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Abeille
Categories: Shopping Arts & Crafts Shopping Jewelry Event Planning & Services Party & Event Planning Arts & Crafts, Jewelry, Party & Event Planning [Edit]
45 Harvard StBrookline, MA 02445
Neighborhood: Brookline Village
(617) 232-4343
- Promotion lasts for 1 year from date of purchase. After that period, your Certificate is redeemable for the amount you paid, less any value you may have received. Not valid with other certificates or offers. Only 1 certificate(s) can be purchased for own use. Up to 3 can be purchased as gifts for others. Subject to the Yelp Deals General Terms.
Deals Left 20
- Reg. Price $75
- Discount 33%
- Savings $25
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard St @ Linden St (66)
Harvard St @ Pierce St (66)
Harvard St @ Kent St (66)
- Hours:
Tue, Thu-Fri 11 am - 7 pm
Wed 11 am - 8 pm
Sat 11 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
20 reviews for Abeille
20 reviews in English
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Review from Ranshanna H.
Boston, MA
12/6/2011
Not a bad beading store. I usually buy my beads and supplies online through etsy and ebay because the selection is so vast, but I figured I'd try this store out this week because I have had a project in mind for the past week and didn't feel like ordering the beads online.
This place is more expensive than I thought it would be - I guess I am so used to getting my beads for much cheaper online. I spent way more than I initially planned as a result. The selection is pretty small, but it is a cute store. I don't think I'd come here again unless I was in the area and just wanted to browse to kill time. One thing I did like was that the employees weren't over my shoulder every step of the way. That usually happens to me in small stores and I hate that. -
Review from graceypoo m.
Boston, MA
12/4/2011
Pluses:
-Lots of selection of beads and materials to use for your jewelry/accessory projects
-They can sell materials by the inch or piece, so if you need only a little bit and don't need 15 yards of anything, they can accommodate you and even lend you tools (e.g pliers) and give you advice (if you ask for it)
-Accepts credit cards (though you have to have a $10 minimum for purchase)
-They sell a lot of other cute gifts, e.g. tea, candles, ready-made jewelry
-They offer classes
Formative Comments:
-Could greatly improve on customer service--customers can understand and can wait, but try not to help a lot of people all at once.
=8) -
Review from Terri S.
Webster, MA
10/31/2011
I really like Abeille. It's such a cute little shop, they don't have the big craft store volume but they fill just about every nook and cranny with findings, beads and gifts. In particular their selection of jewelry quality ribbons & chains are much better than any other stores I shop at! Being able to pick out individual beads without having to buy a bag of 50-100 is the best part of shopping at Abeille. Can I get the beads cheaper in bulk online, yup; but I'd rather just pick up what I need since I'm a more casual beader: I only make jewelry for myself or gifts for friends and family...oh and there's the 3 things I've sold on Etsy in like two years!
Did I mention I love their charm selection - local shops always have the best charm selection and Abeille doesn't let you down here! You can pick up as many (or few) as you need from their strong selection and you don't have to commit to 20 of the same charm when you're only going to use one for a necklace or two for earrings! Abeille is my go-to for Eiffle tower charms and fun quirky (read: not just keys and hearts) charms!
The store itself is just so bright and colorful that you can't help but get into your creative mode the second you walk in.
In the interest of full disclosure I instruct a photo class at Abeille 2-3 times a year, though I wrote this review as a customer, not a instructor, completely unsolicited. Half the time I spend as much in the store after my class as I earn from instructing! :) As you can see in my other reviews I am a HUGE supporter of locally owned shops. Shop local to create and keep jobs in your community!! -
Review from Tasha P.
Arlington, MA
11/5/2011
Hey Yelpers,
I attentd the jewelry party with a friend! This was my first YELP event:) I was not impressed at all. The appts/wine was ok and the free bracelet was good, but overrall the party/artists were not friendly at all. The shop wa ok.Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 11/16/2011
Tasha, I remember you that evening from our chat while you… More » -
Review from Cathy T.
Irvine, CA
9/6/2011
I wanted to love them but had such a bad experience on the phone that I asked for a refund for my Groupon from last year. When I tried to reserve a class, the person went on and on about how they'd lose money with the paper class that I'd like to use for my Groupon and asked if I was interested in a beading one. But I was set on my class which the Groupon was clearly valid for, and then she was like, well, there isn't space anyway... which seemed sketchy because there was space online, and if there wasn't space to begin with, why didn't she just say so?
