Places to buy beads and supplies
These are places I’ve shopped at and would recommend:
The Beaderie 20 Magdalene Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AF www.thebeaderie.co.ukThis is where I got started on beading and do most of my shopping as it’s my local bead store. The Beaderie is in the middle of the best row of independent shops in Cambridge. The shop is relatively new but expanding fast – there’s always something new to discover each visit (even though we are in there practically every week). There is a good range of feature beads, glass beads, crystals, seed beads and, of course, all the tools, cords and findings for beading. Sally also runs a variety of classes but these book up almost as soon as the schedule is released – so if you are interested ask to be added to the email list.
Spoilt Rotten Beads 7 The Green, Haddenham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3TA www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk It’s an half-hour drive from Cambridge, where we live to Spoilt Rotten Beads(SRB), but my daughter & I find ourselves heading out to the shop almost every month. We are drawn to the tubes of miyuki seed beads and bead soup beads, the vast choice of silver & silver-plate findings. Although, they have a very good online store – join them on Facebook for the online special offers – I prefer to go in store not just for what they sell but for the inspiration. They are clearly talented & passionate beaders. The Little Bead Shop 120 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4ES www.thelittlebeadshop.co.uk thelittlebeadshop.wordpress.comThis fantastic little shop in Edinburgh stocks a good range of Czech glass beads and beautiful lampwork beads in addition to the standard variety of beads, crystals and findings found in most bead shops. If there is anything you aren’t sure about or can’t find, ask – they are super friendly and helpful (see my blog post). There is a beading table in the shop for you to sit at and bead (and chat). They also run a variety of courses. (I haven’t attended any but would certainly try to if I’m in Edinburgh again).
La droguerie 9 et 11 rue du Jour, 75001 PARIS www.ladroguerie.comIn the La Halles district, this store sells all things crafty. It looks tiny from the front but the shop goes quite far back. Enter the bead section, and jars and jars of colourful beads of all shapes and sizes stand on shelves that seem to go on forever. But be warned, you can’t help yourself to the beads. You need to queue at the desk for an assistant to serve you (I waited for slightly over half and hour on a Saturday morning.) But it was worth the wait. Also look at the wide selection of chains and clasps that they stock.
Tout a Loisirs 50 rue des Archives, 75004 Paris www.toutaloisirs.frThis store is amazing – an Aladdin’s cave of beads in colour-themed alcoves. Beads and semi-precious stones in different hues, shapes, sizes, and fine detail work. Be prepared to spend some time here: it took a while to get a sense of the possibilities before beginning to choose what I wanted – short of wanting the whole store. Be warned that they close for lunch from 1 to 2 although this is not mentioned on their web site.
See my google maps to bead shops
Blog about bead shopping in Paris
Opaline beads from Tout à Loisirs.
[...] about Beading, Blogs about Beading About this blogPlaces to buy beads and suppliesMaps to [...]
[...] about Beading, Blogs about Beading About this blogPlaces to buy beads and suppliesMaps to [...]
[...] about Beading, Blogs about Beading About this blogPlaces to buy beads and suppliesMaps to [...]
[...] about Beading, Blogs about Beading About this blogPlaces to buy beads and suppliesMaps to [...]