
What’s Your Fave Bead Store?
February 10, 2012, 15:43 pm Posted by LarkYesterday, a colleague asked me where to buy some specific beads. I’m so used to going to the bead store 2 blocks away that I couldn’t really suggest the best place for her to look.
That made me wonder where you shop. What’s your favorite bead shop ever, the one you could spend hours in and blow your entire bank account on?
Share your opinion by leaving a comment. The store can be online (give us the website address) or anyplace in the world (tell us the name, city and country; website if you wish). In a month, I’ll collate and count all the responses and post a list of everyone’s votes in order of preference. That’s bead democracy!
THAT BEAD LADY in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada!
The Bead Shop New Orleans (facebookpage)
That Bead Lady Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
http://sparklespot.com/catalog/index.php
http://sparklespot.com/catalog/index.php
http://sparklespot.com/catalog/index.php, St Pete Flordia
Bead and Glass Boutique in Pitman, NewJersey
Bead and Glass Boutique in Pitman, NJ
I’m very partial to Bead It on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, California as the owner took a chance on me 20 years ago though I knew very little about beads. I’m also partial to the Beading Frenzy in San Mateo, California because the owner encouraged me to begin teaching at bead shows, which led to societies and other fun events.
4 Sirius Beaders at Paris, Ontario, Canada
Mana Beads in Nevada City CA http://www.manabeads.com
That Bead Lady- Newmarket,Ontario, Canada
http://www.thatbeadlady.com
This is the best bead store I have ever seen! I’m sure it’s one of the best in the world!!!!!
Yes, I’ve frequented this store, too. Wonderful assortment of products and great staff who are informed and helpful.
Definitely That Bead Lady in Newmarket, Ontario!
http://www.thatbeadlady.com/
www,grandriverbeads.com – best bead shop in the State of Ohio!
Studio Beads in Deerfield, IL
THAT BEAD LADY, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO, CANADA,
General Bead in San Francisco!!
http://www.GaslightOriginalBeadwork.com
Grand River Beads in Rocky River, Ohio!!
Studio Beads, Deerfield IL; Bodacious Beads, Des Plaines IL.
Online: Bello Modo
That Bead Lady Newmarket
The BEAD AND GLASS BOUTIQUE…PITMAN,NEW JERSEY
Bead amd Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey
Artful Beads and Studio in Pennington, NJ. Bead Cellar in Pennsauken NJ and Bead and Glass Boutique in Pitman NJ are all wonderful.
Chevron, on Lex, in Asheville NC
Beads by Blanche New Jersey, Das Perlament Bonn Germany, Whim Beads Cotati California, Creative Castle Newbury Park California, Fusion Beads, Seattle Washington
Mariposa Bead Company (http://www.mariposabeadcompany.com/) is my favourite company, and it’s located in my home town of Barrie, Ontario, CANADA. Tammy of Mariposa Beads not only teaches great beading and chain maille workshops — she supports Autism Awareness with her line of Autism bracelets and pendants. Her work has been featured in Germany and in Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA. Great crafts and a great heart: the combination cannot be beaten!
The web site for Mariposa Bead Company is http://www.mariposabeadcompany.com/ and their facebook address is http://www.facebook.com/#!/mariposabeads . Great sites for inspiration, ideas, and bead/chain maille kits and supplies.
http://www.firemountaingems.com
Beyond Beadery
http://www.perlesandco.com/ , France
My favorite bead store is Bead & Glass in Pitman, NJ. The store opened a few years ago. I had never given thought to making jewelry, but after one visit, I was hooked looking at the beautiful beads. So I took a class and I am now an official beadaholic! They are expanding to a new location and hope to reopen soon! A welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff make you feel like family! Stop by soon!
Alaska Bead Company, Anchorage , Alaska
Fire Mountain Gems!
My biased answer would be, The Bead Garden of Sedona. But all local bead stores are worth visiting. No two inventories are the same. Bead buying is the ultimate treasure hunt.
ShipWreck Beads in Lacey, WA
Hi everyone,
I’m a seed beadahilic, using them on my sculptures, in Chester County PA. Currently, my favorite bead store is Blue Santa beads in Media PA (see http://www.bluesantabeads.net/). What they don’t have, they are willing to track down for me. They also are very helpful when I need to buy beads in bulk for big projects. (For an example of a “big project,” go to http://lbgrigsbybeadwork.wordpress.com/in-progress-egyptian-teapot-commission/.)
Runningspringsbeads.com
Definitely, Dancing Beads in Medford, OR.
http://www.Artbeads.com is my favorite online bead store.
