ShebaMakeda Glass Art

Update Feb. 10/08:  Jen M. (scoutycat) recommends this frit supplier in the UK, saying even with the exchange rate and shipping, it’s still good prices.  Just checked them out - wow, do they have a lot of frit! http://www.beadysamglass.com/   

Update Jan. 31/08:  Found another Canadian online supplier!  http://www.lauschacanada.com/shop/ 

They’re new and located out west.  The store is still being built but they assure me the shopping cart is working and they can forward any missing pictures by email upon request.  They seem to have a very varied stock as well, including silver glasses and oddlots. 

Update Jan. 28/08:  Are you an Ottawa/Outaouias/Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec area lampworker?  Then join our happy little yahoo group.  We’re our own little support network and we’ve just started to have meetings.  To join, follow the link below, and send us a bit of info about yourself. (Note: Serious bead lovers only please, no email spamming of your products or services allowed!)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beautifulglassbeads/

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I just posted this information for someone on LE and figured others might find it useful as well.  If you’re interested, this list should get you started in lampworking:

www.artistryinglass.on.ca
- has the widest selection and best prices of glass and supplies i’ve found online in Canada. And they seem to be the most in touch with what’s hot in the lampworking community and stock the new fun odd lots and silver glasses quickly (London, Ontario)

www.morettiglasscanada.com
- comparable prices, has a good variety of moretti, boro, some vetro and silver glasses.  Best part of their site is they have actual photos of paddles so you can really see the glss colour you’re buying  (Trois Rivieres, Quebec)

www.fantasyinglass.com
- mostly sells bullseye (Toronto, Ontario)

www.nortelmanufacturing.com
- good variety of soft and hard glass; these are the people who make Nortel torches. website stinks and prices aren’t the lowest but they are super nice and accomodating if you visit the manufacturing site (don’t expect a storefront). and it’s so nice to touch the glass before you buy it! (Toronto, Ontario)

www.lauschalady.com
- sells mainly Lauscha glass from Germany (Ottawa, Ontario) 

www.calienteglass.com
 - makes a 96 COE streaky glass similar to Gaffer. I haven’t tried them yet but they are on my list.  (Mission, British Columbia)

If you’re in Ottawa, try these two stores:
http://northernartglass.com/
http://www.stainedglassstuff.com/
I bought my starter kit at SGS but haven’t been back to either of them in months as neither had a very extensive stock of lampworking supplies. Both seemed to focus mostly on stained glass and fusing and the few rods they carried were pricey.  If you visit and things have changed let me know.

Frit: I get most of my single colour frit from various vendors on ebay as it’s relatively cheap to ship and the US sellers seem to have a wider variety.

Frit blends: (all US suppliers)
www.valcoxfrit.com
www.glassdiversions.com
Spiral Dance glass is closing so you may be able to get some good deals there. UPDATE: 20Apr08: there’s a thread on LE that the some people haven’t received the frit they ordered from Spiral Dance, so buyer beware…

Bead Presses: Either google them or check the garage sale or the vendor ads on LampworkEtc - there are sooo many suppliers! I’ve purchased from zooziis, Cattwalk and a guy named coonvallyb on ebay but there are many more and each makes fairly unique products…

I’ve tried all the sellers listed here (except Caliente and Spiral Dance) and all have provided good service.  Feel free to add your suggestions for other suppliers and comments about your experiences in the comment box below.

 Have fun!