Perler bead projects

[klammyq]

Sorry if this has been asked before....

I've been sending my boyfriend pictures of the amazing work that goes on here (both stitching and beads), and he often comments on how he'd like to do something with perler beads. On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby for supplies for my next stitching project, we browsed the perler bead section and were unethused. The color selection is...not much of a selection at all--small packages with random colors, mostly primary. So where do you get a good quantity of the colors you need? Or is it more a matter of choosing an image that happens to have the random colors you can buy? Or would other stores, like Joann or Michaels have a better, more varied selection of colors? Also, the only peg boards they had were small in size and sold in packages designed for specific kids projects. Are there individual boards out there?

Or...is this a hobby limited to online shopping? If so, what a bummer! I love going to the store with a new project in mind, and finding all the pieces...sometimes I come up with something completely different than what I had in mind...

[Holly]

Or...is this a hobby limited to online shopping?

Pretty much. The only items I don't get online are tweezers, pegboards, and ironing paper.

[LiquidKarma]

I've tried Michael's and living in Canada, the only beads i could get there were in the giant tubs...I sorted one 11,000 bead tub and NEVER AGAIN!!! I only buy my stuff from Michelle (online supplier) since she has the best selection and prices that I've found on the net. Seriously, she's the best! You can get everything through her..boards, beads, tweezers, etc etc...plus she also carries Hama (UK version) and Photopearls/Nabbi (Swedish version).

Her email is gmrcdbaker13@bellsouth.net

She has some ebay listings but if you email her directly she charges less.

I started out just buying an assortment of colours until you eventually have them all and can do smaller sprites without worrying about colours. If your'e doing more epic projects you'll probably have to stock up on specific colours. Always buy more black than you think you need...it goes fast.

[klammyq]

Thanks guys!

[MissNelyra]

Is there some website where you get your supply? I'm interested too but i almost found nothing and i prefer to use an online shop instead of ebay...

[LiquidKarma]

Is there some website where you get your supply? I'm interested too but i almost found nothing and i prefer to use an online shop instead of ebay...

i only buy from Michelle and she doesn't currently have a website. I believe she does this to keep her costs down. You can email her and she'll send you a list of her stock and other things she has for sale (tweezers, boards etc etc). I got sick of looking up colours so I created a giant spreadsheet with all of the colours of the 3 brands so I can use it as a quick reference when I'm ordering.

She's really good with answering emails and doesn't mind answering questions so you can ask her anything before you order. You can send her what you want and she'll send you a quote before sending an invoice.