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Categories: Jewelry, Arts & Crafts [Edit]
Neighborhood: SOMAMon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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I really enjoy this store! It's not the largest store in the world, yet they seem to have precisely what I am looking for or need.
They have a huge selection of freshwater pearls (which are very hard to resist! great prices on them too), but not only that.. I like that I can see and touch any item they have out. :) Tons of strands of semi-precious stones to choose from..They have a really great selection of chains too - sterling, gold filled, etc., at awesome prices. You can buy the Swarovski's piece by piece, instead of buying a pack of them, which is very helpful for shoppers such as myself who become somewhat indecisive once faced with so many pretty sparkly options in a store like this.
I think I like this place so much because they don't waste a lot of time with plastic or flimsy pieces.. instead, they have a small store, but packed with a great selection of the 'good stuff', and the prices I've found to be very reasonble! There's also a section up front full of misc. glass beads that you can mix and match to your heart's desire. The girl who working there everytime I'm in, is always friendly when I'm there.
A couple helpful tips.. they do take credit card, but with a minimum purchase of $20 I think? Or is it $25.. I can't remember. Keep that in mind if you're a non-cash carrying person like myself. They're also closed on various days sometimes, so if you are going out of your way to get there, it wouldn't hurt to call them first to make sure they're open. I think the hours are until 5pm, too, so don't get there at 4:45 because you'll want more time than that to browse around! (I do anyway!)
Holy guacamole!
So I'm on a little bit of a glass kick -- let me explain.
Have you ever seen glass blowing in action? There's something mesmerizing about glowing hot glass that then gets molded into whatever shape your heart desires.
The end product? Gorgeous.
So those of you in the know, know that you can get Murano glass pendants. They're tiny pieces of art. Kinda pricey for, you know, GLASS, but hey, art is pricey, right?
NOT!
If you're a fan of glass pendants or glass beads, you NEED to stop by this store. (It's got a lot of other types of beads too -- some agates that were quite nice -- but given my current glass fixation, and the sheer amount of beadage at this store, I only had time and energy to check out the glass ones.)
With a little sifting through, you can find beautiful pieces for earrings or necklaces.
Not sure how to make jewelry? Ask the staff - they can show you how it's done. If you're extra nice, they may even do it for you! ;)
The best part? The price.
Once you go to this place, you won't shop elsewhere for your glass jewelry.
Enjoy, fellow glass-lover!
I had just finished shopping at General Bead when I stopped by here to visit this store. I was not greeted by the girl who worked there, even though I looked her way and I know she saw me come in. That immediately turned me off. I did like the spaciousness of this store though, and the prices were okay as well. Not dirt cheap, but also not hella expensive. It was pretty organized in there as well. I browsed the chains for a bit and they were not too badly priced per foot. They did have lose beads, but of course, that's always more expensive than buying a strand.
Well, what turned me off was the girl who worked at the counter. She was kinda impatient with this one lady who had trouble finding something. I can understand the inward impatience, but when it's obvious to me that you can't control it, I dunno. Not a good vibe. I didn't buy anything, even though I browsed for a bit. She never asked if I needed any help, so I didn't bother.
I've been going here for a few years and I always enjoy their selection and I've been recently pleasantly surprised to discover that their prices are very reasonable.
I love going through their pre-packaged semi-precious stones and they have a very good selection of swarvoski crystals.
Love this place!
Selection of beads is fantastic but the service I experienced was terrible. Sorry if I didn't know exactly what I was supposed to be looking for or where to find it. Next time I will do my research beforehand. Or, is that supposed to be the job of the person who sits behind the counter? Oh wait, not at Beyond Beads, because the person behind the counter was too consumed with her own art project to get up from her seat and show me where she was pointing. Instead, she kept pointing and telling me where to look to find what I was looking for. Would have probably spent a lot more money had she taken the time to peel herself from the stool to show me around.
Not gigantic and not cheap... but the most complete selection of semi-precious in the city and I love them for that!
I was turned off literally the moment I set foot in the store.
No sooner had I cleared the threshold than I was admonished that I had only about 12 minutes to shop because the store was closing for lunch.
