These views are so interesting. I buy my fair share of pieces from the US and whereas sometimes price is a factor (e.g I bought my Lindstroms because of that) other times is availability (e.g.my jumpringer). I've always had good service from the US but then I had equally good service from the UK.

So what I'm trying to say is that I'm not trying to "push" one in preference to the other (and I know you don't think that, I'm just trying to clarify my ideas to myself! ). I was thinking of a little logo that we could put alongside some of our pieces showing that the suppliers used were uk based. Certainly not all of my pieces would qualify for this but most of them would I think. So it wouldn't be a badge of nationalistic correctness (and who am I to speak, I'm Greek!) but more of a sign of support for the home grown businesses.

Again, I'm just throwing up ideas in the air. (Can you tell I'm bored being stuck at home with the kids? )

As a buyer, cost of materials is one of the most important factors I have to consider, but also speed of delivery, availability and service. My products are made to order and because it would be so expensive for me to have Swarovski crystals/pearls etc in all colours in stock at all times I tend to order components as and when a customer makes a purchase. For this reason I make these purchases in the UK from suppliers who I have found really reliable, offer good prices and who provide a speedy service.

That is not to say that I don't use non EU suppliers; if I'm making jewellery for myself or for gifts etc and where speed of delivery is not so important I will look elsewhere for the best choice and prices. I was one of those who joined in with the FMG order last time and was really impressed with the vast choice available and great prices. I'm hoping to join in with the next one and have already made a start on my shopping list! I don't know about other overseas companies but FMG do a great catalogue which is free of charge and so you can see at a glance what they have to offer. UK companies don't seem to do this, and although I know cost must make this prohibitive it might encourage more people to buy at home??? My experiences of buying overseas have all been good and the savings that can be made often outweigh the additional expenses that can be incurred.

I'm interested in your idea Mark. We're all in business togther and there's a lot we can do to support and complement each other.

Jo

Just a note on the catalogue thing (Erikag); FMG actually produce several catalogues a year, along with numerous supplements. Every time one drops through the letterbox, I wonder at how much it must cost them to produce (not to mention the trees!) Personally, I prefer to use their website, you can actually 'flick through' the catatlogue online.

I import from India, and last month was discussing the bead business in the UK with one of the company reps. They supply many of the bigger UK companies and he really has his finger on the pulse. He told me of at least two UK companies who would be abandoning their catalogues because of the huge expense and (this is the main reason I don't have one) because their range is continually changing so a catalogue quickly becomes outdated.

Sorry - this is a bit off-topic. But I suppose the fact that FMG are able to produce all these catalogues is another reflection of their Bead Giant Status.

Jo

I prefer to buy from UK suppliers- I don't have to wait as long to get my beads and if something was wrong it would be easy to sort it out. And of course, I want to keep being able to buy from UK suppliers, because of course if you don't then you're going to be stuck when there aren't any left.

The difference in price is not generally worth it either for me, and I suppose the attraction of going to suppliers in the US is that they have a much bigger range and I don't have to go to three different suppliers for three different beads. It's also a question of remembering which supplier has which bead. And occasionally there's the time when you find a supplier selling what you want but at a ridiculous price- more than twice the going rate in either the US or UK for the exact same beads (same brand, same size etc.). I have no idea how they manage to sell any... and how they manage to justify those prices. I am willing to pay some more than US prices, but not 100% more!

Overall, though, I think my greatest problem is knowing where to go for which bead- there are about five sites which I have a good idea of what they do and don't have and then for any other site I have to start making notes!

Mark, wish I'd known about you when I was visiting my mother in Stoke-on-Trent last week - I'll certainly recommend you to my beading goddaughter in Silverdale.

So, given that I have seen no clasps made in Britain that are as good as the German Neumann multi-strand end pull clasps, how about stocking them and then I can support not only a UK shop but one based in my hometown?

