Visit to Beads Factory – Miyuki Haul & Anniversary Giveaway

Earlier this month, my fiance Navid and I visited my family in Japan, and on our way there, we stopped at a store called Beads Factory in Tokyo.  See this lovely shop and what I bought AND giveaway details in the video 🙂

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Beads Factory has an amazing selection of Miyuki beads. Miyuki is a company famous for its high quality beads and other beading products. I especially love their hex-cut beads, which are used often in high quality belly dance costumes. These beads are cut in hexagon shape, and because of the flat sides on the surface of each bead, they reflect light so much more than other seed beads.       

Unfortunately they don’t ship their products overseas. You can find a limited selection of Miyuki products in bead stores in North America as well. So if you ever visit Japan, I highly recommend you visit their stores! (They have stores in Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima)    

Happy Birthday, Sparkly Belly!

Now I’m happy to tell you that Sparkly Belly just celebrated its first year anniversary, and I really couldn’t have continued my work at Sparkly Belly without your support. So to show my appreciation, I’m going to give 1 lucky winner Miyuki beads that I brought back – bugle beads in black AB and hex cut beads in lavender colour, and other supplies that would go with them – a pear-shaped swarovski rhinestone in crystal AB and Czech druk beads in smokey grey.        

If you are interested in winning this Sparkly Belly anniversary goody bag,          

  1. Sign up for Sparkly Belly newsletter if you haven’t already – it’s a newsletter subscriber-only giveaway, so you have to appear on my subscriber list to be eligible. 
  2. Tell me what you are going to make using the Miyuki beads in the comment section below. (Not the YouTube comment section! Any comments left on YouTube will not count.)

Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t get approved right after submitting. The system requires me to approve your comment if it’s your first time commenting on this blog. I will approve all of them in the order of submission before I pick a winner 🙂

Leave a comment below by Thursday, October 29 midnight Pacific time. I will pick a random number using random.org, and announce the winner in my newsletter.

Good luck! Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!

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62 Comments

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  1. I am going to make a seed bead necklace. It will have 3 tiers in it, and have a seed bead loop on one end and a matching button on the other to close necklace

  3. Well, the colors are perfect to use them in the Mardi Gras inspired costume I plan to make in the coming months. So this is what I’d do with them. And you coult try melatonin to help with the jet lag. Keep up your good work!

  4. Thank you for all the information you give dancers. I wish that I had such guidance when I first started out.

    My first beaded costume was the only item that I’d ever beaded and I had no idea what I was doing! I doubled my beading thread and triple knotted each piece of fringe. Also, I put a tiny drop of glue on each knot and at the bottom of each fringe strand. This was made in the 80’s and was danced in many, many shows. It still has all it’s fringe.

    I visualize a beautiful black beaded costume with lavender and smoky grey highlights.

  5. I would love to use these to make accents for my costume to go with my “signature dance”! I was still had only vague ideas about a costume, but now I have a Great Idea!

  6. I would use them to complete my first “Sparkly Belly” tutorial-based costume! I have been dancing a long time, 30+ years, but I’ve never felt very skilled at costuming. Your tutorials have inspired me to give it a go, and these materials would be dedicated to that if I was the lucky winner. 🙂

  8. Hi Mao! Thanks for all of the amazing information you share here. It really takes the confusion out of creating these pieces.

    I would use the beads to decorate a bra. I envision a shimmery black metallic fabric with lavender, black, grey, and silver, perhaps with few bright pink pops of colour for extra fun.

  10. I would use the Miyuki beads to embellish a cabaret costume. I have seen these beads before and they are gorgeous. I love your site and share it with all my dancer friends.

  14. I plan on making a full costume, like the one on the BDCW. My idea was to use turquoise and purple, as I have some turquoise beaded fringe. The black AB and lavender fringe will go nicely with the turquoise and I would use the smoky grey round beads on the bra and belt.

  15. I think the beads would be perfect to make a central appliqué for the bra, and a few strands dangling in the center. Then, another appliqué for the belt. Since the hex beads catch so much light, I’d want to figure out a way to attach them to my belt in a way that moves, kinda like the coins on a coin belt. I think scattering them strategically on the belt might be better than having them concentrated or lined up in one place. That would maximize the use of each bead. But then again, having them line the top edge of the bra might really make the bra pop out. With the remaining beads, I’d use them to accentuate the hems of matching harem pants. The possibilities are endless!! This is a fun activity!

  16. I would use the beads to attempt my first belly dance bra top that cane from the tutorial. I’ve always worn gypsy tops bought online as am a busty gal. Would be a great experience to finally look like a real belly dancer for once.

  20. Happy Birthday.!!!
    I would use the beads on bra and belt set that I have just started embellishing. I would put them with antique beads that came from Germany.

  23. I would use the beads for a villianness inspired costume. I’m thinking Ursula or Malificient. Thanks for the chance!

  25. I would love to make the wrist gauntlets that you made in your tutorial! The black and lavender beads would look totally awesome with my tribal style skirt that is black with purple/lavender highlights!

  27. Thank you for the opportunity 🙂

    I would use the smokey topaz beads to make a necklace or necklace/anklet set. The rest of the goodies would go into a decorated bra with a beaded drape.

  28. I have a few costumes but yet I keep wanting a black one, this is my next project and I believe the lavender and grey would give such a beautiful touch in order to make it look more alive, so I’d love to use those Miyuki beads.

