If you\’re new to bead craft, or think you might be interested, one of the first questions that may spring to mind is where you can buy beads online. Fortunately, there\’re a lots of trustworthy online vendors, but before you race to discover them, it might be worth taking a moment to consider the benefits and disadvantages of ordering beads on the web.

The main advantage to being able to buy beads online is, certainly, convenience. From the comfort of your chair, you can browse a staggering array of alternatives (everything from glass to wooden, to semi-precious and some specialty beads), drop what you want into your shopping cart, and with the touch of a button, they\’re on their way to you, fast and convenience, but there\’re 2 drawbacks to ordering beads online.

First is shipping cost. You can skip these altogether and get a better deal if you frequent your regional brick and mortar shop. Certainly, many vendors of beads online provide free shipping if you order over a certain dollar amount. Always look for deals like this is buying beads online.

The second key disadvantage of purchasing beads online is the fact that bead craft is, at its essence, a tactile hobby. When shopping for beads, part of the pleasure is getting to reach out and touch them. To get a feel for them and see if you really like them and if they will work for you in your projects. The way most brick and mortar stores are laid out, the beads are out in the open and on display, encouraging this hands on approach. You simply do not get that when ordering beads over the internet.

My personal suggestion would be this:

If you\’ve a brick and mortar bead shop in your local area, find out what they\’ve available as a first course. Maybe even browse beads online to get an idea for things you wish to seek at the brick and mortar store.

If you do not have a shop in your area specializing in bead craft and beading supplies, then look for a few chain stores to see what\’s available (Michael\’s is an excellent source, and even Wal-Mart\’s craft section has some beading supplies). Once you\’ve exhausted the options of the local shops, then certainly turn your attention to finding a source to buy beads online.

One ultimate 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 sufficient local demand for it). So if you\’re looking for something rare or specialized, buying these beads online is almost certainly your best bet.