The major advantage to being able to buy beads online is, of course, convenience. From the comfort of your chair, you can browse a staggering array of choices (all from glass to wooden, to semi-precious and many specialty beads), drop what you prefer into your shopping cart, and with the touch of a key, they are on their way to you, quick and painless, but there are 2 drawbacks to ordering beads online.
First is shipping charge. You can skip these altogether and get a better deal if you frequent your regional brick and mortar store. Obviously, some vendors of beads online offer free shipping if you order more than a specific dollar amount. Always check out deals like this is purchasing beads online.
The second main drawback of purchasing beads online is the fact that bead craft is, at its essence, a tactile hobby. When shopping for beads, part of the fun is getting to reach out and touch them. To obtain a feel for them and see if you truly like them and if they will work for you in your projects. The way the majority of brick and mortar shops are laid out, the beads are out in open display, encouraging this hands on approach. You just don't get that when ordering beads online.
My personal recommendation 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 want to seek at the brick and mortar store.
If you don't have a store in your area specializing in bead craft and beading supplies, then look for a few chain shops 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 last note, and a nod in favor of online bead vendors are specialty beads. The brick and mortar stores are tremendous sources for normal supplies, but you may find that they do not carry certain specialty designs (just simply not sufficient local demand for it). So if you are looking for something rare or specialized, buying these beads online is almost certainly your best bet.
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