Sacramento Craft Mafia

The Sacramento Craft Mafia is an organization of indie business owners who have come together to promote, support and encourage each other and put Sacramento on the map as the capital of Crafts.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sacramento's Bead Options


So...where does one go to find the supplies to make beautiful beaded jewelry? There are (of course) the large corporate craft stores...but Sacramento also has a variety of independent bead stores and we all know it is better to shop local!!!


Where to go...where does one start? It all depends on what area one lives in. There are great bead stores downtown and in the 'burbs. Since I reside downtown...that's where we will start!



This inspiring collection of beads is located on L street between 17th and 18th. This is a wonderful place to go if you want really unique beads or you are interested in high quality wire. They also have a selection of tools that is vast...everything from mandrels to ring clamps. The staff is knowledgeable and super friendly!!! They also have a sale every Second Saturday weekend which is not to be missed...the actual specials change every month so make sure you always check it out! The Bead Fetish also has classes almost every night of the week...from fusing silver rings to exploring fashion earrings...you can't go wrong...they offer private lessons as well!!!



Locate at 2525 Yorktown Ave (Which is just off El Camino very near Watt) this store is has a HUGE selection of sead beads. In fact...I have never seen so vast a collection. This is also a good place to go if you already have part of project and you are trying to color match. Once again...the sead bead room is so overwhelming...every color, every shape, every size!!!



This bead paradise is located at 4147 Northgate Blvd # 2 in Sacramento. I have nor personally had the pleasure of visiting this store yet...but from their website it looks like they have a wide variety of bead wonderfulness. What looks particularly interesting are their Semi-Precious Trunk Shows & Sale's...it seems that they have these at fairly regular intervals throughout the year. The next one is going to be Friday, September 5 (12-5:30) and Saturday, September 6 (10-4)...I know I am going to try and make it!



This store lives at 5710 Auburn Blvd in Sacramento. Not only do they have a physical location but, they advertise being the largest wholesale bead catalogue on the web. So, if you don't actually want to leave your house there is still great bead shopping to be done. One awesome unique aspect of this bead paradise is they offer a fused glass class...for $150 USD you can get a full day of introduction to the techniques of making your own fused glass beads and pendants. While it looks like the most recent class has passed make sure to check the website for the next one!


Whew...lots and lots of bead shopping options in our lovely town...next Sunday we will explore the bead options in Folsom, Roseville, Elk Grove, and Davis...brace yourself...its going to be wild!

1 Comments:

At August 25, 2008 at 9:00 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Piece of Mind is AWESOME! Gretchen has a great selection of handmade beads made by local Californian artisans! Plus, she has tons of classes!

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home