| Thanks Mandy and Sueki!
Wendy, I don't buy in bulk because I don't resell.
I buy temporarily strung pearls and stone strands at regional gem shows, on eBay and local bead shops. I've also found really good deals at thrift shops (taking apart and redoing strands), flea markets, even antique collectives (including new, not previously-owned.)
The reason I bought these pearls at retail is they were exactly what I needed to complete this specific strand, and the price wasn't high--and I hadn't seen any similar metallic fancy colored oval pearls anywhere else. If I find more of the same quality, I'll buy them for my daughter. But most of what I buy is temporarily strung, though I'm sure I'm paying more than someone buying in bulk would pay. |