"A bead is a piece of art that you can hold in your hand," states Chris Baker, owner of Love Beads. To walk into her store in the Towne Square Shopping Centre is to see that art come alive with possibilities. Whether you want to copy an expensive piece of jewelry found in the catalog of the finest stores, repair a precious heirloom, design a unique gift, take one of the 30 classes offered and/or join the beading craze that is taking America by storm, here opportunity awaits.
Owner Chris Baker, assistant manager and designer Lizbeth Bayliss and saleswoman Julimarie have developed a store where almost anything in the world of beading that can be imagined can be made. Offering free table time, infinite patience, the work of local consigned bead artisans like the lampwork glass of Donna Ballard and Leona Bryant, the Raku beads of Emerald Stacy, the Pyrex glass vessels of artist Brian Williams and the lovely and unique dichroic glass of Sandy Herrera, Susie Catlin water color & cards and Maggi cards, amongst others. The store is a testament to friendship, creativity and love.
Purchased in 2004 with the help of beneficiary and mentor, Frances Marsh, Love Beads offers beads and stones from around the world, including beads of camel bone and Coke bottles from Africa, seed beads from Japan, Czech glass, crystal including Swarovski, stones both precious and semi-precious, tools, books, attachments, design ideas and more, set to the rhythm of the original Putumayo world music also sold there.
You don’t have to be a beader when you walk in the door to be inspired and join in the fun, just a heart for beauty.
