About Sequins
Iridescent, metallic, gold and silver all describe sequins. Sequins are flat, disk-shaped beads you attach to jewelry, clothing and other fashion accessories. The flat disks reflect light and add sparkle. Skaters, dancers, brides and even elephants in the circus wear sequins. The popularity of sequins spans decades, including the Roaring Twenties, when flappers wore dresses and headbands covered with sequins, to Barnum and Bailey circus acts. Today sequins are plastic, but in the past, they were made of gold. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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In 1922 Howard Carter discovered sequin-like disks in King Tut's tomb. Since then, sequins have evolved from gold to gelatin plastic to today's plastic, thanks to Herbert Lieberman, who experimented with the disks and manufactured them in his New York factory. It was Lieberman who introduced the plastic sequin, according to the Beadin' Path, a bead shop in Freeport, Maine.
Uses
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You can sew sequins onto clothes, belts, head wear and even pocketbooks. They are popular on jeans and sweaters. Sandals are often decorated with sequins. Sequins dress up ballerina outfits and dance outfits. Skaters wear sequins on their outfits as well. You can add them to jewelry for added sparkle, color and definition.
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Size & Cost
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Manufacturers measure sequins in millimeters. Sequins can be as small as 3 mm and as large as 30 mm. Sequins are inexpensive. Packets of 3,000 sequins that are 3 mm are priced around $1.35. Packets of 50 sequins that are 30 mm are priced around $1.69.
Shapes & Colors
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Sequins are available in sunburst, shell shapes and snowflake designs, as well as round simple disks, flower disks, rectangular shapes and square shapes. Every color is possible, such as gold, silver, copper, red, green, blue, white, purple and pink. They may be iridescent, metallic or opaque.
Where to Buy
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Sequins are available in most craft stores. Look online for wholesale prices. Cartwright's Sequins and The Beadin' Path are two of many companies that have a large variety of sequins available. You also can purchase beads to complement the sequins.
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Resources
- Photo Credit ClickArt by Broderbund
