Beware Quality at Craft Stores
You can get good coupons and deals at big craft
chains like Michael’s–but you may be sacrificing quality. Pay special attention to the description on the item you are buying. For example, glass beads sold at craft stores are usually not kiln-annealed, a process which prevents cracking and breaking. Metal is usually plated, and can tarnish easily. Check the package for broken or bent pieces. You can find some good stuff–just be extra careful to know what you’re buying.
I get lots of goodies from thrift stores that I reuse for other projects. We also have a Scrap Exchange with bins full of broken or misc. pieces of jewelry at a dollar an ounce.