Bead Inspirations

Decent beads, reasonably priced. I signed up for a class, woke up sick this morning. No flexible policy about changing to another class. I’ll look elsewhere

I love this place and wish I didn’t live so far away. Classes are really fun. Vicki’s great. Go there NOW.

Small shop but pretty well stocked with the latest trends in beads, stones, jewelry supplies and leather crafts. Some nice kids craft kits too, to get kids interested in jewelry making.
Friendly and helpful staff and owner, Vicki. Great inexpensive classes with patient hands on instructors. Classes are taught that you go at your own pass, no push to have a completed project by the end of class. Very relaxed atmosphere.
Metered street parking in front and side or use parking lot across the side street.

I decided to check this place out as I had a groupon for some beads (I wanted to incorporate beads in some stuff that I do and that seemed to be the kick in the pants to do so)
but I am kind of shocked at the prices. I do some silver work and while I know everything is cheaper online, some of their stock was over 4 times what it costs elsewhere — I understand the need for margin, as you need that to keep the lights on. but that seems a bit excessive.
I did pick up some nice agate and garnet seed beads as well as some czech glass beads — but I wish they had more of a selection on both stone and czech glass beads (for example, different sizes of seed beads, different shapes of czech glass, etc)

There is a reason this place has so few stars.
This review is a little late, however, I’m finally getting around to it.
I am a huge supporter of local businesses, but I will never support this business.
Their products and service are absolutely horrible. How in the world are they still in business with such horrible attitudes and customer service and products?
When my daughter attended a, horribly run with the teacher and, I’m assuming owner, attitude and just plain rudeness, I mean really?! We are providing you business and you are going to be disgustingly rude and disrespectful and obviously throw away any chance of gaining new or repeat business?! And then her bracelet broke minutes later (after we left and went down the street to finish the birthday girls second half of the party) and we called to ask if they would fix it or at least help fix it and they said «no», that it was not their fault or responsibility. Ummmm, what?! Nice. And great way to treat a child. So obviously they don’t stand by their classes, products or teaching.
I can see why they are desperate and on Groupon now. They hopefully are close to going out of business and trying to drum up business any way they can and I hope their reputation catches up with them soon and a more deserving business replaces them.
What crap and the bracelet? Went in the trash the same day it was made.
Thanks for the waste of time but thanks for teaching us to not buy anymore crap or come back and patron a non deserving local business. I’ll just go to a big store instead and hope you go bankrupt.
Truth stings huh?

I love Bead Inspirations! I am a regular attendee of the Open Beading Studio but they also have a bunch of really cool classes. Vicki is extremely patient and nice when helping customers, and she has a true talent for making jewelry, so I highly recommend checking the place out.

Recently, I have taken up a chainmail jewelry-​making hobby. While I was out meandering around Alameda last week, I stumbled upon this gem. Funny though, since I had lived in Alameda a few years ago and constantly drove past this place on my way to work. I was happy to finally get a chance to go inside and explore.
The woman who was working was very cheerful and immediately offered her assistance to us. She was happy to show us around and explain the different types of tools and metals that they carried in the shop. I was happy to see that they had chainmail rings! I am so tickled!
There are also jewelry-​making classes here like metal stamping, wire-​working, leather bracelets, beads, etc. I would absolutely take a course here, and plan to later in the fall.
This shop is lovely, and I had a great experience. I highly recommend!

Vicki and all of her staff are very pleasant there. I created my wife a necklace to match a nice spring dress she had a few years back. Vicki took the time to teach me certain things and gave me pointers on impressing the Mrs.
I recently went in and noticed that she has added on more employees and is doing way more bead classes. With all this they still keep their pleasant attitude and great customer service. This place is a must if you like to be creative and like to be treated right.

Bead Inspirations is AWESOME!
They are patient and very helpful.
I saw them at the bead show in Concord today, they have so many Vintaj pieces that I went crazy. Hands down the best selection of Vintaj I have seen.
I have only been to their store once, but they had a lot of beautiful beads in that little shop. They also have great inspirational ideas on their website, I check it out when I need creative help.

I am a burlesque entertainer/​waist bead maker/​craft whore, so I’m always looking for new things to create with. The selection at Bead Inspirations is small, but store is within walking distance of my house (East Oakland/​Fruitvale), so that’s where I go.
The only reason this place gets three stars instead of two is because the staff is very sweet and helpful. I also don’t have to worry about being followed around the store and treated like a thief when I shop here. That’s enough to keep me coming back.
There is also a small Swarovski rhinestone section. Another reason for 3 star review.
Prices are normal for beads, expensive for charms and cabochons. If you have a car, or the energy to go to SF, go to General Bead instead.

Too expensive, ut they were nice enough to fix a necklace of mine for free (it was an easy fix – literally took the lady 10 seconds).

I was looking for a particular jewelry part that was not available at big craft store. The store clark was very helpful on the phone and told me they have a couple of differend colors for the part. When I arrived the shop next day, she remembered our phone conversation and helped me right away.
Did not have time to browse the store as much, but the place looked very organized and carrying various products.

