How do I age glass seed beads?
by
Fraser Pakes
Modern seed bead colors can be very bright unlike older ones that are paler and softer in color. Is there a way to 'take out' the brightness of modern seed beads ?
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Try soaking them in TSP.= to make them dull
see if this helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvyKiKpvxlo
Hi Fraser, you can soak the bead in strong black tea, especially if it is ivory. The tannin in the tea will stain it in the cracks and crevices, making it look old. This is perhaps the safest method I know of. I don't know that it would hold up to washing, it probably wouldn't, but it is something. Some of the silver glasses will make ivory appear to be crackled. That might be incorporated successfully on your design, as well.