looking for good sources for a craft- things like beads, mosaic tiles,small stones etc.?

Question

My daughter and I saw some really neat pictures/designs made with beads, glass stones, little colored rocks etc. We though it would be fun to make our own, but we started looking at stores, these things cost alot of money. I want to find someplace to get them cheap. I also need to know what kind of fixative or glue I can use that is easy to work with. Any crafty people out there who can tell me??

Answer 1

you can buy directly from Mosaic Mercantile online. I believe their pricing is far better than MisterArt, or any hobby store.

Another medium to consider is the broken tempered glass that they use for commerical doors & windows. It's safety glass, so ir breaks in little pieces...neat. Usually coloured in a light aqua...but you could always get crafty and metal leaf the underside before you adhere it, the leaf will show through, giving it a totally different look. Now for the best part...talk to your local glass supply (companies that make shower doors, glass table tops, etc) and see if they will give you the stuff, or at least reserve it for you when an accident happens with a job. Chances are, you may be able to get it for free.
Silicone adhesives! Yup. Or the two part epoxy (really strong, and perhaps best suited for outside stuff).
Have fun!

Answer 2

To fix tiles, marbles and beads to almost anything opaque, like stone or a tabletop, use Mastic, its the same tilers use to make countertops, then grout.
To affix the same to glass, use epoxy or clear silicone caulk sealant.

try these sites

Mosaic. MOSAIC MERCANTILE Vitreous Glass Mosaic Tiles -- Solid Colors ... Mosaic Mercantile tiles are cast from colored vitreous ... Italian glass makers. These tiles can be used in ...www.misterart.com/store/view.cfm?group_id=6710060&store=003

First Quality Glass at Wholesale Prices. Polished Stones. Natural Stones polished smooth. One bulk bag of LARGE ... polished stones, 1"- 4" in size. Large bulk bag approximately 5# . Cost ...www.yessupplyco.com/products/glass_rocks2.htm

Stepping Stones Kits and Accessories, Handprint Impression Kits, and Mosaic Tesserae and Accessories. ... Stained Glass. Vitreous Glass Tile. Ceramic Tile. Glass Gems ... Bulk Vitreous Glass. BEST VALUE! Milestones 10 lb ... These beautiful glass tiles have been used in European mosaics for ...www.milestonesproducts.com/MainPages/Bulk/VitreousGlassTile.html

assorted glass decorative stones assorted colors orange green purple blue and white each stone is approximately the size of a quarter each bag is about 8 ozwww.dollardays.com/detailimage.asp?itemid=245268

Stones, Beads & More. Extra-Large Hole Glass Beads. $5.00. J132. These are the beads you need to use when making a purse handle or decorating twist end bangles and neck wires. Beads are approx. 5/8" to 1ö with a 1/8" hole. ... A dramatic grouping of hematite and copper colored beads in assorted shapes and sizes from 1/8" to 1/2". In a ... 40 pieces. Colored Glass Stones. $2.95. JS28 ...www.homesew.com/stonesandbeads.html

Answer 3

The dollar keep has a majority of those products for terribly much less high priced. if you are going to dissimilar faculties...why do no longer you ask your field instructors what sort of aspects they might have the means to spare from their own college room craft shelf? Then, do your programming around those aspects. There additionally are loads of resourceful events you're able to do will infants of each and every age with issues that value surely no longer something...bathroom paper rolls, paper towel rolls, kleenex bins, egg packing containers etc. good success!

Answer 4

If you have a Michael's store near where you live you can get all that. They have regular sales and coupons too.

Go to http://www.michaels.com to find a store.

If that doesn't work for you, check out a local stained glass store, or Delphi glass online. Here's the link for that:

http://www.delphiglass.com/

There is a link on the left for Mosaics and other things.

Answer 5

well, maybe the same and multi-colored gravel that they use in Fishtanks might be a cute alternative to start with... Or marbles, or old tile, or bits or ceramic dishes, or even cut up craft paper, anything of the sort will make wonderful effects... experiment til you find a type that you can afford, and that you like the looks of... Happy crafting!

Answer 6

hot glue gun is the best, and yea stuff is expensive. You can buy old jewelery by the bag at swap meets, garage sales, thrift stores, and take it apart and re-use it. Works like a charm

Answer 7

Your local craft stores are a great source. Also, check with Ebay. You can find anything there. I have had great luck with Ebay and craft supplies.

Answer 8

Ebay has lots of tiles!

Also orientaltradingcompany.com sells some tile for very cheep. rocks, marbles, broken plates, broken mirrors, and shells make AWESOME picture frames.

:)