Now, I understand that there are laws dictating employees get at least 30 minutes for lunch per 6 hours worked. And, admittedly, the young lady who made the announcement was alone so it's not like she had someone there to cover for her. BUT, in our current economic environment, it seems almost ridiculous to chase three paying customers out of the store in the middle of the day and lock the doors. There has to be a better way. Maybe operate 6 hours a day? As it is they're only open 7 hours M-F anyhow so that's a mere 30-minute net reduction...at either the beginning or end rather than smack-dab in the middle, please.
What I was able to see of their stock looked decent and the prices reasonable, but I'll probably spend my money at General Bead instead from now on.
This is my go-to place for jewelry stuff, jump rings and such. There is always parking out front on the street, which is an added bonus.
BEADS!
I had to contain myself.
But it was hard.
The prices are good and they have a huge selection of findings and some good chain at a really affordable price.
You can browse and touch the beads which is a plus for a lot of people. I found some really cool things and some really cool pretty things.
My first time over here was a bit of a turn-off due to a mugging I witnessed in the middle of broad daylight, but once I got over that I'm an occasional shopper here.
The prices are decent for many of the strands of beads; the individual beads are perhaps a bit pricey, but if you've got a small project, maybe they're worth it. The silver chains are ok price-wise, offers a good selection and worth a look. It's really easy to spend more than you planned, so come with a list and stick to it.
Regarding the customer service, it's ok, but I get the sense that my patronage is not appreciated until they see me carrying a tray full of beads.
I would appreciate being able to see the precious beads up close rather than them hanging behind the counter. I understand that they are expensive, but putting them in a locked glass case would seem more secure to me. Anyway, if you want to see several you have to ask to see a strand and I am particular about the color variations in strands, so I have to point out which specific one that I want to see. Meh, it's kinda a pain.
Selection:
Great selection of very affordable gemstones, pearls and glass beads. They also have a lot of chain to choose from. Some of the stuff is in cardboard boxes and you have to dig around to find anything If you have the time it is not too much trouble. The tools are on the low end but inexpensive. I have seen better selections of string and cord. The findings are in tackle boxes behind the counter, so if you don't know exactly what you are looking for, it is hard to look around.
Location:
Not the worst of SOMA. Can walk from Market Street or get street parking out front. Close to Harvest Market if you want to grab lunch.
Customer Service:
The owner seems nice. They give discounts based on the amount you spend which is awesome customer appreciation. There is one girl that works there regularly that isn't always helpful. If you ask a question, or try to ask a question, she always cuts you off. She doesn't listen and often points out what you aren't looking for making you search harder for what you need. If only she would listen because she probably knows what she is doing but it is lost.
i left two strands of beads to be made into a necklace. the girl charged me for the "hardware" and said i could pick them up in the next day or two. i went back in four weeks later - first the girls asked who i left the beads with (as if i should remember the name) and then said they didn't have them and that they are the only gals working there. i saw a bag that looked like mine and said "that is my package" and the girl said "well we haven't done the work"... no apology, no "let me do this for you now"... total attitude. so sad and shameful. never again will i step foot in there. then i asked for my bag and they said "where is your receipt" which i had shown them when i first walked in... the WORST service ever.
Great bead store, lots to choose from, with a great selection of sterling silver findings, gemstones, Swarovski, Czech, pearls, plus probably the largest selection I've seen locally of all of the vintage-esque brass findings, chains, etc. You could lose a couple of hours in this place easily.
Staff is mostly friendly -- the owner, always helpful and aiming to please.
Parking is usually good, but the neighborhood a little seedy. The windows are huge right in front of the store, yet someone managed to smash and grab a laptop out of the backseat of a car right in front without being noticed in a matter of a few minutes once when I was there. DON'T LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES IN PLAIN SIGHT!!!
Hours can be a little tricky. I don't exactly live close by, so it's a haul for me to get there. When I showed up at 2:30 recently, only having a very small window of time before an appointment across town, there was a sign on the door stating they were out to lunch and would be back at 3:00 PM. Now if I saw this on the door at noon or thereabouts, I could understand it, but who expects a shop to closed at this time of day for lunch? I was a little put off by this. I don't want to waste my gas and my time if I can't count on you to be open when you should be.
