Beads East

Manchester, United States

3

4 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 860-649-2323
Website:
www.beadseast.com
Address:
35 Oakland St, Manchester, CT, 06042
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Today

Today –
Local time (Manchester) 12:45 Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Specializing in fine beadwork, bead crochet, bead embroidery, seed beads, cabochons, general beading and embroidery supplies, leather, beading patterns and books, crystals and stones, glass beads, gemstone beads

History

Established in 2003.

Owner Ann Benson is the author of eight books on beading and is a world-​recognized authority on bead crochet and bead embroidery. First located in Vernon, moved to Manchester in 2005, moved to larger location in Manchester in 2010. Located in the historic Central Connecticut mill building at the corner of Oakland and Woodbridge Streets in Manchster.

Meet the Business Owner

Ann B.

Business Owner

Ann has fifty years of beading experience, has written eight books on beading, specializes in bead crochet, bead embroidery, beadpoint

Nearby

Near this location:
1
ft
CCC Feeds And Farm Supplies
35 Oakland St
310
ft
Central Connecticut Co-Op Farmers Association
10 Apel Pl
340
ft
Vernon Cleaners & Tailors II
81 Oakland St
360
ft
Dunkin’ Donuts
81 Oakland St
380
ft
Bank of America
14 N Main St
450
ft
Mazda of Manchester
80 Oakland St

4 reviews of Beads East

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Birmingham, AL
I have bought 10 different kits from them. Most of the instructions are clear and the finished product is very nice. That being said, I bought two of the same kit and when I got them one of the kits had noticeable fewer beads in one section. I have emailed and called them no fewer than 12 times but still don’t have the shorted beads. Once I spoke with an employee who asked me to send her photos of the two kit’s contents which I did and once when Ann asked me to email her my address which I did. I have a friend who bought a kit also and she had the same problem.
Place rating: 5
Manchester, CT
Beads East, alas, has gone wholesale and isn’t open to the public anymore. You can, however, order some of their wonderful things online through
.
Place rating: 1
Van Nuys, CA
How about on a $ 23 dollar order, Beads East charges $ 6.95 to ship out two vials of seed beads, and Ann Benson can’t understand why people get upset!!! Kindness works so much better than attitudes!!! And, per Ann, their small and dedicated staff don’t return calls or emails!!!
Place rating: 3
Pawcatuck, CT
This is a great bead store to buy your stash with lots of Delicas and size 15 beads in a multitude of colors (lots of other stuff too). Sometimes the staff is great and truly helpful (like teaching you techniques on the spot) and can’t wait to show you what is new. Other times you feel like you are in the way and should apologize for walking through the door. There are some negative signs in the store that reinforce this impression. Otherwise, this bead shop would be a 5 star place.
Update: I have taken a bead workshop with the owner that was pretty good. The classes offer a variety of techniques, some taught by well known guest instructors. A visit to their website reveals online project instructions that you can download and free video tutorials.
Beads East moved from a great location in Vernon to this one in Manchester. The current store is much bigger, nicer and has vastly better lighting. Big kudos for the lighting! However, the overall location is not as appealing. Beads East is nestled in a strip mall with cheapy stores, so don’t judge the store by some of its neighbors.