After agonizing over what to wear tomorrow night to kill off the boredom your bio class heaped on you this week, you will run into the age-old question: What accessories go with this outfit? If you're looking for something to personalize your outfit, make a statement or just get away from that tired Tiffany necklace from last season. It's time to take up beading.
Just five minutes up Scottsdale Road, tucked in a plaza behind, Burger King, sits the Beadbox---a store that will answer all of your accessory-driven prayers.
Located at 1290 N. Scottsdale Rd, Beadbox is filled to the brim with every color, shape and size of bead you could imagine.
Maacha Holt, an employee at the shop, says she's there to help anyone trying to create the necklace, earrings or bracelet of their dreams.
"We'll walk through the store, get to know their personality and help them pick out what they like," says Holt, whose own love for jewelry-making brought her to the store a year ago.
There is a designing fee depending on the intricacy of the work, but those wishing to really learn the tricks of the trade can take advantage of classes held at the Tempe store or at two other stores located in Chandler Fashion Mall and Arizona Mills Mall.
Holt recommends customers give themselves at least 40 minutes to peruse the lines of boxed beads, decide on a design and have their piece made.
And the best part is it's not too expensive for the starving college student's budget.
"The average bracelet will cost about $15 to $20 for a customized piece," says Holt.
"But you can create things to go with anything."
The store carries beads made of glass, Swarovski crystal and natural materials like freshwater pearls, but definitely no plastic, Holt says.
Those interested in just browsing or buying already-made pieces can find beaded necklaces and large ornate charms made by local artists in the store as well.
If you're willing to take about a 20-minute drive from campus, Another Bead Please, located at 1840 E. Warner Road is sure to get the artistic juices flowing as well.
The store, nestled between a bridal shop and a medical imaging office in the McClintock Fountains Plaza, boasts that it's the place "where the fun is."
A makeshift castle sits in the back corner surrounding a red, crushed velvet-covered roundtable, with a large royal throne seated at the head.
Lisa Koeller, manager of the store, says the corner is great for children's birthday parties, beading classes and after-hour parties where the store has hosted the likes of sororities and work groups.
Groups rent the store and are charged according to what they make, Koeller says.
"They get together to have fun and we allow them to bring in food, beer, margaritas," she says.
Calling two weeks in advance to reserve the facility is recommended.
Aside from beaded bracelets and necklaces, customers can make decorative houseware such as beaded fan pulls, curtain wraps and candle holders.
Even guys are getting in on the action, making leather-corded chokers or sterling silver necklaces, Koeller says.
Like Beadbox, the store offers a variety of classes for all ages.
Seated at the red table, waiting for a class on Peyote beading to begin, Horizon Community Middle School student Alex Coomans, 12, says he has been going to the shop for the last three months.
"I like to be here for fun and sell them to make some money," says Coomans of the jewelry he's made at the store.
"I saw things and thought I could make it 10 times better myself," he says.
Koeller says customers can take a class and learn various beading techniques so they don't need the employees' help when they come in.
But "helping people is one of my biggest enjoyments," says Koeller, who was wearing long, silver-and-turquoise-colored chandelier earrings she had made.
"It's very exciting being able to make your own jewelry and it's very gratifying when you're wearing something and people compliment you on it."
For more Info call: Beadbox at 480.967.4080. OR Another Bead Please at 480.785.8585
Reach the reporter at jennifer.girardin@asu.edu.
