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.
But you don’t have to just buy the clearance beads that are offered up at your local bead store. There are lots of unexpected places you can go to buy discount beads.
Discount and warehouse stores: Lots of larger stores are now stocking craft supplies, scrap booking materials and even bead jewelry making supplies. These stores sometimes have rotating product stocks and may not always have the beads or supplies you’re looking for, so if you find something you’d better buy it right then and there because there’s no guarantee you’ll see them again.
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: 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.
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!
Want to learn some more ways to make your bead jewelry business more profitable? Consider investing in some beaded jewelry software to help track your bead inventory and price your jewelry correctly.
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