Top 10 Best Jewelry-Making Supplies Store in United States, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom

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Jewelry making is fun, though with the numerous supplies available, getting started can be confusing or overwhelming. Making jewelry, either as a hobby or as a business, can get expensive, particularly if you don't have access to good suppliers. Are you bored of the selection of beads and jewelry supplies at your local crafts store and don't know where to turn to find beads of quality and value? For individuals just getting started in beading and jewelry making this is a common road-block.

Whether you're a novice in jewelry making or you've been crafting jewelry and beading bracelets for years, you need quality jewelry supplies to create beautiful necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and more. With the right beading supplies, jewelry-making tools and other jewelry findings, you're sure to craft stunning pieces for your own collection and as gifts for others.

It seems many craft stores stock the same old thing, making it difficult to find a truly unique piece around which to focus a piece of jewelry art. Making jewelry doesn't have to be expensive, though, and the world wide web increasingly has an amazing array of excellent suppliers. Read on for tips on buying jewelry-making supplies and the best places to look for jewelry making supplies:

For beginners, once you have established a work area (which can be portable), you should think about the types of jewelry you would like to make in regard to style and materials. Prior to the bead and findings purchasing trip (to the store or online store), you may want to do a little research by perusing books, magazines, and Web sites for ideas so that you know where you want to start.

With a slightly better idea of what you want to make, you will need to purchase a basic set of tools. Here are the most commonly used tools for making bead jewelry and other accessories:

1) Chain-nose pliers—make sure you try them out for the size, shape, and comfort in your hand

2) Round-nose pliers

top-10-best-jewelry-making-supplies-store-in-USA-canada-australia-UK-pliers

3) Wire cutters

4) Ruler

5) String for measuring necklace, bracelet, and anklet lengths

6) Towel, bead mat, or piece of felt to keep beads from rolling on your work surface

7) Storage containers for beads and findings

When shopping for tools, purchase good quality items, as you will use them frequently. In addition to this tool selection, there are some other items that will be helpful to you for specific projects:

8) Crimp pliers for stringing on beading cable or monofilament

9) Scissors, a good all-purpose tool

10) Heavy-duty wire cutters for cutting memory wire, which will ruin small cutters

11) Bead board with built-in grooves with rulers, compartments for beads, and a flocked surface, which holds beads in place, making necklace and bracelet design much easier

top-10-best-jewelry-making-supplies-store-in-USA-canada-australia-UK-ruler


12) A second pair of chain-nose pliers, especially helpful for jump ring projects

13) Tweezers, which not only are helpful for picking up small beads, but also are very useful for knotting beading thread between beads

14) Jump ring tool, which is another good option for closing jump rings

15) Knotting tool for knotting thread between beads or as decorative elements on projects

16) You will need storage boxes. Beads are often small and round and apt to roll into inconvenient places. Choose storage boxes carefully, making sure they have dividers  that are fused to the bottom of the box and are not removable. As tempting as it may be to purchase boxes with adjustable compartments, you will be glad later that you did not. Over time the dividers slip, and small beads and parts will sneak into other sections. Unless you really enjoy re-sorting, think twice about adjustable dividers. Also look for boxes that have grooves in the lid of the box that snap over the dividers so that if the box is closed and gets turned upside down, everything stays in place. As you do more jewelry making, you will find the best way to organize and store your beads and findings in a system that works for you.

top-10-best-jewelry-making-supplies-store-in-USA-canada-australia-UK-dividers


Why do you Need Buy in Bulk via the Web?

When you’re ready to do some serious buying and feel confident about what you want, it’s always cheaper (and more convenient) to buy in bulk. If you’re buying from a website, many have free shipping with a $50 to $100 minimum order, so buying in bulk can pay off. You can often get more beads at a lower price per bead, plus you often save on the shipping costs.

Let’s say you design jewelry using primarily crystals and pearls. Consider buying the following items in bulk:

1) Buy precious gemstones, semi-precious gems or crystals of any size (but get as many 4mm and 6mm as you can afford, because smaller quantities of these sizes get expensive very quickly)

top-10-best-jewelry-making-supplies-store-in-USA-canada-australia-UK-artjoolree

2) Pearls, both cultured and faux, in a variety of shapes and colors. Be informed, get the complete guide here... How to Tell Real Pearls from Imitation Pearls

3) Findings, including jump rings, earwires, headpins, crimp beads, clasps, and any other basics

4) Miscellaneous beads, plus glass beads, seed beads, and metal spacer beads, in neutral colors and shapes

5) Stringing materials, including metal wire and nylon thread

Consider your own projects and designs when you make your own list of items to buy in bulk. If you are interested in honing your skills in Native American jewelry, purchasing some turquoise beads in bulk, for example, may be a perfect solution for you.




