International Bead & Novelty

90 years in Downtown Chicago

40 years at 25 E. Washington Street

40 years at 17 N. State Sreet, in the Stevens Building

10 years at 111 N.Wabash in the Garland Building 


Selling Beads, Rhinestones

and Much More,since 1918

Our lease was up. 

We wanted a new lease- the landlord said

"NO". "NO". "NO".   

SO... sadly we have closed our doors, after 90 years in Downtown Chicago

  • For a variety of reasons we could not face the task of moving .
  •     We are selling what is left in our stocks via this website. 

While our website is being worked on -to create a buy now! button -  and to add many more items,  feel free to email us about beads you are looking for.  And take notice of the special offers on the site right now. 

Swarovski FlatBack Stones size 20ss starting at $6.50 per package of 144. Scroll down to find complete details. 

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      Resin Beads

natural, light weight and easy to combine with other materials. One half pound of mixed colors , 2 shapes. approximately 80 pieces                  $6.00 plus shipping   email to order ----------------------------------------------------- 

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Some firepolished, some Druk, some Metalic 

all are Czech,  


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 Czech Bead Blend,

From 4mm-8mm 1.5 tablespoons, weighs 1.5 ounces. The first  picture is of the big mix,  the second is of a typical pack. Approx 180 pieces.  Look carefully, click on the corners, these are really nice beads.  $6 plus shipping Email to Order.

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   Pay with PayPal. PayPal works Great!

 

  Swarovski flat-back Stones in "Hot Fix"

click here for a list of sizes and colors

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Article 2028 Flatback Stones

 Sizes ss5 up to ss42. many colors, great prices. 

click here for a list of sizes and colors

 click here for a Swarovski color chart

Click here for a  price list  for Swarovski flatback stones. 



 

Also Swarovski Beads ,  including articles 5301 and 5000. click here for a list of Beads

Click here for a list of prices for Swarovski Beads

Click here for a color chart  


 

Rhinestone Rhondells , Rhinestone Banding, Trims  and Balls.
 _email to order or for more information

Scroll down to see special offers added every few  days:



Seed Bead Offer of the Century. 

20 bunches of seed beads,  sizes 11/0 and 10/0  20 assorted colors, all strung,  first quality Czech seed beads. Some 2 cuts or 3 cuts.  The cut beads may be size 9/0 . or smaller ( or larger)    As of today each order will contain a package of 3 old bunches of pre war ( 1930s) 3 cut beads. Each bunch contains 1200 pieces, so there are 3600 beads per package. 

We pick 20 different bunches, pack them into a box and ship them to you. Some silver lined,  some iridescent, some regular opaque colors. Some transparent colors.  Each bunch contains 12 strings  20 inches long .   NOTE: the 3-cut beads contain 10 strands of 360 beads, totaling 3600 beads)

The price is $25.00 plus shipping. Email us at beads1918@sbcglobal.net  to order or for more information.

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The Hannah and Sarah Official

Vintage Glue on Mix! 


Glue on stones from the 40’s and 50’s-
All glass, all old , and all interesting. 
From Germany, Czecho-Slovakia, and Japan.
  Ideal for decorating objects, all with flat backs. Two ounces (56.7 grams)  taken from  a  two pound mixture.  The picture above shows a typical 2 oz. pack. plus a dime to show the scale of size.  Every mixture will be different. $10.00 plus shipping. Email to order or for more details.----------------------------

 Multi Colored Seed Bead Strands

Czech   size 6/0 -4mm- in very interesting patterns,  each strand is 20 inches long, 8  different color blends as in the picture. 8 strings, $6.00 plus shipping. Email to Order

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Buddha  



Occupied Japan Buddha

Sari Taavitsainen suggested that this item be kept in its original paper with its label intact . 1 package of glass Buddha flat stones.  18 pieces  . $9.00  plus shipping. Limited number of packages. Ideal for gluing onto the corners of anything.   Email to order or for more information.  

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  • Indian Fish 



 glass fish  from India, 20mm long, 10 mm high, drilled along the length of the bead.  multi colored bag of one pound,  $15 plus shipping,  approximately 220 fish per  pound.
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Austrian Rhinestone Ornaments 18mm round 

Opaque stones set in brass, from the early sixties, sew-on lace setting back as shown in the picture.
4 colors left, $12.00 per dozen + shipping,  any mix of  colors you pick.
 
