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Suppliers & Product Reviews

Trout Season

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Make Art Monday!

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These adorable medallions were made by my friend Amy Fraser from polymer clay!

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Trout Season

Tomorrow I’ll outline the really simple steps to making this cute necklace.

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All the pretty flowers!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Costume Jewelry Supplies is one of my favorite places to get vintage lucite and glass flowers. I just dropped a load recently, because I’ve got quite a few projects coming up (in my little brain, that is) that required me to restock my rapidly dwindling supply. Do you have other favorite sources?

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Wirework

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

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Getting Started with Wirework
A nice basic article with good overall information

Wonderful Wire Jewelry Projects
Lots of projects with lots of pictures to get you started by Tammy Powley. Also links to Tammy’s informative articles on types of wire.

Preston Reuther’s Wire Sculpture
Free downloadable videos from Preston Reuther, master wire sculptor. Also sells supplies, including a complete package to get started, and has a free 7-part e-course you can sign up for.

WigJig University
Supplies and instructions for making jewelry with beads and wire

Fire Mountain Gems
All types of wire, both precious and base

Rings & Things
Argentium Sterling Silver. Learn about Argentium Sterling Silver at The Artful Crafter’s blog.

Rio Grande
You’ll need to set up an account to browse the site

Creative Wire Jewelry Forum
A place to hang out, talk, and learn about…what else?…wire!

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The Beadin’ Path offers classes

Friday, May 18th, 2007

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If you live in or near Maine, you might want to consider taking a class at The Beadin’ Path. Known for their great selection of vintage beads, this store would likely be a fun (and tempting) venue for learning!

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Antique and trade bead suppliers

Friday, April 20th, 2007

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African Accents
Beautiful handmade beads available from a number of African nations

Rita Okrent
Ancient and ethnographic beads. Sadly, Rita died in 2005, but her website is remaining open.

African Crafts
A wide selection of African trade beads

Crazy Crow
Native American and mountain man syle beadwork supplies

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Full-service catalog suppliers

Friday, April 6th, 2007

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Rio Grande
A comprehensive selection of raw materials, findings, chains, gemstones, beads, stringing, art jewelry supplies, display and packaging

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
Huge assortment, aimed at uniting the world, one bead at a time!

Rings and Things
This wholesale catalog is your one-stop source for beads, jewelry findings, charms, cord, polymer clay, Swarovski crystal beads and prisms, Czech glass beads, jewelry display items and other jewelry components

Ornamental Resources
An enormous selection of beads and other decorative materials, with many hard-to-find items

The Bead Babe
No license required for this on-line wholesale catalog

Gemstone bead suppliers

Friday, March 30th, 2007

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ArtGems Inc
A huge selection with an easily searchable website

Trash City Beads
Low prices, no frills. Website or mail ordering only

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Diamond Engagement Rings Novori sells gorgeous diamond engagement rings and wedding bands in platinum, white and yellow gold. They also have exquisite fine diamond jewelry.

Vintage bead suppliers

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

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The Beadin’ Path

My favorites:

Estate Beads
Unique stylish beads, in glass, lucite, and even bakelite!

Talisman Associates
Vintage German glass beads, arranged by color.

BeadRoom.com
A huge selection of vintage glass, arranged by color and size.

The Beadin’ Path
Lots of vintage glass and lucite.

Costume Jewelry Supplies
Unique beads and pieces that you won’t find elsewhere.

Splendor in the Glass
Some of the most beautiful and unusual beads available anywhere.

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Global Fair Trade Crafts

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

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Global Crafts is a site that belongs to the Fair Trade Federation. Members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. So you can feel good about purchasing artisan-made pieces from this site. These beaded animals are found in the Metal and Tin Art section.

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Seed bead suppliers

Thursday, February 8th, 2007

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WhimBeads

My favorite on-line sources…

WhimBeads
Delicas and other Japanese seed beads in all sizes, fancy shapes

Empyrean Beads
Many antique and vintage seed beads

Kawahara
Seed beads with dichroic coating ~ fantastic!

Artbeads.com - Your online bead store
Free shipping and no minimum orders

FusionBeads
Great selection of Japanese seed beads with quantity discounts.

…and my favorite catalogs

Fire Mountain Gems
Huge assortment, aimed at uniting the world, one bead at a time!

Rings and Things
A huge selection of larger seed beads and mixtures

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About Bead Arts

Come on a journey through a bead and jewelry wonderland, where no item is considered too strange to use in making something...especially if that item has a hole in it! All types of beads are welcomed and cherished here, and no techniques are off-limits. You'll be amazed and inspired by the beadwork that is being done today!

Bead Arts Author(s)
    » Cyndi-Lavin

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