San Gabriel Bead in Arcadia, California – I’ve been to bead stores all over the country, and I’m so lucky to live close enough to shop here!
http://www.beadcompany.com/
Mhai O Mhai Beads in Barrie On. www.mhaiomhaibeads.com HUGE store- with incredible prices!
Mhai O Mhai Beads Bauble & Bling in Barrie, Ontario….LOVE THE PLACE, love everything about it! I can’t wiat until they get their beads in from Ghana!
There’s no one answer because I shop depending on what I’m buying. My favorite for unusual vintage finds is A Grain of Sand www.agrainofsand.com
Findings I go to either www.rishashay.com or www.mobile-boutique.com or www.riogrande.com.
Fun stuff I hit up www.artbeads.com and bellomodo.com
Seed beads I go to both whimbeads.com and www.beyondbeadery.com.
I just posted 8 favorite stores and I realize I did not follow the directions here at all! Ah, the plight of being a bead artist with it’s attendant bead buying addiction.
Favorite local bead store: The Artful Bead in Carrollton, TX
Favorite show & mail store: Beyond Beadery, http://www.beyondbeadery.com
It is worth the drive up to Canada–Barrie, Ontario to see Mhai oh Mhai Bead store. Check it out on the web!
Mhai o Mhai Beads, Baubles and Bling in Barrie, Ontario, Canada!
Bead Junction, http://www.bead-junction.com in Toronto, Canada
That Bead Lady–Newmarket Ontario Canada. Great selection and variety and reasonable prices. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. great atmophere. Worth the drive from Toronto
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea, Raleigh NC –www.ornamentea.com
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC – http://www.ornamentea.com
Most definitely, Ornamentea in Raleigh,NC!!!
Only place to get the fantastic beads by ceramic artist extraordinaire, Elaine Ray!!!
http://www.ornamentea.com/
Thanks Julie!
Mhai O Mhai!! Definely the best not just for the beads, accessories etc. but also for the staff. They are friendly & extremely helpful
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC (http://www.ornamentea.com/Home.html)
Ornamentea in Raleigh, North Carolina. Amazing stock, great staff, talented owner!
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC for sure!
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC!
French General! Of course!
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC is hands down the best bead and fine craft ingredient store. Even if I didn’t live locally I would still order from their rockin’ website, http://www.ornamentea.com!
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL http://www.beadplace.net
US: Ornamentea of NC
UK: Buffy’s Beads of London
Australia: I Love You Beads of Sydney
Online-only: BeadsofCambay.com
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL http://www.beadplace.net
I’ve visited a lot of bead stores across Kansas, Missouri and Illinois and the best one I’ve seen is The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will go out of their way to help you with a project or to answer questions. They offer a wide variety of the highest quality gemstones, beading materials and tools and carry the newest trends. Their store is a great place to spend an entire afternoon browsing or learning a new skill.
Ornamentea, Raleigh NC. Great beads, classes and tutorials. It makes me happy to just walk in that shop! It oozes with creativity & friendliness! – Alice
Beadfx in Toronto, ON http://www.beadfx.com
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL http://www.beadplace.net
They are the Einsteins of the beading industry!
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL http://www.beadplace.net
They are the Einsteins of the beading industry!
The Bead Place…Fairview Hgts illinois..great place learn…purchase…hangout…beads…wirework…knitting…its a hoot
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Cynthia Deis and Ornamentea in Raleigh NC!!!
Ornamentea in Raleigh North Carolina http://www.ornamentea.com
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC http://www.ornamentea.com/
I love Ornamentea though I live in Staunton Va. and only know them by the computer. They are so full of energy and great ideas that Raleigh is a place I plan to visit just to go there. Lizg
Ornamentea in Raleigh NC
My favorite bead place is “The Bead and Glass Boutique” in Pitman, New Jersey. I just love the staff! Always helpful, answer questions and if they don’t have what I want they will order it for me. How great is that! I can’t wait until they are settled into their bigger space so they will hurry up and open!
http://www.ornamentea.com/ Come visit!
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Everyone there is wonderful.
Ornamentea!!! I live outside of Raleigh,NC and this place is the best. They also do a lot of online business but if you can get to the store, it is energizing and inspiring.
I see I’m not alone in my love for Ornamentea.com. All of their supplies are so unique and special. BeadTrust.com is a fave too—also very unique stones. Fire Mt of course because they have everything. I could go on…
Ornamentea, Raleigh, NC http://www.ornamentea.com
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, Il. Brest selections, comparable prices, fantastic and knowledgeable staff makes for a wonderful shopping experience. Come check them out and make your own impressions
Ornamentea is a great bead shop here in Raleigh, NC. The staff is friendly & helpful!
