Make Art Monday!
Tomorrow I’ll outline the really simple steps to making this cute necklace.
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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?
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media, vintage-lucite
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!
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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!
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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
hanodmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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
ArtGems Inc
A huge selection with an easily searchable website
Trash City Beads
Low prices, no frills. Website or mail ordering only
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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.
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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.
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
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)