I used to bead years ago just for distraction while in grad school. Until recently I hadn’t done much, but I took a copper enamel class here with Stephen James and LOVED it! Then another class on cold metalwork (stamping, riveting, etc) that was pretty good too. Now I’m spending way too much money on tools, beads, findings and the nice Vintaj brass pieces. I love the staff — they are helpful, not pushy, and let me spend inordinate amounts of time trying to figure out what I want.
I live within a stone’s throw of this place in Alameda, so it’s my first thought if I want supplies or something specific. They may or may not be more expensive — sometimes I’ll pick findings and things up at Beverly’s — usually you’re buying in bulk there so I’m not sure how it compares. I really prefer to shop local if I have a great option like this! (I love Beverly’s too)

Very Convenient off of Park Street. Moderate prices. Average selection. Helpful staff.
My husband and I spent a long time in this store trying to make a necklace for Hazel. Which turned out quite expensive. However, the staff was very nice and helpful. As an avid beader I don’t require that much help so the staff left us alone once they knew I knew what I was doing. I just need time to browse the selection.
The store is very small so the selection is limited. But, for me I was able to find some good gemstones on sale. That is the thrill of beading, finding the good stones on sale.
I wouldn’t buy my findings here they are a little pricey. Chains were on the higher end too. At the time we were there they were having a trunk sale on beads in the back. They were about $ 20 per strand! — WOW.
If you shopped here, beading can get quite expensive. But as visitors to Alameda and lovers of Park Street, we will stop in here to see if we can find any gemstones on sale.

Short and simple:
1. The saleswoman was overly helpful and kind of up my butt the whole time I was in the shop. Unless I specifically need help, I want to be left alone to look at things.
2. The current inventory of beads are kind of fugly. I was looking for something pretty as a gift for a young girl and after making multiple passes through the store I realized I was not going to find anything. I would say the beads are more age appropriate for the 60+ set.
3. The beads are overpriced.
4. They frown on using debit cards for small purchases. I understand that they are charged a fee for the transaction, and I’m not adverse to paying that for the convenience of using my card and not having to stop at a bank machine before I go in. The bottom line, don’t make your customers feel bad about wanting to buy stuff in your store!

Whenever someone can’t find what they’re looking for at Beverly’s, I almost always send them here. They have a great (and very organized!) assortment of beads and findings. Also you buy only what you need – no need to get a pack of something when you only need one. Most (if not all, except for the bead strands) are sold by piece.

Bead Inspirations is a very nice looking little bead shop, but that’s about where my admiration for the place ends. The staff is often snotty and unwelcoming when I go in, and the prices are outrageous for what you’re buying. The quality is lovely, but not that lovely to justify the prices.
The breaking point for me was when I came here with my mother; she had received a coupon in her email from Bead Inspirations and brought it to the store to use with her purchase. The woman behind the counter looked at the coupon as if questioning its validity, and had to spend several minutes making sure the coupon indeed came from Bead Inspirations to my mother’s email. The woman made no secret that she wasn’t exactly thrilled to honor the coupon and my mother has never received one from them since.
Not really a place I’ll be returning to. I hate giving this place such a low review, it has a lot of potential.

I took their Basic Necklace & Bracelet class last Sun. Cheryl was VERY patient with me and helped me every step of the way. It was my first time beading ever and she taught in a way that was clear, and at a good pace for a beginner. She helped me find the beads and other materials in the store. Even after she gave the instruction I asked her more questions as I was working on my necklace to make sure I had it down.
I loved how my necklace turned out! I think I may be hooked on beads!!!

I have always enjoyed my experiences there, whether browsing, shopping or taking a class.
The classes are very good. I’ve taken about 4 different ones, the latest being beginning PMC. All the teachers have been well organized, helpful and generous with their time and feedback. I almost always left feeling satisfied with my effort and results. Definitely worth the money. The only time I wasn’t was a Byzantine jump ring class and it just wasn’t my thing.
The staff is always very helpful and encouraging. I’ve gone in there with no idea what to make and often I get ideas and then get positive input and suggestions on what might work or not. They’ve made the difference in my confidence in my designs. That to me is worth going to Alameda for rather than convenience or price.

[note: my daughter works here but I was a customer long before that happened.]
I love Bead Inspirations, they have a great, well-​organized selection of beads and findings. I thought they were a little pricey when I started beading but have found they’re actually pretty comparable to the craft store up the street and most other beading shops, they just don’t sell all the lower-​end stuff like the cheapy wire that chips after a couple wears, which is fine with me. Plus the staff actually knows what you’re talking about and can help you sort out your problems.
I’ve taken one course, the Resin class with Steven James, and it was a lot of fun though I haven’t had a chance to try it at home yet.
re: parking — there are one or two spots at the Wienerschnitzel across the street that are for Bead Inspirations customers, they’re marked, and there are several other options, see
They’re open til 9 on Fridays. Sometimes they have a free beading group Friday evenings if you like to bead with other people.
bonus tip: sign up for their email list, they have sales all the time. Like right now the glass bead strands are 20% off.