I have been making jewelry for a couple of years now for my own collection, but I just recently have gotten pretty serious about it. I just went to my first bead show in Dallas and that just solidified my addiction. I've even sold a couple of my designs. Talk about a head trip. It's very exciting. I am now faced with what I bet is a very common problem. Apparently I have expensive taste, because what I find myself gravitating towards are high dollared items. With that being said I would like some advice. I'm always looking for bargins, but I'm torn between quality and price.  So... I guess what I'm trying to ask in a very long wordy way is I would like help finding websites that offer discounts and low prices without sacrificing quality. I have a tax id. I'm interested in most anything sterling silver and also turquoise, coral, swarovsky crystals and pearls... that will get me started I think. Thanks.

Is anyone out there?

Hi there,

Two places I have found very good prices on sterling silver beads are gemshow-online.com (I'm not 100% sure where the hyphen goes) and bluemud.com.  I buy from these two all of the time and am always pleased.

Hope I helped,

Laura

 ".....discounts and low prices without sacrificing quality."

Generally, you get what you pay for. If you compare sterling round beads, for example, lighter gauge, more crushable beads will be cheaper than heavier ones. Bali silver is more expensive than Bali style beads made in India.

Last time I checked, Rainbows of Light was one of the least expensive Swarovski suppliers in small quantities. I think my own Rings & Things has one of the best prices if  you can buy in factory pack quantities.

Searching through the forums for tags like best prices, sterling, Swarovski, etc will find you a lot of suggestions for suppliers. 

Rio Grande, Halstead, Monsterslayer and my own Rings & Things all carry sterling and gold filled products. Artbeads, Fusion Beads, and even Fire Mountain all have their followers.

Thank you so much Laura. I'm new to this forum and was beginning to think no one would give me any feedback. I'll look at those sites tonight when I get home from work.

Thanks again,

Amanda

Thank you too Russ. I will check out your website also. You seem to know your stuff. I have read several of your comments to other beaders on here and you give very good advice. You must love what you do. Thank you for your help.

 Amanda

crazytxbeader:

You must love what you do.

 

    Thanks!   Yes, I do, I love beads in general and love sharing what I've learned. I love researching and learning new things, and that keeps it going. I feel really fortunate that I can make an adequate living doing what I enjoy and that it helps a lot of people make beautiful things in the process.

Hi there,

I just wanted to let everyone know about the site I found today.  It's called www.udayanasilver.com.  I was going out of my mind at the beautiful things.  Their prices are really reasonable, but I was so disappointed to see that there was a $75 minimum order.  I absolutely can't afford to order that much at one time, but if you can, I think you would be very happy.  They are based in Bali, so their S&H is a little high, but if money were no object, it looks like a great site.  At least it doesn't cost anything to "window shop".  If anyone checks it out, let me know what you think.

Laura

hey.... You can get sterling beads, finding, chains, pearls etc at http://www.houseofgems.com/ , They have wonderful stuff, that too quite reasonable & they also offer discount to frequent buyers, I also bought sterling chain & beads from there & they also have free shipping within U.S.

 

Thanx

Angela

 

I guess all beading and jewelry-making enthusiasts go through this phase. Quality of a finding is important as it affects not just the jewel piece's quality but its appearance as well.

You can find some great bargains without losing out on the quality at www.Gemmall.com. It has a good collection of sterling beads, gemstone and glass beads, Swarovski Crystals and a good range of findings as well.

Happy Beading!

You might try www.bluemud.com. They have a nice selection of beads and offer reasonable discounts. Shipping is quick and inexpensive.

Finedings is a good place to buy findings and chain.  I buy from them all the time.  Their customer service is excellent and they ship fast.

Hi,

For swarovski I would recommend that you look for the bulk buying groups on Yahoo.  There are at least two great ones.  It is a large group of people that get together and purchase what they need which gets you the 'real' wholesale prices.  We just did a buy with Merchants Overseas.  Because so many people order crystals, we are able to buy multiple factory packs and split them at amazing prices.  The group does this throughout the year for different items, including sterling clasps, findings, etc. and many other beading related items. If a buy isn't happening for what you are looking for right now, it will eventually and is usually worth the wait unless you are in a super hurry.

If materials are MARKED 'Sterling Silver' in accordance with U.S. standards, and are not chintzy ripoffs, chances are they are NOT going to be cheap. Lightweight white-metal goods from Mexico, India, China, etc. most likely contain varying amounts of brass, nickel, and even lead. So, as has already been stated by others, you get what you pay for. Coral can also be a buyer-beware product. Where did it come from, was it ethically obtained, is it dyed (if so, the color may run or rub off), and is it actual coral and not cast resin? It's a buyer-beware world out there. Good luck with your projects, and happy beading!