I Hate FMG. To me they are the WalMart of beading. Low prices, but low quality.

I like artbeads for sterling charms and some swarovski

I like potomacbeads.com for gemstones, copper, pearls, and various other products
(plus I can drive up there from time to time to one of their pretty stores)

I like shipwreckbeads.com for czech glass and some other glass products
(I went to their showroom once and it was quite large)

I like shows for my findings and some silver products, though i know i need to be careful checking to see whether it is actual sterling.

Of course I order from some other places online, but those have been my 4 favorites so far.

Sorry i like to type fast and i don't ever post things right, so i should probably actually post the sites

www.artbeads.com
www.potomacbeads.com
www.shipwreckbeads.com
www.intergem.com

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ironbeads I Hate FMG. To me they are the WalMart of beading.

haha! Perfect description.

Here's an unusual recommendation for you. I make high-end chainmaille jewelry with and without gemstones, which I sell through an independent jewelry store locally. I highly recommend www.Urbanmaille.com if you want truly stunning sterling silver jumprings. The rings are pricey, but don't let that scare you, because they are very good quality. I have found found cheaper sterling silver rings, but the rings I bought from other sources just could not compare to the beauty and precision of Aislyn's rings. What I spend upfront in cash, I make up in time. I don't have to spend so long fiddling with the rings to get them to close smoothly which means weaving goes faster and I don't have to spend a lot of time and effort polishing a piece after it is done because her rings are so shiny to begin with. If you are adventerous and are relatively dexterous (I know all you beadweavers out there can do it!), you can try out one of her beginner kits. Even if you aren't interested in devoting a lot of time to making jewelry entirely out of chainmaille, I still recommend learning a few of the techniques. I've found that a few units of Byzantine interspersed with gemstones make a fantastic necklace or bracelet.

On another note, can anyone recommend some good sources for metal clay and products? I'm relatively new to metal clay, but am quickly becoming addicted as it is the perfect medium for creating just the right accent or finding I need for my chainmaille pieces. I was thinking of ordering from www.PMCSupply.com. Has anybody else ordered from them?

Dear Missy,

Hi!

I haven't ordered from PMC supply, but I have bought metal clay and other related items from Rio Grande, Wholle Lotta Whimsy, Pam East at Pinzart and Metalclay/silver clay before, you may wish to spend a little time comparison shopping this afternoon, all have reasonably good prices. I bought many of my enamels from Pam, she's lovely and very helpful, I saw her make enamel beads at last year's Bead and Button. I buy other tools and metals at Rio,so which one I go to depends upon what other things I need when I make an order:

http://www.riogrande.com

http://www.metalclay.com

http://www.pinzart.com

http://www.whollelottawhimsy.com

Hope this helps,

Love, Jan [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dvillagran For crystals i totally depend on www.inmcrystal.com - i've been doing business with them for over 10 years now - very dependable and great pricing too - they're in florida and i'm in california and i get my order within one week For findings i use www.kamaltrading.com - but i have to admit that i've spoiled now - i used to search for them at the santa monica bead show and have to spend an hour waiting to get waited on - but they have a store in anaheim now and it's TOTAL HEAVEN - limited hours - check their website For chunky beads and unusual stuff and sometimes for crystals that i can't find at inm i like to shop ebay - i look for vendors that have 99+ ratings - and watch out for the shipping costs! - and then of course are the jewelry shows where i go just to look .. hahahahahahahaha.. and spend a fortune in the process.. so much fun! - i found www. bonitacreations.com there - and i TOTALLY trust their merchandise.. i have a fear at the bead shows that some of the stuff that we see isn't real? - but i totally trust bonita .. ok - tell me where you buy your stuff! - debbiev.

I tried Kamal Trading and it was such a weird site...NO PRICES LISTED!