Not for professionals or those with limited time to turn, but a good source for cabochons, stone for crushing, finials, candle cups, pepper grinder & lamp hardware, potpourri tops and many other do-dads is the local 'auxiliary' thrift store. The quality is often better than new and figuring how to disassemble and adapt for one-off masterpieces can be fun. On the floor, the items are inexpensive, but for the real deal make friends with the staff. I was surprised at the unsalable items people bring in. They are a mine of salvageable parts for free. Approach a cabinet shop for mill ends and you have an unending supply of quality dry wood and parts for making wood bowls that grind pepper, hold candles, light bedrooms, decorate walls and the myriads of things that proper wood bowls do instead of holding popcorn and lettuce. :) Arch
Fortiter,