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Can anybody help me find less pricey beads than SU sells? I have used beads from other manufacturers but they aren't nearly as nice as SU's but I don't want to spend $4.00 + shipping + tax everytime i run out - which is quite often!
My favorite source for microbeads is PennwiseArts.com. It's a terrific company with wonderful personalized service. Their prices are excellent, and the owner is a member SCS!
__________________ Malinda
Why did she make things? Well, she enjoyed it, of course; it also somehow helped her remember who she was and where she came from.
I actually picked mine up at Hobby Lobby for about 99 cents for a tube of them. I think the weight is similar to the amount you get from SU! and they seem to be similar quality. HTH.
I also get beads from Pennywisearts.com, and it's a great company. They also have beautiful transparent colors that you can put inside the rsvp pens....
diane
__________________ ~Women and cats will do as they please; men and dogs should just get used to it!~
I echo the recommendations for Penny Wise Arts. I LOVE her colored beads and her clear beads are the most economical ones out there. Her sticky tape is great too and less expensive than other sources I've see. You also have to try the new mini-microbeads...they are smaller than the usual microbeads and you see more detail of what you stamped - but it appears "frosted."
While the shipping may be $4.95 I think Suzanne can put up to 7 or 8 packages of beads in the flat rate priority mail envelope. It sounds like you go through a lot of beads - order a couple of packages at a time and it makes your shipping more economical.
What do you guys do with them? I have a couple packs and have never used them because I had no clue. I have seen the pens here but other than that? Don't they come off the tape?
if you use that super sticky tape, oh so sticky tape, tacky tape etc., they will stay stuck. someone told my to huff hot air on them after you stick them, and then smoosh them in well. the heat softens the glue and they seem to just stick even better...
i use them as embellishments on cards, as well as doing those pens. just a strip of them down the card sometimes is the added oomph a simple card needs... and so easy to do!
__________________
Marni - SCS #14788 and SU Demo
My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate. Thornton Wilder
I got 8 80gram bags for 11.99 at www.paperwishes.com. They are very little. But a tiny bit bigger than the microbeads. You get 8 different colors. They were on sale. But regular price is only 14.99. If you do a search they are called bitty beads. I love them.
Yes, there are lots of other sources for beads out there (and I have most of them in my craft supplies), but so far I haven't found anything that matches the size and quality of SU!'s; many of the other sources sell a different size microbead, packs with mixed sizes, packs with "irregulars" (not spherical) mixed in, or beads that are less clear (more frosty).
If I want quality (clear and all-the-same-size) microbeads I use SU (especially for beaded pens, and especially if I'm giving it as a gift).
If I want inexpensive microbeads I use shuffleboard beads or those little glass beads the road crew tosses to make painted stripes reflective.
__________________ "I like work. . . I can sit and look at it for hours. I love to keep it by me: the idea of getting rid of it nearly breaks my heart." J.K.Jerome