When we’re trying to build our own bead jewelry business we all sometimes fall into the trap of shopping for supplies at the same places that everyone else does because it is convenient and easy to buy all your beads in one place or with one click of the mouse.  Like most beaders I love visiting my local bead store (and especially love visiting new bead stores when I’m on vacation!).  And like most beaders I can spend hours flipping through the pages of all those bead supply mail order catalogs.

But sometimes I find that I’m spending a lot of time and money looking at and buying beads that are, well, just like the beads used in everyone else’s bead jewelry.  Sometimes I find myself buying Swarovski crystal beads simply because it’s what’s expected of a lot of beaded jewelry these days.  And even though I buy my beads at a discount I’m still sometimes spending more than I’d like.

I’ve learned that I can find some great deals on unique and cheap beads in some of the most unexpected places.  Here are some of the great stores I’ve shopped at and found deep discounts on beads:

Overstock and Discount Product Stores: My area has a couple different overstock stores that get products when they are discontinued or a store is going out of business.  When The Rag Shop went out of business my local discount store had large bins filled with craft supplies.  I rooted through them for a while and ended up coming away with a whole handbasket filled with cheap beads that I was able to buy at an amazingly discounted price.  I still have some of these beads in my beading closet today and I simply smile whenever I stumble across them because I know I bought them for a steal!

Big Box Hardware stores: If you’re looking for some unique jewelry pieces or additions to your bead jewelry then you have to try visiting your local hardware store and checking out their section of fasteners and washers.  Many of these metal connectors are practically begging to be used in bead jewelry.  I’ve seen jewelry made from 12 cent washers that was both stylish and fun and sold for $40!  I’ve only made a few jewelry pieces out of hardware items but I have noticed that when I display them at the craft shows that they are a hit with teenage girls and even some of the guys!

The Grocery Store: Yes, you can even buy cheap beads at the grocery store if you’re looking for some unique bead jewelry materials.  You can buy dried seeds, coffee beans and even a box of dried pasta at prices that make any other bead price seem expensive.  Would I suggest pairing pasta beads with Swarovski crystals?  Probably not! LOL!  But you could make some jewelry with beads or dried items, spray them with a craft protectorant and make some fun jewelry for the kids!

Flea Markets and Yard Sales: Again, any place that sells old “junk” is a great place to find some wonderfully unique beads and jewelry pieces at a big discount.  I’ve bought whole boxes filled with old jewelry for as little as $5.00 and I’ve been able to take those old pieces apart, salvage some of the amazing beads from the jewelry and then turn around and make new pieces.

I’ve found that when I’m shopping for things other than discounted beads for jewelry that I sometimes stumble upon items that can be substitute for traditional expensive beads.

The key to finding discount beads that can be used for jewelry at non-traditional shopping places is to treat each shopping trip you go on as a sort of treasure hunt!  Bead stores are great but sometimes buying from them can seem more like a chore.  Going the non-traditional route will often serve to inspire you to create something new and exciting with your jewelry.   And discounted or not, inspiration is worth it’s weight in gold!