Hello All! Not a bead expert, but do have a bit of experience! Beads have gotten very expensive as manufacturers have dreamed up new colors & finishes. As an example, AB finish is just that--thin layers of a coating that reflect a rainbow of colors over the the base color. My favorite bead store--Beads Gone Wild--has hundreds (thousands?) of varieties. Eight grams of seed beads can range from $3 to $30 depending on the finish. And it's not just the coating on the outside--"Silver lined" beads being an example. Thankfully, the staff at BGW advised me to avoid silver lined beads for a recent needlepoint project because the silver lining "tarnishes" with age, thereby changing the color palette of the completed work over time. Dichroic glass beads are even more expensive, however, to my knowledge, the color properties are baked into the glass itself rather than applied. Color availability is limited. After checking online, I see that Gutermann beads are Czech. The bea! ds I use are Japanese so maybe there's a different process? That said, I too would be disappointed if beads lost their color so easily & I would be tempted to contact the manufacturer. While I'm sorry you've had this problem, I thank you for posting about it. At the very least, it would be wise to test wash beads before applying to any wearable lace project. As to the lace trimmed skirts, it's easy to remove the colorless beads by breaking them off. Use the back of a metal spoon to carefully crush each bead individually. This is a technique that is used by seamstresses when altering a beaded dress. Best wishes with your project. Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA
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