Anyway, I give them two stars for potential because I do love crafty and artsy things, and maybe the rest of the staff is cool. But with so many similar shops out there, I plan to go elsewhere. -
Review from Emily W.
Brookline, MA
4/16/2011
This place is a mixed bag.
They have a VERY small selection. That said, the selection they have is pretty nice.
It's a little expensive but not outrageous. The people who work there are not particularly friendly but not outright rude. They are, however, the least helpful people at any craft store I've ever gone to. I think this is because they have classes and *sell instruction cards*. This is totally not my experience with other places. Most people who work at craft and fabric stores try to help, rather than try to get you to pay to attend a class to learn something that could be learned in a 3 minute video on youtube.
Ultimately, 1 star because of their crappy, annoying $10 credit card limit. I drove all the way over there on a day when I really didn't have time to make the drive and ultimately left empty handed which made me super mad. So it goes.
Maybe some positive yelp reviews from others in the future will get me back in the door. -
Review from Melissa P.
Boston, MA
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Abeille! I took their sewing class and made a beautiful apron that I absolutely adore. The ambiance of this bead shop is like no other.
I remember the first time I saw Abeille. It was on a gray wintry night and I could see a bright store front in the distance. It was so warm and inviting from its outside appearance that I had to go in. So glad I did too! The staff is friendly and it is easy to find what you're looking for. Even though, I could find everything I needed in just five minutes, I still stayed for a couple hours absorbing the store owner's enthusiasm and being inspired by all the creativity.
Great job Abeille! Keep hosting fun events and teaching great classes!! -
Review from Rooster L.
Somerville, MA
8/2/2011
I have to agree with some of the other reviews - small but good selection. This is not one of those bead stores where you will be overwhelmed - take that as a plus or minus depending.
I agree that the staff is not helpful. I came in to make a leather bead bracelet and had one question - not "how do you make it" question but "why do I have to wax the thread". She told me I would have to buy the instruction card for $15. wa wa what??? I know how to make the thing I just don't know why you wax the string (I now know it adds strength and pliability).
She explained that they are a small business, yada yada. I get that and I would have been happy to sing praises and offer my support by taking classes for thing I do not know how to do, but that just pissed me off.
It is a little pricey but I expect that for the location.Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 9/30/2011
Thanks for your feedback. I have made some changes and hope… More » -
Review from Sarah A.
5/24/2011
On the plus side, they have a great selection. I was impressed to see some items that I've never seen in other shops like little chunks of pyrite (fool's gold) and some interesting semi-precious strands. I also found the salesperson to be rather friendly and helpful, although perhaps a little too intent on explaining their classes and various groups. I didn't like their grid system of pricing (a bit confusing) and how much of the selection is placed rather low to the ground. I didn't appreciate having to bend down to look at many of the items.
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Review from Melissa A.
Brookline, MA
4/24/2009
Abeille is a really cute bead store -- with a great selection. Also a really good place to pick up a wide variety of beads at decent prices!
I have found that Abeille has lower prices than The Pear Tree on Beacon St. Abeille also has a *great* selection (for the size of the store) of your typical findings - clasps, crimps, ear wires, beading nylon thread, etc. I definitely come here when I need findings.
Their beads range from nice and cheap (some are $.05 each! sweet!) to much more, depending on the type of bead. They also carry a bunch of small tubes of delicas - but these are not sorted by color at all so you kinda have to poke around a bunch to find the ones you want. They are, however, reasonably priced, so go diggin'!
Staff is friendly enough - they say hi when you walk in and sorta leave you alone to browse.
Check this store out - just make sure you give yourself a time limit or otherwise you might be there for much longer than anticipated! -
Review from Jenny M.
Brighton, MA
3/20/2009
I was so happily surprised to find a bead store closer to where I live (though, let's be honest -- if you knew me, you'd know how dangerous this news actually is). I immediately hopped onto the T and got off at the Brookline Village stop, and walked down Harvard Street, past the stores I have so often strolled past. Up to a fairly unassuming corner, all windows and looking so adorable -- with telltale strings of beads hanging in the window.
