Bead Freaks

Bead Freaks is at a convenient location on Main street with public transit and street/​neighborhood parking available. They do have some nice beads in wood, glass, plastic, crystals etc, jewelry parts and strings, chains etc. The store is small but it does have an ok variety and you just have to dig around for hidden treasures. You can get some of their nice hand-​made glass beads for 2 – 5 $ when similar beads sell for 5 – 10 $+ at Granville Island. They also have some sterling silver parts and pendants at the counter but they are definitely not cheap. Store keeper was nice and friendly. I would give it one more star if they have more selection.

This store is amazing, but you need to come in with a plan of what you want to accomplish. I had about 10 minutes of the owners time and I was careful to ask important questions, she was very helpful.

Worst customer service ever… what could be a pleasant crafty shopping experience, is actually a get in get out if you really need beads kinda thing

I bought a glass heart for a necklace I am planning on making. I bought it ’cause the heart is cute but really I had no reason to buy anything. I wasn’t feeling the customer service at all. I understand that the lady at the til was in her own world putting together a necklace, however, when they’re people in your shop you need to be somewhat engaged in them and interact. At least make them feel that their presence matters.
I am the guru of multi-​tasking. Hell when I used to do retail I did paper work while customers were browsing on the floor but I would ensure that their existence mattered to me. I don’t expect anyone to laugh at my jokes, in fact I am surprised when they do but the lady at the til seemed like a stone wall.
If it wasn’t for the bead I would’ve just walked out. I wanted to buy a skull bead for fun but considering that I wasn’t feeling the customer service, just bought what I needed.
There is a wide selection of beads, some pricier than others compared to what I’ve seen at other stores but still good.
I don’t have a Unilocal ap or an iphone but after reading on Flo. C’s review, I am glad that I’m not out of my league on the customer service part.
I think that I will take my bead business elsewhere to W.4^th. It is a bit of a trek for me but at least I know that I will get the customer service I need.
The extra star was ’cause I really liked my bead.

I used to love coming here and discovering drawers upon drawers of beautiful stones and trinkets. I’d always be greeted by friendly staff including their cute and happy doggy. However, on this occasion, I was taken aback by how rude and cold the shop staff was. I asked for some advice, but felt as though I was disturbing her from her work (she was only stringing beads). She tried to help but I guess she didn’t feel appreciated by the way she replied with a snappy remark, turned her back and carried on with her work. From then on I was invisible. I was never rude nor ungrateful so I was completely gobsmacked. I found a few things I would’ve liked to have bought, but just didn’t want to so I left.
Shame! I enjoy supporting the small businesses along Main, but will avoid Bead Freaks as long as that woman is there.

I tend to get one-​off items here – a pretty focal bead, a semi-​precious stone, etc. I once tried to find 2 pieces of turquoise to make matching earrings and couldn’t… which I don’t know if that’s good or bad. You know it isn’t some mass-​produced fake crap, but because there were only a handful of pieces of turquoise in stock, the selection was limited.
I find that the prices are Main Street level, but the quality is good. She doesn’t carry plastic beads and random art supplies, just real quality beads and stones.

It would be disastrous if I came in here and just tumbled into everything. If that happened the store would never be the same.
Everything is neatly organized into their respectful bins… stones beads, everything a «beader» can ever imagine. Ok, I’m not sure about that but they do have a lot of beautiful beads and stones here.
A little doggy name Grub also works here and he is so super cute. My dog went into his bed, stole as his toys and slobbered all over them but Grub was an ever-​so-​gracious gentleman and let her get away with all of it.
I definitely will be back here again.

Beads galore!
I don’t know how in my many years of beading/​crafting, that I have not stepped into this store before.
A tiny little store, with tons of different beads. Gems, jewels, semi-​precious stones, glass, brass… from all over the world… anything you need and want!
There’s this one large case with mini drawers, and the beads there are sorted by type/​category. It’s pretty awesome. Every time I open a drawer, a whole collection of different beads show up. These aren’t just any drawers, they’re deep drawers that you actually have to walk back a couple of steps to pull the whole drawer out. You can buy the beads in packs, and they also have them for sale individually.
Various types of beads are all available, and they all have a ‘theme’ to them. There was a drawer just for ‘shells’. Lots of chains for sale by the meter, and all the odds and ends for beading. Clasps, bead crimps, wire, basically everything and anything you need. For the newbies, they even have pre-​clasped ones, so all you have to do is to bead, and put on the other end of the clasp! It’s as easy as it gets!
I was in bead heaven when I was in the store. It closes at 6pm, so I only had a little more than half an hour to browse. I wanted to buy everything! Will be back for a longer visit for sure!