With the jewelry making business exploding into the economy these days, jewelry making suppliers are a dime a dozen. Because of the thousands of components that it takes to make jewelry, not to forget all of the gems, beads, pendants and charms, an artist needs to research all the avenues in which to find a good jewelry making supplier.
A phone book or the internet, of course, is excellent starting points. Checking out reviews of the different suppliers is always a good idea. Talk to fellow artists and see who they use and compile all of your findings before making a decision.
Research
Beginning your research for a good jewelry making supplier should start with yourself. What style of jewelry are you creating, and exactly what are the components and findings that you need to make a beautiful piece? List your components, and then decide exactly what market you are targeting. If it is just friends and family that you are selling to, then perhaps you do not need the best quality of components; a mid-range may do for that audience. If you already have a large medium to sell to, then perhaps the top quality suppliers would be best for your business.
These...