So I went to AC Moore today to pick up some supplies. Besides the embarrasment of standing in the bedazzle isle for about 40 minutes, I was finally able to find the flexible needle and beading wire.
I was a bit unimpressed with the needle. The twists are much coarser than in your pic dave, as if it only had about 1/3 of the twists.
The bead wire has a lot of promise. Following the GHQ instructions, I formed the wire with a pair of Xuron ridged pliers. The result is very small, flatish wire with a diagnal cross pattern that looks a like like chain from a distance.