They close at 4:00 PM I believe and they rush you out practically on the dot. Most other bead shops I have gone to will let you finish up without rushing you. Not the case here; they'll practically escort you out of the place if you're not quite done shopping.
All of this said, it's still a fine little bead shop and I love visiting, but mostly just because of the inventory.
I have an addiction to pretty beads and rocks...so much that I spent @ $25.00 for said beads and rocks...like I don't have a ton of this shit already! I like to give some of the stones as gifts to friends and to a particular niece...who loves beads and rocks too ( My fault)!
The big glass beads I use to hold inscense sticks, and the gemstone chunks I use for decoration ( the better ones go into my special box o'rocks for meditation ).
It's usually pretty quiet in Beads - I like the fact that I don't get attacked by employees trying to sell as soon as I walk through the door. And they are a few doors down from work...that could be good or bad...
I think this might be my new favorite bead store! I've only been here once so far just to check out their selection and prices. Their selection seemed pretty darn good and their prices seemed reasonable. I was the only customer at the time so I had the whole store to myself. I will definitely be back!
Minus one star for not having what I was looking for at the time.
I think they are the best bead shop in SF! I do know that a lot what they carry fits my specific tastes quite well when it comes to jewelry making, but it's just a great store-not too overwhelming (of course I still manage to spend no less than an hour in there every time I go-how could I not?)
I love chains, and they have a great selection of chains here! I like that they have the spools up on bars against the wall, so you can really check out the chains, handle them, and see what they look like overall- I HATE it when bead stores cut a few inches of chain and then tack it up on the wall or on some portable bulletin board...it just doesn't give you a real feel for what the chain will be like in the long run...literally!
Also, big points for selling little bargain packages of findings...they have a lot of different "tones" of both gold and silver findings, which comes in really handy when you are trying to match metals in a piece. I am a huge stickler for stuff like that...
I also like beadissimo and general bead, but both of those places do the 2 inches of tacked up chain thing! beadissimo is too earthy in the style of what they carry, and I can't deal with the non-tactile factor at general bead (all displays up on the wall...no bins of free-moving beads that you can handle...my personal HELL when it comes to anything creative!)
yeah. so Beyond Beads is the winner!!!
So ..yeah I have an addictive personality, as I have mention in other reviews. I find something I like and have to do it all the time! Meet my new addiction....BEADING. I sit for hours bending wire, placing beads, attaching clasps etc all for the gratification of my end result. Only to pick up make something else and start all over again .....until I'm left with all this jewelry (earrings to be specific).
Beyond Beads feed all my needs. good selection, good price, open when I needed them.... perfect for a beadhead like me!
if your in the market for some new earrings..you might find me downtown walking around with a big trench coat on........
I went into city to go to General Bead because of all the rave reviews about selection ETC.....after being hugly disappointed there, I was directed to Beyond Beads; and boy am I glad.
The place was great. Easy street parking, lots of natural light in the store(important when selecting colored beads!), a great selection, very reasonable prices and a very cool owner-guy that goes out of his way big time to find what you want. He disappeared into the back room several times when I couldn't find a few pearl sizes out front...and tah dah, he brought what I was wanting. I spent about $100 bucks and got a big bang for my buck. His pearl strand prices were particularly reasonable.
I would schlep it in specifically to go to this store!!! Great find!
Nice selection of semi-precious beads. I wouldn't make a special trip out here, but would definitely stop by if going to General Bead.
The girls who work here always help me out with little tips since I am fairly new to jewelry making. They have great beads and the prices are good too! Only bad thing is every time I walk in there I end up spending $25-$35!
Beyond Beads has an extensive collection of pendants and semi-precious. They are not so great with findings, but they do have them as well. They are more expensive than General Bead and less expensive than Yone, but you can pick up and touch most of the beads, which is nice.
Don't be fooled by the warehouse-junk-sale feel of the place, they have some GREAT beads at some very good prices. I could spend forever in there perusing the different colors and shapes of, well, everything. They had great corals and semi-precious choices! It is definitely the best bead store in the City...just make sure you go when you KNOW they'll be open!
