Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Visiting Villalobos Street: Manila's Bead Haven

So where does one get her beads and craft supplies in Manila?

Everything you need for beadwork, crafts and jewelry making is at Villalobos St. in Quiapo, Manila. The street offers an incredible selection of beads and jewelry supplies at reasonable prices.

Okay, so obviously I'm still in a daze whenever I think about this Beader's Paradise. I can spend a day inside one shop alone. Mind you, there are several bead shops in the area and after a few visits you'll be able to gauge the stock qualities of each store. Villalobos street just inspires me to be creative and motivated in my designs. The bead pricing per stem is reasonable, and set accordingly to its category, some stores carry huge bead volumes sold at dirt cheap prices.

Here's a checklist of the beading essentials you can possibly find at each shop:

• precious stones
• semi-precious stones
• murano beads
• bicones
• cube crystals
• glass beads
• seed beads
• spacers
• lentils
• rice pearls
• rondelles
• teardrops
• drops
• briolettes
• keshis
• ear nuts
• earring wires
• nylon wires
• jump rings
• split rings
• S-Hook clasps
• toggle clasps
• lobster claw clasps
• crimp ends
• crimp tube
• bails
• pinch bails
• connectors
• eye pins
• head pins
• chain nose pliers
• diagonal wire cutters
• split ring pliers
• malleable wires
• bead caps
• multi-strand spacer bars
• five-to-one chandeliers

For Beginners or those trying to build their starter kits, I suggest you check out Wellmansons. Its like the SM Shoemart of Beads! the salesladies in dark blue uniforms give you that department store vibe. And don't be surprise when they pull down boxes from their ceiling, yeah soooo SM shoemart circa 80s. Don't get me wrong, I think the air conditioning, wooden interiors and mood lighting set-up is a plus! You tend to forget you're in Quiapo.

What I love about Wellmansons is that their supplies are well-organized. A saleslady can tell you off the bat what shelf you can find a certain item. Each shelf is numbered and categorized by what kind of bead or metal accessory is on display. Hence, the connectors and the crimps go together while all the wooden beads are located far enough from possibly getting mixed with the glass or plastic ones.

Interestingly, you would bump into buyers and export QAs with their design sketches, ordering items in bulk by their number codes. You'll also find nuns hoarding religious relics and wooden crosses.

Unfortunately, not all shops are as organized with their wares as Wellmansons. Like I said, beginners should make the shop as their starting point. The staff is overall friendly, but they can get a bit pushy to get you out the door by closing time.



Still the other shops are worth looking into, the competition is often determined by the pieces they carry. Avid beaders flock to those who carry really fine and rare items like ornate or vintage pieces.

So check out the entirety of Villalobos street, it might even change your view of Quiapo altogether.

And you think Manila wasn't so crafty?

70 comments:

  1. You are an angel sent from above :) I am thinking of creating beaded accessories which I can sell and I am breaking my head searching for the best and affordable place to buy my materials. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    Now, all I need is a plane ticket to Manila ;) Great post and I am glad you are sharing this info to newbies. More power!

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  2. hi there! sis, do you have any idea on where to buy cameos? do you think they have it at Quiapo? thx!

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  3. hi, you're great, will check this place by tomorrow and am getting excited. Would you also know where we can find pandora beads or maybe look-a-like pandora beads? thanks.

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  4. this is one place i miss in manila so much. i used to spend a day on villalobos just drifting from shop to shop. definitely a beader's haven.

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  5. love your blog! great tips and advice! keep it up!

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  6. I was googling and looking for shops where I can find wholesale stores for beads and I found your site. Thanks for this info. Keep it up!

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  7. Im from Cebu and i was able to get to Villalobos via LRT without any problems. Thank you very much for the very useful map you shared. :)

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  8. hi ms. bead snob, do you know where i can find lockets and other unique pendants? :) thank you!

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  9. hi ms. snob, i want to sell beads in our province. question is, where can i buy wholesale beads? i went to wellmanson's however they only give 5% discount for every 5,000 purchase? please help me... thank u!

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  10. i wish i lived in manila so i can frequent these places. it's so difficult to find good bead shops here in our city haha. i love your blog by the way, so informative! =)

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  11. may ceramic beads ba sa wellmanson?

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  12. hello anybody who knows where can i buy silver wire for a wire wrapped necklace/bracelet? thanks

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  13. hi
    your blog is so informative..thanks by the way for the information!
    do you know a place in quiapo where you can buy crochet hooks? can i also find it in villalobos?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for posting this very helpful information.

