*Affiliate links are included in this post.
I love working with seed beads as you might have guessed from the occasional peyote stitch beadwork patterns that I publish from time to time!
There’s a lot to be said about seed beads in general, as they come in a range of (tiny) sizes, finishes, shapes and colours. To give you an example of seed bead types, there are Rocailles, Cubes, Delicas, Drops, Hex Cut, Magatamas, Tilas, Triangles, Charlottes – and there are more!
In particular, I love working with Miyuki Delicas and Miyuki Rocaille (round) seed beads – they’re not cheap but they are in a different league to economy seed beads (in my humble opinion)!
What are Miyuki Delicas and how do they differ from Miyuki Rocailles?
Miyuki Delicas are cylinder shaped beads that are perfect for flat peyote stitch projects as they sit nicely side by side next to neighbouring beads. Delicas are just as tiny as Miyuki Rocailles; the only difference is their shape.
Miyuki Rocailles have rounded edges, so these are better used for other beadweaving projects like tubular peyote, right angle weave and bead embroidery.
What’s so special about Miyuki beads though?
Glad you asked! Well, Miyuki seed beads are a brand of top quality Japanese beads. Toho is another excellent Japanese seed bead brand, but I prefer Miyukis myself, having worked with both types.
Miyukis are made from glass like many beads are, but they are precision cut, meaning that each batch of seed beads are uniform in shape – a big help when it comes to beadweaving! Because they are cut so perfectly, they have a certain brilliance about them; the finishes are exceptional.
Miyuki seed beads come in hundreds of colours, shapes and finishes, each type stunning in their own way. The most common sizes of seed beads are size 11/0 and 8/0 (the latter of these being the largest).
You can get even smaller seed beads (size 15/0) – incredibly tiny – as well as fairly large seed beads in size 5/0.
If you use Miyuki seed beads in your beadweaving project, you’ll end up getting a better result – it’s as simple as that – and that’s why I love them!
Where to buy Miyuki Delicas and Miyuki Seed Beads Online
Getting hold of Miyukis is a different matter though as not every supplier will stock every colour, size and shape that you’ll want to use in your beading projects.
I tend to use a range of online suppliers (there are no brick and mortar stores near me that stock them!) and I’m always on the hunt for others as my requirements seem to change for every project!
With that said, I’ve put together a list of stockists that I’ve come across that you might find useful if you love working with Miyukis as much as I do.
Because the majority of my readers are from the USA and UK, I’ve covered stockists from both countries. Each one has a range of Miyukis to browse, including rounds and Delicas. Here they are, in no particular order, including what I like about them!
UK Miyuki Stockists
- Snoochy (good for size 6/0 beads and this supplier has some of the lowest cost Miyukis I’ve seen)
- Beadsjar (good range of size 10/0 beads)
- Bead Flair Creations (currently offers a taster pack of Delicas with 54 colours)
- LadyBugs Beads and Bobs (specialises in tiny size 15/0 beads as well as bugle beads)
- Fine Lines – The Bead Business (these do a great range but website not that easy to navigate and some product photos are missing!)
- Rosarama (good for size 5/0 Miyuki seed beads!)
- CJ Beaders (lovely mixed beads)
- Stitchncraft Beads (good for basic colours)
USA Miyuki Stockists
- Fire Mountain Gems (Must see! HUGE range – literally thousands of Miyukis to choose from!)
- Beads Direct USA (excellent range from these too)
- Enchanting Beads (plenty of Delicas and Rocailles)
- Earth Treasures Gems (carries a nice supply of metallic finishes)
- Bead Market Omaha (interesting colours / multicolour mixes)
- CNC Beadworks (good selection of mixed beads)
- Pueblo Bead and Supply (lots of Delicas in pretty colours!)
- Sara B’s Beads (good for galvanized Miyukis!)
- Bead Passion Studio (lovely Magatamas!)
- Buttons and Shanks (plenty of size 11/0 Delicas)
- Red Panda Beads (range includes square and triangle Miyukis)
- Avalon Beads (good overall selection of colours and sizes)
- Off The Beaded Path (nice range of Miyukis plus ready-made kits!)
- About Beads (extensive range of Miyukis, although they only stock size 11/0 and 8/0 Delicas)
Hope this post proves to be useful resource for you if you enjoy a spot of beading! Do you use any other Miyuki supplier that I haven’t listed? Let me know about them in the comments below, including why you’d recommend them. I’ll check them out and if they look good, I’ll add them to the list!
