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Many sources are available to help find the right glass needed for beads. These materials can be found in many outdoor and Internet venues.
To begin, locate bead trade shows, such as the Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas, to visit the various glass vendor tables. These shows are an excellent opportunity to meet the representatives of the company and ask lots questions about working with the glass. Oftentimes, exhibitors give demonstrations of their products so that you can see how a particular glass behaves. Additionally, you can pick up their card and other marketing materials to see where they have store locations and find out who their distributors are.
Continue your search by locating glass schools in your neighborhood. Type the words "glass schools" into an Internet search engine to bring up a comprehensive list. In addition to teaching the glass craft, these organizations often sell various glass supplies. This makes it really convenient when you take a bead making class because you can purchase additional glass colors and try them out there.
Next, search online using the terms "lampworking suppliers" to bring up many retailers, such as Arrow Springs or Generations Glass. Most vendors have physical store locations; however, if you do not live in the area, these suppliers conveniently offer online shopping. Additionally, sign up for any newsletters available because that is an easy way to get notified whenever the company is having a special sale on the glass you use.
Lastly, go to your favorite bead artist's website and check out their "Links" page or similar. Many artists commonly list their favorite suppliers on a page, which provides a great resource to visitors.
When making your glass selection, be sure to pay attention to the coefficient of expansion (COE) to ensure that the glass is compatible and can be worked together. One way to do this is to use the same glass brand, such as Effetre (Moretti). Otherwise, ask the glass vendor what the COE is, or search for the brand information on the online.
