Bead In Hand

Wow! Great customer service-love this store and their classes. With so few bead stores, I drive from Glencoe to Oak Park. Today I drove down because I needed a "steer" on a project. They cheerfully helped me out. Great Store-great people!

My first visit to this bead store was for a class, and, as I was the only one who signed up for it, I got what amounted to a private lesson in knotting. The owner is a knowledgeable and friendly woman who's been in the business for quite a while, and she's an excellent teacher. I'm always in the market for seed beads, as I mostly do bead weaving, and this store has a nice selection of Delicas, Tohos and Miyukis, as well as hanks of Czech beads, all in the most commonly used sizes. You'll also find semi precious stone beads, glass beads, findings, supplies and a good selection of trade style beads from Africa. The inventory is good for what the space allows, and well chosen as to price point and variety. The store is a half mile from the Austin Blue Line stop, so well located for public transit, and situated on a street with some other compelling shopping. I enjoyed my class immensely, and will return for more classes, and to stock up on beads.

Accompanied my teen on a field trip to Bead in Hand for the purpose of finding precious stones for their metalworking class. Amazing selection including rocks, shells, bones, and beads of all shapes and sizes! The staff is super sweet and helpful, especially Charlotte. We had a blast. I can't wait to come back and create my own necklaces and bracelets!

Great little store! I learned how to make earrings here. They've been around since the 90s, I think. I don't live in the area anymore, but when I'm in the neighborhood, I try to stop in.

Don't waste your time...

I always try to shop at local small businesses wherever possible.

This place is making me reconsider.

On the two occasions that I have visited this store, the people working there have have been unhelpful, rude and disinterested.

They are lacking in both inventory and customer service skills.

Not too sure how they have survived this long.

If I could give it less than 1 star I would.

Easy to find bead store. Great selection of beads and other jewelry making accessories. I found everything I needed to make a cute necklace this morning! Service was great. The ladies were helpful and friendly. I would recommend this place to anyone who makes jewelry or Interested in learning. I'm sure you'll leave inspired.

Bead In Hand (BIH) is where I took my first bead class, about 7+ yrs. ago. One day after work, some time after I took the beading class, I stopped by to shop and got this feeling that my presence was.....? I was so outdone, I sent an email and did receive a response. I always wondered if it was me and NO, it wasn't..................FAST FORWARD!.........

6/19/09, while shopping @ one of my favorite bead shops, I met a fellow beader, someone new (1 month) to the bead scene and she mentioned that she took a class @ BIH also and coincidentally expressed on occassions when she has went there, experienced the same unwelcoming atmosphere that I felt, though she recalled one short-haired person in particular.

I haven't returned to Bead in Hand since and have found other bead shops to spend my green & silver. Yes, my dough is green & silver too!

*I'll update this review when I locate exact dates, esp. the date I was @ BIH and proclaimed NEVER to return again. I think I still have the email I sent and the response I received.*

Cute little bead store. Not a great selection, unless you're into seed beads and more "primative" styles--glass and base metal and other cute beads and findings...I'd just like to see more natural gemstones and such.

I was in the area bc my girlfriends took me to brunch for my bday and I popped in for a look around. I did like that they had some of the gemstones (of the handful they carry) loose, so you could pick what you wanted. After I selected, and was ready to check out, the woman at the counter (who had been very helpful til then), asked me about my baby. I hadn't heard her at first, and said "pardon?". She had a cringe on her face and apologized, and only then had I realized what she'd asked. And NO, I am not pregnant. Just happen to have had a crappy couple years and all my grained weight is right there. Frankly, if I hadn't spent several minutes selecting the items I wanted, I would have walked out. It kinda ruined my afternoon. I did, however, sharply say "next time maybe you don't say anything til there's crowning." And I kinda almost feel like for the small amt I was spending there (as in ~5 for my single bead and some silk cord), after that rudeness, she should have just handed it to me and eaten the cost. I'm actually wishing i had walked out now, because I probably won't look at the necklace I was going to make without thinking of this. :/. A little tact goes a really long way. Happy birthday to me.

I feel a strong need to provide an updated review of this enjoyable store and its expert and gracious owner. As Kathy R. pointed out below, Bead in Hand changed owners several years ago and now has a fresher and more friendly vibe. As a longtime patron, I've enjoyed following the progress as new owner Kim has transformed the store into a more lively, aware contributor to the Oak Park Arts District and the jewelry-making community. The wide variety of classes and the guest teachers that Kim offers at Bead in Hand make it the perfect place for beginners to learn basic skills and for experienced makers to polish and expand their techniques. To get acquainted with this gem of a store, stop by to take one of Kim's Third Friday Workshops during the monthly Third Friday Gallery Walk. Or drop in anytime to browse the beads and find out what classes and special events Kim has scheduled.

Bead In Hand has been under new ownership for a past several years now. It has always been a great bead store, but the place has a fresher, more friendly vibe these days. I have never been disappointed with the selection and it has opened my mind to many new ideas. Bead on!