A good selection of beads at decent prices. I made a necklace with stones and sterling silver pieces for under $12. While I was shopping around, I asked the woman behind the counter a question and got a surprisingly snarly answer. When I was ready to check out, however, she was as sweet as pie. Hmmm. Still, their selection was large and it was all just so pretty... four stars for this business.
Pretty good selection of semi-precious beads (better than some of the other shops I have checked out in the city) at reasonable prices. Not my dream bead shop but I would totally stop back in - especially if their hours weren't so crazy...so yes - call before you go to make sure they are open!
Great bead selection. Every bead store has a different style and selection - this store has a variety of beads and some cute charms and good chain selection. Prices are really good in comparison to other bead stores in the city. Nice staff, and if you buy over a certain amount - they give you a discount.
for all me beading needs, this is where i go. i come here and drop money that i don't have. i give up meals. i give up sleep. i give up my eyesight.
because i buy a bunch of crafty goodness here and then i stay up all night making pretty shiny things that make you go ooooooh.
been going here for years (even way before i lived in the city)
word of advice: call before you go. they have unpredictable hours.
This is a great bead shop! I don't really have anything to compare it to within SF but their selection is well organized (generally by color and type) and easy to navigate the store. Pick up a tray on your way in so that you can put beads, findings, etc. into it. Their prices are very reasonable. Make sure to check out the sale are in the back of the store. I saw some really cute stuff for cheap there! I found a great selection of semi-precious and glass beads. I made a necklace out of some cool glass beads I found there and have gotten a ton of compliments on it today!
This place is really great I don't really make jewelry, I went here for a fashion design project when I wanted to incorporate some beads into trims and fabric details on a few garments. I asked the girl working for some suggestions based on my theme and she was very helpful. Now that I know about this place, I want to get into making my own jewelry because there was so much cool stuff to choose from as far as shape, color, and material. There's a discount policy based on how much you buy as well.
This is my #1 local bead place. Great selection, well organized, good prices, easy parking. Owner is very nice and accommodating...go there!!
Great prices, compared to other bead stores in San Francisco. The staff was also very helpful when asking what techniques I should use in my jewelry making. The variety is amazing, but be prepared to spend some time in the store because you may have to "hunt" for just the right piece.
big selection of chain, especially on the chunky side. and jumbo clasps that don't look cheap, either. there's always lots of street (metered) parking right out front (or you can park on minna between 7th and 8th if you don't want to be counting the minutes). and the guy let me use their bathroom.
My favorite Bead shop in SF. Best selection and most reasonable prices. The only reason for four instead of five stars is that their hours are sparse and they are completely unapologetic about this. I was there one rainy Saturday ago and as they were closing at 4pm about 3 different people tried to come in. When the last guy peeped his head in the girl behind the counter bellowed "We're closed!" The guy asked "What time are you open tomorrow?" She bellowed back "We're CLOSED on Sunday!" Undeterred he asked "What time are you open on Monday?" She finally relented, "Monday we open at 10am". There was a tangible feeling that they don't really want new customers. And they don't post their hours on the shop door. Surprisingly though this lack of customer service is the norm for most bead shops in SF...leading me to the only possible conclusion that most of them may be mob fronts or maybe money laundering operations. But if like me you are dazzled, no, mesmerized by pretty sparkly things you'll find a way to overlook any foreboding feelings of nefarious activity and make the trek to Beyond Beads forgoing your lunch hour on a weekday because that is the ONLY time that they're open. Happy pretty-shiny-sparkly-thing making.
i have never bought anything in here but the place is amazing. if i was into beads i would come here - plus it's close to work!
I think I found the perfect new hobby: beading is creative and cheap! I really liked the prices at General Bead, but I like them even more at Beyond Beads. This store is not as fun as General Bead, but the prices are lower (maybe this is because the quality of beads is lower also, I don't know, because I'm an inexperienced beader). The employees were not as knowledgeable as the employees at General Bead (one even didn't know anything about beads) and the store is not as funky, but if you don't care about that, this is the shop for you.
great selection! great prices! the staff is super-helpful. my favorite beads store in the bay area!
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Arts & Crafts
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Jewelry
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Category: Arts & Crafts
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Art Supplies
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Jewelry
