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ONLINE BEAD SHOPPING
(NOTE: These are some of my favorite places to shop online where I’ve found the prices, service and delivery to be the best.)
ABOUT BEADS
http://www.about-beads.com
This is a great place to shop for Miyuki Delica beads. The prices are great, and they are sorted by number, making it easy to find what you need when you know exactly what you need. They also sell Japanese 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads and bugle beads.
AUNTIESBEADS.COM
http://www.auntiesbeads.com/
Although this site has some great prices and an excellent selection of Swarovski crystal and sterling silver beads, Aunties is where I go when I'm looking for unique beads, pendants and clasps. In addition, they have many free project directions, design ideas, beading "How Tos" and numerous free online videos that are worth checking out no matter what your beading skill level.
BEADBABE
http://www.beadbabe.com
Beadbabe has a lot of unique beads that you won't find anywhere else (I love their mood beads), and some hand-crafted beads from a number of talented bead artists. As a premium member ($25 a year), there are always lots of discounts on beads but even better, you get a free copy of a 19-project Alice Korach e-book, a subscription to Bead-Bugle.com magazine and access to the entire archive of Bead-Bugle.com projects in PDF form since the online magazine was started years ago. That's QUITE a lot for $25. Even better, the patterns are great!
Beadaholique
http://www.beadaholique.com
This is a great online bead shop that has some excellent prices on Swarovski crystal and chain. You can pay via Paypal, which I think is an added plus. They have some wonderful deals during many of their sales so it's worth it to get on the Beadaholique mailing list.
BEADBOX
http://www.beadbox.com/
Beadbox a wonderful place to get beads from all over the world. I especially like their chain selection and they have a HUGE assortment of sterling silver beads, clasps and other findings. Discount pricing is available.
CARAVAN BEADS, INC.
http://www.caravanbeads.com
Caravan has an extensive collections of Japanese seed beads of all types and sizes, including cubes, hex and bugle beads. If you are looking for Miyuki sample cards, this is the site to visit.
EMBELLISHMENTS BEADS AND FINDINGS
http://www.embellishmentsinc.com
This is where I go to shop for unique clasps, especially vermeil clasps. They have a huge selection that changes often, and many of the clasps they offer, I haven’t seen anywhere on the Internet. They ship priority mail from Anchorage, Alaska, and I’ve never had an order take more than week.
FUSION BEADS
http://www.fusionbeads.com
This site continues to grow in some wonderful ways. The have a vast selection of just about every bead that you could possibly need, including the largest selection of fire-polished beads that I have run across. However, what makes this site so impressive is it's lengthy Inspiration page where you can peruse dozens of gorgeous beaded designs with direct links to the beads and materials you need to purchase to make each piece.
INM CRYSTAL
http://www.inmcrystal.com
Another great place to shop for Swarovski crystal beads. The more you buy, the cheaper the beads are.
FIRE MOUNTAIN GEMS
http://www.firemountaingems.com
Fire Mountain is, perhaps, the largest bead seller on the Internet. The have a large selection of just about everything, quantity discount pricing and an Outlet area.
LAND OF ODDS
http://www.landofodds.com
I tend to buy most of my Fire Polished beads from Land of Odds because I’ve found that they have the largest selection, as well as the best prices. However, you have to know what you are buying because the Web site doesn’t provide a lot of pictures. Orders of over $75 get a 15% discount. They’ve also got the entire selection of C-LON.
RISHASHAY
http://www.rishashay.com
Another site where I shop for clasps, although they have much, much more to offer. Their entire catalog is online, and checkout is very easy. I believe all the beads and findings come from their workshop in Bali, Indonesia, although their American headquarters is in Missoula, Montana.
SHIPWRECK BEADS
http://www.shipwreck-beads.com
I once beaded with a woman who said she’s bought so many beads from Shipwreck over the years that she feels like she owns part of the place. The prices are good and the selection is vast.
2 BEAD OR NOT TO BEAD
http://www.2beadornot2bead.com
Nice site with a wide variety of beads and findings. Quantity discount pricing is available, they always have some great deals on shipping, the service is excellent and they frequently add to their product line. If you love crystal, check out their 4mm Lilac Dorado bicone Swarovski crystals; they are gorgeous and I haven’t found any other site on the Internet that sells them.
U BEAD IT
http://www.ubeaditsacramento.com
U Bead It has a wonderfully large selection of Japanese beads (Delicas, hex, seed, bugle and triangle beads), especially size 8 Japanese Hex beads. The also have good prices on Fire Polished beads and some unique clasps. If you are looking for the rectangular flip-top tubes and 4 by 6-inch hinged boxes to hold them, this is the place to go.
VENETIAN BEAD SHOP
http://www.venetianbeadshop.com
Okay... yes, these beads are costly. And they are the most beautiful sold on the Internet today. Every time I go to this site, I spend money but it's hard not to. The artistry is just so extraordinary. This is the site to visit when you are looking for extra special beads for extra special occasions.
WHIMBEADS
http://www.whimbeads.com
Whimbeads has, in my opinion, the largest selection of Japanese seed beads and Delica beads for sale on the Internet. They also have an extensive collection of 3mm and 4mm Japanese cubes beads. They also sell the rectangular flip-top tubes and 4 by 6-inch hinged boxes to hold them.
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