'''Beading''' is a centuries-old pastime, recreation, profession, religion or obsession. Beads and beaded objects have served as amulets, as trophies, as money and as adornment. Many people derive pleasure from the challenges of color, design and texture; many relax with the slow rhythm of knotting beads onto various cords; others recreate natural scenes and memorable themes with on-loom bead weaving or off-loom bead weaving.

Visiting ''bead shops'' where one finds the materials, the instruction and the artistry of beaded jewelry-making is a significant reason for travel.

Understand

Old beads are being discovered worldwide in archeological digs quite frequently. No one can say for sure when - or where - stringing a found object with a hole in it first originated.

Destinations

North America

United States of America

If you are planning a comprehensive tour of bead shops in the United States, you will truly be travelling "from sea to shining sea." Your journey will take you through the diverse regions of the United States: rocky New England coast, sunny southern beaches, the Midwest heartland, Rocky Mountain majesty, the dry Southwest, the wooded Northwest, the Ozark Mountains, Texas plains, border towns.

Bead shops will be found in small towns, in bedroom communities and suburbs, and in large cities.

You will see a diversity of beading disciplines: Native American style beadwork, on-loom bead weaving, off-loom beadweaving, bead knotting on silk and other cords, bead stringing on bead wire and stretchy, wire wrapping, wire crochet, flameworking. ceramic beads and pendants; wood beads and pendants; beads and findings of sterling silver, fine silver, karat gold, gold-filled, silver-plated, gold-plated, gunmetal plated, copper and antique copper plated, brass and oxidized brass, pewter; gemstones: sapphire, ruby, tourmaline, quartz, amethyst, citrine, iolite, tanzanite, garnet, rhodonite, sugilite, unakite, mookite, other jaspers and agates.

You will see beads, chain and findings made or made from materials found in the United States, Canada, France, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Peru, Japan, China (PRC), Taiwan, Phillipines, Malaysia, India, Kenya, Tibet, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica.

You will find Czech glass, Czech crystal, Austrian crystal, Chinese lampwork, Taiwanese lampwork, Thai lampwork, Japanese seed beads, French seed beads, Czech seed beads, Indian seed beads, Chinese seed beads, Italian gold and sterling chain, Italian gold and sterling findings, Korean chain, Chinese chain, American chain, American filigrees, Austrian glass pearls, Czech glass pearls, Chinese glass pearls, Chinese and Vietnamese shell pearls, New Zealand's paua shell, African sand-cast beads, African bronze pendants, African kazuri beads, African fair-trade beadwork, Indian silver, vermeil and other metal beads and findings, Thai marcasite, Thai sterling, Thai Hill Tribe Silver, Tibetan silver, Peruvian ceramic charms, etc.

Alabama

  • '''Highstrung Beads Shoppe''', 5510 Wares Ferry Rd.,Suite 1, Montgomery, AL 36117, (334) 356-7891
  • Arizona

  • '''AZ Bead Depot''', 11518 E Apache Trail, Suite 122, Apache Junction, AZ 85220, (480) 983-5674, [http://www.azbeaddepot.com]
  • '''Knit 1 Bead 2''', 301 Main St., Jerome, AZ 86331, (928) 634-7236, [http://www.knit1bead2.com]
  • Arkansas

  • '''Argenta Bead Company''', 703 N. Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114, (501) 537-0928, [http://www.argentabead.com]
  • California

  • '''Bead It''', 1325 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, California 95060, (831) 426-0779, [http://www.beaditinc.com]
  • '''Dragonfly Bead Company''', P.O. Box 1461, Roseville California,95678 [http://www.dragonflybeadco.com]
  • '''Glitzy Glass Studio - fine lampwork beads, created by DeMarie''', Murrieta California, (951)239-0519 [http://www.glassbeadz.com]
  • '''Brea Bead Works''', 1027 E. Imperial Hwy., Unit D5, Brea, CA 92821, (714) 671-9976, [http://www.breabeadworks.com]
  • '''Beads Etc.''', 80 W. Bullard, #106, Clovis, CA 93612, (559) 297-8526 [http://www.beadsetc.net]
  • '''Out On A Whim''', 121 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, CA 94931, (707) 664-8343, [http://www.whimbeads.com]
  • '''Kiowa Rose''', 37581 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536, (510) 794-7465, [http://www.kiowarose.com]
  • '''Beads of Marin''', 8 Locust Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941, (415) 381-4364, [http://www.beadsofmarin.com]
  • '''Bead Island''', Inc., 25359 Madison Ave., Suite #108, Murrieta, CA 92562, (951) 461-1071 [http://www.beadisland.com]
  • Colorado

