Ya gotta know the song to appreciate the title...!

Anyway, I want to tell you how I sand my beads.  Why?  Well...I read a lot of blogs and OBTW's and I have offered my suggestions.  Some have taken my suggestions to heart...and the end result was great.  Some people just want to keep trying to invent the wheel or coming up with "the next great thing"...dunno.  When you find something that works, why the hell do you want to keep trying to find some other way to do it...unless it's EVER so much easier and cheaper????
Anyway, I got this from Desiree long, long ago.  Don't know the lady's last name.  Just know I used to read her blog religiously, and this is one of the "tips" she handed out...was the best I ever read.  Google "Desiree" and reap the benefit of her knowledge.  She's truly talented.

Here it is - for about a moderate handful of beads...it's going to depend on how big your beads are.  You're going to have to decide what moderate is, but that's what experimenting is all about!
I have been using the same little "craft"/"hobby" sander for the last four years.  Yes, it's held up that long...and I use it at least three times a week.  I got it at Jo Ann with a 50% off coupon...so you guys can get one for about $25 - $30???  It's more than paid for itself.  Throw everything it comes with in the trash.  All you want is the motor and the drum.

1.  One sheet of 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
2.  Cut the sheet in half and put the rough sides against each other
3.  Cut the sheets into 1/4 to 1/2 inch strips
4.  Bundle a few (maybe 10 to 12?) of the strips together, and cut those into about 1/4 to 1/2" squares.  Don't get anal on this...just cut - they don't have to be perfect.  However, if you get them too big, they will curl up during sanding process.
5.  Once you've cut everything up, you should have a pile of "squares".  One sheet will handle a decent handful of beads.
6.  Put the beads, the sandpaper, and enough water to fill the drum to about 3/4 full.  Keep in mind that you have to have enough room for the beads and the paper to roll around...so you can't pack the  drum too much...this also comes with experience and experimenting...you'll get it down pat before too long!
7.  Let this tumble for AT LEAST 24 hours...longer if you just don't want to be bothered!!!
Please, please, please pay attention to step #6...I SAID WATER!!!!   That's why you've got wet/dry sandpaper in there!  That's why I said throw away everything that  came with the tumbler!!
8.  After at least 24 hours of tumbling, take the beads, rinse everything off with water.  Save the sandpaper...you can use the same batch for at least three tumbles before you have to cut up another sheet.  I just dump it all out on a paper towel and let it dry.
 If you like the matte finish...leave it.  Otherwise, you can coat with varathane (I SWEAR by Flecto varathane) or tumble buff...same principle, except you use cloth to buff instead of water and sandpaper to sand..  Sound stupid?  Write and ask, and I'll explain.
Wow...I know I've missed something.  But we've got a major storm brewing with lots of lightning.  I never miss a show like that...and my evening glass of wine is calling my name.  Yes, yes, I hear it plain as day!!!
Cheers!