I would love to be spending the money on clasps instead of postage and customs and GPO service charges. Their website is

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many thanks
kind regards

As a buyer I much prefer to shop in the UK. I know that if there's a problem, it's much easier and faster to sort it out than it would be e-mailing back and forth to other countries. I do have loyalties to certain places, places where the staff are friendly and don't put you under pressure (Finding Inspiration in Norwich is a perfect example- Emma and her Mum are possibly the friendliest people you could hope to meet!). And I will go in and pay a bit more, just because I know that my money is supporting someone that works really hard to provide excellent service. And plus there's no postage!

To be honest, most of the time I look at the American places, and either I can get all of the things in Britain for only a few pence more, or the things I can't get...well they're so expensive that I can't afford them anyway.

Some of you have asked for a buyers view so here is my take on this(plus I like to talk just as much on line as in real life).
My first choice in beads etc is to buy from my local bead shop or one or two other shops beacause I can see exactly what I am getting - important if, like me, you cannot visualise sizes, because they are there when you have run out of something the night befroe a craft fair and because you can go in with a garment and pick beads to match it. Not to mention just for the joy of bead shops. Obviously for some beads/silver/tools etc this is not practical so I buy online from British companies usually from one of four or five which I have used more than once and which have clearly laid out websites, prompt service and a willingness to answer any stupid questions I ask. I do this partly out of a desire to buy british, partly cos I like to know clearly how much the final cost will be and partly cos I know I have much better consumer protection.
My only experience of buying from overseas was the FMG order that Pollie so kindly did and while I found the choice/discounts tempting and though I was happy with most of the order there were a couple of items which made me feel that I had got exactly what I paid for.
I hope that the huge increase in the popularity of beading will make life a bit easier for uk suppliers even if it is a trend I curse when it increases my competition.
Mary

Georgia

We have the neumann clasp catalogue and will hopefully be stocking a few of their designs later this year. If there are any particular favourites then please let me know.

That goes for anyone else please let me know your favourite products and I'll try and stock them.

MarkV

I particularly like the basket weave multi clasps. By the way Neumann are on holiday till Sept so don't be surprised if you get no response till then - European holidays! Many thanks.

I just wanted to add my 2 penceworth. Buy British first, we have to put our money where our mouths are! There are loads of UK suppliers who are as cheap as the US and elsewhere, the service is fab, the ranges of stuff are getting great. I rarely use suppliers from outside the UK.

I only ever buy from abroad when I can't get what I want here, I hate spending money on postage and I hate waiting for my goods! For lampwork I've sometimes had to buy from America, but for jewellery making I can find everything I need in the UK. From UK suppliers a fast efficient service and reasonable p & p will get my custom every time ( and I must add that 9 out of 10 times, that's what I get )

This has been such an interesting thread - although I must apologise to Georgia since we seemed to have hijacked her thread and taken it off at a tangent. My fault, I kicked off again

It has been really interesting to read everyone's comments. Heartening too. The ironic thing is that I have been too busy the last few days to catch up with this thread and reply!

Emma

oh, I don't mind, it has been interesting, and I hope means I can at last get my nice clasps in the UK!

I will put in my two pennorth as a buyer

I rarely know exactly what it is I DO want! I constantly look for beads etc that are different and look at lots of UK sites as well as Etsy and Ebay. I usually just see something and love it so decide I want it then scour the website because you can't just buy one thing can you?

There are a lot of UK online shops that sell exactly the same things with little variation and while that's fine for basic findings and spacers I really like things that are different so shop around for a lot of things, whether it's home or abroad.

I do look at every UKbeaders website for beads and findings and have bought from several of you and found some gorgeous stuff. I have my favourites for different things
I have to shop online and have never set foot in a bead shop, if I had one local I'm sure I'd buy as much as possible there

I love gemstones but can't afford to pay much for them so do buy them from China or US, usually on auction. If I could guarantee that my pieces would be sold then I would happily buy them from the UK and factor the extra into the prices charged but like Pollie I have to buy what I can afford and if my choice is either gemstones from China or plastic from UK then I'll get gemstones. ( PLEASE don't anyone be offended by that statement, I am talking about auctions here for pennies! )

I never buy more than the £18 limit because of the post office charge. I would happily pay the customs but not the PO 'fiddle'

Just my bit to add to the debate