Beads of Contentment-Soul Beads

Love everything about Beads of Contentment! Holly is helpful, enthusiastic and supportive of all my creative projects. The beads and crystals I have purchased there have been of high quality and amazing energy!

A beaded bracelet of mine broke so I scooped up whatever beads I could salvage and eventually made my way here. I can attest for some of the other reviewers by saying the owner didn’t seem too enthused once she discovered I was only there to buy a $ 1 bead cord and on top of that was dropping my beads all over the place and basically had no clue what I was doing BUT after a few minutes she warmed up and helped me finish putting my bracelet together. She ended up being really nice and helpful. In her defense, I’ve worked customer service/​retail for close to 20 years and the public can definitely wear on you! So, I try to never take things like that personally because it’s rarely about you anyway-​unless you’re like the 5^th crazy, annoying person in a row to walk in ;) Upon leaving, she pulled out a large bowl full of blank tags. She told me to choose 1, turn it over and read my «message for the day» (Fun!!! Love that kind of stuff!!) it read: forgiveness :) We all need to forgive ourselves and others for being, well, human, imperfect :) I’ll definitely find a reason to get back to this magical little store soon! Thank you for your help!

So bummed! I have been to this place numerous times, and the past three experiences the owner has had poor customer service and was actually quite rude. It seems like if your not spending a whole lot of money you receive little attention which is unfair. I love to support local businesses but I find myself not wanting to return. I’m glad there is a regular customer base with good relationships but what about the new customers or those who can’t afford to spend a whole lot of money and looking for help with beading… I have seen those customers treated badly one too many times. Really unfortunate because this place has lots of potential.

This is one of my favorite escapes in the central valley. Holly has created an atmosphere that transforms me to other wonderful places. She has incense burning, wonderful music playing (she loves Van Morrison) and the place is decorated and organized so nicely. I love to bring friends who have never been here before and watch them get their creative groove on.

This place is AMAZING! Don’t even question it, just go here. The bead selection is ample, the atmosphere soothes my soul. The owner is seriously empathic and after having one conversation with her I felt like I was talking to an old friend. Coming to this place feels like a home away from home. Plus if you are a lover of making jewelry as I am, it couldn’t be a better place to hone your skills and create something wonderful in a peaceful, non-​threatening environment. It also helps that the beads here are of much higher quality and are much more unique than the ones at the craft stores around town. Come see for yourself.

This store is fantastic. I have stopped by several times in the past year and I have always felted so warm and welcomed by Holly. She has a wonderful soul and a gorgeous store! I am looking forward to taking some of her Saturday classes soon. This store is a wonderful part of downtown Modesto.

Best bead shop! Holly, the owner is welcoming, encouraging and helpful! Her shop encourages creativity and everything is touchable and well arranged.

I’ve been all over the world, and I’m telling you: this is the best bead shop I’ve ever found, anywhere.
I’ve been coming to Beads of Contentment since the 1990s, and the shop is truly amazing. The bead selection is astonishing, with beads ranging from stunning collectables for the serious beader to inexpensive treasures for the first time maker. You can find anything you want and need to make anything with beads at this shop.
Even more importantly, the owner is a fantastic hostess, curator, educator, and person, and her staff are well trained, friendly, and talented. Whether you’ve never made anything in your life, or you’re a super-​talented bead maestro, you will find yourself warmly welcomed at Beads of Contentment. There is a great space for making beaded jewelry in this shop, with all the tools you need, and you will leave with a beautiful gift, for yourself or someone special. If you’ve never made anything before, they will help you! :)
I mean it when I say that this is the best shop for beads anywhere! And it’s certainly the best shop of any kind in Modesto. Beads of Contentment will leave you content! They also play great music, the space is cheery and inviting, and everyone is friendly and in a great mood. Run to Beads of Contentment and create your masterpiece!
And don’t forget to select your word for the day!

