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When purchasing materials for a specific design it is important to be sure that you have purchased an adequate amount of each item to complete your design. There is nothing more disappointing than having nearly completed a project and finding out that you need more of a particular material. Often you will find that the item is no longer available or, you may be able to order more, but it is not an exact match. Gemstones, because they are natural, will always vary from strand to strand. If you are working with vintage items, these are very limited and because they are vintage we are not always able to get more. If an item is dyed it is important to remember that the color may vary from one dye lot to another. As a beader, I believe that it is always better to have a little left over, than to find yourself in a situation where you are unable to complete your design. Actually, I love finding out that I have enough left over to make a pair of earrings for myself. One can never have too many earring!