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 Czech Glass Teaser, 

all glass,  all Czech,  mostly manufactured within the last 10 years,  but a couple of items  were  made about 75 years ago.   The donut beads in the picture are 12mm faceted,  there are smaller fire polish beads,  the  coated druk beads are 8 mm.  Clear beads, iris coated beads.  3 & 4mm fire polish  and more.
each packet will vary but all will be of high value.   $12.00 plus shipping.  Email to order or for more details.

Glass Fruit, 

when  we first started selling these in the 60’s they were made in Japan,  now they are made in Taiwan,  a pair of ten different fruits and vegetables 20 pieces in all.  the pea-pod is 30 mm long including the loop   (yes, the cherries do look like angels wearing red shoes) $10.00 plus shipping. Email to order

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 African Brass  Beads

These are in a crisscross shape.  Made by a lost wax casting process, each bead is slightly different. The beads are approximately 1 inch (25mm) long. 25 pieces per string.  1 string weighs about 5 ¼ ounces  $24.00 plus shipping. Email to order or for more information


 These are in a tubular  shape.  Made by a lost wax casting process, each bead is slightly different. The beads are approximately 1 inch (25mm) long. At least 25 pieces per string.  1 string weighs about 5 ½ ounces  $24.00 plus shipping. Email to order or for more information--------------------------

 Eye Beads From Africa

13mm round  glass beads with a black base painted with eye-like decorations. I bought these beads from a trader from Banjul Gambia. 50 beads per strand. Approximately 25 inches long.  Weighs  4 ½ ounces  Please be aware that  glass beads that come from Africa are sometimes made in India.  $24.00 per strand plus shipping. -----------------------------------------

Check out the Next Page, more Beads, Buttons, Bells.


 

International Bead is  what many call an "old fashioned Bead Store". We sell beads to everyone, and have beads to fit a myriad of tastes and needs.  For Jewelry Makers  and Beaders,  Costumers and Artists  and Crafters and EVERYONE  in between. We have a lot of beads,  collecting them since 1918, we have things that can be found nowhere else.

 

Click here to continue to the next page!

6-8-12- Fourteen

Rare Swarovski Flat Stone Group.  A pair of each, #4860 Round 6mm & 8mm with comet argent foil, #2470 square  12mm with gold foil,  and #4726 14x10.5mm Jet unfoiled.  All flat backed, ideal for gluing.   $10.00 plus shipping-----------------------

Large Beads, by the 1/2 pound



All Czech Glass.    Fire Polish, Smooth Beads  Fancy Beads,  A random mixture of 12 different items, the smallest are the 8mm clear grey a.b. as in the Photo. The photo above shows a typical bag 1/2 pound, $12.00 plus shipping . the ones that look pink are actually red.

Click on the picture  for a close up view.
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 Hand Made Foiled Glass


Made in the Holy City of Varanasi India, these beads look more expensive than they are.  The round ones are 35mm across and 7mm thick.  The rectangles are 18x33mm and 6mm thick ( these are approximate measurements) A set of 14 pieces as pictured. $12.00 plus shipping. Email to order ----------------------------------------------


 Glass beads Made In Czechoslovakia 75 or so years ago    

check out the original label.6mm round glass beads assorted colors in one pound bags, at least 2000  to the pound.  $6.00 per pound plus shipping. ------------------------------------------

Dichroic Glass Saucers.

Hand Made in Varanasi India, the myths about this material abound,  what I know is that they are 20 pieces for 12 dollars plus shipping. 10 pair of 5 different colors.

 They average 12mm around 6.5 mm thick,20 pieces weigh approx. 30 grams Email to order or for more information.

Dichroic Glass 9mm Round Beads

Hand Made in Varanasi   They are 18 pieces for 12 dollars plus shipping. 9 pair of 5 different colors.

 They average 9mm around , 18 pieces weigh approximately 14.5 grams
 Email to order or for more information.

Dichroic Glass Square  Beads. 

Hand Made in Varanasi. 13 mm square, about a half inch. Drilled along the corner.   They are 8 pieces for 12 dollars plus shipping. 4 pair of 4 different colors.