    I just came back from divisoria and theres none over there. nasa quiapo pala! >.<

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  15. hi.. pls advice on where to buy cheap leathers (cords an strips, waxed and plain) in metro manila.. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Meron din sa Villalobos St. The shops here have almost everything -- beads (wood, plastic, murano, swarovski, glass, etc), charms and pendants, wires and cords, charm bottles, chains, findings -- as in everything you need. Marami pong stores so if you do not see it in Wellmanson`s, check the other stores ��

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  16. Can you tell me where can I buy those strings/straps for making a cell phone charm? I can't seem to find those kind of straps? Thank you so much for this info! :)

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  17. have you seen this shape of gem http://www.etsy.com/listing/82435662/sailor-moon-black-moonnegamoon-clan?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_includes%5B0%5D=tags&ga_search_query=chibiusa&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet before, can you tell me where i can buy some

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  18. Hi, Quiapo is really far from where I live now, it's really hard for me to go there considering the fare and the hassles of commuting. Is there any bead shop in quezon city, pasig or cubao area? How about in greenhills? thanks!

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  19. Hi! Sis, have you by chance seen lace appliques (the type of lace appliques that I can sew on gowns) sold in any of the stores located along Villalobos? Thank you. :-)

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  20. hi..im looking for VIAL PENDANT..meron kaya non sa wellmanson??? pls help me guys..txt me nmn if may alam kau san mron nito..at saan po ba mas complete..sa wellmanson sa quiapo o tabora? thank you! Godbless 09268363551

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  21. @Beadtiful: you can get different style and design of accesories in Quiapo, i think the store name is Pots of Gems,its a store owned by Chinese or taiwanese. They have all materials for beads making and pendants in a very low price, lalo na pag wholesale like 6 pcs and more.the shop street is right infront of the Quiapo church. You can ask the vendors or Police for the exact location,its not hard to find though. Ingat!

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  22. Would you happen to know if I can find gimp/lanyard/boondoggle/scoubidou/rexlace string in Quiapo too? :)

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    Replies
    1. Same here too... hope someone replies na...

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    2. Yes they have in wellmansons and DIY beads.

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  23. Hi!
    I am from Mindanao and certainly it's too far from Quiapo. Would it be possible for me to know a contact number of Wellmanson or any bead shop so I can just call for my orders?

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    Replies
    1. You may call 187pldt direct assistance and ask for wellmanson's number. You can even call using your cp. carolinas lace shop in divisoria also sells assorted beads you may call them at 02 241-8284 or 243-1740. Good luck..xo, rose.

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    2. DIY Beads, one of the stores there, has a website wherein you can order beads and stuff and they can deliver it. I'm just not sure.if they deliver outside Manila, but you can check it. They also have their number there if you want to call. ��

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  24. Do any of the stores in Villalobos sell the following: craft lace, hemp cord, color cord, and satin/color rope?

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    Replies
    1. same problem here...

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    2. same with me... gash! haha! meron na ba kayo nakuhanan? :)

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    3. ako den naghahanap! IMO, out-dated na tayo sa mga supplies dont you think? :)

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    4. Hello lovelies! I just came there last saturday. Yes they have the cords that you look for except sa hemp cord. Instead meron silang wax cord. wellmanson and Diy beads meron. Meron din sa divisoria sa carolinas Lace store and michelle's lace store.. Good luck! Xo..rose

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  25. helo po, im from mindanao. i wanted to buy a beads directly from your company but i don't know who to contact with. can you please send me one of your salesman so that i can transact with it. thank you very much. this is my # 09075254947

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a pastry chef and I'm having new projects with wedding cakes studded with beads and crystals. This is exactly the info I'm looking for.

    Thank you Bead Snob!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. wait the beads and crystals on wedding cakes are not edible!? OMG! :p

      Delete
  27. Hi there,

    Just want to ask if the stores in Quiapo also sell charms for bracelets like spikes, skulls, Etc. And yung may butas on both ends?

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  28. Hi. Does the street there also sell jewelry display stands/racks?