  • '''Luna's Beads & Glass''', 416 Main St., Frisco, CO 80443, (970) 668-8001, [http://www.lunasbeads.com]
  • Connecticut

  • '''Manifest Beads, LLC''', 51 River St, Milford, CT 06460, (203) 877-7778, [http://www.manifestbeads.com]
  • Florida

  • '''The Bead Boutique''', 913 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Brandon, FL 33511, 813-662-9900, [http://www.thebeadboutique.com]
  • '''Bead All About It''', 2441 NW 43rd St., Suite 19, Gainesville, FL 32606, (352) 375-8198, [http://www.beadallaboutit.net]
  • '''River City Beads''', 1615 W. University Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32217, 904-731-2111, [http://www.rivercitybeads.com]
  • '''Bead Boutique''', 8847 SW 132nd Street, Miami, FL 33176, (305) 378-4129, [http://www.thebeadboutiquemiami.com]
  • '''Bijoux Design Creations''', Inc., 4776 SW 72 Avenue, Miami, FL 33155, (305) 740-3442, [http://www.bijouxdesigns.com]
  • '''Anderson's Bead Room''', 24600 Sandhill Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33983, (941) 764-6222, [http://www.andersonsbeadroom.com]
  • Georgia

  • '''Bead Me Up, LLC''', 127 Vista Circle, Macon, GA 31204, (478) 742-4247, [http://www.beadmeupllc.com]
  • '''The Beadcage, Inc.''', Swarovski Recommended (Located near Callaway Gardens, one hour from the Atlanta Airport) 6401 Whitesville Rd., Suite 300, Columbus, GA 31904, (706)221-4438, [http://www.thebeadcagebeads.com http://www.thebeadcagebeads.com]
  • Hawaii

  • '''Bead It! Kaimuki (Honolulu)''', 1152 Koko Head Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816, (808) 734-1182, [http://www.beads.com.com]
  • '''Bead It! Kailua''', 629 Kailua Road, Kailua, HI 96734, (808) 263-1182, [http://www.beads.com.com]
  • '''Bead It! Kapolei''', 590 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707, (808) 674-1192, [http://www.beads.com.com]
  • Illinois

  • '''Adelia's Closet''', 9227 Waukegan Rd., Morton Grove, IL 60053, (847) 966-2323, [http://www.adeliascloset.com]
  • '''La Bead, Oh!''', 1500 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62704, (217) 544-8473, [http://www.labeadoh.com]
  • Indiana

  • '''Beads Amore (Fishers)''', 116th & Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038, (317) 849-2323, [http://www.beadsamore.com]
  • '''Beads Amore (Indianapolis)''', 3834 E. 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, (317) 595-0144, [http://www.beadsamore.com]
  • Iowa

  • '''Amy's Creative Bead''', 407 N. Oak St., Iowa Falls, IA 50126, (641) 648-3282, [http://www.amyscreativebead.com]
  • Louisiana

  • '''Baton Rouge Bead Company''', 15959 Hewwood Avenue, Suite G, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, (225) 755-1332, [http://www.br-beads.com]
  • Maine

  • '''The Beadin' Path''', 15 Main Street, Freeport, ME 04032, (207) 865-4785, [http://www.BeadinPath.com]
  • Massachusetts

  • '''Bead Emporium of Cape Cod''', 551 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601, (508) 790-0005, [http://www.capebeademporium.com]
  • '''Colorful Creations Bead Company''', Harkness Ave, East Longmeadow MA 01028,[http://www.colorfulcreationsbeadcompany.com]
  • Michigan

  • '''Bead Culture''', 180 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49201, (517) 841-9173, [http://www.beadculture.com]
  • '''Bead Quest''', 4230 29th Street, SE, Kentwood, MI 49512, (616) 726-5908, [http://www.mybeadquest.com]
  • Minnesota