Before you go don’t forget to check out my beading patterns below, all of which use Miyuki Delicas!
- Peyote Stitch Cuff Bracelet Pattern – “Ombre Ice”
- Peyote Stitch Cuff Bracelet Pattern – “Rudolph Reindeer”
- Peyote Stitch Cuff Bracelet Pattern – “Scattered Waves”
- Peyote Stitch Cuff Bracelet Pattern – “Colourful Argyle”
- Peyote Stitch Cuff Bracelet Pattern – “Cute Owl”
*Affiliate links are included in this post. This means that if you make a purchase through one of my links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only ever recommend products that I think are great and any commissions help me to keep this site up and running. Thank you for using my links if you’re able to!
*Photos/graphics © Craftaholique.
Irene Erhardt says
Hi, thanks for all the good advice. Like you I am an avid delica user. I do loom work that gets quite intricate and I am looking for color charts that give me all the delica 11 colors. They are so expensive, any ideas on used or less expensive color charts. What i really need is a chart that shows the colors in ranges so that I can select hues of the same color to do shadow effects and paint like effects. The charts seem all over the place without shwing ranges of the same colors. Have you any experience with sights that allow you to see the colors in shades from light to dark ?
Hayley says
Hi Irene, thanks for stopping by! I haven’t seen any delica colour charts other than what you can get from various suppliers, but as you say, they are pretty expensive and don’t seem to show the ranges well. I usually buy my beads online, so sometimes what I do, is add several bead shades/finishes to my shopping cart and then view them side by side that way. Obviously as I’m looking at a screen, the colour match isn’t exact to the colour in the flesh, however, it gives me an idea of what shades/finishes work well together. Other than that, I would suggest going to a bead show / fair and view different colours in person. Hope that helps somewhat!
ROBIN EISENBERG says
caravan beads i have all the sample cards
Dawn Tomlinson says
Yes! Caravan is the best!
Anonymous says
Irene, hope you are doing well.
Where is your best online place you go to buy delica beads? Thank you, for your help. Pat
Anna says
Hello Hayley – hope you don’t mind the intrusion! I thought this guide might be of interest to you and your readers . . . of which I am now one!
http://www.bigbeadlittlebead.com/guides_and_information/seed_beads_guide.php
Unfortunately I don’t get as much time to craft as I used to but I do enjoy the opportunity I get do my own research on various jewellery related subjects whilst also dipping into other peoples adventures in craft with my mornng coffee. Keep upthe good work
Hayley says
Hi Anna, thanks for your comment and for linking to your guide, I’ve had a look and it’s very interesting! Appreciate you stopping by and hope you get some more time on your hands for crafting in the future. 🙂
Jean says
Try cbbeads.com. They have really good prices and a huge stock.
Hayley says
Thanks Jean!
Jill says
Hi Hayley… I purchased your Argyle pattern and am anxiously awaiting the beads. I have recently become aware of javallebeads.com with sells Miyuki beads by the gram which is handy if you only need a small amount of beads to complete a project.
Hayley says
Hi Jill, thank you for the recommendation! That’s very useful to know. Thank you also for purchasing my pattern!
Carol Preece says
I have found ArtBeads to be very reasonable and reliable
Hayley says
Thanks for the tip – much appreciated!
Terry says
I just received an order which I had placed with Fushion Beads and was very happy with their service. They carried all sizes and colours along with most other beading supplies that you could want.
https://www.fusionbeads.com/?whence=
Hayley says
Thanks for this recommendation!
Marty says
Please try Joan Painter. She has every color and you can buy from one gram to 100 grams if you want. Best prices and she only charges the exact postage.
Hayley says
Thanks for the recommendation!
Lynn says
Are there any online Miyuki seed beads suppliers that are reasonably priced, in Canada?
Hayley says
I’ve not research Canadian suppliers as yet, but have you tried The Beading Room? Here’s the link in case this is helpful: http://www.thebeadingroom.com/seed-beads-bugles-miyuki/
joan painter says
you can order from paintersartgallery.com and most postage to canada
without insurance is around $10
deb in sc says
I am a total seed bead novice and have picked out (but not yet bought) a selection of beads from Fire Mountain before reading your informative blog post. Do you have an opinion on seed bead dyna-mite glass translucent round #8, as opposed to Miyuki beads? I found all of the colors I liked in the dyna-mite, as well as the tranlucent style, and don’t know if I can find the same colors in the Miyuki beads. I would appreciate any insight you would care to share.
