A lot of people who are just starting to make their own bead jewelry get caught up in all the magazines and books and beading supply catalogs and begin thinking that the only way to actually buy beads and jewelry supplies are through specialized jewelry and beading outlets. To make beautiful bead jewelry you don't have to spend a lot of money on your beads and beading supplies.
And while I love visiting new bead stores and can spend hours pouring through the latest bead catalog, sometimes searching in more unique stores and shops can yield some amazing finds. Here are some unique and unexpected places you can start looking for affordable bead jewelry supplies and beads:
Discount and warehouse stores: We have several different chains of stores in my area that specialize in over run items, dented and dinged merchandise and things that have simply been discontinued. Their stock rotates pretty regularly and one week they may have a pallet of coffee makers for $5.00 a piece while the next week they have room sized area rugs. I always check their craft sections because every now and then they have piles and piles of beads from a craft store or bead store somewhere that closed down. I usually end up filling a hand basket filled with beads and supplies when stumble across them because I know that they won't be around next week!
Large chain craft stores: Craft stores are finally learning that bead jewelry is big business and now most have at least three aisles full of beads and beading supplies, often at very low prices. You can even find books and beading patterns in some of the larger stores now.
Hardware stores: I know you don't normally think of hardware stores when you think of beads, but there are some amazingly inventive ways to use hardware and washers and fasteners of all sort that can be used when you're making your own jewelry. You just need to have some creativity to create some truly unique and amazingly affordable pieces of jewelry.
All these types of stores are great places for finding amazing deals on unique beads and jewelry supplies. These are not the sort of places you would visit if you were searching for a very specific type of bead or jewelry item, but I find that my imagination sometimes runs wild when I visit non-traditional stores while thinking about making jewelry.
So keep an eye out the next time you're shopping for soap or picking up some light bulbs at the store: you might just be moments away from discovering some great beads or supplies that can be used in the next piece of jewelry you make! - 15790
And while I love visiting new bead stores and can spend hours pouring through the latest bead catalog, sometimes searching in more unique stores and shops can yield some amazing finds. Here are some unique and unexpected places you can start looking for affordable bead jewelry supplies and beads:
Discount and warehouse stores: We have several different chains of stores in my area that specialize in over run items, dented and dinged merchandise and things that have simply been discontinued. Their stock rotates pretty regularly and one week they may have a pallet of coffee makers for $5.00 a piece while the next week they have room sized area rugs. I always check their craft sections because every now and then they have piles and piles of beads from a craft store or bead store somewhere that closed down. I usually end up filling a hand basket filled with beads and supplies when stumble across them because I know that they won't be around next week!
Large chain craft stores: Craft stores are finally learning that bead jewelry is big business and now most have at least three aisles full of beads and beading supplies, often at very low prices. You can even find books and beading patterns in some of the larger stores now.
Hardware stores: I know you don't normally think of hardware stores when you think of beads, but there are some amazingly inventive ways to use hardware and washers and fasteners of all sort that can be used when you're making your own jewelry. You just need to have some creativity to create some truly unique and amazingly affordable pieces of jewelry.
All these types of stores are great places for finding amazing deals on unique beads and jewelry supplies. These are not the sort of places you would visit if you were searching for a very specific type of bead or jewelry item, but I find that my imagination sometimes runs wild when I visit non-traditional stores while thinking about making jewelry.
So keep an eye out the next time you're shopping for soap or picking up some light bulbs at the store: you might just be moments away from discovering some great beads or supplies that can be used in the next piece of jewelry you make! - 15790
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