We mostly buy beads and materials from the Czech Republic, China, the Netherlands, Poland, India and other countries. If the manufacturer is known, it is indicated. If the manufacturer is not specified, you can almost certainly assume that the product comes from China.

Czech seed beads we buy from the PRECIOSA ORNELA factory in the Czech Republic. The history of Czech bead production goes deep into the 16th century, when the first glass furnace was lit in the North Czech town of Mčeno. However, the manufacturing roots of this unique product can be traced back to 1500 in Venice, Italy. From there it gradually moved to North Bohemia, where it was perfected and the uniquely wide range and quality of its products became internationally known.

These round-shaped seed beads are manufactured using unique technology for cutting glass tubes with round or square holes into various sized pieces which are then rounded and polished when hot and subsequently classed by size and shape.

The PRECIOSA Rocailles are produced in sizes from 1.5 mm to 8 mm and the sizes of the Czech PRECIOSA seed beads are stated using the traditional so-called zero series. The regular sizes range from the smallest 16/0 through to the largest 1/0, while rarities also include the four large sizes of 31, 32, 33 and 34, known colloquially as potatoes.

We divide the PRECIOSA Rocailles into so-called uncoated and coated rocailles according to the level of their subsequent finish. Whereas uncoated rocailles are left with the pure glass finish, a coated rocaille is given a further surface finish, for example colouring, galvanising or other types of decoration.

Czech seed beads have the PRECIOSA Traditional Czech Beads™ brand, with which PRECIOSA ORNELA guarantees the best quality and the widest range of colors, shapes and sizes. 150,000 shapes and sizes, in 16,460 colors.

The seed beads are packaged in resealable bags with a label listing the bead size, color, factory color code, bead shape and item code.

If you want to find beads in a similar color but in a different size, type the color code in the search box. In this case, 54230

25 grams of seed beads is about one heaping tablespoon and a little more.

Czesh seed beads color chart

The prices in the our internet shop and the Riga shop are the same, but the assortment may differ slightly – mostly because the Riga shop can get “stuck” with pearls that have already run out. Since the warehouse is located in Alūksne, the beads available on the internet shop may not reach the Riga shop so quickly.
Things like yarns, sewing supplies, craft materials and design papers are only available in the online shop.