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 (there are some left that are from Oahu, they are smaller and a bit darker in color. More recently I have found a supply on the Big Island that I'm rather happy with), Royal Poinciana seeds, 4mm Swarovski bicones in a bunch of colors, and some colors in other 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.

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:

Unless I'm at a market or fair somewhere else 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 or other artist or maybe a farmer, and getting my mixed green papaya and cucumber salad from Ratana, usually between 1 p.m. or thereabouts until about 2 or 3, quite often carrying part of my supplies and sometimes some jewelry with me.