Sources

I'm often asked ``where do you get your beads?'' I don't regard my sources as state secrets, though I purchase beads everywhere I go.

However, there are some people from whom I consistantly buy beads and related materials. All of them, by the way, advertise in Ornament magazine, a publication I highly recommend.

Priya Imports, for whom I worked, and who was my introduction to real bead stores, carry semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, and precious metal findings. They specialize in fancy Indian beads---faceted garnets, and brazilian stones such as amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, and tourmaline---and sterling silver handmade Bali beads.

Moreover, they are my only source for the General Findings seamless 4, 3 and, in sterling, 2 1/2 mm 14/20 and sterling beads. Since I like using pliers to make my own rondels and squares, these are indispensible. (They also look better than the seamed beads, though I do use the seamed 2mms---I need those large holes.)

Finally, the service is very good, and they're family friendly, which means I can bring toddlers to the show room without feeling I'm committing a social crime. Wholesale only, minimum order of $100; resale tax license required for Michigan residents. Hours 10--5 EST, Monday--Friday. They have a free price list, accept Discover, Mastercard and Visa, and a toll free number.

The other local beadstore I like to patronize is Abeada. Their focus is more on the Hong Kong and Taiwanese beads, and they have some very nice freshwater pearls by the hank. Again, they're very friendly (my kids always look forward to the chocolate dispensing M&M guy) They have excellent depth in findings, as well. They're also wholesale only, with ``Orders under $50 subject to additional handling charges'', accept Mastercard and Visa, open Monday--Friday 10--5 EST.

Like just about everybody else, I occasionally order things from Rio Grande (they've recombined their tool and findings departments again, as well as their display, making life much simpler). I buy my earwires (shepherd hooks or blanks) from Tierracast (800/222.9939). Though they're still the best on the market, they're not as nice as they were 5--6 years ago, when I first started ordering them. The 2mm's referenced above come from ARC, (800/528.2374) and are most economical in the 10,000 pc bulk pricing. Rio Grande sells to anybody, but the other two are wholesale, with minimums in the $100-200 range.

I haven't really found a czech bead source I'm thrilled about. I buy seed beads in retail quantities, pretty much, and since I like to see what I'm getting, I buy them all over. In fact, I tend to mail order only really consistant products, such as findings .

Finally, everybody should have a dear friend like Page, who periodically cleans out her bead drawers and either gives or sells for a pittance the rejects. Thank you, Page.

Unless otherwise noted, text, image and objects depicted therein copyright 2008 sylvus tarn.

Sylvus Tarn