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Queen Bee Creations
Category: Shopping Fashion Accessories Accessories [Edit]
3961 N WilliamsSte 101
Portland, OR 97227
Neighborhoods: Boise, Mississippi
(503) 232-1755
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Queen Bee Creations
Review Highlights
25 reviews in English
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Review from Jenn C.
1/13/2012
I can't believe I haven't written this review yet! I first bought a Queen Bee vegan product when I was visiting a friend in New York City about 4 years ago - at Moo Shoes, in fact! I got this fantastic black bi-fold vegan wallet with "yes" and "no" embroidered on opposite sides. I still have this wallet and it's definitely a conversation piece - sometimes if I am in a transaction, I will hold up one side or the other instead of speaking the word and it always gets a giggle.
Fall 2009, I did a road trip to Portland on my motorcycle - and had the opportunity to pop into Queen Bee - and was very impressed with the quality and selection of items. Not being a purse toting female for the most part, and being on my motorcycle, I didn't buy anything on this trip but for the past two years, I was coveting the red on black poppy design which had gone out of production. Then back. But I didn't get it before it went away again but then - it returned! I joyfully placed my order for the most expensive accessory I have ever bought - and got a cute coin purse with blue birds on it as well.
The Truckette is big enough to fit an iPad and a book, hairbrush, wallet, handkerchief, coin purse, some pens, a phone and a moleskin (I know - why bother with the book, pen and moleskin if I have an iPad, I'm just that way).
Quality cruelty-free products with gorgeous designs and excellent workmanship. Highly recommended - go check out their store or their website pronto! -
Review from Janet M.
11/10/2011
Last year my husband didn't buy me a birthday present.
A number of people I knew had great looking Queen Bee bags, so I hustled myself in there and "he" got me a bag... and a wallet.
I love my bag. It's a workhorse, it holds all my social worker stuff and then some. And my wallet is awesome, it gets a ton of compliments, and it's so pretty and functional.
I gave a girlfriend a Queen Bee diaper bag and she adores it.
I think their stuff is expensive, yes, but totally worth it. Local, sustainable, pretty,functional. Nice.
Thanks, Honey.You done good. Forget my present again,would you?Listed in: where does Janet shop?
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Review from Simone T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/10/2011
I haven't been into the store but I bought a wallet from Queen Bee online and I am delighted with my purchase. I've been using my wallet for just over a month and because it's just so nicely laid and everything stays so neat and flat, even still, I'm a little excited every time I pull it out to pay for something.
I was a little nervous about making the purchase because they have a tough return policy (no returns unless there's something wrong with the item) but thankfully, this was better than I could have imagined. I have a few friends with other Queen Bee items, all of whom swear by them. I've never spent so much on a wallet in my life, but it's so good that when this one wears out, I will definitely be getting another one just like it. -
Review from Nicole L.
8/17/2011
Let's talk about how a girl from Philly ended up with a bag from Queen Bee.
Girl visits Portland.
Girl eats at the nearby dessert place one night and glimpses Queen Bee from the corner of her eye. Friend tells her, "That's a sewing shop, or something."
Girl eats at the nearby microbrew bike pub the next day, walks by the closed Queen Bee afterwards, and admires the cute display in the window.
Girl visits Queen Bee the next afternoon, before she leaves on the Amtrak train that night.
Girl ends up with an adorable purse (without a bird on it) which receives numerous compliments from random strangers around town who demand the name of the shop from which it was purchased.
"Queen Bee? Where's that?"
Girl smirks. "Portland."
(There's an online shop if you can't visit the airy studio and coo over the colourful displays and reduced-cost imperfect product corner. For those that are as lucky as the Girl, why aren't you there already?) -
Review from Eric B.
4/13/2010
I came up to Portland yesterday for a meeting at my son's school. It was a long day as I took the first flight up from Oakland and returned on the last flight back. That gave me several hours before the meeting to explore Portland a bit more. I had previously spent a lot of time Downtown, in the Pearl District and around East Hawthorne near Reed. This time, I decided on the Historic Mississippi District and received some great bacon- and chocolate-laced advice from Suzanne F. and Jen K. before I arrived.
