Reading other people’s blogs is so inspiring that it makes me want to run out and replicate their projects for myself. A crucial part of that process is finding sources for appropriate materials. Here are my favorite materials sources for you to browse yourself!
Reading and Listening
Browse some of my favorite books and music at Amazon.com. Click the “Snapdragons” link to come back here when you’re finished!
Bead Sources
Fire Mountain Gems: the behemoth of bead and findings websites, FMG uniquely offers all-assortable discounts, meaning that as you add more items to your cart–no matter how different or similar they are–the price of everything decreases. They sell many of the same findings and beads that you will find at craft stores, but at half to one-tenth the price.
Shipwreck Beads: a good source for mixed lots of beads; they have many lovely assortments of Czech beads. I find that using a well-chosen assortment of colors gives jewelry special depth and interest.
Beadaholique: sells some upscale items that the first two sources don’t. It’s more expensive and doesn’t have bulk discounts… but the stuff they sell is so much fun that I often buy there anyway.
Artbeads: like Beadaholique, upscale items that I haven’t found elsewhere, though stuff seems pricey. But then again, this website has free shipping!!!
Michael’s craft stores: the Michaels in my town has just supercharged its jewelry-making section. If you want to stretch your dollar, you will pass by the basic findings, glass beads, and gemstone beads here (because you can get them for a fraction of the price online) but hit the metal charms and pendants hard. I haven’t yet found a source for the Blue Moon products, for example, that has a substantial enough discount to offset the convenience factor of being able to buy an item and use it right away.
Fabric Sources
QuiltHome: A friendly source of mod quilting fabric; excellent website design; this is my first stop shopping
Etsy: The Supplies section of Etsy is a fabulous source for out-of-print and heavily discounted fabric
Fabric.com: Cut-rate prices on lots of lines of lots of kinds of fabric
Fat Quarter Shop: The reigning queen of quilting fabric bundles!
Hancock’s of Paducah: A truly huge inventory; possibly the largest of any website I order from
The Thrifty Needle: Cut-rate prices on mostly sweet Moda fabrics; bundles too
Shabby Fabrics: When you just have to get your floral on
Yarn Sources
Yarn.com: C’mon, you’ve gotta go. Great discounts for bulk purchases.
Jimmy Beans Wool: A good second source for the Rowan yarn I so covet
Yarnzilla: Another yarn store with discounts on bulk purchases, hooray!
Herrschners: If you, like me, think acrylic Red Heart is the best all-around afghan yarn, you should go here for it
The Loopy Ewe: An extensive selection of hand-dyed sock yarns; this is a website too dangerous to browse… I have to go in commando-style, knowing what I want beforehand
You’ve Gotta See This
American Science & Surplus is my go-to website for stocking stuffers and “I’m sure I’ll need that someday” purchases
Oriental Trading is the best source of tiny toys and gimmicks I’ve found. Go for the “putty eye” animal toys… everyone loves them
Favorite Things
EO lavender: the hand soap is my favorite; I buy it by the gallon
Food Sources
Mighty Leaf: A gourmet tea store that has often made me squeak with excitement; try the Caramel Pear Truffle
Adagio: Another gourmet tea store, affordably priced, huge selection; try the Jasmine #12, it’s what angels taste like