I've been looking for the perfect bead shop -- something with more than the standard "Beadworks-type" fare (read: Delicas! Fireline! Someone who knows what these things are!) Though I have never come as close as Albion in Wakefield or Beads East in Manchester, CT -- this one proved promising!
Admittedly, some of the centerpiece beads were expensive. But then there were the lovely surprises -- a gross of silver plated earwires for $10. The hand-blown glass beads I love and can rarely find -- tubes and tubes of them! A German porcelain strand of large glazed beads, which, at another store, would probably demand $4 or $5 a bead (YUCK!) -- here, a strand for $12. AND. DELICAS. Not sorted by color and in massive quantities like Beads East, but still, very promising, and at competitive prices.
In the few minutes I spoke with Lisa, the owner, it came across that she knows her stuff. I'd love to see the kinds of things she works on. Maybe I'll take a class -- I know I'll be back, that's for sure. Abeille, you've got me convinced. And that means trouble for me. =) -
Review from Lauren S.
Middlesex, MA
1/3/2011
First a confession. Just the idea of stringing beads together is enough to make me want to down a bottle Xanax with gallon of vodka. I love crafty and unusual jewelry but me actually having to get all those little beads that roll all over the place onto one string; no way, no how, not in this life time. A friend dragged me to Abeille for a bottle cap jewelry class that she wanted to take. When we entered I saw the space full of women and teenage girls oohing and aahing over endless rows of thousands of minuscule beads and I wanted to flee. My friend is no dummy and she maneuvered it so I walked in first and then she artfully blocked my escape route. (She is also a triathlete, younger than I am and could probably make me stay put while blindfolded with one hand tied behind her back.)
We made our way to the class area and the instructor introduced herself and attempted to begin the class. At first two older woman (maybe 65+) objected to having teenagers in the class. The older women felt that an "adult class" should not have anyone under that age of 18 in it. I was very impressed with the how deftly the instructor handled the older women complaints satisfying them while making the teenagers feel welcome.
The instructor spent about 10 minutes showing us how we could create a necklace or bracelet out of bottle caps and then we were off. Laid out on our workspace where all tools we would be using and the caps, fastening items, threads/strings and a variety of papers, baubles and accouterments you could add to your bottle caps or your piece if you wanted. The instructor brought over select items from the shops' offerings to available at no extra cost which I thought was a nice touch. We could also purchase additional materials for a 10% discount.
It took me a few minutes to get the hang of how to assemble the necklace and the instructor was very helpful and kind. I did not aim high and made my necklace out of the provided pre-designed bottle caps and the largest accent pieces they offered. They offered a good selection of bottle caps already designed with photos, stamps, handmade paper and interesting objects so I did not feel I had to create my own bottle caps to get the fun look I hoped my necklace would have. The rest of the class made much more elaborate creations by customizing the inside of the bottle caps they used and adding delicate accents. I have worn the necklace a few times and no one has asked what 6 year old boy made it under protest in art class (and believe me my family and friends would). The class cost $40 which I thought was very reasonable for 90 minutes of instruction and all the materials provided. I still do not think I would ever voluntarily go to a beading class but I would definitely go back for one of their metal jewelry or paper making classes. -
Review from Alyssa B.
Quincy, MA
4/6/2011
Making the trek out to Abeille ended up being a bit of a let down. I didn't think the selection was great. They were pretty limited in stones that you could purchase individually and mostly everything was overpriced (Coming from someone who used to work at a bead shop in Boston).
The ladies were nice, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I'll probably stick to my usual bead and jewelry supply shops.Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 10/19/2011
Alyssa, Sorry we didn't meet your expectations at the time.… More » -
Review from christina P.
Boston, MA
2/15/2011
Giving this place 2 stars- Like the previous reviewer with the groupon issue, I had a buywithme issue.
Apparently 2 people can't walk into a store and use 2 individual coupons on different things. We were told we HAD to use one on a class. Why couldn't I use one and my mother use one? It clearly states that you can give unlimited numbers as gifts! I thought ONE for 20 bucks would be ok and I'd get myself some stuff too!
This place is a total ripoff for supplies. The classes might be good (never been, wont go back) but the supplies are so overpriced it's a joke. 8 bucks for craft wire? it's 3.50 at michaels and cheaper at other wholesale places. Copper bead strand for 15 bucks? Non-sterling charms for the price of sterling. RIP OFF.
