Bead Shop Like a Pro!

I’ve been to a lot of bead stores in my day. Because of all the traveling and selling beads that I did pre-baby boy, I’d say the number of bead stores I’ve visited is more than 100, and less than 200 (but still growing!) The nice thing about going to stores in different cities is that they all have such diverse atmospheres, offer different classes and events, and have such radically different bead selections that your mind will boggle at just how many different beads there are out there in the world!

I examined the bead sources in California back when I was selling vintage beads, looking for whom I wanted to sell to and which stores weren’t appropriate for my kind of beads, being vintage, higher-end collectible beads that wouldn’t necessarily appeal to more of a craft-type bead store. The stores I sold beads to ended up being the same stores I spent a lot of money at!

I’m pretty careful where I spend my money. I think of it more like an investment, and I want it to support people who run their business with integrity and conscience. I’ve been in a few stores where I found something I really liked, but passed it up because I really didn’t want to leave my money there for specific reasons, such as they didn’t treat their staff very nicely, or had illegal business practices. (Yes, I found a few stores weren’t exactly on the up and up!) I’m a good tax-paying-law-abiding-honest citizen and I expect that from everyone, as naïve as that is in today’s world. I prefer small businesses, specialty shops and stores owned by single owners rather then the Wal-marts of the bead world. For some reason the small Mom/Pop stores have more quaint appeal to me than the big guys. Maybe its because they remember my name and strike up friendly conversations with me. Or because they care about the details in their stores… they hand painted the fixtures or have little areas for snacks and baskets of toys for the kids to play with. There’s more personal appeal in the small shops, as though they’re family! There are more little stores than big stores, and there’s nothing like going to the yellow pages in a new city and looking for shops that are like this. It’s a blast, like going on a treasure hunt. Bead stores, auction houses, antique stores… jammed with beads. There’s a lot of great stores out there, with good people running them.

You can’t drag me to the big bead shows. In California there are some that breeze by once in a while. My theory is that if you want to take the time to drive there on the packed freeways, pay for parking, pay to get in, and then stand shoulder to shoulder with zillions of other people to get a deal on beads that everyone around you is also buying, then go for it. To me it isn’t worth it. If you’re a designer and are selling your work, I agree that you need to find the best prices for your beads. The hard part is finding beads that no one else has found, so that you can stay ahead of everyone else. I don’t envy designers. They work really hard for what they do.

I’m just a bead collector right now. I would rather go to a bead store that’s local and take my time looking at all the things that the owner or buyer has hand picked for their stores. Often you’ll find local artists work on display, or trunk shows, bead bazaars or demonstrations going on. I get down and look deep into their cases because sometimes the treasures are tucked in corners, and I don’t want to miss them! I’ve learned how to do the turbo shop with my 1 1/2 year old in tow so that he doesn’t lose interest and get grouchy. I’m pretty good at looking through quickly so that I don’t miss too much, but my favorite thing to do is take my time when my little guy is home with Dad, and that way I can really take my time and let the beads sing to me. Spending more time means finding more goodies and then spending more money. How fun is that??

Some bead store owners are so competitive that they’re ticked off when they learn that their customers have gone to other bead stores to shop. That’s ridiculous, I think. Even stores in the same city have different selections. Recently I went to a local place that’s got a quaint little historical district. No, I’m not referring to Garden of Beaden here, this district is in a different city. There’s a wonderful old building there that’s being renovated into shops, while keeping the rustic old look of the building intact. Its got great atmosphere, and it also has two bead stores. On is downstairs, the other upstairs, right on top of one another. The stores are so different, and the bead selections are so different. They both have charm and class. They’re both chuck full of gorgeous beads. I admit I prefer one store over the other, because they have beads that appeal to me more, and you can’t beat the wonderful atmosphere and friendliness of the owner and her staff. They’re doing everything they can to make their customers feel like they’re the most important thing to them by being friendly and helpful and nice. I decided that I want to support them, since they’re giving so much to me, I want to give back to them.

So I haven’t been referring to Garden of Beaden at all here, but I will say something about them, at the risk of tooting their horn. I discovered the store when I was new to the area, and was on the hunt for places to sell my vintage beads at. I wanted to sell to stores with integrity, and this seemed just the place. Irene and her family run this store in a way that makes it not really feel like a store. Its more of a gathering place for inspiration, great conversation, ideas, laughter and it just so happens that you can buy everything you need there to make the most amazing projects. I’ve seen the crew show their customers how to put crimps onto a bracelet for the multi-quintillienth time, with genuine joy that they helped an otherwise non-beader bud into a capable jewelry artist. It’s a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where you can feel welcomed and at ease no matter what your beading abilities. Like I said earlier, I’ve been to a lot of stores, and there are few that have this kind of ambience. Don’t believe me? Well, you have the power… come to the store and see for yourself. No purchase required — just stop in and take a gander at what’s going on. I promise you’ll feel great after your visit. Its eye candy for your beady soul… and friendly faces all around!

Happy Beading!
The Bead Belle