If you are in the least bit interested in beaded jewelry, then you know that the best glass beads are from Italy. After all, that is where Venetian glass beads come from! Italy is the country where many famous glassblowers and glass artists originated from, thus the influence in glass beads. This rule applies even today with not only Venetian glass beads but also Murano glass beads. It is not just the name of the beads but also a style.
The art of making glass is an old one that goes back hundreds of years. The technique for making beads hasn’t really changed all that much either. You still make glass beads using a fireplace among other things. And while Italy has the cornerstone of glass, there is still plenty of nice stuff coming from the Czech Republic area. That makes Czech glass beads pretty popular as well.
Handmade glass beads are an excellent choice for many beaded jewelry pieces. They are attractive and no two are exactly the same. By a quick glance they might be, but when you start really making comparisons, you will see the minute differences. That is what makes glass bead jewelry so interesting. When you are searching for types of glass beads, they could be referred to by name like the Venetian or Czech. They could also be called by their type or shape. For instance, lampwork glass beads refer to how it is made with a torch and dichroic glass beads refer to the process of overlaying a thin layer of metal over the bead creating an unusual sheen to it.
You can find all sorts of beads for projects. For instance, if you wanted to create something fun for Halloween, chances are that you could find Halloween glass beads in a variety of Halloween-ish colors like orange and black or even in different shapes like skulls or bats. For simpler projects, glass pony beads are a great idea for keychains, friendship bracelets and more.
Jewelers who work with beads tend to take advantage of price breaks wherever and whenever possible. Buying bulk glass beads is one way to save money. Another way is to find a supplier for wholesale glass beads. This is the most cost efficient way to purchase them. Of course, you could get lucky occasionally at a retail bead store and find glass beads at wholesale prices.
The smart way to buy glass beads is definitely wholesale. Have catalogs sent to you so that you are always up on the latest trends on beads. After all, you can’t be a trendsetter with your beaded jewelry if you don’t use the hottest materials at the time.
