UPDATED: 11/2010
I’ve compiled a list of handmade jewelry suppliers, as recommended by the handmade jewelry makers themselves. These are tried and true vendors that provide beads, gemstones, metal and findings, along with some favorite mailing supply and packaging vendors. Happy shopping!
Note: I’ve had personal experience and can recommend the ones that are italicized.
Beads and Gemstones
abetterbead.com
anybeads.com – great variety & prices
AprishaSparkles
artbeads.com - free shipping on all sales, regardless of size
beadaholique.com – they have some items no one else does
BeadAllAboutIt
beadbead.etsy.com/ – (used to be bluewater studio)
Beading Hearts Co
beads2String
beadsupplies.artfire.com - for metal bead caps, toggle clasps, metal beads up to 45 mm
beadwright.etsy.com – seed beady supplies and tutorials
beadznmore.etsy.com
Bellbohemian.Etsy.com
Blue Mud
BubbasGemstones
CJDestashForCash
CrysallisGEMS– really super quality and great service.
CrystalVitality
DerondaDesign – fabulous lampwork goodness. Great customer service.
DestashNotTrash
Eavesdrop.etsy.com
FindingLand
firemountaingems.com - well, really, what can’t you get at FMG?
FreshStringBeads
fusionbeads.com – very much like Artbeads, a little different selection, with free shipping
gahooletreesupplies.etsy.com
gemshow-online.com/ – sign up for sales newsletters, free ship over $25.
GreatSupplies
halsteadbead.com - great prices, $100 minimum order
inmcrystal.com/ - GREAT prices on Swarovskis, plus Bali
jewelweaver.com – gemstones, Bali silver
JuliesTreasureChest
JustWire
lampwork.net/ – Gorgeous Lampworks by Kandice Seeber
lillysbeadbox.etsy.com
luxbeads – ( lux gems in small numbers 2-6 pieces)
MadeOfMetal
Magpiegemstones.com
MegaBeadStore
MyFathersGifts
nilecorp.com – packaging, displays, jewelry trays
Pure Beads – great variety of mostly Czech glass beads, fire-polished and pressed glass.
ratnasagarjewels.com/ – GORGEOUS gemstones. $300 minimum purchase
Rio Grande – equipment and metal, lots of cool cabs too
Rings N things
rockinbeads.com
RoyalMetals
rtsy.etsy.com
serenasbeadery.com/
ShipWreck Beads
Somerset Silver – Great Hill Tribe Silver
Stoned.Etsy.com
Stones In Motion – Gorgeous cabochons and a great reputation for service and quality
StudioMarcy.etsy.com – SRA lampwork artist with fabulous and cute works of lampwork art
studiorent.etsy.com
tammystreasures.etsy.com
the earthbazaar.com – great gemstones
TheSupplyFactor.etsy.com
Unkamen Gifts
whimbeads.com – flip tops in different sizes, plus seed beads and czech glass
znetshows.com/ – Wholesale beads and gemstones tins
Findings, Wire, Chain
azur1.com/ – Finished snake chain
finedings.com- findings, Swarovskis, some Bali, all at competitive prices
mermaidsdowry.etsy.com – cool brass findings
monsterslayer.com – lots of cool metal, fine silver, etc, also some stones and other odds and ends
ninadesigns.com – wonderful silver charms
shiana.com/ – gorgeous Thai Karen Hill Tribes & Fair Trade silver
stores.channeladvisor.com/accessoriessusan/ – brass and silver beads, wraps, finding, and other vintage style and free shipping
The Ring Lord - Chainmail supplies, including jump rings in aluminum too
thunderbirdsupply.com – mostly metal
tierracast.com – lots of really cool jewelry findings and charms
Shipping and Packing Supplies
Royalmailers – Bubble Mailers *Free Shipping* Great service!!
Store Supply – kraft boxes, lots of other jewelry packaging supplies. Great prices.
Fetpak - great bulk rates for gift packaging & free shipping
Papermart
Specialtybottle – Supplier of bottles, jars and tin containers.
Nashvillewraps – I can no longer recommend NashvilleWraps following a REALLY poor customer service experience with them. Buyer beware. 
If you are a jewelry artist, I’d love to add your favorite suppliers to my list. What others can you recommend?
If you are a supplier, don’t ask. I won’t add you unless your venue has been recommended to me by a jewelry designer.
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I love this list! How awesome of you to make it.
Here is another addition for drilled sea glass beads. Eco friendly. (my shop)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/akkricket?section_id=5976391
A great supplier for natural seeds, wooden beads, horn, bone and more is: http://beadsandpieces.com
http://www.stachurawholesalegemstones.com has a good selection of biwa pearls (lots of other stuff, too) but they’re wholesale only
A great site for jewelry making wire and jewelry making tools, as well as cabochons and gems, is http://www.wire-sculpture.com. They’re pretty fast with shipping and have great customer service!
[...] Handmade jewelry designer supplier list [...]
Great list, Kristy! I would add Czech Beads, http://www.czechbeads.com. You have to register for an account and a $250 min order, but they have a great selection. For chainmaille suppliers, I like http://www.candtdesigns.etsy.com, they have excellent customer service. And http://www.urbanmaille.com has stunning rings.
Kady
Hi Kristy,
I posted on the thread in the AF forum, but you might have missed it.
I make and sell jewelry on AF, but I also have a supplies studio for gemstones, 100% positive feedback and I have sold to several AF jewelry designers: http://www.CanadianRockiesArtStudio.ArtFire.com
Thanks for considering me.
Cheers,
Nat
I have been to a better bead (the first store/supplier on the list). i am happy to see them on the list. I was traveling through Brevard and stopped in. What a wonderful store. They were super helpful and even had a nice big tree parking spot for my dog to wait in the cool shade. As a bead maker and fully committed beader for life I also recommend this great store.
Hi,
I love your list and I’ve used it. Would love to be on it. I specialize in solid copper products…particularly wire. How can I get added to your list?
Lois
http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com
Greta list! thank you so much for sharing!!! This must have taken a lot of work to compile, you are awesome!
I’d also like to note that I use Rings N Things all of the time (they are local for me, so I don’t have to pay shipping on any of my orders) LOVE them!
Thanks for the nice comment about R&T…
Nice Blog Kristi-Thanks for taking the time to ceate it. Thanks!
Hi Kristy just leaving a comment as you requested. Can you please update the link for Beads2string as I’m no longer on Etsy. This will be a better site with more to choose from at http://beads2string.com
Thank you,
Karen
done!
thanks for the info!
Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any method you may take away me from that service? Thanks!
Sorry… I have no idea how to do that. I think you have you edit your preferences somewhere.