I've had two Canon PowerShot cameras since Bead Euphoria has been in business, since 2003. That's because they last a long time, and do a great job for me. I'm not a trained photographer, but these cameras allow me to take good close-up photos for the website. They are basically point-and-shoot cameras, with some extra features that you can manipulate for focus and lighting, after you've done a little reading up on the subject. I love the cameras that have the rounded-out front area that provides you with a firm grip. The PowerShots are easy to use whether you know a lot or a little about digital photography. Shown in this image at left is my original PowerShot A620. It is still available for sale on Amazon. To its right is a newer camera, the PowerShot SX520. (This link will take you to it on Amazon.) It's a best seller, and has that most important macro button (with the tulip symbol). Look for that button if you have small items to photograph! You can't go wrong with any of the PowerShot cameras!

A simple, reflective white acrylic tablet, just the right size for photographing jewelry on a plain, white surface that won't wrinkle! Use it inside your light box or light tent, next to a window, or outside. Comes in handy for a variety of photography needs. You can get one to lay flat, and the other for a backdrop. Comes in other colors and sizes, too, including black, which is good for photographing white items.

Shown here are two really great lamps for putting bright, simulated daylight onto your work! The desk lamp can be put very close to what you have on the table, and the floor lamp can be above your shoulder with a broader range of light. The accordeon neck is not very pretty, but it makes it possible to aim the light in the direction you want. I have a lamp on each side of my work table to really be able to see those tiny beads! Great investment!

I LOVE this light! It has a huge, flat surface, full of evenly distributed light that I suspend over my photography table to put even light on my jewelry items. When not in use for photography, I stand it up, like a photo frame, and it puts out a tremendous amount of light in a room that is dreary from winter darkness. It is advertised as a product to help alleviate "SAD" syndrome. Another neat thing is that the HappyLite can be hung on a wall! I have had mine for quite a number of years years, and have only had to replace the bulbs once. I have found the HappyLite to be cheaper by purchasing it directly through Amazon, and this link will take you there.

Here is another HappyLite, though a table-top version meant to be primarily for bringing, well, Happy Light, into your environment. I have several of these that add brightness to the room I'm working in during winter or evening hours.

This is a magnifier and lamp. You can disconnect the cord and just use the magnifier, which I do, because I have so much other lighting around my work surface. When things are difficult to see, I can move my hands under the magnifier to clear up any questions I have about what I'm seeing. It's easier than picking up a magnifying glass, as it is on a stand, and you don't have to hold it! It's a highly-rated, popular item on Amazon.

A BIG help for seeing teeny beads, and for threading needles! The OptiVisor magnifies what you're working on in a three-dimensional way, and the visor can raise up without removing it from your head, in case you want to look at something else. I don't use it all the time; just when things are very little and dark, but some people may find this an indispensable tool for continuing with any hobby that you might otherwise have to give up because of vision difficulties. I remember my grandmother being devastated when she couldn't continue her crochet and embroidery. I wish she had had these!

If you are using Fireline, or a similar tough thread for woven beading projects, these Xuron cutters will slice cleanly through it. Other cutters don't handle Fireline well, and tend to mangle or crunch it. These are a little spendy, but well worth the ease of cutting. Good for other fibers, as well.

These are my favorite, all-purpose cutters for bead projects. In particular I use them for cutting nylon-coated beading wire and metal wires such as head pins. You would need heavier cutters for thicker wires. These cut close and precise, and are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Mine go through many hours of cutting, and then get replaced by a new pair.

For new beaders just starting out, as well as experienced beaders, this tool set by Beadsmith provides you with all the basic, good quality tools you need at a great price. It includes my favorite cutters (which cut closely and precisely), as well as crimping pliers, chain nose pliers, nylon-covered flat-nose pliers, knotting tweezer, split ring tweezer, a bead scoop, side cutters ... and they come in this nice zippered case! The only other tool you might want to add to this is another pair of chain nose pliers, as for many tasks, you need one pair in each hand. I like Beadsmith's basic tools because they are not bulky, and are easy to manipulate. Free shipping!

I bought this inexpensive set of red funnels, not for cooking, but for getting beads back into their tubes and small packages! I've used all three sizes, but tend to use the smallest one the most. It is so helpful in getting beads in, without spilling over the edges. The red color helps me spot them among my supplies.

These are really sturdy trays! I got a few of them to use with different projects that are in process at the same time. If I need to switch to a different project, I can stack the trays and just work on one of them. It's also portable, so I can take my work into another room, for example, to work in front of the TV. Another Winsome model has handles, and although that tray is nice, the handles may get in the way of free movement of your arms. Smooth white surface, strong, folding legs, which I fold under when I use the tray on a table. Very useful!

Soft Flex is the beading wire of choice for many beaders. It comes in various thicknesses and strengths, but the most common size I use for stringing bracelets and necklaces is 49-strand, .019". It has an inner core of 49 strands of steel and is covered with a nylon coating which keeps it smooth, rust-resistant, and kink-resistant. The 21-strand types can also be used, but I find them much less kink-resistant. For men, I use the heavier .024" wire, since men are harder on their jewelry. Here is a link for the 100-foot spool, which is generally more economical than the 30-foot spool. If you figure 2 feet per necklace, then you can get 50 necklaces from this spool!

Soft Flex comes in a huge selection of wire thicknesses and colors. On this link, you will find Amazon's variety of choices, all with free shipping for purchases over $35. If beads will be covering your wire completely, in general the gray color will be perfectly fine. If any part of your wire will be showing, you might want to go for one of the colors, such as brass, copper, or black. Soft Touch wire is for necklaces that you want to drape more, but keep in mind, it is less kink-resistant than Soft Flex (from my own experience.) This photo is representative of the choices you'll find on this link.