Arton Beads Craft

Quite an extensive range of beads, findings and semi precious stones. They are really well priced compared to their other bead neighbours and the staff here are much friendlier. The ladies patiently answered my questions and helped me find things around the shop.

Best bead shop on Queen Street in my opinion. Most of the time this is the only place I need to go to because they have everything I need at an amazing price. Staff is pretty nice, though sometimes there can be a language barrier with certain workers.
It is worth it to get the membership card. I believe you get it when you spend $ 60 in one shot or accumulative across a month. If you make lots of jewelry, then it won’t be hard to get to $ 60. With the card you get 50% off certain expensive strands of goodies and you also get exclusive discounts.
No surprise that this is the busiest bead shop out of all the stores nearby.

I’ve been to pretty much all the jewelry supply stores in Toronto and this is the clear winner without doubt: great selections and prices, and friendly and knowledgeable staff. Their selection of beads (in their higher end store — they have 2 stores right next to each other) is especially impressive and for pretty much everything they carry, it’s hard to find better prices elsewhere, even on eBay. Arton Beads is certainly one of the very rare local stores (especially in the middle of downtown) that have such unbeatable pricing.

I went here while on a business trip and had some down time. Where to start. The ladies were great with customer service, didn’t feel like they were eyeing me while I was browsing (which is great considering most jewelry supply company’s do this) was able to find stuff I’ve seen online but didn’t want to buy in bulk over eBay So picked up pieces I wanted. They range from all prices for charms alot of stuff that u can actually see how big it is and kinda put pieces together. