Bead shops on oahu?

[gypsysoul3]

anyone know any good bead stores on oahu?

i was at the mapunapuna ben franklin the other day and this older woman told me about a bead store in pearl city, (was it bead mania? or something, i don't really remember).

anyway, i have yet to make it out to bead-it....any suggestions?  the ben franklin seems so pricey.
usually i just get stuff online, but it's just not the same as going into an actual bead store and rushing home to make something new......

[mikiala_midori]

I think it is called bead mania and it is in Pearl City in the Harbor Center or something like that.  It looks like a bunch of warehouses in the industrial area with Goodwill on the main street and there is a porn warehouse right before that Harbor Center place.  Sorry, I'm not real exact on where it is located I'm actually from the Windward side.  My boyfriend lives in Pearl City.

If you ever venture out to the Windward side Kailua has a Bead It, but they are pretty pricey and their section is limited.  I must say that the staff at the Kailua Bead It are very helpful and very nice.  I also like to go to this boutique type store called Global Village Marketplace near Starbucks in Kailua.  They have a small selection also, but they have a lot of natural looking items to bead with.  They have shells and some natural stones and things that look really nice on hemp, but I thik they would also look really nice on a suede string.  I also like to look at some of the jewelry there to get an idea of what i would like to make.

If you are close to Chinatown there are a bunch of places that sell beads on Mauna Kea Street for pretty cheap.  They mostl sell semiprecious stones strung together to make it easier to sell.  If I remember correctly they are pretty reasonably priced.

I hope this helps you a little bit.  My boyfriend's mom usually buys her beads online, too, but she also likes to go to that bead mania place.

[gypsysoul3]

wow, ok, i know just where that bead mania is....

i've been by that global village marketplace a bunch of times, but have never stopped in, next time i'm over there i'm gonna check it out, thanks!!!! i i live in upper kalihi, just over the mountain from kaneohe...so it's not too far.

and, wow! i'm always in china town. though, i've never thought to shop around for beads...
thanls for all your help! it's awesome!

[gypsysoul3]

just thought i'd tell you guys that there is a new bead store (been there like a month) in the 99 ranch  in mapunapuna (you can kinda see it from 78 hwy.) ( 1151 Mapunapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819)
it's called beadazzle (i think) but i went there the other day, and while they don't have tons of stuff, everything in the store is 1/2 off til the end of the month. and they have swarovski  beads for really cheap (i bought 100 AB 4mm beads for $7) i also got strands of gemstone beads for way cheap...($6 and $10)

just a thought. they guy working was really nice, and said he'd be getting more stuff in soon. he also mentioned he can order stuff wholesale....

happy turkey day!

[hellokittygirl808]

I was also going to post about the 99 ranch market shop too.  swarovski- 100 for $6 or 100 AB for $7.  The owner told me those prices are only for the grand opening.  But starting January you can join their membership program for $10 (for 6 mos.) and get 50% off everything.

Another shop is Lin's on Dillingham in the same shopping center as the DMV and Young's fish market.  swarovski beads are 100 for $8 and 100 AB for $9.

Creations By You on the corner of Liliha and Kuakini has a great selection of seed beads and specialty beads and czech beads.  As well as bead books and patterns.  Prices are reasonable.  But the swarovski are about $12 for 144 pcs.  And books very pricey.

Bella Beads on Dillingham by Costco IMO has the BEST selection of seed beads!!!!  My eyes get googly in the store just trying to look at everything!!!  It's a beautiful store!  Swarovski though are not too cheap.

If you are ever searching for bead books I totally recommend Hakubundo (a Japanese book store) on Kapiolani.  They only have books and mags with Japanese text, but the patterns shown are easy to follow.  HUGE selection.  I've checked ebay and these books sell for $22-$25 dollars but you can get them at Hakubundo for $14.

[gypsysoul3]

hellokittgirl,
thanks, most of those places are kinda near my house (i live in upper kalihi). i didn't realize there was a bead shop by the dilligham dmv. or by costco. hmmm...guess i know where i'll be going this week. thanks!

[1craftgrl]

I just seen this post but have you ever tried The Bead Gallery?  They are located in Ward by the FIrst HAwaiian Bank!  I've taken a few classes there and they have quite a selection of different beads.  You could also check them out online at:
www.thebeadgallery. com

Also, there is a Bead iT located in kaimuki. 

hope that helps

[gypsysoul3]

i haven't been to the bead shop in ward...i don't really like going there, it can be so crazy crawling with tourists.
but, i checked out thier site...
maybe i'll check it out. thanks!