Metal Beads

Metal beads represent the full spectrum of technology. They may be formed of different qualities of gold or silver but copper, pewter, tin, plastic Fimo, aluminum, melted cooking pots and various alloys are currently formed into beads by artisans.Whatever the metal, it may be melted, pored and molded, or it may be sheet metal that is hammered and shaped into a bead. Beads are also formed of metal drawn as wire, then coiled into a form. Wire is also fused to sheet metal beads for decoration. Other techniques include drilling, filing, etching and granulation.