Beads Online vs. Brick and Mortar Shops

By: Thomas Bridleman

If you’re new to bead craft, or think you might be interested, one of the first questions that might spring to mind is where you can order a supply of beads online. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable online vendors, but before you race to find them, it might be worth taking a moment to consider the advantages and disadvantages of ordering beads online.

The main advantage to ordering beads online is, of course, convenience. From the comfort of your chair, you can browse a staggering array of selections (everything from glass to wooden, to semi-precious and several specialty beads), drop what you want into your shopping cart, and with the touch of a button, they’re on their way to you, quick and painless, but there are two disadvantages to ordering beads online.

First is shipping cost. You can avoid these altogether and get a better deal if you frequent your local brick and mortar shop. Of course, some vendors of beads online offer free shipping if you order over a certain dollar amount. Always look for deals like this is buying beads online.

The second main disadvantage of buying beads online is the fact that bead craft is, at its essence, a tactile hobby. When shopping for beads, part of the fun is getting to reach out and touch them. To get a feel for them and see if you really like them and if they’ll work for you in your projects. The way most brick and mortar shops are laid out, the beads are out in the open and on display, encouraging this hands on approach. You simply don’t get that when ordering beads online.

My personal recommendation would be this:

If you have a brick and mortar bead shop in your local area, check out what they have available as a first course. Perhaps even browse beads online to get an idea for things you want to look for at the brick and mortar shop.

If you don’t have a store in your area specializing in bead craft and beading supplies, then check out some chain stores to see what’s available (Michael’s is a good source, and even Wal-Mart’s craft section has some beading supplies). Once you have exhausted the options of the local shops, then definitely turn your attention to buying beads online.

One final note, and a nod in favor of online bead vendors are specialty beads. The brick and mortar shops are excellent sources for standard supplies, but you may find that they don’t carry certain specialty designs (just simply not enough local demand for it). So if you’re looking for something rare or specialized, buying these beads online is almost certainly your best bet.

Article Source: http://www.collectibles-articles.com

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