How to Avoiding Common Mistakes in Buying in Bulk

Just because it’s cheaper to buy in bulk doesn’t mean you have to buy more than you need, so measure out what your needs are first. If you’re starting a jewelry-making business, find a balance with your cash flow (the amount of money coming in versus the amount of money going out). Because jewelry making and beading is so fun, it’s easy to forget that you need to sell your creations to get money to buy more supplies.

If you order something and change your mind, consider saving it for later. You may need it. But if you really hate it, by all means send it back fast, before you lose track of it in your growing beading inventory.

Many items, especially beads, may not be returnable, so choose a reputable vendor and ask about its return and refund policy before giving your credit card number. Ask if the vendor refunds shipping costs as well. Many vendors don’t, even if they do accept returned merchandise.

Keep all your beads in the original packaging until you’re sure you are keeping them. It’s tough to sort through subtle size and color differences among beads after they get mixed up, and most bead vendors won’t take returns if you’ve opened the bulk packaging.

As always on the Web, make sure the website you visit offers a secure order form before you give any personal information. If it makes you feel more comfortable, get the customer service number from the website and call them directly.

If you have a bead budget, stick to it. Promise you’ll only spend $50 and no more because like anything else, jewelry making can be addictive.

How to Get the Most of your Money When Buying

Buying in bulk always gets you the best price; but again, don’t buy excessively more than you need.

Always read the fine print in the catalog or on the website, or else call and ask customer service for details that could impact your buying. Many beads and stones look alike and have similar names, and it can be confusing. For example, hemalyke is the simulated (manmade) version of the natural semi-precious stone hematite. If you want (and pay for) the genuine article, make sure you get it.

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Choose the Best Store for your Need

Local hardware stores are a necessary source for jewelry making materials. It is sometimes important to support these individually owned enterprises; the big box stores are big competition, but cannot provide the service, atmosphere, or knowledge that these old stores offer. Be prepared to spend a lot of time discovering their hidden treasures and do not be surprised when the owners are at first wary of your interest. They generally warm up to the idea and often find all kinds of things that can be adapted to jewelry making.

Online stores are also important; they have many of the miniature sizes of hardware that will be necessary for projects. Finally, local craft and bead stores provide a hands-on resource for the beginning jewelry maker and some of the materials you will need to add to the hardware. From my experience here are the best place to buy jewelry making supplies:


ONLINE HARDWARE

MCMASTER-CARR
630.600.3600
WWW.MCMASTER.COM
Huge selection of hardware, easily search-able website with illustrations; only available online—print catalog is no longer available

REACTIVE METALS STUDIO
800.876.3434
WWW.REACTIVEMETALS.COM
Supplier of niobium and titanium for jewelry making

SMALL PARTS, INC.
800.220.4242
WWW.SMALLPARTS.COM
Print catalog shipped to United States and Canada only


JEWELRY- MAKING SUPPLIES STORE IN UNITED STATES

ARTGEMS, INC.
480.545.6009
WWW.ARTGEMSINC.COM
Gemstones, beads, findings, and other jewelry-related supplies

BEADALON
866.423.2325
WWW.BEADALON.COM
Beading wire, wire, and general jewelry-making supplies

CGM
800.426.5246
WWW.CGMFINDINGS.COM
Wholesale wire, metal beads, and findings

CK GEMS USA
212.683.0297
WWW.CKGEMSNY.COM
Large selection of gemstones

EARTHSTONE
800.747.8088
WWW.EARTHSTONE.COM
High-quality gemstones

FIRE MOUNTAIN GEMS AND BEADS
800.355.2137
WWW.FIREMOUNTAINGEMS.COM
Large catalog of jewelry-related supplies in all categories

HALSTEAD BEAD
800.528.0535
WWW.HALSTEADBEAD.COM
Findings, metal, crystal, and other jewelry-related supplies

HHH ENTERPRISES
800.777.0218
WWW.HHHENTERPRISES.COM
General jewelry-making supplies

MONSTERSLAYER
505.598.5322
WWW.MONSTERSLAYER.COM
Large selection of gemstones, beads, findings, and other jewelry-related supplies

RINGS & THINGS
800.366.2156
WWW.RINGS-THINGS.COM
Wholesale jewelry-making supplies

RIO GRANDE
800.545.6566
WWW.RIOGRANDE.COM
Large catalog of jewelry-related supplies in all categories

