About the Miyuki Brand and growing price gouging trend (another article, please read)

February 2025

This week, I was laser-focused on creating new content for my newsletter/blog when I stumbled upon something online from other bead suppliers that truly shocked me. As a result, I had to pivot quickly to finalize this email sign-up and offer pre-orders for certain beads. I'm aghast at seeing fellow suppliers gouging their customers with truly insane prices!

I've always advocated for bead artist jewelry designers to have at least three bead suppliers, primarily for continuity of beads and supplies. But this week, I discovered another critical reason: price gouging. I was so shocked by what I saw that I immediately contacted my suppliers. I wanted to understand if the tariff situation was driving these crazy prices. They said no, but confirmed they're aware of other suppliers engaging in price gouging, though they feel powerless to stop it.

A few years ago, I recognized that the closure of so many brick-and-mortar bead stores would limit access to bead supplies, despite the rise of online sellers. There's something special about in-person bead shopping and talking with seasoned, knowledgeable bead sellers. But price gouging? I never considered that as a consequence of fewer bead sellers.

Scarcity is one thing. Vintage and limited editions are another. For example, Swarovski Crystal is now out of reach for even most bead sellers, so what we have left will command a premium, and understandably so—we can't get more.

But seed beads, and Miyuki brand Delica and seed beads, which are widely available, are a different story. Unless you're an importer, most resellers pay about the same price for Miyuki products and have free rein to resell at whatever price they choose. Having been in this business for over 20 years, I know bead prices inside and out, which is why I immediately recognized the price gouging.

 Times are challenging. We need our creative outlets—beading, crochet, knitting, woodwork, fiber arts, sewing—now more than ever.  Price increases are inevitable, but this new found bead pricing  increase is very, very disturbing and unfortunately could be infectous.