I didn’t realise I got through my whole pile and before I did the executioners quest, tried the merchant at Talemberg but he doesn’t have any for sale, now I tried killing dozens of bandits because a lot of quests can no longer be solved because I don’t have any lockpicks…a little help?
Keep killing bandits. I’ve been playing for a while and… I have 6 that I got from bandits… 
someone said that you can get them from fences.
also, for that quest, you can just speak to the guy and buy the ring for 50 coins. or pickpocket, or knock him out with stealth and take it.
Thanks, did the talking option… now able to buy them from the miller. Bandits weren’t dropping lockpicks for me.