Let it Bead

I’ve stopped in this store several times for help on projects like making magnetic clasp necklaces as childrens’ gifts, making a necklace for myself with a capsule to hold the heart medication I need to carry, or a better way to attach a pocket clip to my key ring. While those latter projects are unusual requests for a bead store, the staff there have always helped me find creative and attractive solutions for whatever I needed. They were also very skilled at putting the components together to make the result quite durable. I’m surprised by some of the low reviews here because I’ve had marvelous experiences.

I was excited to check out a bead store while in town on vacation. I was hoping for some unusual beads, or something to inspire me, or at the very least to stock up on chain or findings. Nothing very interesting and the prices were so high I didn’t buy anything. That’s probably the first time I’ve ever left a bead store empty-​handed. Mediocre.

I have an onyx necklace with small silver skulls that I had bought online from New Zealand (Dead Ringer Skull Rings) but after years of wear the string had finally broken – not only did let it bead fix it but they improved it for a very reasonable price

Let It Bead was the perfect stop for a last-​minute holiday gift. Kristen was really helpful and open to whatever changes I wanted to make. Highly recommend.

This is definitely not my bead store of choice when in Portland. I’ve visited twice, and both times the experience has left me wanting.
Firstly, the staff. The woman who was working the counter seemed not to give a rat’s ass about anything. She was giving off stoner vibes and didn’t even bother to greet us when we walked in. Just continued to recline herself behind. It definitely didn’t add to the atmosphere. When I checked out and attempted to make some small talk to try and see if she was really as uncaring as she acted, it was clear that she couldn’t even pretend to care or act even slightly interested. It’s a pity.
The beads were also not anything special nor anything I would consider buying again. The singles cups pretty much all had broken or imperfect beads mixed in with the good ones. It’s been like that both times I’ve come and just shows an astounding lack of attention to detail. I had visited 2 other bead stores the same day, and didn’t see a single broken/​chipped or otherwise flawed bead in their single selection. I shouldn’t have to paw around crap beads to find one that is worth buying.
Low quality beads (at least in the singles section) being sold for a price they just aren’t worth. Would it kill the owner to cull beads before setting them out? Maybe then they’d realize that they’re purchasing crap beads to sell and getting ripped off by their supplier!
The first time I had been to this store, the bead situation was much the same. I remembered there was a bead store in Portland that I should avoid, but couldn’t remember which. I also was looking at a glass half full and was willing to give the store a second chance anyway. Very disappointed that the conditions are the same.
In short, there are better bead stores in Portland. Ones that care about the product they’re selling, and don’t offer culled beads with the good stock. They also have staff that are attentive and more professional with their demeanor and at least pretend to care that you’re buying their stock. This bead store isn’t even at the bottom of my list anymore; it’s not even included.

I love sparklie things.
Years ago, I used to make jewelry quite often and sell it. My jewelry was simple: I would just string pretty beads on a wire add a clasp and voilà! I had a necklace or bracelet. Although my creations were simple, they were quite nice due to the high quality of beads and findings that I used.
Mostly I bought semiprecious, precious, Swarovski crystals for my beads, .925 silver for my findings and I bought wholesale.
When I had need for something immediately, I always turned to Let it Bead as they have a great selection and I loved how knowledgeable and friendly the gals at the shop were.
These days, I don’t really make jewelry anymore but I do fix my costume jewelry when it breaks or I alter it if I think it needs help. My go to place for parts is still Let it Bead.
Regardless of your creativity level or your needs, the gals there are super helpful.

I’m making my first piece of jewelry and complete ignorant! The sales lady went above and beyond. She took her time to explaining and demonstrating how to create these jewelry pieces. Tip– Save your recipes. Once you have spent $ 100 you’re able to get a discount.

I am always looking for beads for my Etsy store. It would be nice to not have to order them online and pay shipping. I decided to stop in this morning and have a look at what they have. Most of their beads are plastic and the charms are not made well. I would say the majority of the beads here are for novice jewelry makers. The best bead store I have been able to find is all the way in McMinnville.

I’ve been meaning to stop by the new store for some time, but haven’t had a chance due to working some longer hours and therefore not having time to make jewelry. When I was less busy and more into making jewelry, I used to stop over by the old shop on 23^rd a couple of times a month. However, a friend gave me some beads, and asked me to design and make some bracelets for her, so it was time to stop by and visit the new store.
I had heard it was in larger quarters at 6^th & Washington, so I had great hopes that there would be more basic findings & supplies available. For instance, I enjoy making rings, but have to order out or go to bigger chain stores to find a variety, and I’d really prefer buying not only local but close to home. They have only one ring form available. They carry a relatively limited supply of findings. They have increased their counter space to feature jewelry and other items made of more expensive items and findings (precious stones, silver chain, turquoise jewelry, and the like) and increased their space for teaching classes. I’m sure these are the money makers, and one can’t blame them for doing that at all, but I think some energy could have been put into a greater selection of findings for those of us at-​home jewelry makers who do after all give them a lot of support and money (in smaller amounts I admit) over time.
Their customer service is overall pretty good, but not stellar. I stepped into the store and started making my bead choices. I was working on that for several minutes before I was greeted. The two ladies who were manning the counter, however, went right back into their conversation. The younger woman was troubled by something, and the older woman was trying to counsel her, and then they started slamming Tri-​Met. To tell you the truth, when I stop by stores like this, I’m there to relax, indulge in creative fantasies, and think about what pretty new project I can design and make. I’m not there to listen to counseling sessions and other businesses getting slammed. Their conversation disturbed and distracted me so much that I finally gave up, bought the couple of handfuls of beads I had chosen, and escaped. I would have spent more time and money, but I just couldn’t take all the negativity. I wonder if some light music playing in the background would help customers focus more on looking at their products and considering purchases rather than having to listen to negative background chatter.
I know it sounds like I just kicked them in the rear with my critique, but I will return. Once one does get up to the cashier, the conversation picks up about what project a person is working on. The cashier pointed me towards some similar beads to what I was buying, thinking they might be less expensive, but they weren’t just the right color. I do appreciate that. The store is cozy and friendly still, and the items I do buy here are of great quality. I appreciate that they’re close to home as well, and eventually I do want to take one of their classes. I hope in the future they will work a little harder on a wider selection of findings and less personal chatter and negativity when customers are in the store. I really do want them to continue to be my beading store of choice and to succeed in the downtown core area.

The bead goddess is with me. I just started getting back into beading and was taking a class, and wishing for a bead shop in downtown Portland. The instructor informed me that Let it Bead just opened!!!
I was bewitched and bewildered at finding it right near my workplace. This of course, is going to be extremely dangerous for me.
I got to talking to Ira, who’s been the manager at the «Let it Bead» stores going on 15 years. She actually took her first bead/​jewelry class when she was 8 years old and that’s how she got hooked.
They’ve got your usual fantastic bead supplies including findings, wire, tools, and of course beads of every color/​shape/​size from everywhere you can imagine.
There was a unique, nicely dressed older gentleman that walked into the store admiring some of the store’s items including some beads that he implied looked like peyote. I knew they were addicting!!!