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  29. hi there,

    Just want to ask if the stores in Quiapo sell online?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Check out www.etsy.com/shop/beadbucks for online shopping convenience. Next day delivery for Metro Manila orders. Unique and Hard to find components. New items added everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for this blog's post. I'm new to beadmaking and I'll be moving to Manila next month. Your blog is like a key to treasure for me.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for this information :)
    I'm looking for hemp cords, meron kaya sila?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Meron po ba kaung vial pendants?
    or vials with different shapes?
    sana naman meron! ^_^
    bibili ako!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. others call vial pendants as charm bottles!^_^

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  35. hello, paano po pumunta sa villalobos st. quiapo manila pag galing ng LRT station recto

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    Replies
    1. Hello jerie, better if lrt station carriedo ka galiing. Madali lang hanapin si quiapo church tapos sa harapan nun andun na si villalobos street.

      Delete
  36. Hi.. Can anyone tell me where to buy plastic craft lace/gimp? ung ginagamit paggawa ng friendship bracelet? napuntahan ko na kasi wellmanson tsaka ung sa michelles sa Divi wala pa dn eh.. help.. please..

    ReplyDelete
  37. I can't thank you enough for this piece of an answered prayer:)I am totally clueless how to start this sort of "making my passion come true" but through your blog,I was able to know the essentials. Thanks a lot!

    God bless you more!:)

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  38. hi guys, do you know where i can buy colored jumprings or stainless jumprings used for chainmailles?

    ReplyDelete
  39. MGA SUPPLIER.. PKI PM PO AKO NAGHAHANAP PO AKO NG SUPPLIER NG FASHION ACCESSORIES,,, READY MADE AT GAGAWIN PALANG...PM SA FB KO @ KY FAB (FASHION ACCESSORIES SHOP).. TNX!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. hi does anyone know kun san makakabili ng lace appliques, venice laces in different colors? please i need to find these badly...
    tnx!

    ReplyDelete
  41. hello po sa lahat i really need to know kung saan at magkano and wholesale price ng mga following stone pls email me at rochelle.barker30@yahoo.com



    JAde
    Emerald

    Labradorite

    Morganite

    Quartz

    Aquamarine

    Citrine

    Sapphire



    Precious Stone:



    Citrine

    Sapphire

    Tourmaline



    Semi-Precious:



    Agate

    Amethyst

    Amazonite

    Ametrine

    Turquoise

    Onyx

    Carnelian

    Tiger's Eye

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  42. I saw your reply about felting wool.. Where po in Divi makakabili? Or may iba pa po bang Craft shop na nagbbenta ng felting wool and ng kit na kailangan?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Where in Manila can I buy Felting Wool and yung kit na kailangan?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi! Around how much are the beads that they sell in Wellmanson's?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi there,
    Thanks sa info...very helpful talaga sa mga newbie sa beading industry,,,Ask ko sana if may alm kang manilhan ng faux sprinkles and no hole beads na ginagamit na mata sa chibis na clay..
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi. Meron bang faux pearls at flatback swarovski crystals sa wellmansons?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi there,
    I'm selling DMC threads and Aida cloth. I accept bulk orders.For interested buyers just email me at pink.smoochie30@gmail.com. I accept buyers nationwide. THanks.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Madam beadsnob I need a spool of gold and silver bubble beads and some faux pearls.. Do u know where to buy those? Sorry I'm just new in this craft po and I read some pero I can't find selling in spools online here in Philippines.. Kindly text me po 09088199645 kung sink my alam

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  49. Hi do you know the phone number of wellamsons and the location?

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  50. hi po, may complete set po ba ng beading tools sa wellmanson?tnx

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  51. hi i'm from bacolod... I want to order shipped here... is it possible?? I normally order online...

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  52. thank you so much.. for the information.. I went to divisoria to look for beads pero wala ako masyado choices I should have search before going there... at least alam ko na kung san bibili punta ako ulit next week... thanks a lot for the help

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi guys, do you know where i can find a knotting tool?
    if someone knows kindly email me at nolanaldon@gmail.com
    thank you..

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  54. san po makakabili ng suede leather cord?

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  55. Hello po.meron din ba hemp string or rope sa wellmansons?kung meron po pwde pki email yung retail at wholesale price at rs_march04@yahoo.com...thank you po.

    ReplyDelete
  56. hello pph maliban sa quiapo at divi saan pa poh ba merong bilihan ng mga jewelry materials at beads, gemstones,all kinds of beads .help naman poh. kylangan ko lng

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi! Anyone knows kung saan nakakabili ng original Jade stone via Villalobos Street? Thanks! Send me a message here.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Nagtitinda din po ba sila ng DIY stud earrings?

    ReplyDelete

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