  • '''Stormcloud Trading Co. (Beadstorm)''', 725 Snelling Ave. North, Saint Paul, MN 55104, (651) 645-0343, [http://www.beadstorm.com]
  • Missouri

  • '''Glasshopper Studio LLC''', 13011 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, (314) 205-0220, [http://www.glasshopperstudio.com]
  • New Hampshire

  • '''Bead Gallery Inc.''', 100 North Broadway, Salem, NH, (603) 893-2517, [http://www.beadgalleryinc.com]
  • New York

  • '''Lotus Beads''', 155 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, (518) 439-2323, [http://www.lotusbeads.com]
  • '''Sandaga a div. of Bhens Products Inc.''', 1231 Broadway, street level, NY, NY 10001, (212) 532-6820, [http://www.bhens.com]
  • North Carolina

  • '''The Bead Room''', 3321 Guess Rd., Durham, NC 27705, (919) 479-0222, [http://www.beadroom.biz], [http://www.ncwholesalebeads.com]
  • '''NC Wholesale Beads''', Durham, NC 27722, Carries a large selection of Gemstones, Freshwater Pearls, Tools, Gold Filled Beads and Noodles, Displays, jewelry making supplies and more. Online shopping 24/7 (919) 479-0222, [http://www.ncwholelesalebeads.com]
  • '''Ornamentea''', 509 North West St., Raleigh, NC 27603, (919) 834-6260, [http://www.ornamentea.com]
  • '''Panopolie''', 6320 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616, (919) 872-4767, [http://www.panopolie.com]
  • '''Cindale Beads''', 150-B South Equity Drive, Smithfield, NC 27577, (919) 934-2900, [http://www.cindale.com]
  • Dragonfly Bead Company. 564 Railroad Street, Winterville. 252) 754-2323. ttp://www.ncdragonflybead.com.

  • '''A Place To Bead''', 814 S College Rd., Wilmington NC 28403, (910) 799-2928, [http://www.aplacetobead.com]
  • Ohio

  • Beads 'N More. 809 Lincoln Way, E., Massillon, OH 44646. 330) 834-1981. eadsnmore@sbcglobal.net. ttp://www.beadsnmore.biz.

  • OhioBeads.com. hioBeads.com: Shop Online - Exclusively Internet (Brought to you by the people behind the retail store Ohio Beads and Gems formerly located in Mason, OH. 116 W. US Hwy 22 and 3, Suite C-300, Maineville, OH 45039. 513) 770-5564. ales@ohiobeads.com. ttp://www.ohiobeads.com. hop Online 24/7. ww.ohiobeads.com.

    Oklahoma

  • '''The Bead Gallery''', 1304A N Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK, 918-259-1277, [http://www.broken-bead.com]
  • Oregon

  • '''Ginia's Beads''', 4914 River Rd. N., Keizer, OR, (503) 390-4593, [http://www.giniasbeads.com]
  • Pennsylvania

  • '''Reed's Beads''', 32 N. Main St., Ambler, PA 19002, (215) 540-5585, [http://www.reeds-beads.com]
  • South Carolina

  • '''The Beaded Frog''', 241C N. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601, (864) 235-2323, [http://www.beadedfrog.com]
  • Texas

  • '''Bead Oasis''', 1425 FM 802 Suite N, Brownsville, TX 78521, (956) 541-3488, [http://www.beadoasis.net]
  • '''Splendor In The Glass''', 1900 Abrams Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75214, (214) 824-2777, [http://www.beadsofsplendor.com]
  • '''Artful Bead''', 5304 Trail Lake Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76133, (817) 294-2903, [http://www.artfulbead.com]
  • '''Beads & More''', 215 Water St., Kerrville, TX. 78028, (830) 896-9107, [http://www.kerrvillebeads.com]
  • '''Beadoholique''', 8220 Louetta #124., Spring, TX 77379, (281) 257-0510, [http://www.beadoholique.com]
  • Virginia

  • '''Plumb Alley Beads and Gifts''', 266 W Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 628-2420, [http://www.plumballeybeads.com]
  • '''The Bead Cottage''', 5278 Fairfield Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, (757) 495-6402, [http://www.thebeadcottage.com]
  • Canada

    British Columbia

    Kimdoly Beads at English Bay 909 Denman St., Vancouver, BC (604)683-6323 [http://www.kimdoly.com]

