Comments on: Finding Suppliers of Rare Components

By: marlene

marlene — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 06:25:50 +0000

Rio has bronze, copper and tin alloy, the real deal.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 03:55:50 +0000

Maybe someone said this or you already know… But the way you do an Internet search has a lot of impact on the results. Certain keywords, the part or sku numbers, adding symbols in the search phrase to take out or make sure a certain word is/isn’t in the results and finding exact phrases and whatnot.. Google also has a nice free image likeness search if you or your client have pictures of the beads. If none of this helps at all why not just write or call one of the big name suppliers such as firemountain and ask if they know of or can get your item? If you want more info on running a deep Internet search check out searchlore.org… some of the stuff is outdated but most of the commands and listed alternate webcrawlers (like Google but not Google because it searches different places Google doesn’t reach) still work. Happy hunting!

By: Autumn

Autumn — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 03:16:46 +0000

Wow, I wasn’t expecting so many replies! Apologies for the typos in the original post…

I’m looking for beads, crucifix (or plain cross) and medallion made from reclaimed California redwood. I’ve reached out to some reclaimed redwood artists, but they don’t make items that small…and the one recommendation I have (he’s an artist/shop owner specializing in connecting artists together) hasn’t responded back yet. The holidays makes searches like this even more frustrating.

Normal venues (regular searches, Etsy, bead shops) are turning up nothing. Both of the artists who got back to me think these items may not exist. I’m not giving up yet.

I’ve also added square/half-round bronze 20 gauge wire to my list. Real bronze, mind you, not that plated copper stuff.

Fiona, I use stainless steel when I want a silver-y look. I used to use plated copper, but not anymore.

By: Diana G

Diana G — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 03:28:53 +0000

Try earthlyadornments.com. They carry a huge supply of vintage and antique beads and components and/or may be able to point you in the right direction.

By: Rain

Rain — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:56:37 +0000

I echo everyone else: tell us what you’re looking for! Maybe someone can help!

By: Cheryl Feyen

Cheryl Feyen — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 22:24:10 +0000

I search all of the websites of suppliers listed in the various jewelry magazines that I buy. I keep links to their websites in a folder in my favorites. I get on their mailing lists so I get regular emails. I love just browsing through their websites. So many times I see something that inspires me. I don’t necessarily use the same components (in fact I seldom do) but it just starts the ideas flowing.

I also do a save image of pieces and components that I think are interesting in a folder on my computer. I put the website name as part of the image name so that I can go back and find it when I want to buy it. Pinterest is great for this, although I was keeping my own folder instead of board long before they were around.

By: Nickole

Nickole — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:44:14 +0000

I use silver filled items, instead of plated items, as silver filled items do not rub off or flake like plated, but they will tarnish. When I have someone request something that is strong, bright like silver, but will not tarnish, I use stainless steel.

By: LESLIE hIRSCHBERG

LESLIE hIRSCHBERG — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:36:33 +0000

try “A Grain of Sand” I once got a dozen vermeil clasps with a stone for a good price, but since they carry mostly vintage stuff, this was a one time offer..no more. I also got beautiful mother of pearl and ?brass large oval beads which were found in a warehouse that sold high end drapery accesories. Of course, sometime u can get Miriam Haskell, and discontinued Swarovski.
Also “Google” vintage beads and weed thru the usual websites.
I also cruise thrift shops, particularly looking at coats and vintage blazers etc. looking just at the buttons or bead decorations.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:22:24 +0000

Yes, Autumn, please tell us what you’re looking for! Also, Dennise, thanks for that info on vermeil. I had no idea that there are differences in the core metal — that would explain the difference in price, too. I rarely work with gold findings. Occasionally, some of my customers do request it, but then back off when I tell them what having something gold would cost them. But knowing that about vermeil makes it worth looking into again.

By: Dennise Larson

Dennise Larson — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:37:23 +0000

Etsy is my “go to” place for beads. I find so much of what I need there that I don’t go the big suppliers except for wire, sheet metal and tools.

You didn’t mention the type of beads you’re looking for which would have put all of us on the hunt!

Fiona, vermeil with a sterling silver core is expensive. However, you may try searching for vermeil with a brass core. It’s less expensive and doesn’t tarnish through the gold like the sterling.

Dennise

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:25:28 +0000

I carry a very particular range of beads that I am constantly searching for suppliers of both online and in the real world, but I also have clients who have particular requests, which means I go to lots of shows where there are also niche vendors and buy on my client’s behalf, not for resale. The above suggestions to search Etsy is a great idea. Often things are so obscure that they never ever make it online, but that doesn’t mean that a particular vendor doesn’t have it. Or an item could be online but the listing keyword is different from what you are calling it. Please don’t be afraid to email a vendor/online business as it’s absolutely true, if they don’t have it, they very well could have encountered something exactly or similar to it on their travels but didn’t buy it because it didn’t fit their mandate.

Barbara

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:04:24 +0000

Somewhere there is an online beading group whose members have some really unusual stuff. Unfortunately I don’t recall the site’s name but if you search for online beading (or beaders) group maybe it will turn up. Also Etsy is an international marketplace. You can find all kinds of supplies there.

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:56:32 +0000

This sounds nutty but it works. Try putting the word PURCHASE at the beginning of what you are looking for…as in “purchase vintage Czech glass tusk beads”…instead of just Czech vintage tusk beads. The word “purchase” usually brings up many more sources and not just the common vendors that always seem to be at the top of the list. It doesn’t work every time but it has sure helped me find some odd items.

By: BnB Crafts

BnB Crafts — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:17:01 +0000

I scour Etsy, artfire, Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. I needed a few different specific charms that are NOT easy to find and I found a fabulous supplier on Etsy. ( my husband’s swim team needed lightening bolts, and my kids school are the Spartans ) I have also had really good luck finding metal beads at Shipwreck Beads.

By: Marianne

Marianne — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:59:22 +0000

I would suggest you ETSY – you will find some great unique suppliers from U.S. as well as from Turkey, Istambul

By: Fiona

Fiona — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:47:42 +0000

My search is for good-quality long-lasting metal findings when I don’t want to use silver because of the tarnishing or gold because of the cost. It seems nigh impossible in the UK and I’m tired of buying plated chain, for instance, which rubs off after a week’s wearing. Vermeil would be ok but still expensive. Any ideas of what to search for?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:12:16 +0000

Hi Autumn, if intensive internet searches don’t turn up any sources, have you tried asking any suppliers if they know where you can get those components?

Since a big part of suppliers’ business depends on their ability to find sources for things, they come across all kinds of supplies – some they decide to stock and some they don’t. They might remember having seen a source for the components you’re seeking, and could point you to that source.

Suppliers also know a lot of people who can get things. So sometimes they know another person who might know where to get those beads – and they can refer you to that person.

What kinds of suppliers might have come across what you’re looking for, even if they decided not to stock it themselves? Or what kinds of suppliers (who have a business related to the theme of those beads) might have a connection who could help you?

Also is there someone who could make those beads for you?

Good luck in your search!