i often have an idea of what i'm looking for- a color family- or perhaps a 'theme' - then i visit my favorite on-line shops & browse to see what they have that catches my eye- if nothing is what i am invisioning i visit other shops to see what they may have- once in a while i need something particular (like a certain blue fairy frost) then i visit the shops i know have the best selection and price on fairy frosts-
but most of the time i just browse till i find that one (right) fabric