I took the Red Line to the Rose Quarter Transit Center and then transferred to a #44 Bus, which dropped me off almost at the front door of Queen Bee Creations. I peered into the window and saw all sorts of neat wallets and bags. Unfortunately, they were closed, so I walked over to Mississippi for awhile and then doubled back before lunch.
Queen Bee Creations has a somewhat small, but comfortable and nicely appointed show room, and from the street, you can see their folks making the bags through the window. The person at the counter was super friendly and I ended up with a nice Maximo wallet to keep change and paperwork for our honeymoon trip to Portugal next week. There were also some seconds available for purchase at significantly reduced prices.
I liked their designs and their workmanship, even though as far as the larger bags go, I'm still struggling with the utility of messenger bags over backpacks. I also prefer a combination of heavy cotton twill with leather accents, and I struggle with the tactile feel of Queen Bee Creations' fabrics.
This place is also a local business and is in keeping with Portland's sustainable persona. The products here are attractive and of good quality, and if you can't make it to the factory store, the Queen Bee line is available throughout the Rose City, including Powell's Books at PDX on the way home. -
Review from Jen K.
Raising boys is a tricky business. It is also a lot of fun. But I do wish I had a little girl to accompany me on shopping trips. Someone who might actually enjoy the experience and not roll his eyes. So I was thrilled to finally make it to Queen Bee's factory and retail store after seeing their amazing bags, purses and wallets at boutiques around town. My son was not so thrilled, but he knew that ice cream was the next stop on our agenda.
It was pretty comical shopping with him, because he actually had an opinion about certain bags:
"Does it have a pocket for your cell phone?"
"Ooh, cool, this one has lightning bolts."
"Mom, this one looks like it has paddles for rowing."
I was shocked. The reason I timed my visit for today was that in addition to their normal sales for abnormal and flawed items (everything is handmade on-site so things happen), they are having a 25% off sale for the older seasonal collection and discontinued items. These are pricey bags, so that is a fantastic deal.
In the end, I selected the bag that was my son's favorite. "Get this one. Duck's colors!" I think I might send him back with his Dad on Mother's Day. Turns out my little one has excellent taste.Listed in: Retail Therapy
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Review from Shelli S.
San Diego, CA
9/19/2007
A while ago I was wandering through M-Theory . . .when they were at the corner near The Whistlestop (before the landlords over there got all greedy and up in their grill)
(tangents galore)
Annnnnnd .. . there was this Stylus Trucker, oh yessss, the STYLUS TRUCKER!!!
(http://www.buyolympia....)
It was up on a shelf, high up, I had to ask the store owner's girlfriend to get it down for me, and she did so, in her unruffled perpetual lovely graceful pixie way. She and her boyfriend are the consummate entrepreneurs, they know their scene, they know music, and they exude hipster lifestyle without being snobby scene-ster assholes.
I'll speak San Diegan:
I was ALL "I love Queen Bee, it's so cool you're selling them here, I must have it!"
And she was ALL "Yeah I know the woman who runs it so I bought some to sell them here."
First of all -- for years I've seen these precious bits of cool vinyl numbers and longed, oh yes! I longed to have one.
I strongly recommend, no, take that back, INSIST you go to this site and at least LOOK at what's she's offering.
If you're vegan you'll be happy because no cows are dying for these bags. Not a one.
You should also know she is part of the Buy Olympia Collective. This is website in Washington (http://www.buyolympia....)
Various people sell their art online to you, even if you live here, or there, they ship! http://www.buyolympia....
If you're into records and music you MUST wear one every day, because when people talk, you think in lyrics, and you laugh out loud at all the inappropriate meanings in context.
You needn't be without one, no you SHANT!Listed in: Thrifty Madness!
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Review from Jamie D.
2/21/2008 1 photo
I have never been to the store in Oregon, but I got my fabulous bag on http://www.buyolympia.com & I get compliments ALL the time & I just can't stop raving about my handbag!
