few in my order that are included or pitted, and will need to be discarded. However, overall, not only am I sure that the unwary might be taken in if these were subsituted for Swarovskis, I am now *positive* that I have myself been taken in! My lesson learned: only order from known, reputable dealers in Austrian crystal. In summary, I think I like 'em. I'm only using them to space my bead sets, though, so I may not be the pickiest customer in town! I have a LOT of Swarovskis left, so it may be a couple of weeks before I am using the Czech consistently, but I will make note in my listings whether I use Czech or Austrian crystals, just as an FYI, so that buyers know what they're getting and can re-label them accordingly if they use them in a finished piece. Delivery from Czechbeads was, BTW, insanely fast. -- -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay |
#3
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(there is ever so slightly
more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order You know I didn't realize that people culled crystal like Swarovski, even. Do you think when I buy small lots of beads especially mixed up lots on ebay that I am getting what someone culled? I bet you I have never seen a first class crystal bead Czech or Swarovski!! Dang. Stephanie |
#4
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I'll check out the Czechs. Hopefully I'll find some of the muted colors
like Erinite and the satins. (Especially for winter). And speaking of Czech beads, I got some Czech artist lampwork a while ago. Made by Patrik Bubik. http://www.bubik.com/shop/customer/home.php Tiny, I think the biggest was 8 mm. The colors were noticeably Eastern European; they are for my Ukrainian DIL. Tina "Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... I got my Czech crystals today! OK, so I have to say... if the Swarovski people aren't wetting themselves yet, they should be. Although the cutting isn't *quite* as fine or precise, (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order (which I suspect is partly because of careful culling on Letrinka's part... thank you, Letrinka!) THESE ARE DAMN GOOD. They have the sparkle and the prettiness, at half the price. I realize that I am basically repeating what Kathy N-V said, but it bears repeating... Swarovski needs to watch their behind! These are nothing like the rather flat, dull Chinese crystals I ghave seen. My thoughts on these: they don't come in as many colors as the S. does. I didn't order any ABs, so I can't address the quality there. I have spotted a few in my order that are included or pitted, and will need to be discarded. However, overall, not only am I sure that the unwary might be taken in if these were subsituted for Swarovskis, I am now *positive* that I have myself been taken in! My lesson learned: only order from known, reputable dealers in Austrian crystal. In summary, I think I like 'em. I'm only using them to space my bead sets, though, so I may not be the pickiest customer in town! I have a LOT of Swarovskis left, so it may be a couple of weeks before I am using the Czech consistently, but I will make note in my listings whether I use Czech or Austrian crystals, just as an FYI, so that buyers know what they're getting and can re-label them accordingly if they use them in a finished piece. Delivery from Czechbeads was, BTW, insanely fast. -- -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay |
#5
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Nope, the mixed lots are not culls... I've ordered plenty of those
before and they were all first-rate beads. There's a lady who does "themed" mixes, and I used to buy from her when I wasn't sure what colors I liked/needed, or I wanted a lot of colors but at the large lot price. I really like her mixes; she does "birthstone mix" "summer mix", etc. You can spot a bad bead a mile away, because it will be something like missing a facet or pitted or only half a bead. I am not sure how they get in there in the first place, but I guess when you're dealing with millions of teeny beads it's just inevitable. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay Stephanie wrote: (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order You know I didn't realize that people culled crystal like Swarovski, even. Do you think when I buy small lots of beads especially mixed up lots on ebay that I am getting what someone culled? I bet you I have never seen a first class crystal bead Czech or Swarovski!! Dang. Stephanie |
#6
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I just looked at his site and those are absolutely wonderful! Thanks for
sharing it. I think you'll like the Czech crystal pallette. I ordered 11 colors to start and everything I got it gentle and muted. They have bright colors as well, but they're more versatile as spacers if they're lighter and more muted than the beads I'll be matching them with. Here's the URL I got mine from: http://www.czechbeads.com -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay Christina Peterson wrote: I'll check out the Czechs. Hopefully I'll find some of the muted colors like Erinite and the satins. (Especially for winter). And speaking of Czech beads, I got some Czech artist lampwork a while ago. Made by Patrik Bubik. http://www.bubik.com/shop/customer/home.php Tiny, I think the biggest was 8 mm. The colors were noticeably Eastern European; they are for my Ukrainian DIL. Tina "Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... I got my Czech crystals today! OK, so I have to say... if the Swarovski people aren't wetting themselves yet, they should be. Although the cutting isn't *quite* as fine or precise, (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order (which I suspect is partly because of careful culling on Letrinka's part... thank you, Letrinka!) THESE ARE DAMN GOOD. They have the sparkle and the prettiness, at half the price. I realize that I am basically repeating what Kathy N-V said, but it bears repeating... Swarovski needs to watch their behind! These are nothing like the rather flat, dull Chinese crystals I ghave seen. My thoughts on these: they don't come in as many colors as the S. does. I didn't order any ABs, so I can't address the quality there. I have spotted a few in my order that are included or pitted, and will need to be discarded. However, overall, not only am I sure that the unwary might be taken in if these were subsituted for Swarovskis, I am now *positive* that I have myself been taken in! My lesson learned: only order from known, reputable dealers in Austrian crystal. In summary, I think I like 'em. I'm only using them to space my bead sets, though, so I may not be the pickiest customer in town! I have a LOT of Swarovskis left, so it may be a couple of weeks before I am using the Czech consistently, but I will make note in my listings whether I use Czech or Austrian crystals, just as an FYI, so that buyers know what they're getting and can re-label them accordingly if they use them in a finished piece. Delivery from Czechbeads was, BTW, insanely fast. -- -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay |
#7
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You can spot a bad bead a mile away, because it will be something
like missing a facet or pitted or only half a bead. That's a relief! The only Swarovski I've bought is 4 mm in little lots with Japanese seeds and other odds and ends. I kinda like these mixed bags of beads. Usually I get czech, it's just so much closer to my price range. I'm glad to know that czech isn't too bad compared to Swarovski. Stephanie Stephanie |
#8
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How come I keep getting my name printed twice?
Stephanie |
#9
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I really like her mixes; she does "birthstone mix" "summer mix",
etc. Oh, I've seen those. I forget who she is though. ~~ Sooz |
#10
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I can't remember the seller but when I first started buying Swarovski
(not that long ago) I bought from her because she had good feedback and I liked her prices. Her crystal mixes are delightful and shipping was always fast. OK... I looked it up, the seller is jeankay. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay Dr. Sooz wrote: I really like her mixes; she does "birthstone mix" "summer mix", etc. Oh, I've seen those. I forget who she is though. ~~ Sooz |
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