Where can I buy black plastic bead chain for insect eyes? I bought som many years ago but have not seenit in catalogs or shops lately. I’m looking for the kind kind that is molded in one contiuous piece. I found some in silver and gold only in a craft store but it was absolute junk with all kinds of “molding flash” on the pieces. Thanks.
Ray have you tried your local hardware store. I have not tried ours yet cause we are getting bombarded with snow but as soon as it clears I will be out and about and if I find some I will pick it up for ya. can’t cost that much LOL
Got mine at the local craft store. They call it “Imitation Pearl Garland”…go figure!
Brad
I bought a roll in the wedding section of the local Hobby Lobby. They had Gold, Silver and Pearl versions. I did look over 2-3 spools to get one I liked best, but it was not bad. It doesn’t have any molding flash on it anyway. I have not seen any in black, but I will let you know if I do.
Usually in the sewing section of craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Walmart. Two sizes and two colors–black gold BILL
Ray,
I also got mine at the craft store.
Quality seems okay.
Let me know if you can’t find any. I have a lot of it in black.
Buddy
I got some “bug eye” things that are basically plastic bead chain, free from a buddy. More pricey at the fly shop (where they came from) but it may be worth it for the quality.
Beaded tie wraps, the kind used to tie wires together and the ones used as a security seal, are great for eyes. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. Even real small ones like you would use on a damsel nymph.
Hi Flyfisherjoe. Can you suggest a source ?
A buddy of mine gave me some that she got at Mardi Gras!!! 
J/k… I got mine from DRolfson!!! … little gold, little blue, little red
They are excellent for Shallow Crappie Candy flies!
Ray;
If this helps, at all, PM me your address and I’ll gladly send you about an 18" length of these!?!
(they’re pictured w/ a Mustad #94840 #12 for comparison)
Ray,
Have you tried this?;http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/tyingtips/part122.html
Doug
I found something similiar in the dollar store with the wrapping materials (like you would wrap a present with) section. It was on a spool and it came in gold, silver, and pearl. But it could be sprayed black. I haven’t used much of it. I bought some in pearl. I will send you some if you pm me your address.
Hi Flybinder, It’s just the stuff I’m looking for. Anything you send will be appreciated but where did you buy the good stuff. I actually bought some of the low quality craft store material without looking at it too closely and ended contributing 4 spools of it to my garbage can. Thanks again.
Ray Kunz 55 September Lane Beacon Falls, CT 06403
Hi, Ray!
I’ll stick about 18",or so, in the mail to you, tomorrow AM!
Glad it’s what you’re after and I could help.
Now, if you HADN’T asked my feeble, old, brain a very hard question, like…"where’d you buy the “right stuff”, I MAYBE could have answered you!?!
Honestly, I found it at a yardage store, some time ago. I, “THINK”, it was in the “craft kits aisle”… like where you’d find leather moccasin kits, jewelry kits, etc. It didn’t come on a spool, either. It was sold in a little cellophane bag, hanging on a peg hook.
You mean like this?
Ray, what I’m refering to are called “releasable beaded cable ties.” You can find them at supply houses like McMaster Carr or at some electronics stores.
Yep, Kaboom, that kind of package, but it wasn’t anything to do with floral crafts, that I remember. Something along the line of “leather beading decoration”. I think that’s why, (by my poor pictures!), the beads are spaced a little further apart than I’d think was normal but I think that’s so you can run leather lacing between them, or, maybe sinew thread when maybe decorating moccasins, belts, etc.!?!
That was the crafts section I found them in anyway… “leather work and bead crafts”, at the yardage store.
JoAnns Fabrics has them in pearly white, black and some others, if I remember
correctly.
You can get a pack of 5 yards for around a dollar. They also have a couple of
sizes, too.
A lot of times they have them in the clearance bins for 50 cents each.
My wife is a quilter and I usually go to the fabric/quilt stores with her. You can really find some good stuff there.
Ray, let me know if you don’t have a JoAnns near you and the next time we go (up in Oklahoma or Denton area) I can pick you some up.
Have fun,
George
Ray;
The bead chain, went out in yesterday’s mail.
Hope it’s the correct stuff you’re looking for!?!
I’ll be checking the store, in the next day or three, where I’m pretty sure I got it a few years back and let you know if there’s more.