Shopping for the Under $25 special issue, we've been comparing notes on our purchases. We all love MIchaels, Jo-Ann, and Hobby Lobby, especially when we can use coupons. I also like Lima Beads because they sell half strands, which is a brilliant idea. I just ordered some faceted nuggets for a chunky necklace. One thing I'm finding challenging: even though I always have calipers in front of me when I shop online, it's hard to imagine how beads will look. Nothing compares to shopping at a bricks-and-mortar location — particularly for gemstones. Even though digital images are usually clear, it's hard to predict a strand's color, clarity, shape, matrix, etc. Even the size can be a bit of a crapshoot: for example, if I order 4 mm faceted rondelles, I have an idea of what that should look like, but I'm sometimes surprised by what I get. I think vendors are reputable, but it would be impossible for them to show the whole range of every gemstone they offer. Luckily many of them also have reasonable return policies. Do you have any favorite suppliers for gemstones? I'm always on the lookout.