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC http://www.ornamentea.com !!!
Ornamentea in Raleigh NC
National Supply (http://www.nationalsupply.com/) and (https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/National-Supply-Inc/108060225922334). They have THE BEST prices in St. Louis, helpful and friendly staff, and can order anything that they don’t already have in stock..
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights IL. They are a mecca for all your beading and yarn needs.
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL Love, Love, Love!!!
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL
For much “stuff” and standard supplies (and re-supply) gotta go with Fire Mountain. Great selection and service. But when I need to get inspired, look at, touch, let the mind free wheelin’ design, gotta go with Beads of Contentment in Modesto, CA, they have the unusual and inspiring.
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC!
Ornamentea is snuggled in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, NC. When you walk into the shop it is like getting a hug from your favorite friend! The Ornamentea gurus can help you with almost anything (inspiration, finding that one thingamajig in a Lark book you saw and need to complete the amazing necklace/earring/bracelet/pendant you have to finish by tonight, a fun place to hang out with friends (for an hour —or more), a second home with no mess to clean up.) Ornamentea.com ROCKS!
The Bead Place, Fairview Heights, Illinois!! I actually live in Bridgeville PA right outside Pittsburgh, but LOVE going to The Bead Place!! When I visit my son, daughter in law and grandson, I make certain to visit at LEAST once!! Beautiful everything and the nicest, friendliest, most helpful staff I have had the pleasure to encounter! AND THEY SHIP
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights IL !! The ladies are supportive and helpful no matter what type of creative question or project I encounter.
The bead place in fairview heights il……great staff and everything I have ever needed. Come on by!!
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC – They have the most amazing selection of supplies and everyone there is so helpful and patient with new crafter/beaders like myself. The classes are so much fun, great girls night out.
The Staff and the Beads are the bestest at the Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL http://www.beadplace.net
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC is fantastic. The selection is great, their website is fantastic, and if you have a chance, multiple times a week they have great hands on demos they do for, like, no money or a couple dollars. You get practice and to go home with your new creation! Yesterday even I was there when a middle-aged man walked in, wanting to know if he could make some earrings to give his sweetie – the staff jumped in happily and assisted this guy to figure out exactly what kind of bling his honey likes and to get him rolling! It was adorable! They make life easy – and beautiful! http://ornamentea.com
Where else?! Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC!! It’s the gorgeous green building nestled by the trestle (sorry) at
509 N. West St. | Raleigh, NC 27603. Visit Cynthia Deis & her gang of gurus for a good time ;D!
Or…see them online @ http://www.ornamentea.com – You can Like them on FB too! I do!
We have quite a few bead stores in the Detroit Metro area, that being said I do have my personal favorites. My hands down favorite is Stony Creek Bead & Gallery in Ypsilanti, Michigan. They have a great selection of seed beads, Czech glass, lampwork, semiprecious and many more, all in a very warm enviting atmosphere. I will admit that the owner’s mother is a very dear friend, so I am a bit biased. Another not so local but favorite bead store is T&T Trading, in Grand Ledge, Michigan. To shop here is a day trip from home, but well worth it. They have a warehouse full of products in addition to the sales floor. Just ask they probably have it. And they have been in the biz forever so their inventory includes vintage, etc…..you name it. For my casual and impulse shopping my LBS is just 2 miles away…Alada Beads, Clinton Township, Michigan. I share the love as much as possible to all my local stores so we can keep them all!
http://www.MyELEMENTs.Etsy.com for online
http://www.beadinpath.com for walk in shoppe
http://www.MyELEMENTs.Etsy.com
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC — the best bead shop in the Triangle!
Stony Crrek Bead in Ypsilanti, MI. StonyCreekBead.blogspot.com
Opps, Stony Creek Bead, not Crrek Bead.
Dancing Beads in Medford, OR
Dancing beads. Medford, or!
Dancing beads. Medford, or!
I’ve certainly learned some new bead places by all of these posts and am dying to check them out. For me, I can’t imagine anything could be better than going to the garment district in New York, carrying only my credit card and a smile on my face, and just being immersed in every kind of bead known to man…and woman!! They all ship, too. It’s a little like rolling in beads, being so surrounded by all of the types, colors, styles and quantities of beads/charms/findings available. And, sales!! Also, you don’t have to be a ‘business’ either, to shop there at most places. Go. Have fun!!
Cynthia Deis’ Ornamentea in Raleigh, North Carolina
Stony Creek Bead
2060 Whittaker Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-544-0904
http://www.StonyCreekBead.blogspot.com
Just outside of Ann Arbor, MI – my favorite local bead store!!
