Beads, beading

[scordellia]

Does anyone else have an absolute bead fetish?

Mine got to the point that I was forbidden by overwhelmed daughters that in order to bring more beads home or have more delivered that I would have to actually either sell or give away some of the items that I had made. That was difficult! So I compromised- I sold some of my items- for more beads so sort of a barter. They just shake their heads and laugh.

I am so busy now that it has really gotten to be something that I don't do very often anymore and my 'inventory' has become managable and I actually know what I have now.

Shipwreck Beads-- it's like a crack house for beaders-- I think I may have helped the owner(s) buy a new yacht. And I see that they now have gift cards. Goody Beads is another.
Beading is something that people can do together, it is relaxing yet at the same time mentally stimulating as it gets your circuits firing about what to do next. Beads come in all shapes and sizes and even people with limited hand mobility can use very large beads (like these 1x1/5 chevron beads) and yarn to do some pretty neat things( another good hint for limited hand mobility is double sided tape-- wrap it around the hands or fingers for extra stick power- and as usual it is also great for regular beading esp. with tiny beads) . I think it is also a good occupational therapy- so many of the hand or brain injury therapies are the same old-same old.

[EileenMRegan]

I also have tons of inherited custom jewelry and beads. One of my aunts was a First Grade teacher and her students were nuts about her.

[MadameApothecary]

I enjoy beading also. I like ordering from http://www.firemountaingems.com/. I'll check out the sites you listed as well. Mine has gone from doing simple jewelry to making adornments for my dance costumes.

[HairyBuddah]

I am just stunned by the number of bead stores in Seattle. All they sell is beads. I cannot imagine that such an activity would actually be even remotely profitable. Silly me. I had an opportunity to speak with the proprietor at the most important bead store in Seattle. It is located in the famous tourist trap, Pike Place Market.



Lots of Sleepless in Seattle was filmed there, and it has always been famous for fish shops that throw their wares across the store for shipping.



A few years ago I was taking some visitors around the place, and they just HAD to go into the hottest bead store in town, Fusion Beads.



I was chatting with a woman who turned out to be the owner. We were just casually talking business while my visitors shopped and oooohhhed and ahhhhed. I guess she has a GREAT business there. The old combination of good prices, incredible variety, and great customer service works anywhere, and the bead market is vastly larger than I ever imagined.

Give them a try, they have good stuff. Not affiliated with them, just impressed by their reputation and business acumen.

http://www.fusionbeads.com/

Hairy

[EileenMRegan]

New York City is also a great bead shopping mecca. These stores survive in the most expensive rent districts so they must be making money.

I've got some great stuff, but little time to work with it. All over the globe, people just have an inner drive to make something beautiful...its a human need, I think.

E