When you are looking for beads for jewelry making, you have the choice of buying strands of beads at a time or you can consider buying larger quantities. If you create jewelry just for fun, it is a good idea to buy few strands at a time, but if you are a professional designer and create more than six jewelry pieces at a time, then you can save money, time and energy by investing in wholesale beads.
But buying wholesale beads is not easy, especially when you are considering buying over the internet. When I buy wholesale beads for my jewelry creations, I make basic determinations regarding the type of beads I want to buy. I develop a basic criterion when it comes to choosing beads over the internet since shopping online can be quite risky. What I basically do to ensure that I am getting the right things and value for my money is to evaluate wholesale beads. I do this in a number of ways.
Evaluate bead material
One of the first things I take a look at is the material the beads are made from. I choose the material depending on my budget and the type of project I have in hand. Let’s take a look at some of the bead materials and how the beads can be used.
Glass – these beads have a matte finish or a high shine. I consider them when I have to create stunning and elegant jewelry.
Acrylic – these are great for including in kid’s jewelry or craft project.
Crystal – these add a touch of sparkle and elegance to any jewelry item. They are more expensive than glass beads and can be used in the creation of fine jewelry.
Metal – these beads can be used as accent pieces along with other types of beads such as glass beads.
Wood – wood beads are natural and lightweight. I mainly use them to create outdoor jewelry and men’s jewelry.
Evaluate bead style
Another thing that I look at when buying wholesale beads for my projects is the style they come in.
Faceted – these have cuts on their surface so when they are put under light conditions, they shine like precious stones. These beads are ideal for making high-end costume jewelry.
Seed – these beads are extremely small. I use them as accents on very fine bracelets and necklaces. They are also perfect for loom work.
Bicone – they have a round shape and tapered ends. They can be included in many earring designs and dressy costume jewelry.
Czech – glass of two different tones are used to create Czech beads. They look elegant so are most suitable for fine jewelry.