About Us
IN A NUTSHELL...
Rhinestonz & Beads is a proudly independent, NZ-based, family-owned online business, supplying Swarovski®, Preciosa® and other crystal elements and associated products to the craft, dance/stage/performance, nail art, fashion and bridal industries (all of which we love and enjoy!) in NZ. Since 1986.
TWO TITLES WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD TO HAVE...
We have been the only Official Distribution & Brand Partner for Swarovski® components in NZ since 2014, up until their closure of wholesale supply to online retailers of their loose components range, in the end of 2020. We are the only Authorised Reseller for Preciosa® crystals in NZ, also since 2014.
WE LOVE WHAT WE DO...
We pride ourselves on being a true-blue, kiwi-made business. We aim to always strike the perfect balance between being big enough to be able to offer expert advice, excellent service, an internationally recognised range with competitive pricing, yet small enough to care about your enquiries and your orders personally.
AFFILIATIONS
As a business we belong to the NZ Retailers Association and we're Affiliate members of the NZADT. From time to time we also support, by way of advertising or as a vendor, various festivals, events and national competitions.
OUR PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN USED FOR...
...TV, Film, Stage and Cabaret, Ice and Roller Skating, Synchronized Swimming, Gymnastics, Ballroom, Latin, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Burlesque, Belly Dancing, Salsa, Ceroc, Marching and Baton Twirling, Circus, Drag Costumes, Competitive Aerobics, Cheerleading and Bodyscuplting...
On clothing for Bridal Wear and Accessories, Beauty Pageants, Equestrian Competitions, Christmas Parades and the Guinness book of records...
Our rhinestones and beads decorate 'Faberge' Eggs, Designer Clothing, Horse Tack, Animal Collars, Candles, Mirrors and Photo Frames, Phones and iPods, Quilts, Art Works and Home Decor.
OUR CLIENTS INCLUDE...
Anyone and everyone who has ever or will ever need rhinestones or crystals! Textile Artists, Dressmakers, Scrapbookers, Ballroom and Dancesport Dancers, Nail Artists, Jewellery Designers, Fashion Designers, Drag Queens, Costume Designers, Florists, Cake Decorators, Events Industry Organisers, Hairdressers, Make-up Artists, Equestrian Supply Designers, Cabaret and Theatre Wardrobe, Ballet Companies, Hip-Hop Groups, Burlesque Performers, Gymnasts, Aerobics Competitors, Magicians, Competitive Pole Dancers, Professional Performers, Ballet Mums, Tap and Jazz Dance Schools, Irish Dancers, Milliners, Bead Shops, Upholsterers, Salsa and Ceroc Dancers, Chorus Groups, Artistic Ice and Roller Skaters, Beauty Therapists, Bodybuilders and Figures Competitors, Wedding Invitation Designers, Quilters & Crafters!
SO HOW DID IT ALL START?
Like all family businesses there's always a bit of generational history. We hope you enjoy ours...
In 1986 after a lifetime of dressmaking and designing, June, the founder of the company, mailed out her first price lists of fabrics, sequins, rhinestones and trimmings to a handful of dedicated 'dancing mums' all around New Zealand who were sewing costumes for their daughters. As word of mouth about this totally co-ordinated range of dance fabrics and trimmings spread her database of faithful clients grew along with the range of products and services offered, sourced from the manufacturer or had dyed for her from as far afield then as Japan, Italy, Austria, The Czech Republic, Canada, China and England.
"Leotards Unlimited" and "Rhinestonz", had now well and truly become NZ's, and arguably one of the world's foremost suppliers of co-ordinated dance-oriented fabrics and trimmings for stage. Clients came from as far afield as Japan, Norway, Canada and the U.S., the U.K. and the Netherlands for regular shipments of our co-ordinated dance fabrics and trimmings.
In 2004 June and daughter Donna began adding crystal beads and jewellery findings to their range, effectively broadening their market to incorporate bridal, craft and jewellery designers. 'Bling', sparkle, and top quality crystal components rapidly became a sought after product for this section of the market, and for the fashion, dance and stage scene the demand for top quality crystal components was broadening and increasing.
In 2014, "Rhinestonz & Beads" became Swarovski's Official Distribution & Brand Partner for NZ, and one of only four across Australasia. In the same year "Rhinestonz & Beads" became Preciosa's only Authorised Reseller for NZ. Still going strong in 2022 "Rhinestonz & Beads" is a proud example of hands-on kiwi-entrepreneurship offering value for money, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful service.