Have you received that email about all the nasty stuff that is on a woman's handbag from her placing it on the floor or ground? Well... This type of handbag (or wallet, laptop bag, diaper bag, coin purse...) eliminates that problem because you can wash it with soap & water or clean it with wipes or whatever you have handy as often as you'd like! It holds up even with tough lovers like I am.
And the prices are oh-so reasonable!
I also must note that I had a drink with a loose lid spill inside my Queen Bee bag & it stayed contained! I cleaned it on the inside & the liquid never made it through to the outside.
Long live Queen Bee Creations! http://www.queenbee-cr...Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Lila T.
Mountain View, CA
4/28/2008
Queen Bee Creations makes terrific purses and bags. My purse (a "truckette") is the perfect size for me - big enough to carry a book and all the little things you need to put in a purse, but not so big so that it takes you 10 minutes to dig through it and find what you need. I've had it for about 3 years - It's very pretty and I haven't gotten sick of it in all that time, which is saying something. It's still in really good shape and seems pretty indestructible. More recently I also bought a messenger bag ("trucker") that I use to carry my laptop around in, which I also love.
One detail I like about both bags is that the strap is super adjustable - you can make it really long and then you have a cross body bag, or make it much shorter to carry on one shoulder or hang off the back of the chair at a restaurant without touching the floor (and it's very easy to adjust the strap). The bags are made of waterproof vinyl and lined with velvety fabric. You can clean them with mild soap and water. The snaps are non-magnetic (so no more demagnetized credit cards). -
Review from coral c.
Corvallis, OR
3/16/2008
Ever since I saw Jamie D.'s review, I have been coveting those darling Queen Bee bags. I'm not the type to shell out big bucks on something like a purse, so I waited until I could really afford it (yeah, i only lasted about three weeks, ha!) Just as I was about to order one, I noticed on their website that they were having a studio sale. Stuff for cheap? Sign me up!
So, I went down this morning, and there was about 60 people lined up outside. I looked over at my husband, who was brave enough to come with me, and started laughing. Now, I am a bit of a tomboy, and waiting in line to buy a PURSE was an absurd idea. I won't even wait in line to eat brunch on the weekends, and eating is one of my favorite things ever.
But the line moved quick, and we were inside. Lots of cute bags still to choose from, though I didn't see much that wasn't on the website. Seems like a lot of the new styles or one of a kind were already gone. I quickly picked out a couple things, which turned into a couple more, and soon enough, my poor husband was standing in the middle of the room with an armful of bags looking sad and lost. I know he was probably thinking "get me out of here!".
Anyhow, you really need to check them out. Great bags, all sorts of styles from change purse to laptop bags and diaper bags. They even sell baby clothes (Chickpea baby is their "other" line).
We were out of there in an hour with two swanky new Truckette bags, one of which was marked down 50%! I just want to sit here and stare at it. So cute. -
Review from Megan O.
5/13/2010
I've been shopping with Queen Bee ever since they were a one woman operation. It is truly awesome to see how far they have come!
I love their wallets. I have one of the larger ones that has 6 places for cards and room for dollar bills, change and a checkbook. Sometimes when I don't wanna carry my purse I just take out my wallet and go, it has pretty much everything I need in it. I also get compliments on it pretty frequently. In addition to wallets, they sell bike bags, baby bags and regular bags. I'm hoping to get one of those one day.
The designs are unique, everything is handmade and it feels good to support a business that cares about their employees and community! -
Review from Marsha Z.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2009
I remember the Queen Bee bags back when Otsu in SF used to sell them when they focused less on paper products. I always thought they were some of the cutest bags with their stitching and designs, and loved that they were handmade and non-leather. I'm not much of a bag gal, so spending $100 on one is hard for me to justify, but seeing them again in person, right where they're created, made it too hard to resist.