I'm giving this 2 stars because the woman there was so unbelievably nice and helpful.
Don't use groupons or buywithme here. DONT DO IT. -
Review from Ana C.
Boston, MA
5/25/2010
I love this store - it's charming, bright, affordable, and has a great selection for such a small space. Unlike nearby Pear Tree, Abeille carries findings and a small selection of items for other crafts. The staff is super friendly and helpful, too.
Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 11/21/2011
Thanks so much for the wonderful review! We are continuously… More » -
Review from Courtney S.
Boston, MA
1/13/2011
Abeille is a super cute store with a nice selection of jewelry and beading supplies in Brookline Village, a unique offering in that neighborhood. I visited the store for the first time this past weekend for a class, using a Groupon that I acquired a few months ago. The Groupon was a $50 value, covering the $40 for the class and $10 in materials. Where to begin? Even having paid only half price for the Groupon ($25), I felt totally ripped off. $10 wasn't nearly enough for the supplies for the bracelet, plus there were NO supplies provided as part of the class - we needed to buy our own needles, thread, beeswax, and glue. As for the $40 class? We got about 10 minutes of instruction from the young storekeeper and then mostly left to our own devices. And THEN we were told that this was a project that NO ONE finishes in the two hour class, so she'd briefly go over how to finish it on our own. The whole experience was a mess. I left paying an additional $25 in materials, so I was out $50 for a bracelet that I would have paid $20-25 for at a craft fair. I'm not sure if we were totally nickel and dimed on supplies because we were there with Groupons, but if so, it's a shame, because I craft a lot and I will NEVER be returning to Abeille.
Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 9/30/2011
Thanks for your response! I am sorry to hear that the class… More » -
Review from Laura B.
Brighton, MA
9/20/2009
Abeille has one of the best selections of unique filigree pieces and metal findings I've seen, especially for the size of the store (which is tiny). The bead selection is okay, but not too inspired; while they have strands of nice stones, it seemed most of the cases were filled with Swarovski crystals, which is great if you're looking for a variety of colors and shapes (bi-cones of course, but also cubes, rounds, etc).
The staff was nice, though I had the unfortunate fate of being in the store at the same time as a birthday party of indecisive tweens who were pretty excited about the Twilight pendants that Abeille sold. Oh to be 13 again. The checkout process is arduous and kind of painful, with the cashier entering each item number separately rather than just "quantity x price" (something about maintaining inventory), but the staff is friendly and will chat you up while they check out your merchandise.
Overall, this is definitely recommended over Beadworks for unique and beautiful filigree accents/bead caps/etc (at a good price too!). -
Review from Jean J.
Boston, MA
7/28/2009
Again, I am not a beader. However, I needed some supplies, and I stopped here. They didn't have what I was looking for.
Unlike the Pear Tree, which is geared more toward the well-to-do yuppie beader, this place has a more homey feel. There always seem to be a few tweens in here making jewelry. They have a better selection than a big box craft store, but I didn't really see anything with a lot of WOW factor.
I think this is a nice shop for the casual beader. -
Review from Melinda b.
Brighton, MA
2/11/2009
i love abeille! i've watched a few shops go in and out of this space and i'm so glad abeille has come to the neighborhood. awesome selection of pretty much everything; stones, swarovski crystals, findings, chain, tons of beads and charms and there's always something new. lisa is always super helpful and friendly and everyone who works there is really knowledgeable.
-
Review from Miya B.
Brookline, MA
9/30/2010
I really, really wanted to love Abeille given how close it is to where I live. But the more I go in there, the more I get frustrated by the truly terrible setup. Many displays are at knee-level rather than up where you can easily see them, so I have to walk around the store hunched over. To buy something, you have to write down a random string of letters and numbers. And the organization is hit-or-miss - sometimes everything is laid out nicely the way you'd expect, but sometimes (often) you have to hunt around or ask, and it's in an unlabeled bag on the bottom shelf of a random piece of furniture. I like browsing for inspiration, and I just can't do that here. I'll keep going now and then if I know exactly what I am looking for and don't mind just asking where it is, but it could be so much better... maybe the owners will read this review and make some changes so Abeille will live up to its great potential?
Comment from Lisa T. of Abeille 11/21/2011
Thanks Miya for your input. I'm a small business owner and… More »