    Kimdoly Beads 479 Richards St., Vancouver, BC [http://www.kimdoly.com]

    Alberta

  • '''Bedrock Supply Ltd.''', 9435-63 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6E0G2, (780) 434-2040, (800) 661-3988, [http://www.bedrocksupply.ca]
  • Ontario

  • '''That Bead Lady''', 390 Davis Drive, Newmarket, On L3X1A7, (905) 954-1327, [http://www.thatbeadlady.com]
  • South America

    Europe

  • '''BeadedLily - Florence, Italy''', An inspiring array of unique beading delectables and designer jewelry. Now offering glass beadmaking classes in our Tuscany glass studio! Sdrucciolo Dei Pitti 13R, Florence, Italy 50125 (39) 331-904-9410 [http://www.BeadedLily.com]
  • Africa

    Asia

    Australia

    Where to Stay

    Contact the bead store ahead of time if you are travelling a great distance & need a recommendation on where to stay in their area. Many stores are part of a local Merchants' Association or group where they get special discounts they can pass along to their customers and visitors. And if not, they probably have had many guests who have stayed at the local accommodations and can pass along any recommendations of where to stay or where to avoid.

    Call Ahead

    It's always a good idea when planning your shopping trip to call ahead to confirm the stores hours, even if they are listed on their website. Local holidays, shortened off-season hours, or other reasons may from time to time deter the owner or staff from opening & it's better to be safe than sorry. And sometimes a bead store's staff may want to know of someone coming from a great distance solely to see their shop. They might be able to inform you if there are any special events such as trunk shows, book signings, or classes that day.

    Buy

    Due to issues of global supply and demand, geopolitics and circumstances beyond the shop owners' control, you may never see that same attractive bead offered for sale ever again in your lifetime.

    In addition, some types of beads that are easier to source than others (such as Austrian crystals), still have dye lots, where the color will vary slightly from lot to lot (much as you may see color differences in different lots of textiles such as carpet.)

    '''Buy plenty of beads and beading material now to make the projects you need.'''

    Check in advance for forms of payment accepted by the bead shops. In the United States, the most common forms of payment accepted are Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card and Checks drawn on a local bank. However, not every shop will accept every form of payment.

  • Ami's Creations. 855 Farmington Blvd - Germantown, TN 38138. 901) 737-6765. ttp://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Amis.Creations.901-737-6765.

  • BeadedLily - Florence, Italy. andmade Beads & Designer Jewelry. drucciolo Dei Pitti 13R Florence, Italy 50125. he Oltrarno District - 5 minutes from Ponte Vecchio between Palazzo Pitti & Piazza Santo Spirito. 39) 331-904-9410. ttps://www.BeadedLily.com. uesday - Saturday 2:00 - 7:00pm. An inspiring array of unique beading delectables and designer jewelry. Now offering glass beadmaking classes in our Tuscany glass studio!

    Classes & In-Store Events

    When planning your bead trip, be sure to check your destination store's website or listing of class offerings. You may be able to plan your trip around an exciting in-store event, visiting artist class, trunk show or some other 'not-to-miss' event.

  • BeadedLily Glass Works - Florence, Italy. eginner and Intermediate Beadmaking Courses. ia Toscanella 33R Florence, Italy 50125. he Oltrarno District - 5 minutes from Ponte Vecchio at the corner of Via Toscanella & Via Dei Veluti. 39) 331-904-9410. ttp://www.BeadedLilyGlassWorks.com. Learn how to make glass beads in the heart of Florence, Italys artisan district the Oltrarno. Our bead making classes introduce students to both basic and advanced lampworking techniques and help pave the way towards finding your own artistic voice.

    Drink

    Some bead shops allow you to bring your own wine or have hosted events that include wine and assorted beverages. You should check first with the bead shop before assuming that you can bring wine - or any other food or beverage - into the shop.

    Stay safe

    If the neighborhood where the bead shop is located looks safe, you are probably safe, too. Remember that the bead shops serve their local customers, who also wish to be safe.

    Tipping

    Tipping bead shop staff who help you beyond cashing you out is permissible, acceptable and highly appreciated. However some bead shops may have a policy against it. A sincere thank you and acknowledgment of good customer service is always appreciated.