Beads & Beads

Just moved into the area from the US so I’m trying to check out all the local bead stores and suppliers. The ladies at this store were more than helpful and answered all the questions I had about different types of threading. They even gave me a helpful tip on how to make my own bendy needles to save on some money. The ladies that work here were pretty knowledgeable about the products they’re selling and they’re very welcoming. I could have looked around at all the beads for hours if I had the time. I will be back soon!

Whenever I come here, it’s to buy a clasp for a broken earring or to look over the beads and stones — but never to buy them. I think these beads are amongst the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. However, they’re very expensive.
This is to be expected, though, given that Beads and Beads imports semi-​precious stone beads and fresh water pearls. These are quality beads. Therefore, they’re for the hardcore bead aficionado. (I do suspect such people exist, presumably to make their own top-​quality jewellery. Given how cheap, however, beautiful bead bracelets are nowadays, I’d think it would cost a lot more to make jewellery from these items than to buy the item already made. Thousand Island Dressing is a store that comes to mind, though Beads and Beads’ offerings may be slightly higher-​end.)
For someone like me — who occasionally makes their own jewellery, but not often and not passionately — this store isn’t up my alley. I like to look at the beads, and if someone threw some my way I’d be delighted, but I’ve never bought any.

Should you ever have the inkling that you want to start learning how to make jewellery, Beads and Beads should be your first step.
1) They have classes here on how to make this stuff!
2) They have a million different beads
3) They have a million different clasps for necklaces and bracelets
4) They have a million different chains and strings
5) It feels good to walk into a shop and know that if you were in a movie and went crazy, there would be crazy ass coloured beads everywhere after.
I don’t actually mean ‘millions’ when I say million, I just mean they have a lot to choose from, more than your average store, and you will definetely find that special bead you are after here. If you can’t, you’re being a little too picky I think.
The owners are here sometimes and they are super friendly, they will also advise you how to do things, what you need and even suggest colours and types of beads and string. This place is definetely Beadtopia.

Beads and Beads is a refuge and playground for me. After all of my city missions have been completed, I take solace in being able to go to a store and being able to play and craft and create something of my own.
They don’t have as big a range of beads as a wholesalers does, but never mind that, there’s enough beads there for everyone. They sell your semi precious strings (between $ 10– $ 100 depending on what you want), glass and recycled glass, plastic, wooden, bone, seed, coral beads as well as crystals and imitation pearls.
The way the system works is that you take a small tray that is divided into nine sections. You collect your beads in your tray, and then you can either choose to make your creation on the spot, enlisting the help of the talented staff, or take your individual bits and pieces home with you. The purpose of the tray is so you can see what goes together with what, and so the staff can add up the prices efficiently.
When the staff aren’t serving you, they’re making beaded creations at the counter themselves. There is a long wall of cabinets filled with creations that have been made in house that you can buy, or you can use them as inspiration for your own pieces.
This place is great fun, and the staff are lovely. Come in and walk out with something uniquely yours after a day in the city.