bead AND jewellery making stuff?

Aishae

hi guys, what sites would you recommend for beads AND tools, and findings? ive seen many sites, most have huge selection of beads. but most only have a bit of findings etc. theres no choice n selection.

ideally id love a site thats good value too. and wouldnt rob you blind on the postage. like i say ive seen a fair few bead ones - that do good deals on postage. but the findings selection puts me off. i fill a basket and when i get to the findings section i realise how little there is.

Aishae

just to let you know in case anyone else is looking for a site like this.
i used totalybeads.co.uk i'd seen them at a couple of knit n stitch fairs - i was using a bag of beads i got from their stall and saw the address on the bag - thought hm lets have a look - all in all the findings and stringing selection was pretty good - they had different coloured wire (not just memory wire or tigertail) and a pretty smashing selection of beads so that filled the bills and at a good price. the tool choice was the usual but im starting to think youd probably have to go to the beadalon/manufacturer website or ebay to get a wide choice there...

neelyohara

I normally go between sayila.ie and the-beadshop.co.uk

I think ebay is still your best bet.

Aishae

oh yeah ebay - i know you can get varied stuff you dont tend to see in shops here - and bulk findings but i hate the idea of soooo many transactions to get the stuff i need. i tend to get a lot of different things at once. and paypal was always a bit of a nightmare for me....

i saw sayila - they looked good, just didnt have everything i needed but they do nice beads. and panda hall are good for beads too. its just finding a place where i can get good nice beads and the findings and maybe tools too - that was a challange

Coriolanus

Just in case it's been a while since you used it, you can just pay direct with a credit card through PayPal now. You don't even need an account anymore (though there are obvious advantages to it). The whole process is a lot neater than it was a few years ago.

neelyohara

Aishae wrote: »

... i hate the idea of soooo many transactions to get the stuff i need. i tend to get a lot of different things at once. and paypal was always a bit of a nightmare for me....

I've never had any problems with paypal. Well... bar last night when my credit card was declined. Not actually paypals fault... I am €500 over my limit

It's the shipping that kills me. So I end up ordering a tonne of things with the idea that 'Well... I might need it/use it and since I'm paying x amount on shipping...'.

I do find jewellery supplies one of the more annoying things to buy. I'm a newbie in that area and anything I make is for personal use or as a gift... but I'd hate to be trying to source materials with a view to selling.

tanyabond

I always buy beads from http://beyondbeadery.com/
You do however need to buy a good bit to justify postage (which would be around $10-$15. Oh and this lady is very often closed for different shows so...
The best place for tools and findings is ebay (IMHO)

Aishae

Nevore wrote: »

Just in case it's been a while since you used it, you can just pay direct with a credit card through PayPal now. You don't even need an account anymore (though there are obvious advantages to it). The whole process is a lot neater than it was a few years ago.

thank you, thats good to know. i remember a few years back you could donate (for example) to an animal charity who had set up a facility so you could donate without an account. but i didnt know it had become common and - can you use it for all and any ebay transactions (where the seller accept paypal)? it would be handy for getting certain jewlellery making items.

i tend to favour sites that have flatrate postage or at least clear guidelines on what postage will be (based on weight - if it isnt too bad
on ebay i know a fair few sellers will boost postage sometimes obscenely - as they dont have to pay ebay fees on postage - so the item is listed cheap but the postage is awful.
i noticed when browsing a lot of jewellery supply sellers do flatrate or bulk postage. rather than eg. 4 dollars postage and 50c per item thereafter

tanyabond

Aishae, that's true about the postage... But there are quite a few sellers even on ebay who would offer a set amount - and you can get certain amount of items for that postage. I buy from this ebay seller sometimes as well - http://cgi.ebay.com/JACK-FROST-Miyuki-Matsuno-11-0-Seed-Bead-Mix-/130488080989?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e61b21a5d and she's a very fast shipper and offers a fair postage rate.

emmahugs

When I started off jewellery making I found this ebay seller excellent. They stock everything from beads to findings and tools and they are very reasonable with their postage charges.
They even have ready made starter kits with all the tools and findings you'll need aswell as a few beads.
They also have a regular internet store if ebay isn't your thing.
Hope this helps!

tanyabond

Emma, thank you for pointing this one out, I see she has some lovely kits! Since I always buy findings from different sellers it's impossible to get the same colour for everything, so this looks good, and very reasonable as well!

freefone

firemounthainjems they are americans, but ship to Ireland, only keep in mind that you will need to pay customs (FedEx did (havent ordered in while - got lost in knitting ) pay customs for you and later sent bill). Still they worked way cheaper for me.

Hobite

Hi, girls,

Thanks for sites links. I am lithuanian, so I always buy necessary beads and other stuff on lithuanian websites. Never tried ebay or etsy.

Need to say I find very little shops that kind of stuff in Dublin.

Aishae

yellow brick road and beads and bling are along the liffey - theyure practically across the liffey from each other near hapenny bridge. they can be very good. both do the courses you mentioned on another thread too. thought of doing one some day as i never have.

Hobite

Aishae wrote: »

yellow brick road and beads and bling are along the liffey - theyure practically across the liffey from each other near hapenny bridge. they can be very good. both do the courses you mentioned on another thread too. thought of doing one some day as i never have.

I know Beads and Bling. But havent seen the forst one you mentioned. Will check next time.