Hi Beaders –
I received an email today with a question about why some of our seed beads have a brand noted on them, and others don’t. I wrote out a rather lengthy reply, and thought I’d share it here with you too.
I know it isn’t very clear – we are trying to fix that. Here’s the deal:
For the past 20 years, I’ve purchased all our seed beads from a vendor with 99% of the Japanese seed bead colors across all three Japanese brands—Miyuki, Matsuno, and Toho. He’s also got the lowest wholesale prices on the seed beads, meaning I can keep my price to you as low as possible. The downside of using this vendor is that he has changed all the official band color numbers into his own proprietary numbering system. This means that when I’m buying, I’m never quite sure what the actual brand and number are. For example, I order 11-464A from him, and it’s actually Toho 11-711.
That worked okay when bead weaving was less precision-based, and the exact brand wasn’t as important. Beading has become much more structural and precise over time, though, and now the brand is a lot more important due to differences in brand sizes, which left us in a quandary. Do we continue as we have been and not be able to tell our customers the brand but offer lower prices? Or do we try switching to one or more of the specific Japanese brands? This has been a question for at least 4 years now.
So here’s what we’re doing. We are trying to identify as many brands and color numbers as possible in our current lineup. That’s why some of our offerings have that info, and some don’t. As I’m adding new colors, I’m buying specific brands so I can provide the information. My goal is to have a wide range in both Miyuki and Toho eventually, and we’ll also be keeping some Matsuno. Some of these branded colors will still come from the annoying-but-cheap vendor (we have a massive spreadsheet that tells us to order 11-464A and then, when that comes in, to label it as Toho 11-711, etc.) for the price point. Some I’m having to start purchasing from Toho and Miyuki-specific suppliers to make sure I’m getting those brands.
It’s messy on the website while we’re in this transition phase, and I think it will be another year before we finish it. (UGH!) In the meantime, if you go to, say, the Size 11 Seed Beads category, off to the left is a filter where you can choose to view JUST one brand. Here’s what that looks like:
So please pardon the construction dust while we whip our seed bead collections into tip-top shape!
Love,
Jill
I am thoroughly enjoying you Jill. I have only been beading for 6 months and I am totally obsessed with the entire process. I already have enough beads to supply me for the remainder of my life…BUT there is SO much more! Your tutorials are wonderful, easy to follow and understand… and I thank you.
I appreciate your problem accurately identifying each shade of bead.. size etc. Thank you for all you are doing for your beading fans.
Ruthie
Thank you for this project to identify the brand. I have separate sections for Miyuki and Toho at home, and I usually need that information when I am buying. It is frustrating when one doesn’t know the brand. Sometimes even the pattern designed doesn’t state the brand. Hate to have to figure it out. Thanks. Betty