Dancing Beads in Medford, Oregon! There is a wonderful classroom with natural light at the back of the shop. The setting and displays in an older home is ingenious and charming. The personal attention from the owner and staff is great, and there is more squeezed into this modest space than one could imagine possible. There’s even a place to sit and design and dream.
Stony Creek Beads – Ypsilanti, MI
Bead Need in Davie, Florida
Crystal Beads of Boston in Franklin, Massachusetts is the best in my area. The selection of seed beads is truly incredible, so even though it’s over an hour drive for me, I go there and have a blast!
Mhai O Mhai Beads, I could spend hours upon hours in her store. Carolynn is full of ideas, suggestions, and just a great gal to talk to. Love her new place. Congrats to Carolynn on getting past the first year. www.mhaiomhaibeads.com
Gifts of Avalon in Gainesville, FL. And Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea, Raleigh, NC and of course, online…www.ornamentea.com beady love!
Ornamentea, Raleigh, NC
Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC I like attending their Try It Tuesday classes.
Firemountain Gems and Beads
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL.
The bead place Fairview Heights, IL
The Bead Place!!! I think I go more for therapy than beads, the employees are AMAZING! But they have an incredible selection of top quality beads as well!
http://www.beadplace.net/
In the Raleigh NC area it has to be Ornamentea! Great employees and bead selection.
Sparkle Spot Bead Shop in St Petersburg, FL !!!!!
I love Ornamentea http://www.ornamentea.com in Raleigh, NC. Great beads and supplies, the staff is friendly and helpful, the classes are great! The presentation is inspiring. Great website too!
The Spirited Bead, Tehachapi, CA
My absolute favorite bead store in the world is The Spirited Bead and Klew’s Gallery in Tehachapi, California. Not only does Karen (“Klew”) make the most amazing polymer clay beads, she also stocks her shop with plenty of unusual beads, wonderful findings, vintage beads and semi-precious stones. If you need a drill bit for your Dremel, she has that too! Plus, she teaches lots of classes in jewelry making (from the basics to advanced), wire-wrapping, jewelry design and polymer clay. Klew also has fabulous artists from all over the globe teach workshops or have trunk shows.
Pam’s Bead Garden in Farmington Hills, Michigan
Bead and Glass Boutique in Pitman, NJ
I’ts AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My very favorite bead store is the Bead Place in/Fairview heights, IL. They have the friendlyist staff and they can answerany question you may have. It is where my friends are. My home away from home.
The Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL has the highest quality beads I’ve ever seen! Great artist beads and CHEAP Swarovski crystals! I love their classes SO CREATIVE! They’re very professional and kind. Warm place. Love their online projects, too!
Stony Creek Bead Shop in Ypsilanti MI! http://stonycreekbead.blogspot.com/
Great store; great people!
Stony Creek Bead Shop in Ypsilanti MI! http://stonycreekbead.blogspot.com/
Great store; great people!
Stony Creek Bead in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Stony Creek Bead
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Fabulous bead store!!
Stony Creek Bead in Ypsilanti, Mi is an awesome bead store with wonderful staff who help you find what you need, show you an easier way to finish a project, or teach you something new on every visit. My week is not complete without a visit to Stony Creek.
Stony Creek Beads in Ypsilanti, MI. Love the in store gallery, great classes and one of the best seed bead collections anywhere. Regularly holds trunk shows featuring local bead makers (glass and polymer).
Stony Creek Bead Shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan
They are the best!!!!!
The Bead Place, in Fairview Heights, IL.
http://beadplace.net/
Amazing store and the best staff you could ask for!
the Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL is fantastic! By far my favorite place to purchase beads.
the Bead Place in Fairview Heights, IL is fantastic! By far my favorite place to purchase beads.
The Bead PlaceFairview Heights, IL.
Your Beading Heart in Irwin, PA!
I spent so much time there that I ended up getting a part time job there. It’s so great to love where you work.
Cindale Beads
150-B South Equity DriveSmithfield, NC 27577
http://www.cindale.com
This store is great – not only do they have great prices and wonderful selections and the quality is amazing, but when you go in you feel like family. Al and Cindy the owners, really let you know that you are appreciated and want you to return. They are the type of people that let you know they care and you can’t help but have a wonderful bond with them. The girls that work with them are always so happy to help you out . They have classes that no one can beat and the prices no one can touch. Even if you want to just stop in to say hello they are glad to see you. This is why they are my favorite bead store.
Teresa Allen
Lillington, NC
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