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Who is Magpie Jewellery, and why buy your glass beads and findings from us?

Magpie Jewellery is a company set up in 2004 by a mad beader who was dissatisfied with the quality and range of beads available. By building relationships with bead manufacturers directly, over a number of years, we have managed to consistently bring you the very best in glass beads, sterling silver beads, vermeil beads, wood beads and cloisonne beads available in the UK, at some of the best prices. Many of the beads you will find on this website you will not find anywhere else in the UK.

Above all, because we are managed by beaders for beaders, we know and understand what you are looking for and strive to consistently deliver what you need. Whether you buy your beads and jewellery findings wholesale or retail, let us provide you with the best available.

What do we sell and where do we get it from?

Glass beads

Most of our glass beads are hand made in India and China by skilled artisans. We look for the best quality of lampwork glass beads in a huge range of colours shapes and sizes. Look out for our tapestry glass beads and our blown glass beads in particular, as these are very fashionable at the moment and our prices are some of the best in the industry. We also import glass beads from Czech glass factories, and all our Murano glass beads are handmade in Venice using the traditional methods which ensure that Murano glass remains the very best quality glass in the world. If you would like to know more about how our glass beads are made, just visit out Free Articles section, where we have a couple of articles all about how glass beads are made.

Gemstone beads

At Magpie Jewellery we love all things sparkly, so we adore gemstone beads. We have a range of gemstone beads from all over the world. Many of our gemstone beads you will have heard of, like quartz gemstone beads and agate beads, but we also have some more exotic gemstone beads like muscovite, pretty semi transparent pink gemstone beads. We are contantly sourcing new gemstones and are committed to bringing you some of the most stunning gemstone beads, so you can make the most stunning jewellery.

Jewellery Findings

Of course, having all the stunning beads in the world means nothing if you can't put them together. At Magpie Jewellery, we take pride in offering you a comprehensive range of jewellery findings so that your imagination isn't limited by your materials. As well as the usual sterling silver findings, we also stock a large range of silver plated jewellery findings, gold plated jewellery findings, and and ever increasing range of antique bronze and platinum plated findings. We also stock 24ct gold vermeil jewellery findings, if you are making something a bit special. All our jewellery findings are nickel free.

Wooden Beads

Wooden beads can be truly stunning, if you can get a quality supply. We stock a range of genuine ebony wooden beads, carved with intricate patterns which set off the delicate woodgrain. These are also available as rosewood wooden beads, if you fancy something a bit lighter. We also have some stunning Chinese wooden ojime beads, which feature intricate and symbolic Chinese carvings on large boxwood wooden beads. We have these as rondells, vase beads, and owls, frogs and the cutest elephants you'll ever see.

Jewellery Making Books and Jewellery Magazines

Not everyone is a born jewellery designer, and we all have to learn somewhere. For basic jewellery making techniques, design ideas and inspiration, through to complex designs from established jewellery designers, you can find what you need in our catalogue of jewellery books and jewellery making magazines. Beading techniques with glass beads and seed beads, working with wire and fabric, making you own beads, beading stitches, colour co-ordination, these are just a few of the topics covered. Whatever you need you can find in one of our jewellery making books.