Jewelry by Tara's best kept supply secrets, shhhhhhhh........

Some of you loyal friends may know that along with my jewelry and sewing shops, I ran a pretty successful supply shop on Etsy.

Supplies by Tara

Per the request of several newbies on Etsy and others who are just curious to where I get some of my great finds, I am letting some of my fab suppliers slip.

*Please note, I would love, love, love to tell you all where I get my vintage Lucite, Celluloid, and brass. But then I'd be out of  business:(

Okay, let's start with the beading basics! Two suppliers that I personally know are reputable and their lamp work and other types of beads are priced reasonably.

http://www.beadpeddler.com/

http://www.rubbernation.com

Only use those two for beads, the rest of their stuff is overpriced.

This girl was on Etsy a long time ago and is extremely reputable, pricey but a good selection for altered art.

http://www.artchixstudio.com/mall/shopindex.asp

You can get basic findings here…

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

I use an overseas merchant for mine and I buy in big quantity. Oriental Trading co. has a ton of beads that I already see on Etsy, so it’s your call.

This person has another secret wholesale shop… But their main site is pretty cheap too!!

http://www.primitivearthbeads.com/

Now I think this is the most money saving, secretive one of all these. Please, please, please, stop paying high prices for crystal after I give you this, okay??

http://www.gspncrystal.com/

Another important tip, do not be afraid to go on eBay to get findings. If you can count the findings you are buying, then you have paid too much! I just got a HUGE bag of silver earring hooks that could make at least 1,000 pairs of earrings for $5, including shipping. It took 1 1/2 weeks to get here and I had not prob w/the quality. Do not be an eBay snob! When you start paying $6 for a toggle clasp, you know you need to get on eBay. I once bought a $30 bag, including shipping, of sterling vintage toggle clasps. This was 3 years ago, and I still have enough for the next 10 years!! Look around, there are great finds on eBay with FREE shipping. Same things you can buy online for $1 each you can have 50 of for $1.00. 

Buying supplies on Etsy is great too, there are a lot of unique and fab deals on there, and you can support your fellow artists with destash deals:)

So you may be asking yourself, how can Tara afford to give away her beading suppliers??? Well, I don't dabble w/the beads anymore. I actually have a houseful of unused beads that could keep my supply shop going for at least 5 years! So shop away, I'm happy for you all to get a good deal:)

Good luck in your bead hunt!
T♥

P.S. If you are looking for something specific you can always email me.

Email Tara