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Metal Beads

  • Original price $7.50
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    Kenya Brass Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya Brass Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 13"-15" long, with beads measuring 1 mm in length and 3-4mm in d...

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    Original price $7.50
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    Original price $7.50
    Current price $5.75
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    Current price $5.75
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  • Original price $8.50
    Original price $8.50 - Original price $8.50
    Original price $8.50
    Current price $5.00
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    Current price $5.00

    Kenya White Metal Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya White Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 12" long, with beads measuring 1mm wide and approximately 4mm in...

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    Original price $8.50
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    Original price $8.50
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    Current price $5.00
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  • Original price $8.50
    Original price $8.50 - Original price $8.50
    Original price $8.50
    Current price $5.00
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    Current price $5.00

    Kenya Copper Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya Copper Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 12" long, with beads measuring 1mm in width and 3-4mm in diameter.

    Original price $8.50
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    Original price $8.50
    Current price $5.00
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    Current price $5.00
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  • Original price $12.50 - Original price $12.50
    Original price $12.50
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    Smooth Extra Large Brass Heishi Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 16" in length. Individual beads measure 1.5 x 6mm in size, with holes measuring 2mm....

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    Original price $12.50 - Original price $12.50
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    Gold Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of gold beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 26" inches long with approximately 340 beads measuring 2...

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    Smooth Brass Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 25" in length. Individual beads measure 2x3mm in size, with holes measuring. Each st...

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    Gold Flat Disk Heishi Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Brighten up your designs with these great Gold Disk Heishi Beads. The flat shape of these beads makes them highly versatile and they may be used as...

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    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
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    Current price $16.50
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    Smooth Silver Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of silver beads fashioned in a heishi shape without any seam. Each strand is about 24" inches long with approximat...

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    Antiqued Brass Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 27" inches long with approximately 338 beads measuring ...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Smooth Antiqued Brass Heishi Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 16 inches long with approximately 240 beads measuring 1...

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    Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
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    Current price $11.00
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    Current price $9.00
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    Antiqued Copper Flower Heishi Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these handcrafted antique copper metal beads. Each artisan strand measures in at approximately 24" in length. Each bead is about 2 x...

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    Original price $12.00
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    Original price $12.00
    Current price $9.00
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    Silver Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these stunning silver square heishi beads. These beads make for a great spacer in jewelry designs! Each artisan bead strand measures...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Copper Smooth Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in a smooth heishi shape without any seam. Each strand is 24" inches long with approxima...

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    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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    Shiny Silver Smooth Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 500 beads meas...

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    Current price $7.50
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    Brass Heishi Ethiopian Beads (2.5-3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of Brass Heishi beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are about 2.5-3mm diameter. The strand is approximately 28 inches long with hole size...

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    Original price $10.00
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    Original price $10.00
    Current price $7.50
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    Current price $7.50
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  • Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
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    Smooth Silver Heishi Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 16" inches long with approximately 270 beads meas...

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    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
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    Current price $12.00
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    Dark Silver Heishi Ethiopian Beads (Set of 2)

    Only 1 left!

    Set of two strands of dark silver color vintage heishi beads. Each of these 20" strands has it's own unique character. Individual beads are approxi...

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    Original price $11.00
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    Original price $11.00
    Current price $9.00
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    Current price $9.00
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    Gold Smooth Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 500 beads measuring ...

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    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
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    Current price $12.00
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    Antiqued Brass Flower Heishi Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 265 beads measuring ...

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    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
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    Current price $12.00
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    Current price $10.00
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    Brass Heishi Ethiopian Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of Large Brass Heishi beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are about 4mm diameter. The strand is approximately 28 inches long.

    Original price $11.00
    Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
    Original price $11.00
    Current price $10.00
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    Current price $10.00
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    Antiqued Brass Double Heishi Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 2 x 2mm in size, with holes measuring approx...

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    Antique Brass Prism Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 1-2 x 2-3mm in size, with holes measuring ap...

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    Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
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    Copper Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these stunning copper square heishi beads. These beads make for a great spacer in jewelry designs! Each artisan bead strand measures...

    View full details
    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
    $10.00
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    Current price $10.00
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    Original price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00

    Copper Heishi Ethiopian Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of Large Copper Heishi beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are about 4mm diameter. The strand is approx. 28 inches long with hole size o...

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    Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00
Ornate and beautiful, African Metal Beads have long been an expressive art medium for indigenous tribes of the Southern and Eastern Capes. Their versatility as both a currency and symbol of status has vastly improved the fortunes of many impoverished regions, and borne an art form that continues to be imparted by ancestors to younger generations. Focal African Copper Beads are thought to be among the earliest formats produced using the “lost wax” method; an ancient Tuareg technique involving the use of hollow wax molds to shape and set molten metal. Ductile and soft, copper is one of the easiest metals to manipulate into elaborate shapes, which is why you'll find the vast majority of Copper Beads here at The Bead Chest are characterised by intricate designs and filigree work. Ethiopian Heishi Beads produced prior to the 1950's also utilised this method, and historians suggest the ancient Tuareg technique may have paved the way for the cage-like Baoule Brass Beads now produced in abundance along the Ivory Coast. Africa's popular White Metal Beads are a more recent innovation. They are commonly produced using recyclable alloys, such as aluminium, sourced from discarded cans and industrial roofing. Metal Beads tend to be far less elaborate in character than their copper counterparts owing to the process by which they are made. Both Tube and Heishi Beads are produced using the “winding” technique – a process whereby the metal is heated until malleable, before winding it around a mandrel and hammering it into shape. This technique allows for greater uniformity when crafting smaller beads, making them ideal for bead-weaving and peyote style projects.
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