They did have a few bags on sale for nearly half the price, so there are some deals to be had. It's not a huge location, but there's enough variety of messenger bags, totes, wallets, and purses to find something to suit your liking. If you're not fortunate to make it to the studio in person, you can order her bags online.Listed in: Veg Oregon
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Review from Megan S.
5/30/2009
All Hail The Queen.
I get stopped all the time with compliments on my Queen Bee shiz and inquiries as to where one can purchase. I'm always surprised people don't instantly recognize her style, but not everyone can be in the know, ya know? And I notice some are ripping her off recently, but they're not the real deal so don't be fooled!
Always sturdy and worthy of the prices.
I live in Seattle and had always purchased Queen Bee online, but I was uber stoked to finally get to visit the studio on a trip to Portland.
Mad Dealz! If you haven't been--GO!
Kind of hard to spot, but I had read a Yelp review from Rebecca H. (8/7/08) that gave me some good describers so I knew what to look for.
I still regret not buying this gorgeous one of a kind purse that was a bit out of my price range. Its a steal when you know some of these items are a test product.
Oh, and the lady who was running the studio that day was like the sweetest thing ever and seemed like SHE was stoked to be working there. -
Review from Laura I.
Eugene, OR
11/1/2009
so, there comes a time once a year where I will spend a little extra cash on something I've been wanting/needing to replace for quite some time. Yesterday was a purse. My current purse had a large hole on the bottom, spilling out coins and pens and other crap thrown into the big black-hole-of-a-bag.
I yelped 'purse' and came across the yelp reviews, which were extremely influential in guiding me to Queen Bee studio.
And I did it, I bought a purse. It was expensive, but then again, it was locally made with love. And I absolutely adore it. -
Review from Jenny K.
Portland, OR
3/2/2011
Queen Bee Creations must be the ones who started the "put a bird on it" craze. I've had their cute bird wallet for ~4 years and still get a lot of compliments from random people. It's well-made, practical (see through clear plastic card holders), and very modern. And also super cute.
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Review from Jane A.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2010
I've been a Queen Bee customer for many years, and just now thought "hey, I ought to write a review!" I've purchased a Truckette and a Trucker. My friends have given me a clutch, and a wallet. All four of them have lasted me for years -- the Truckette, which is oldest, is 5 years old, and still holding up very well! I use it almost every day.
The materials are durable, the stitching is strong, and the design is beautiful... what more could you want? -
Review from L C.
Portland, OR
10/25/2010
So disappointing!
The designs are nice, but this business just lost me as a potential long-term customer.
I love hand-made high-quality items. I bought the big wallet at the recommendation of a friend. The craftsmanship was ok - not quite worth $50, but maybe on sale. However, I hated the wallet. It was too big to fit in a jacket pocket, so I ended up carrying it under my arm and it just kept sliding out and falling on the sidewalk behind me. Clearly a bad design choice for me. After two weeks I brought the wallet back to exchange for a smaller size,... and they wouldn't take it back... because I'd USED it!?!? What? So now I have a $50 wallet I hate and I'm carrying my credit cards round in a hair band. Classy. Thanks a lot Queen Bee. You could have had my gift-giving self for years to come, but I'm really, really not impressed.
Beware! No returns! -
Review from Cortney A.
Seattle, WA
11/20/2010
What more can I say about Queen Bee Creations? The bags look amazing and are impeccably made. They truly last forever. Despite my sizable collections of Queen Bee bags--I can't stop obtaining new ones. Their new designs are somehow always better than the last ones. Amazing. On their website, they describe one of their bags as "beautilitarian", and I think it's a perfect adjective for these bags.
Oh--and if you can make it to their physical locations, it's totally worth it. They always have unique items as well as items on sale. Also, the women working there are always super sweet. (One final reason to visit: Pix Patisserie is down the street...yum!) -
Review from Lisa A.
1/25/2009
Years ago I was looking for a cool messenger bag. I wanted something unique and cute. It was then that I just happened to stumble upon Queen Bee Creations. Voilá! Problem solved.
