Unexpected Places to Find Discount Jewelry Supplies

Written by Kay Lathing Sunday, 03 July 2011 05:23

A lot of people who are just beginning to make their own bead jewelry get caught up in all the magazine articles and books and begin thinking that the only way to actually buy beads and jewelry supplies are through expensive jewelry and beading outlets. To make beautiful beaded jewelry you don't have to spend a lot of money on your beads and jewelry making supplies.

A lot of people who are just beginning to make their own bead jewelry get caught up in all the magazine articles and books and begin thinking that the only way to actually buy beads and jewelry supplies are through expensive jewelry and beading outlets. To make beautiful beaded jewelry you don't have to spend a lot of money on your beads and jewelry making supplies.

But you don't have to just purchase the clearance beads that are offered up at your local bead store. There are lots of surprising places you can go to buy inexpensive beads.

Discount and warehouse stores: We have a few different chains of stores in my area that specialize in over run items, dented and banged merchandise and things that have simply been discontinued. Their inventory changes pretty regularly and one week they may have a pallet of coffee makers for $8.00 a piece while the next week they have fabric chairs marked 90% off. I always check their craft sections because every now and then they have piles of beads from a art store or bead store somewhere that closed down. I usually end up filling a hand basket with jewelry supplies when I stumble across them because I know that they will not be there next week!

Large chain art 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: Yes, I know this sounds crazy, but if you're looking to add some fun and unique pieces to your jewelry then you really have to think about going to a hardware store and looking over their sections of fasteners, screws and even nails. I've picked up grommets, washers, and even some cool little metal clasps from my local hardware store and used them all in different jewelry pieces. Jewelry made from hardware pieces always seems to be a hit amongst the teenagers and younger audience members at the craft shows I visit.

It is amazing what sort of beads and jewelry supplies you can find when you're thinking outside the box. Some of these stores aren't the kind of place you'd normally go to find jewelry supplies, but I've learned to be open-minded when it comes to finding great ways of 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 minutes away from discovering some great beads or supplies that can be used in the next piece of jewelry you make! Don't forget that when you discover a great deal on beads to record the cost in a notebook or in your jewelry program.