(no subject)

[arethinn]

Does anyone have any idea where I might be able to get small bells, of a traditionalish (though miniature) shape, that are made out of sterling silver or at least a silver alloy? I've found a few "fine jewelry" types which run $90-100 each but they're not only too big, but far too expensive to consider when I need nine of them for what I'm planning to do. So far the best I've been able to find is a site selling cat and dog bells, which had a nice small simple one - $27 each, still on the steep side for nine. I'm really hoping I can do better than that, although if not then I guess I'll have to think of something else (silverplate some brass or bronze ones?).

Comments

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

So: you want church-type bells, not jingle bells, right?

Do they have to have clappers inside? THat would probably lower the cost; things like that may not be "working" bells at tiny size.

Sterling will run a bit too squishy for such a shape, too. You might find silver alloy or plated.

The closest I can come off the top of my slepy head is bead caps, which tend to be a bit too triangular or filigree for what you want.

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

I actually wouldn't mind the jingle bell shape if they were made of some kind of silver, but all the jingle bells I've seen are made of (I guess) chromed steel.

Yes, they do need to have clappers. They need to actually chime. What I'm trying to do is make a Musical Silver Branch, you see (something you may have heard of in Irish myth).

I know sterling is a bit soft for a real bell (in my search I found some Russian site which explained in some detail why large bells are bronze and not silver, despite the "silver bells" image), but then, dinner-bell type bells are often made out of it, and I thought it might be easier to find tiny ones (like the pet bells I did find).

I'm not sure what a "bead cap" is.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

A bead cap is a thing I use in jewelry work that, um, is sort of like a little pointy decorative hat for a bead. I'm sorry, I'm too stupid to explain them, but a Googling should perhaps help. They wouldn't have a clapper but one could be made out of wire, but it would be a very small thing and not much sound.

I think even dinner-bell things must be plated. Or pewter.

What about bellydancer-type "bells" which are not in fact bells, but effectively just bunches of clappers that hang together and make a jingly shimmer? if you used a bunch instead of one bell? You could use seven bunches of seven 'bells'. Those might be more easily findable in silver plate. THey're certainly available in bronze.

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

Bead cap: Oh, I know what you mean, then. No, those wouldn't work. I need to have a distinctly audible jingling or ringing.

Bellydancer bells: I hadn't thought of hanging them in bunches. (obviously, singly they wouldn't work) Fire Mountain Gems, which netdancer provided a link to, had some which were actually listed as sterling silver. Making bunches of them is certainly a viable alternative if I can't find my ideal. Thanks!