HiloBeads

(http://www.hilobeads.com)

Beads

Semi-precious Gemstones
Crystals: Swarovski, Fire Polished, Preciosa (Czech Machine Cut)
Seed beads: mostly Jablonex Ornela Czech seed beads
Natural/Botanical Beads, like mgambo/weleweka/velvet seeds, Job's Tears, etc.
Fresh Water Pearls
Sea Glass

Findings

So far all findings are on one web page

Other things

Sometimes I come across things (they may be vintage or not). If I don't have immediate use for them they will go in here, as will tools and other things that people who make jewelry use.

Jewelry:

Hand made, so far all by me.

Sets
Necklaces and pendants
Bracelets
Earrings
Yarn Leis
Accessories, like eyelash scrunchies, key chains, phone charms, etc.

Order:

Please go to the Order page for more information.

Welcome to HiloBeads

HiloBeads is located in Hilo, Hawaii (The Big Island), even if the webhost is not. HiloBeads is owned by Maren Purves and doesn't currently occupy a physical store. Locally, I'll deliver larger orders, and for smaller ones we can meet at some place and time that's convenient or you can pick them up. Of course I'll ship, usually by priority mail. Not having a physical store keeps overheads low and allows passing on good deals.

There are some things that I will try to always keep in stock: Job's Tears, mgambo/weleweka/velvet/Hawaiian pussy willow seeds (now that I managed to find some, they're from Oahu), Royal Poinciana seeds, clear and jet black 4mm Swarovski bicones (along with some other colors and sizes), 18 to 24 gauge sterling silver wire, some assortment of black (onyx and/or blackstone), green (malachite, jade and some others), and gray (Picasso jasper) gemstones as well as amethysts and garnets and maybe some other jaspers, daisy spacer bars, some TierraCast earring links, some earring wires (though I make a lot of those myself) and memory wire in bracelet and necklace sizes. I have Jablonex Ornela seed beads in a variety of colors, brought in for a customer, but I started using them myself in some things too.

If there is a local demand for headpins and eyepins I'll bring those in, but for my own jewelry I'm going to mostly use wire.

The most recent updates can now be found in the HiloBeads blog

As I don't have a physical store at this point, information about local orders is included on the ordering information page.

What's available will probably continue to go by my own as well as customer wishes, with a bit of trial and error. I started with what I had to order on-line anyway because I can't find it here, and with what I found at good prices.

Clicking on the links on the left or on the pictures on the right will take you to the sub pages for the categories.

Artists' and Craft Fairs:

Hilo Art and Glass are going to resume their Artists' Fairs before the Holidays. I will be at their fairs on October 16 and December 20, selling both jewelry making supplies and jewelry, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.. And to put in a plug: there's another one in November, on the 15th, but as I'm planning on being at the East Hawaii Cultural Center Arts and Fine Crafts Fair on Nov. 29 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) things would be a bit too tight for me that month. I will update that in the blog as I find out.

Of course you can almost always find me at the Hilo Farmer's Market on Saturdays, not with a booth, but chatting with one or the other jewelry maker, usually between 1 p.m. or thereabouts until about 2 or 3, carrying part of my supplies, and sometimes jewelry, with me.