I just found TOHO Treasure beads at wal-mart. I looked at their website and they say that they are same as Muyki delicas. Has anyone tried these? They were a lot cheaper than the bead shop delicas.
I ordered some brown seed beads from Whim beads and their were so many beads that were misformed and the size was not uniform. They were size 11. Is this a common problem when you order online? Do they use seconds? I probably will never order from them again. And if this is the norm, I will not order from online again with any bead catalouge.
I don't use Delica's that often either but I did want to say that I've never had a problem with WhimBeads either. Did you contact them to see if they'd replace the beads?
If you're doing an amult bag or some picture pattern Delica's or Treasure beads are the way to go anyways. But I'm like Sooz and like it a little less uniform unless I'm going for the uniform look to a piece. But my pieces tend towards organic as well, not the precise Delica look.
Well then I guess maybe I just got a bad batch of beads... it happens. I feel better now about whimbeads and will give them another try. They did write back to me and suggested that I try Delicas for a more uniform look but that is not what I want either. The batch of beads I got had really odd shaped beads in it... like fat on one side and go down to very skinny on the other or they had tails hanging off of them like when they cut them, something pull them out from the blade. I am sure it was someones first day on the cutter who made my batch.
As for the TOHO's the price is right and I think I will give them a try. On their website they sell 100 grams and 5 grams. But Wal-mart sells the 4 inch tube. (or I think it is about 4 inchs.)
My name is Beki. I own Out On A Whim aka whimbeads.com I am really sorry to hear you had an unsatisfactory experience with us. Please let me respond to a few of your questions, then let me know what I can do to make sure you are happy.
First, no, we do not sell seconds of any kind. We've been in business for over 20 years now and pride ourselves on the high quality of merchandise we offer. And we are always prepared to stand behind it as well. Also, please do not assume because you got some bad beads by purchasing online that every online transaction will end the same way. Each company online is different just as each business you pass on a street is.
I am responding from home, so I am unable to research what your order may have been for, so if you would be so kind as to let me know what stock numbers you ordered so that I can go pull the beads from the shelf and 1) check for quality, 2) discard if need be.
I would also like to refund your money for any beads you may have received from us that are not of the quality we state we offer.
Our Japanese seed beads come from the three major manufacturers in Japan. Miyuki, Toho and Matsuno. Please check this link I have created for people to compare these beads as well as similar beads from the Czech Republic and France:
formatting link
You can see in the enlarged scans how the beads are all slightly different in shape and size from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they remain fairly uniform within their own category. That being said, seed beads will never be as uniform as a cylinder bead. The process to create them is not the same. Also, there are certain colors that tend to run a little bit "off" in size. (this really needs to be measured with exacting means, it's hard to see with the naked eye). This is due to the various characteristics of the glasses used; some glass is softer than other glass and will tend to expand during the creation process, and also any finishes that may be applied to the surface of the glass, such as metallic coatings (enlarging) or matting (reducing).
You also enquired: "I just found TOHO Treasure beads at wal-mart. I looked at their website and they say that they are same as Muyki delicas. Has anyone tried these? They were a lot cheaper than the bead shop delicas."
These two beads are made by two different companies and while there are similarities in them, there are also some major differences.
The TOHO company produces two lines of cylinder beads. The Treasure bead, their first generation of this shape bead, and the newly released Aiko's (named after the owners beloved wife), which are the highest level, most precision cut beads on the market to date.
The Miyuki company produces the Delica bead. Their only line of cylinder beads. This bead is the most popular on the market partly due to it being marketed at the right time and right place, and partly because of the large color selection, close to 1000 colors now.
In basic weaving techniques, such as Peyote and Brick stitch you should be able to combine the three brands with success. However, in more precision work, such as loom work, I would not recommend it. The subtle slight variations in the beads will show along the edge of the loomed piece.
Also, when price comparing on cylinder beads, you will also need to be aware of the quantity the beads are being sold in. Cylinder beads come in much smaller quantities than seed beads do and are generally offered in small gram increments. So while you compare your LBS's price to a big box stores price, be certain your LBS isn't offering the bead in a much larger quantity.
In addition, while it is my political view regarding companies like Wal-mart selling beads, I would like to suggest that you consider supporting your local bead stores instead. First, you will not find people at Wal-mart who can answer the important questions you may have about the various beads, second, your LBS supports your local economy by having your tax dollars continue to circulate in your area.
Please consider taking the time to check out a few of these links regarding this issue:
formatting link
formatting link
(Ten Reasons to Support Your Local Bead Store)
formatting link
(a discussion on the About Beadwork forum about Small Bead Stores going under) I hope I was helpful in answering your questions. And I hope you will give me the opportunity to fix any problems you may have had with your order from us.
I realize my customer service department may have already responded to you regarding this issue, but feel free to contact me directly. I can be reached at 800-232-3111 or by email: beki at whimbeads.com or dreambeadr at aol dot com
Like I said...........Whimbeads ROCKS. I buy nearly all of my seed beads there, and I'm a Beadweaver with a capital B. I love them. They're really there for you, and they sell great products too.
I tried to email Beki but for some reason it won't go through so I will answer here.
Hi Beki,
I really do appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions and explain the way of the world of beads.
I don't have the order number anymore but I first wrote an email to your website asking about brown seed beads and you were so kind to answer and give me the numbers of the beads I wanted and I ordered them from you.
I had already figured out by the replys from my post on the newsgroup that you are a reputable company and do not deal in seconds... I am sure the problem lays with the manufacture and a bad batch of beads that got by them. The problem I had is with #Tl1-F457b , which is just a japanese seed bead, not delica or any speciality type bead. I am aware of the differences in uniformaity of seed beads but these particular beads were way above the norm for seed beads. It may be because they are brown beads and as you said some colors may behave differently than others and I know the brown beads are difficult to make (my bead lady told me that, don't know really if it is true or not.) I would say about1/3 were unusable in my project I was making (amulet bag which is usually done in delicas but wanted to try the seed) for the most part, it looked like when they chopped off or cut them to size, something pulled them and they ended up with tails, or skinny to fat, just too distorted to use. I also do hatbands and that would of not been diserable for that either. I don't want any money back you were kind to suggest it....and I will try you again.
also about the TOHO.... I had an empty seed vial the same size as theirs is. Today, I noticed that the plastic vial that the TOHO came in looked really thick when you look through it... I emptied the ToHOs into the other empty vial and guess what! it was 2/3s full. So I don't really think that they are anymore cheaper than the ones at the beads store.
I also want you to know that I wrote to your website and they wrote back and told me that it is to be expected. That if I wanted uniformity, use delicas.... or words to that order. It was a very polite letter and I was happy with the answer. I looked for the reply but I think I must of dumped it.
Thank you again for your answers and I will be ordering again someday soon. ......Windy Hedding
Well, I'm headed into work now. I'll go check that color out and see what the problem could be. It's an expensive color too! It shouldn't be all funky like that.
I'll get back with you later today or tomorrow about what the stock on the shelf looks like.
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.