Comments on: If You Had a Bead Store…

By: Kathy Szmolke

Kathy Szmolke — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 23:30:06 +0000

All these ideas are great! I would only add that for those of us with bifocals, (yay.) it’s difficult if the strands are too high up. We have to look at them through the bottom of our glasses, so if they are too high, it’s very, very uncomfortable!

By: marion

marion — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 21:25:31 +0000

Just wanted to say if I had a bead store, I would be happy for the rest of my days. I would love to wake up every day and greet those lovely little seed beads and dazzling crystals. I would treasure every gemstone and lampwork bead. It would be heaven…

By: Janice

Janice — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 17:04:42 +0000

I included links to a store I found while on vacation. It is by far the BEST organized bead store I’ve ever been in. It’s a fairly small, long and narrow space. It’s bright and clean and did I say incredibly well organized? The display shelves don’t seem very big, maybe 4′ long x18-24″ wide. She uses little boxes for her loose beads, organized by color, type, material and possibly shape. If I remember correctly she has a little light over each shelf so you see everything perfectly. She has both shelf and hanging displays, as well as a little drawer display that is well marked so that you see what’s available at a glance.
Her site has a few pics of her store but not enough to do justice to her organizational skills. It’s amazing how she has maximized the use of her space.
I hope the links help give you some ideas. Enjoy your new adventure!

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=377339842290124&set=pb.368050223219086.-2207520000.1383840987.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-frc3%2F431118_377339842290124_202325897_n.jpg&size=600%2C400

beadapalooza.com/

By: Wendy @ Heartfelt Creations

Wendy @ Heartfelt Creations — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:13:26 +0000

Hi Marlene, Oooh I’d love to work in a bead store! I agree that by type, and then by colour is best. Hanks on the wall and also containers of beads flat on the tables. You asked about the small stacking drawer units. A local store has these and I find them very frustrating to browse through! One thing I did like about a local store is she had hanging bags with bead mixes in them (of one colour). A good way to get rid of beads you are discontinuing, or don’t prove popular as singles, just mix them up. I imagine they would be popular with beginning beaders, so they can get started on a project easily without getting overwhelmed choosing from all the individual beads. Another bead store here in London Ontario uses clear acrylic cubes for storing spacers, bead caps, etc. There’s a picture of these here:
plasticonline.co.uk/retail-displays/square-containers/acrylic-container-300mm-x-300mm-x-200mm-wdh-/prod_16450.html
They are stored edge to edge under a glass display counter with the prices on stickers on the bottom of each container, and it looks very sharp. Enjoy your new job, it will be fun I’m sure!

By: Lara

Lara — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:05:25 +0000

I think one category missing from the comments is shape. I think you should sort things first by shape, so that someone who wants to make a particular type of earring and needs 6 mm smooth round beads can find many options in the round smooth beads section, grouped by type of stone. Of course, this will flummox the person who wants to make turquoise earrings but doesn’t mind the shape at all. Best to see what most people ask for first – shape or stone, then prioritize the most popular category. Good luck, sounds like fun to me!

By: Wendy @ Heartfelt Creations

Wendy @ Heartfelt Creations — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:51:47 +0000

By: Sheila Davis

Sheila Davis — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:10:45 +0000

I agree about sorting by type. My family owns a bead store in California. It is kind of long and narrow so when you walk in there are gemstones on both sides of the wall, hanging from pegs with strands of coordinating Chinese crystals mixed in. They have all the Czech glass on the back wall, seed beads are on shelves that line both walls sorted by size, then color. Below the shelves are counters with small Pyrex dishes for loose beads that are sunk down into a hole cut the perfect size for the dish, so they don’t tip over.
They always have a nice display of current new product on an island counter in front so people can see what’s new. They also have one in back for all the Swarovski crystals. Sterling is kept behind the counter on a wall or in a case by the register. Also along a back side wall are packages of findings and odd seed beads, like Delicas. The center of the store has 2 tables for people to sit at and learn or chat. Hope this helps!

By: Marlene Hoffman

Marlene Hoffman — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:08:53 +0000

Hi all, thanks for your comments. The consensus is to group by type which I agree is helpful. What do you guys think about those small stacking drawer units to store the single spacer beads, etc.? I thought we could glue a bead on the outside front of drawer for quick identification. Right now they are stored in trays stacked on top of each other. In order to see them all you have to move the trays around. I’ve been searching the internet for merchandising ideas but if anyone has pictures to share, that would be awesome. Again thanks for taking the time to comment.

By: Lynda Carson

Lynda Carson — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 15:43:05 +0000

When I was just starting out, I only made earrings, purchasing two beads at a time, not a whole strand.
I love that my local store had the strands on the wall and small dishes of individual beads on the counter tops for me to choose from. Large selections of gem stones, crystals, pearls, and glass.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:14:12 +0000

I used to work in a (very nice) bead store and am also good at organizing!
The best way, I think is by type and colour with enough space between similar categories that there is no confusion–(base metal was not next to sterling for example) Czech glass separate from reg glass , Swarovski on its own wall, same with gemstones, metals , seed beads, Tierracast , findings, tools, supplies.All of these were hung either by strand or tube on slat board and inexpensive beads were in containers on tables.Also on tables were new items, artist beads, samples, one time purchases, sale items.
Containers to display beads can be found inexpensively at 2nd hand and dollar stores (say, vintage beads on a silverplate tray, or glass on a glass tray…you get the idea). Guest towel t-stands are great for hanging strands.
Hope that helps…I could also do a list of what I thought they did wrong and what customers communicated to me about what they didn’t like and why I left….put it this way: think about stores (not just bead) that you don’t like to shop in and that will guide you….

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:37:09 +0000

I agree with above. Definitely separate by type, so no glass by Swarovski Crystal or gemstones. Then go by color. However, make sure that you have enough space for the hung strands. There’s nothing worse than tangled strands when you want that particular bead. Beads in smaller amounts (usually charms or precious metal beads) should go in divided table areas.

By: Drake

Drake — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 15:00:43 +0000

For me, I would start by sorting by material. Personally I prefer working only with stones, so I want to go into a store and see a section that is just gemstone beads. After that, I would sort into color. And after that I would go down to shape and size.

For the most part, I think you will get the most bang for your buck if you hang any strands or hanks on the wall. Individual loose beads are fine on tables or in trays, but they should also ideally be sorted by material, color, size, and shape.

By: Keith@Vintage Crab Jewelry

Keith@Vintage Crab Jewelry — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 14:38:20 +0000

I would say group them by color. That would be very helpful and could look very attractive if done right.