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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Bead Shopping

I took my Mom up to Las Vegas yesterday to shop for craft supplies.  We had a great time.  Found a bead supply store that was huge. 

I've been going through withdrawals ever since we moved here from Olympia.  We lived right near Shipwreck Beads.  If you've never heard of Shipwreck beads, they are the largest bead store in the world.  They have a huge showroom (something like 8,000sq ft)!  If you've never been there, or heard of them, check out their website at http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/

The first store we visited yesterday was the Gem and Bead Mall on Sunset, right across from the airport runway.  The store is large, roughly half the size of Shipwreck Beads.  They have lots of findings and some beautiful pearl and stone products.  Their prices are good and they have a membership program.  For $45, you get a one year membership (or 2 yrs if you live out of town).  You get $30 off of your first purchase and a huge discount on products after that.  If you do a lot of beading, this is a great deal.  The only negative I found was that it was freezing in there.  The young woman said that it is always cold in the winter and hot in the summer because they have trouble with the heating/cooling system.  Since it is part of a huge warehouse complex, I can see why.  Here is their website - http://www.gemandbeadmall.com/

The other place we went to was Hobby Lobby in Henderson.  WOW!  I'd never been to one before.  We didn't have them in Washington.  That place was amazing!  They sold everything from home decor to scrapbooking to kids crafts.  We spent a long time in there, just looking at everything.  We found all of the items on our list (that we hadn't already bought at GBM) and never even went to Joann Crafts, even though we went to Henderson just to go to Joanns. 

One of the negatives to moving where we are now is that there are no good craft stores nearby.  I miss Shipwreck Beads and being able to run over to Joanns whenever I need that one finding or that special bead...sigh...

2 comments:

  1. Shipwreck Beads sounds awesome! Even one half that size would be fun to visit and shop in. All I have is Michael's here.

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  2. Shipwreck Beads IS awesome! You can order online from them, but there's something about holding those beads and stones in your hand!

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