    Thank you so much for easy-to-follow tutorials and keep them coming.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! <3

  29. Those beads are beautiful! I’d probably try and decorate some accessories for some costumes. Accessories are one thing I’m missing!

  31. Happy first Birthday!! I would love to use the beads on my very first dance bra and skirt, using your fabulous tutorials!!

  32. Hi Mao!
    I would use the beads to add to a purple themed bra and belt set that j have been gathering materials for. I have everything I need…except more beads!!! These would compliment what I have already perfectly :). Thanks for your inspiration!

  33. Happy birthday to Sparkly Belly! I’d love to try my hand at making my own fringe. For areas on my newest belt and for a center piece for the bra. ?????

  35. I would use them on my very first try to make my own dress – I have a beautiful marroon piece of material to make a bra and a skirt. You give so many good advices so now Ifeel ready

  36. I will use them to decorate a black velvet costume that has a lavender coloured silk over it. The lavender beads and grey beads will go on the lavender fabric and the black beads will go on the velvet. The crystal would be perfect for the centre of the bra 🙂

  37. I will use the beads to accent my BDW costume in progress. If the costume is finished by the time this sweepstakes is over I will use the beads to make the jewelry 🙂

  39. Happy Birthday Sparkly Belly! Try drinking lots of water when flying, and make sure you have Coldease or Zinc tablets in your bag when you travel, cold viruses don’t like Zinc:)

    As far as II what I would make, I decide when I see the beads in person. They will talk to me and tell me what THEY want me to do with them!!

  40. I love to use beads to make beaded jewelry, but always enjoy an opportunity to try something new. If I win the beads, I would try to use them for beading a belly dance bra and matching gauntlets. Of course, anything leftover would make lovely matching earrings!

  41. Happy anniversary Sparkly Belly! It’s been a great year and I’ve learned so much! If I were to win, I’d use the beads for beaded accents on a new belly dancing bra. Since I’ve started gaining weight (one of the best things to happen to in the past year) the original one I had made no longer fits. If I can find the perfect fabric to go with, I’ll make a whole new outfit. ? Thank you so much for the opportunity of this giveaway of such amazing beads. ? Tiffany

  43. Hi Mao,
    I have had some fabric for a little over a year now, slowly making it into a cabaret style costume. It is dark rose with tiny glittery polka dots for one fabric; and sand, rose, and gold metallic pinstripes for the accent fabric. I’m hoping that the beads you have brought back with you are a match to my fabric. I’ve looked all over and am not satisfied with what I can find; colors are off just enough to be noticeable. I honestly can’t say what the bead design would look like if the beads came my way. I’m one that needs to be able to fiddle with the materials before getting inspiration.
    On a side note; try Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepy Time tea for your jet lag. It’s always helped me =)

  44. I have recently signed up for a beading class, love jewelry, and am a bellydancer. I am not sure what I would use 5he beads for as of this moment but I am sure it would be something beautiful. Thank you so much for the video tutorials on making costumes. I am building up my courage to try.

  45. I love all of your wonderful hints and videos….I wish I would have had this resource long ago!

    I would like to make a special jewellery gift for each one of my wonderful dancers in my troupe, the Gypsy Dancers of the Salish Sea. Thank you.

  46. I think I will make my own version of the Bead Decor craft item you talked a ok in the video. It’s a lot of beads so maybe I will make 2, one for each of my nieces

  47. Wow!! I really love this shop, here in Spain we haven´t this T_T
    I would use this beads for a new bra and belt black costume, turkish style that I’m planing 😀
    Happy birthday!!

  49. Happy Birthday and congrats on your one year anniversary. I love your site with all the great helpful ideas. Thank you. I would lover to visit that store sometime. If i am ever in the hood i will . lol. Namaste. Denise

  50. Congratulations on your 1st Birthday! 🙂 I have a costume in mind for an upcoming performance (Electric sky, lightning) which I think the colours will compliment beautifully… Thank you for sharing all your great ideas and knowledge with us!

  52. I would use the Miyuki beads to create a designs on a hip scarf I need to finish up. If they were any left the hip scarf was completed I would used them in the bra to make the be a set.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Steph

  53. Congrats on a full year of awesome! Thanks for all the great tutorials <3 If I got my hands on those beads they'd be embellishing my latest costume bra.

  54. I have a plan to make a dragon belly dance costume. It will have rows and rows of green, gold, and silver beads to look like scales, along with tons of beaded drapes. I haven’t made it yet due to the vast number of seed beads I will need.

  56. I would love to use the beads on the costume I will be wearing for a talent show at my school! I would probably add them to the pearl fringes I plan to put on my belt, on my choker necklace and aroud the top parts of my bra cups! It’s my first costume so if I win and put them on it i’ll be extra carefull to not mess it up! Btw, i’m from Canada too, I’m from Québec!

  57. I can’t see it before I have the things in my hands. Then my mind goes nuts with ideas.
    My mum is my bead sewer as my fingers can’t do it. And she’s soon to start something new. Would be awesome to include these things in it.

    Happy birthday

  58. oh my goodness…I have been dancing for 4 years now, american tribal..i have really enjoyed the tutorials..you make it so easy..If I got a hold of those beads…I would make the most amazing bra and embellish my sweet little arm warmers that I made with your help! Awesome too, they help to hide my bat wings! Looking forward to many more posts from you!

  60. Hello I saw your video and wow ,I love beads and love beading ,If I win these fine beads I will be making peyote stitch bracelets also right angel weave necklace for my grandmother