Bead Shops in London and Online

Below is a list of some bead shops in London that we use - but please note we cannot promote any suppliers or guarantee the level of service or quality.

Bead Shop (Covent Garden)

21a Tower Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NS
Monday: 1.00 - 6.00, Tuesday to Friday: 10.30 - 6.00, Saturday: 10.30 to 5.00 (the basement closes half an hour earlier), Sunday: closed
Website: http://www.beadshop.co.uk/

The ground floor has Czech and Indian glass, Chinese ceramics, Swarovski crystals, kits and a variety of stringing materials as well as seed beads, cubes and base metal findings. Downstairs you have semi-precious stones, bulk buys of Swarovskis, precious metals, pearls and tools (ask at the counter). You will be able to find a lot of it cheaper online, but it's good to see things with your own eyes and not have to wait for the post.

London Bead Shop

24 Earlham Street, Covent Garden London WC2H 9LN
Monday to Saturday 10:30 - 8:30, Sunday 11-8
Website: http://www.londonbeadshop.co.uk/

If you turn back to Earlham St. from the Bead Shop and go towards Seven Dials, you will find this shop on your right. It looks like it sells ready made jewellery, but inside you will find some very nice large glass pendants and a wide range of glass and plastic beads and base metal findings, with a modest selection of stringing materials and some pre-made blank necklaces. They also sell watch faces.

Buffy's Beads

Second Floor, 2.3 Kingly Court Arcade, off Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW
Monday - Saturday 11-7, Sunday 12 - 6
Website: http://www.buffysbeads.com/

A treasure trove of semi-precious and precious beads and pearls, with some glass shapes and beads, sterling silver findings, tools, stringing materials and Swarovski crystals thrown in. They also have some interesting books, and will look out for any semi-precious or precious beads you're trying to find.

Claire Aristides

Unit 2.11, Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW
Website: http://www.clarearistides.com

From Claire: "Claire Aristides Jewellery School is based in central London, we teach beginners to advanced classes on jewellery making, chain mail, wiring and cocktail rings etc.
We also have a fabulous range of beads, silver and gold chains, unique beads such as really big acrylic beads (up to 25mm), ribbed metal balls (8mm to 16mm), diamante bling beads (8mm to 16mm) and lots more! Our shop is like a candy store, and our website is being update to include all of our wonderful range."

Creative Beadcraft

1 Marshall Street, London W1F 9BA
Monday - Friday 10 - 7, Saturday 11 - 6, Sunday 12 - 5
Website: http://www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk

Just down the road from Kingly Court, this shop has wood and bone beads, seed beads, and good prices on stringing materials. They also have an impressive selection of Swarovski shapes including ones not seen elsewhere, and do bulk purchasing. The pricing system (queue at a different desk before queuing to pay) takes ages, and it can be very frustrating on a Saturday. Also, be aware prices displayed do not include VAT.

Bead Aura

Neal's Yard, Covent Garden
Monday - Saturday 10 - 7, Sunday 12 - 6
Website: http://www.beadaura.co.uk

From Jane at BeadAura: "We have been in Covent Garden for around 4 years selling all types of beads including glass, metal beads, gemstones, findings and other equipment."

Beadtime

5 Church Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 2UG
Website: http://www.beadtime.co.uk

Online Bead Shops

Below is a list of some online bead shops that we use - but please note we cannot promote any suppliers or guarantee the level of service or quality.

Jillybeads

Website: http://www.jillybeads.co.uk/

Fantastic Czech beads in all kinds of colours and finishes, plus lots of Swarovski pendants and beads, findings and stringing materials. Excellent prices on glass and Swarovski.

BeadMerchant

Website: http://www.beadmerchant.co.uk/

Mainly Japanese seed and shaped glass beads and some amazing kits, plus Delica cylindrical beads.

Jules Gems

Website: http://www.julesgems.com/

A wide range of beads and stringing materials, plus polymer clay, books and tools.

Palmer Metals

Website: http://www.palmermetals.co.uk/

Sterling silver and gold findings, clasps, chain and stringing materials.

Silversmithing and heavy equipment

These are suppliers for silversmithing and jewellery manufacture, who will have mandrels and other heavier equipment.