8 pieces weigh approximately 42  grams
 Email to order or for more information

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Glass Discs Decorated By Hand

24mm round discs 7 mm thick 
From Varanasi,  3 pair of  3 different colors. $9 plus shipping. click on the corner to see them closer, Email to order.  --------------------------------

The Ben Haller Plastic Mix.

Luxurious Blend of Plastic Beads,  some made in Europe in the  1940’s some relatively new, all small holes none are tri beads, or other inexpensive craft beads,  all are interesting.  The photo is of one pound taken from the master mix,  each bag will be different,  more than 200 pieces.  $10.00 plus shipping per bag of one pound.  Email to order or for more details

 click to enlarge
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 click to enlarge

 The Emma and Isabelle  Sequin Mix. 

Pre  war sequins,  from the 1930’s , maybe older.. A mixture of unusual colors , including some very old metal ovals, made in France and hand packed into small paper wraps. The mix includes the notorious  Belgian Black Hearts. 1 tablespoon,  weighs at least 10 grams.  Each spoon full will vary, but not very much. $12.00, free shipping.  Limited Quantity.  Email to order.

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Czechoslovakian  Glass Strands.

Pre second world war .    2   Multi colored, Multi shaped 54 inch strands. The total weight of the  2 strands is 150 grams (5 ¼ ounces)  $12.00 plus shipping.  Email to order or for more details

Click here to hear Petr Kalandra sing the Bourgeois Blues, recorded in Prague in 1973. Kalandra was a great Czech Musician and a great Guy.  


 Rhinestone Balls,

Made in the Czech Republic

Recently made in the Czech Republic using Preciosa stones.
8mm beads made of Rhinestones as in the photo. Crystal stones set in Silver color metal.
1 bag of  24 pieces.
$12.00 plus shipping  email to order. ---------------------------------------------

 Rhinestone Banding

4 row Swarovski Crystal in gold color setting, on black mesh.
18ss crystal stones Made in Austria   $20.00 per yard  plus shipping.  Email to order or for more information.

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Swarovski Crystal Ball 

Article  8550  40mm single cut.
Etched with Swarovski Strass logo
$9.00 each plus shipping.


 Swarovski Crystal Icicle. 

.  Article 8611 63 x 13 mm  Etched with Swarovski Strass logo $4.00 each plus shipping



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 Rhinestone Rhondelles

crystal a.b. 5 mm round rhondelles, set in  black colored metal.  Made in Czech Republic. 4 dozen pieces. $12.00  plus shipping.   Email to order 

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60's "Earth Beads" 


 We  called them “Earth Beads” .  Made in the U.S. -in Chicago,  in the late 60's, they are some sort of super- hardened clay with a rough surface, in earth tone colors. Assorted shapes, some with larger holes. 4 oz  package with a random assortment,  each bag will be different. In the picture a typical bag. I counted 140 pieces , the dime is to show the size perspective. $12.00 plus shipping.
email to order or for more details 
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Wooden Oval Beads, Made in Czechoslovakia 


Manufactured around 1950 ,  some are 5x10 mm some are 6x9 mm  some are 6x12 mm, measured as accurately as I could do. 10 strings, 10 different colors, 1050 beads. These are very high quality wooden beads. 12.50 per pack of 10 strings.  Plus shipping.  email to order or for more information

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Vintage Teaser!


 

 Fifty  38 mm long bugle beads, the kind that were used on lamp shades,  and fifty  8mm Round Red  sew-on Nail Heads, intended to be sewn onto flapper dresses.  Made in Czecho-Slovakia,   in the 1930’s.   $3.00 plus shipping.
 Limited number of packages available
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No Rules Jewels

A quarter  cup of Old Glass Jewels ,
Czech and German, weighs 100  grams.  more than 50 years ago they were made for jewelry,  Glue them on the corners of a picture frame or  put them  in a jar.
No Rules of usage and if there are any rules... no enforcement.  $9.00 plus shipping. email to order or for more information.
No Rules Jewels uncovered.  The very same jewels with the foil removed. Do it yourself or order them unfoiled. Instructions for easily  removing the foil  come with each order of the foiled jewels,  for us to do it there is a charge.

 


1978, 10th Floor, The Stevens Bldg.

 

Click here to see the things listed on the next page

 

Click here to go to our contact page to order by email