|  omewhere
between 40 - 41,000 years ago, man started making the earliest known beads, out
of materials obtained from nature: ostrich eggshell, bone, teeth. More than just
personal adornments, beads have been used throughout the ages as currency and
carried as wards against magic, sickness, and evil spirits. In medieval Russia,
hollow beads, or pendants, were filled with bits of perfumed cloth and attached
to women's hair at the temples. The ancient Egyptians actually held a monopoly
on beadmaking for approximately 150 years, and shell beads called wampum were
legal tender in all 13 original American colonies and were still being used as
currency in the 1700's. And with the advent of the blowpipe, beadmaking really
took off; more glass beads were produced in the 1st century AD than in the preceeding
1500 years.
Beads are no less popular today. Made of everything from bone
to polymer, we use them to trim lampshades, pillows, and clothing, lend color
and sparkle to jewelry, or string them in long strands and hang them in doorways
as curtains. Beads still represent many different things to different cultures
around the world, and semi-precious stones and gemstones are often worn for the
healing and holistic energies believed to emanate from them. From the simplicity
and fire of Austrian lead crystal, to the intricate beauty and wonder of artisan-crafted
lampwork, we hope you enjoy exploring the bead links below.
For more on beads and beadmaking throughout history, please check
out the following:
The Smithsonian Museum's Beaded
Splendor: Migration of Beadmaking and Beadwork Throughout Africa; Trade
Beads of the Indian Trade, by O.N. Eddins; The
History of Beads, from Bead Expo Press
Handcrafted-Jewelry.net makes no claims as to the quality of goods or services
sold by any of the listed vendors. We provide these links as a service to you
and can not be held responsible for any dissatisfaction you might experience.
Auntie's
Beads
Decent selection of Swarovski beads at below average prices.
Glasscapes
Artisan-crafted furnace glass candy - your first stop for furnace glass
We found them to be conscientious and extremely helpful. A+
Beads
by Mail
Czech & Venetian glass beads
ViaMurano
Venetian glass beads & more; also sells wholesale.
Auntie's
Beads
Large selection of furnace glass beads
Lampwork beads need to be fully annealed in a kiln. We find artisans who sell
their own work to be a more dependable source for lampwork beads than sites selling
them en masse from China, Czechoslovakia or India. They cost more, but they are
longer lasting, higher quality - not to mention prettier - beads.
Air
and Earth Designs
Kandice Seeber's gorgeous creations
JenaGirlBeads
If that's what impatience gets a person, I should get back in touch with my inner
brat.
Blissful
Garden Beads
Heather Davis' beautiful and affordable lampwork beads in a variety of styles
Small
Wonders
Mavis Smith's fabulous beads, figurines and tassel toppers
Trapped
In a Bead
Artist Roberta Ogborn's whimsical beads, amphorae and creatures
SylvieBeads
Artist and lampwork instructor Sylvie Elise Lansdowne's beads, beadwork projects,
and class schedules
Peraza
Marilyn Peraza-Arce is doing distinctively unique and different lampwork featuring
focal beads and 3-dimentional sculpture beads. Her beads are of Moretti and Lauscha
glass and sold mostly through auction.
Glassotica
Gorgeous ribbon beads and exquisite vessels, but in rather limited varieties/colors
Cauldron
Creations
Melinda Melanson's small site links to her Ebay auctions and a tutorials page.
Don't let the size of her site fool you; this lady is creating delightful beads
and incredibly intricate beaded art dolls.
Xaz
Bead Company
Raku pottery beads and pendants
Sterling Silver Beads
Art
Beads
Washington-based company offers a huge selection with slightly above average prices,
30-day money back guarantee, no minimum purchase, and free shipping within the
continental United States. Please see the company's shipping policy for details.
Good selection of Karen hill tribe silver.
Beads
of Bali
California-based company with decent prices, no minimum order, and free shipping
within the continental US on orders of $100 or more
Bali
Beads & Jewelry
Internet catalog company - offers below average prices, $15 minimum order and
$5 flat shipping rate
Plasa
Bali Silver Beads
Located in Bali, Indonesia - great wholesale prices with no minimum order
Cosecha
Designs
Wide variety of sterling and Indian silver (bali-style) beads
Gold & Silver Beads
Riverstone
Bead Company
Gold vermeil bali beads at excellent prices
Auntie's
Beads
Sterling silver and gold-filled
Pewter Beads
Lytha
Studios
Some of the prettiest, most delightful beads, charms, and clasps we've seen.
A veritable cornucopia of bright and shiny lead-free pewter, including bali styles.
Lytha Studios is a true find.
Fire
Mountain Gems
Individual charms as well as sets - no more hunting for the perfect wine charm
set. Great variety of charms to choose from, at good prices.
Land
of Odds
Higher prices, but the variety can't be beat. Charms are divided by category,
for easier searching.
Metal & Electroplated Beads
Eebeads.com
Cosecha
Designs
Wide variety of base metal and copper beads
Land
of Odds
If it can be made of metal or metalized, they probably have it.
Many
Horses
Gold and silver-plated and copper beads and clasps
Chau's
Pearl
The world of gems can be a tricky one. If you are new to it, it behooves you to
take the time to educate yourself first, as buying stones can otherwise turn out
to be an expensive learning experience. You can find a beginner's primer on our
stones page, but your education should not stop there, nor is Handcrafted Jewelry
the last, best, or most educated word on stones; we strive to help but can not
be held responsible for the quality of stones or service you receive elsewhere.
South
Pacific Wholesale Company
Beadmeister Willis' irreverent wholesale bead and findings catalog
Fire
Mountain Gems
Sun
Country Gems
Beaded
Wings Bead Shoppe
Beaded Wings is going out of business, as of October 2005.
Everything is currently on sale, with no refunds or exchanges.
Jewelry
Mall's information on gems, jewelry care, and tips for buying gemstones
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