Ive been to this bead store a dozen times and made my wife a few things. its a very nice place to spend a day or even bring your kids. the staff is very helpful and let you know that certain beads can be very pricey. but the only reason i would take a star off is because they are kinda hippy people who are into the energy of stones and they kind of cram it down your throat. other than that its a fine place

I’m a guy who knows nothing about beads or jewelery but I go in here and feel at home. They are just wonderful people who seem to love what they do and seem to love helping bead experts and bead amateurs as well. I have taken my kids here and it is a great family activity picking out bead materials and making things and a LOT cheaper than Color Me Mine. :-) Highly recommend.

I love this place! It’s a great bead shop in downtown. They have a huge selection of beads and the prices are decent. The employees are very nice and very helpful. The store is very organized and clean. One time on my way out I was asked to choose a paper from a bowl they had behind the counter… I think it was a type of fortune or something. I thought it was fun and a neat way to leave the store. The note or fortune was something positive to make you smile. That was a couple of years ago though. Great store, love it!

Looking to support local business and a fan of handmade bracelets I decided to check out this store. Since then I have been hooked. They have a welcoming environment, clean organized store, and helpful experienced staff.
My favorite parts of the store are the work table, word of the day in which I always get patience (JK) and if your lucky a sweet treat.
I am a huge fan of the shop and I highly recommend it.

I love everything about this place.

I love this store, it’s ran by great people and has a great supply of beads!

I made my first stop here today and I will be back soon. Their beads are lovely, the staff person was very pleasant, and I love the Nag Champa cloud. My sister came with me — she’s not a beader but she loved it too and was fascinated by the variety of beads. I liked the prices and they had some lovely seed beads in colors I don’t always see. I normally buy wholesale but the atmosphere was relaxing and, even though I live in San Leandro, I’ll drive down here whenever I get into the Cnetral Valley.

Hi Holly,
We love you!
Namaste
Tony, Stacey, Elena & Emily
Jai Guru Dev

As one can see from all the other positive reviews, this is a fantastic store.
I’d like to comment from the perspective of someone who does not bead as a hobby. I came here because my wife wanted to stop by. I ended up having a good time. The staff was helpful, but not pushy. And the wide assortment of beads – they have all kinds — made it impossible to get bored.
Stop by this store if you haven’t beaded before, just to try something new and different. You won’t regret it.

I have been coming here for over 10 years. While I mostly buy whole sale now I still stop in to pick up odd bits. I love how you have the scent of nag champa in your hair after you leave!
Only if Modesto’s down town area expanded with more cool stores!

OMG…
Beads.
How exciting!
I know, I sound pessimistic, and in some ways I am being just a tad sarcastic. But hell no, I won’t be negative when it comes to Beads of Contentment.
Modesto, while not the most awesomest place ever, is pretty fricken awesome when you look for it!
Right next door to «the bead shop» is the J street café which is dead to me now, since they don’t do poetry readings any more and poetry’s what coffee shops should all be about! (In my humble opinion.)
Across the street was the Covel, which was awesome to break into when it was still around. Now we got Brendan Theatre Plaza or whatever but still…
I love the bead shop.
Take a gal or if you’re a gal a guy and make a customized necklace for them.
Pretty romantic.
I know it’s not the beach, or something cool like hunting lightning bugs but this is pretty close.
Either this or the mall, your choice!
And one of the only truly Modesto date thingies to do besides In-​N-​Out or Graceda park.

I used to come here at least once a week when I was younger and spend hours in the store making jewelry while my mom ran errands. Everyone that works here is SO nice and always willing to help with anything, even if they’ve shown you how to do it oh, I dunno, 40 times?
The Bead Shop (as I like to call it) has an amazing selection of beads. The store is organized perfectly, too, with different areas for wooden beads, medal beads, glass beads, and so on, and all grouped together according to color.
There is also a good amount of more expensive beads (semi-​precious stone, antique, etc) and they are all absolutely beautiful. I have made many unique pieces here that I always get complimented on.
Suddenly…I really want to make some jewelry! Seriously, though, The Bead Shop can be addicting.