I've been beading for a while now and the bulk of my beading supply purchases have been from online retailers or the few specialized bead stores that are in my area. It seemed that I was able to find higher quality, better prices and many more unique items online or in the bead shops than anywhere else. Today, however, I happened to swing by a big chain craft supply store and I was amazed at the selection of really cool beads and supplies!

First, there were so many sizes and really interesting shapes of natural stone beads. I was blow away by the variations of amethyst, bloodstone and red jasper - all my favorite materials, right there. I was also particularly impressed with the selection of glass beads. There were sets that included various sizes and multiple shapes. The colors were amazing and varied and ranged from classic to wild. I have to admit I started getting inspired just walking down the aisles.

Not only did I find a wonderful selection of beads, but the selection of accessory items like spacer beads and findings and even wire and tools was also quite impressive. I really liked the fact that I didn't need to guess at the quality of the product and I could touch and evaluate them before making my decisions. It was also nice to match color and shapes real-time before buying. I've always had great online buying experiences, but well, sometimes a bead may not look exactly as it did on the web when you've got it in your hand at home, or the items you plan to put together don't necessarily work as well as you'd hoped now that you see them in person.

And I actually ended up spending about the same or maybe a little less than I would have if i had bought them online. There was no shipping charges and no waiting to get them home and dig right in to using them!

I left the store with not only the holiday items I went in looking for, but also a big pile of beading supplies to help me ramp up for my next craft show. I've got at least ten new pieces planned with all the finds I came across and I'm so excited to start them.

I definitely plan to keep checking back at the big chain craft stores, but I'm also going to keep my eye out for other independent craft supply stores I may not have been to before. While I won't give up going to my bead shop or buying beads online, I'm definitely going to keep the craft supply stores in mind and make them a regular part of my bead buying plans!