Rebecca Pearcy and the staff at Queen Bee hand make all of the purses, bags, and wallets in their Portland studio. When you receive your purchase in the mail you feel special because you're holding something in your hands that someone else has actually envisioned and created on a small scale (rather than mass produced and generic). Pearcy really appreciates the art of sewing and that is reflected in her designs which are unique and very cool. Another added touch: each purchase comes with a handwritten thank you note. Plus, if you've ordered from them before they actually remember your name.
They also carry a line of totes and bags made of recycled materials, a line devoted to baby bags and apparel and a new line of textiles.
What started out as a small idea has blossomed into a very creative venture. I love it when people succeed like this.
Yea Queen Bee!Listed in: Online Addictions
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Review from sarah m.
Coeur d'Alene, ID
3/27/2008
I was ashoppin in Spokane in this great store downtown and came across the coolest purse I'd ever seen. $50 bucks later I walked out with a bright yellow bag with a 45" on each side. Its beautiful. I get more compliments on it than anything else I have. People are always asking if I can change the records out, and then telling me about the old days when they used to listen to vinyl. I was so bummed when someone stepped on it and shattered my very own copy of I Eat Cannibals, so I promptly got out my xacto knife and replaced it. I carry my record purse everywhere with pride, and now I do switch um out. Thanks Queen Bee! You make men everywhere hit on me! I love it!!! And yes, I did replace the 45s with those in my own collection.
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Review from Patricia W.
Portland, OR
Seven years ago I picked out my first Queen Bee purse, the "messenger bad" with the flap. I carried that purse everywhere and got compliments GALORE on it, it holds everything!. Two years after my origional bag I picked up the 'tote' version they carried, loved it too in fact, I have loved it so much that the handle is crackling on it. I went back to where I got it and was told that they are 'discontinuing my beloved tote.
Well, my BF (being the awesome guy he is) suprised me today and brought me to this store on Burnside.... QUEEN BEE HEAVEN. I left there with not one but TWO purses, a tote AND another messenger bag. The greatest thing was the girl that worked there offered to take my beloved tote and fix the handles on it (for a cost but still!!!!) I now have 4 bags from Queen Bee and I am the biggest fan. I am not a purse collector at all but I love the versatility of these bags and the fact that they are made here in good old PDX! -
Review from Brian K.
9/21/2008
Fun place to visit. I bought a bunch of "seconds" and prototypes as gifts. The selection may be less than you would find at a store, but you might also find unique things and discounted things. And you can look down onto the manufacturing floor.
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Review from laura j.
San Francisco, CA
9/29/2009
so lovely! i've always bought queen bee products online (first through buy oly and then through the queen bee website), and have never been to the studio, but it's one of my must-do stops for the next time i'm in portland.
things i love:
drooling over cute new motifs
spotting rebecca's designs 'in the wild'
my wonder wallet! (and retired trucker) -
Review from Sara W.
Portland, OR
1/31/2010
I love my new Queen Bee creations. I literally just drove by the new location on Williams drove around the block and found my new favorite Portland based business. Get your own queen bee today! Stop in at the store and you may even find a deal on a prototype.
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Review from Rebecca H.
Dublin, CA
8/7/2008
Could not be better. We went to the store in a non-descript building on E Burnside, across from the fabric store. Go in the door facing Burnside and head upstairs. There you will find lots of bags, including some seconds with no discernible defects. We tried to find the problem, and even the lady assisting us couldn't really say why they were seconds, we couldn't find the "funky topstitching." I got a bag at almost 10% off, due to the unable to be found defect, and picked up one for my sister as well. I've been coveting the cherry blossom hand bag in brown with pink flowers, and now it is mine! I got my sister something, but wont say what because she's on Yelp and I don't want to ruin her birthday surprise! They also have wallets, totes made of banners that used to fly on Burnside, diaper bags with extra dividers and pockets, all sorts of stuff. The service could not be nicer or more helpful. They make the bags on location in Portland. Support a local business and get a cool sustainably, no animals harmed during the making of bag!
Listed in: Five Stars