SOUTH PACIFIC WHOLESALE CO.
800.338-2162
WWW.BEADING.COM
Pearls and stone beads

STULLER, INC.
800.877.7777
WWW.STULLER.COM
Large catalog of jewelry-related supplies in all categories


INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY-MAKING SUPPLIES STORE


AUSTRALIA

KATIE’S TREASURES
011.61.2.4968.9485
WWW.KATIESTREASURES.COM.AU
Gemstones, beads, and jewelry-related supplies

SPACE TRADER BEADS
011.61.3.9534.6867
WWW.SPACETRADER.COM.AU
Gemstones, beads, and jewelry-related supplies


UNITED KINGDOM

BEADGEMS
011.44.845.123.2743
WWW.BEADGEMS.COM
Beads, crystal, and findings

BEADS UNLIMITED
011.44.127.374.0777
WWW.BEADSUNLIMITED.CO.UK
Supplier of beads and general jewelry-related supplies

BEADWORKS
011.44.208.553.3240
WWW.BEADWORKS.CO.UK
Supplier of beads and general jewelry-related supplies

KERNOWCRAFTS ROCKS & GEMS LTD.
011.44.187.257.3888
WWW.KERNOWCRAFT.COM
Beads and jewelry-related supplies


Do you know the top jewelry designers and jewelry brands in USA? Top 10 Jewelry Brands in United States According to Google


CANADA

BEADFX
877.473.2323
WWW.BEADFX.COM
Gemstones, beads, crystal, and findings

CANADA BEADING SUPPLY
800.291.6668
WWW.CANBEAD.COM
Large catalog of jewelry-related supplies

THE HOUSE OF ORANGE
866.401.9174
WWW.HOUSEOFORANGE.BIZ
Beads, crystal, and general jewelry-related supplies


Here are some places to get jewelry-making supplies in Toronto, Canada:

1) Arton Beads www.artonbeads.net
Arton Beads is located at 523 and 525 Queen Street W. The 523 shop supplies base metal findings, tools, stringing materials, and beads made of plastic and wood. They also carry a variety of not related but totally fun materials like neon feathers. The other adjacent store is 525 shop which carries higher quality supplies including semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, and silver and gold findings. The store have incredibly affordable products, especially if you've got a membership card.

2) The Beadery www.thebeadery.ca
This jewelry supply store have a vast selection of quality imported gemstones, handmade glass, wood, and seeds all in bead form. They also offer jewelry making classes.

This jewelry supply store found at 448 Queen Street W. Bling specialty is their hanging strings of glass beads and crystal materials. They also sell findings and semi-precious stones, and although the collection is not as impressive as others in the same neighborhood, the store merit a visit.

4) Fancy Gems & Accessories www.facebook.com/FancyGems
Fancy Gems & Accessories carry a number of findings, beads and semi-precious stones unavailable at the many other jewellery supply stores on the same strip. The prices are also reasonable despite the high quality, and there's an entire basement dedicated to discount items.

5) Bead Girl www.facebook.com/pages/Bead-Girl/153636106093?v=info
Bead Girl is located in Yonge and Eglinton, the roomy and well-organized space carries a limited selection of beautiful semi-precious stones, glass beads, and Swarovski crystals. If you are into ornamental function of jewellery this jewelry-making supply store is for you.

6) Bead Junction www.bead-junction.com/home
This store on Roncesvalles is great for those aiming to make quality statement jewelries. Bead Junction have pendants ranging from base metal to Japanese glass, and from natural bone to freshwater pearls, it's hard not to find what you're looking for. The store also offer beading events every week for beginners and also specialty jewelry-making lectures.

7) Beadworks www.beadworksjo.com
Beadworks is located in the Beaches. They have large variety of natural beads made of materials such as clay and seed. The store can definitely supply the basic need of a beginner jewelry maker.

8) Earth Rocks by Bead Heaven www.beadheaven.ca
Earth Rocks comparative advantage is that they only carry handpicked crystals and stones, both in bead as well as specimen form. They also offer jewelry making classes.

9) Courage My Love www.blogto.com/fashion/couragemylove
This jewelry-making supply store is located in Kensington Market. Courage My Love is a hub for vintage clothing and accessories.

10) Artka (416.322.7832)
This bead supply store located on the upper floor of the Yonge and Eglinton centre.  Artka is also a source for pre-made jewelry and other accessories. Their main specialty is Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones.


You are on your way to making that jewelry art masterpiece. Happy jewelry making to you all!

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