Trying to find a bead wholesaler may have you feeling a bit like Dorothy in Munchkin land. You may find other “munchkin beaders” pointing you down a road in which the “great wholesaler” awaits with rock bottom prices and beads as far as the eye can see. But many times behind “that curtain” is just another bead supplier claiming to be the great and powerful wholesaler. Then again you may come across finding a wholesaler of beads can feel like “Aladdins cave of wonders”, a secret password to which only a select few “beaders” know the magic words and so far to your dismay “open sesame” is not working.
Finding beads at wholesale prices may be just looking in your own backyard. There are many places to look for wholesale beads, but first lets make sure wholesale is really what you have been wishing for. Bead prices at wholesale may seem a bargain but if beading is an activity you are new to, wholesale may not be the best money saving road to follow. You may find low prices but many wholesalers sale beads in large quantities and if beading happens to not be your cup of tea you may find yourself at the end of the rainbow with a pot full of beads instead of gold. So until you finish a bead project or two you may want to take a look at local craft stores, many offer beads on sale and some at clearance prices without having to purchase a “pot” full.
The internet is always a great place to look. Search engines are always useful, but joining a “beaders” forum is fast, easy and could be a lot of fun. No having to fight dragons at the gate to join many just want a valid email address. Many of these forums offer ideas for projects and helpful hints. And many offer advice on an array of beading subjects from what beads are best used for a certain project to buying those beads at wholesale prices.
You may also take a trip to your local magazine shop or stand and buy a craft magazine, mainly about beading of course. Not only do these magazines offer ideas for projects but many companies advertise among the pages. And if the magazine is something you find useful and informative take out a subscription and your mailbox is as far as you need to go.
Swap meets/flea markets and second hand stores is one more way to find beads at wholesale, maybe even below wholesale prices. Swap meets and flea markets bring many different types of vendor, selling a wide variety of new and used goods. Many times costume jewelry being sold for nickels and dimes has beads that can be used for a project that you create. Several vendors offer new merchandise and if you have brought along a lepercauhn luck may find a vendor dealing in beads at low prices. If you can’t find a lepercauhn bring along Toto in a picnic basket but leave those ruby red slippers at home. Second hand stores many times will have jewelry among the many items to purchase. Many second hand stores will sell big bags of jewelry at a low price. Whether you find yourself at the flea market or second hand store don’t be afraid to “haggle” over the price. This is rarely considered an insult, the only insult would be not bringing along your handsome prince to pay for all the treasures you have found.
Keep in mind the kingdom of wholesale prices may sound good with all its promises of money saving but sometimes what you have been searching for is in your own backyard and there is no place like home.