Hayley says
Hi! I’ve never used Dyna-mite beads, but looking at them, they are Japanese seed beads so they should be good quality. They look like they are round beads, as opposed to cylinder shaped. It depends on the type of beadwork project what you’re using them for?
deb in sc says
For some reason my reply didn’t make it. anyway, I am hoping to do kumihimo braiding to make a necklace.
Hayley says
Sorry for the late reply! I should think round Miyukis would be ok for kumihimo. Good luck with your project!
Ann Rinaldi Feldman says
Hi Haley, I Just discovered your site today on Pintrest. I love making seed bead necklaces and bracelets. I found 2 sites for good prices and often great sales on Miyuki and Toho seed beads…Eurika and Auntie Beads Direct (ABD).
I think Fire Mt. has a fabulous selection but if you can’t/don’t buy the highest quantity you don’t get a great deal…Just my experience.
I look forward to getting your blogs.
Happy Beading,
Ann Rinaldi Feldman
Hayley says
Hi Ann, thanks for stopping by and commenting! Thank you for the recommendations on where to buy Miyukis and for signing up to my blog newsletter, much appreciated!
Patsy says
Hi Hayley,
I’ve enjoyed shopping for Miyuki Delicas at http://www.DeliBeads.com They carry ALL 1200+ colors in size 11/0 only. Their prices are quite reasonable and they have quick order processing. Also offer Free Shipping on orders over $35. They also carry many other beads and findings. Check them out sometime!
Hayley says
Thanks Patsy!
Sandy says
Thank you for your information regarding online stores. I live in an area with few choices to see and buy Delicas (which I love beading with)!
I have recently learned how to do Peyote stitch
Hayley says
You’re very welcome. I wish you success in your beading journey!
Yvonne Brohier says
I live in Australia, where can I purchase Miyuki delica seeds. I do a lot of beading with seed beads, but I would like to use Miyuki seed beads instead.
Hayley says
Hi there! Have you tried Benjamin’s Crafts? Here’s the link: http://www.benjaminscrafts.com.au/seed-bead-japanese-miyuki-beads-c-370_515.html
Debbie says
Hi Haley
Can you please tell me what size is the largest seed bead. I make crochet Jewerly and I need to use the largest seed bead. I use size 10 crochet thread and getting it through the seed bead holes is a challenge. THANKYOU for all the great info. I buy a lot of beads from fire mountain gems
Hayley says
I think the largest seed bead is a size 3/0. Hope that helps! Thanks for commenting!
DeAnna says
I just ran across your site via Pinterest. ShipwreckBeads.com claims to be the largest bead store in the world; the are located in Washington State. They have an amazing selection of beads, and some awesome prices as well. They also do weekly giveaways of five $100 gift cards for those who have signed up for their weekly newsletter. It is absolutely worth looking in to. Newsletter members also receive a significant discount on shipping, or get free shipping over a certain amount. And they very often have fantastic sales.
Coral says
A suggestion. Another wonderful site for purchasing delica’s is http://www.foxdendesigns.com
The service is personal and very prompt.
Hayley says
Thank you for the suggestion, that’s great.
suama shipahu says
hi -I am in Namibia how can I get some beads
Hayley says
Hi there, most of the listed places here sell online, so worth having a look around and seeing if they deliver to where you are.
Loni says
General Bead, in San Francisco, were the first importers of Delicas in the US. They still have a really large selection for the 11/0s and 8/0s. They have most of it online too!
Hayley says
Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Jasmine says
There are many miyuki sample cards in PDF version available online. You can download them for free. As for the color, I think you can compare them through several screenshots of different, similar colors. In that way, you might get what you want. Or you can go to nearby stores to confirm the exact color, and then purchase them online with a bargain price. This maybe a time-waste but the most effective way. Hope this will help you.
Mary says
Even though it looks like it has been a few years since the discussion of sample cards, I thought I’d share a tip. If you go to miyuki-beads.co.jp (the manufacturer’s site), you can find a lot of info about delica colors, as well as their other beads. They have a link for sample cards, filled with many .pdf files free to download. If you scroll down the page, the next to the last type of beads is delica. If you click on the highlighted file names, you can save the file, print the file or both. Ex; the first file is N-1/2R which is the basic sample card color chart. I printed this doc, skipping the 1st 3 pages, and just printed 4-7 because I only wanted delica colors. If you have a printer capable of printing great color, these can be great design and shopping tools. If not, they still can, but on screen only. There are over a dozen files on 11/0 delicas alone.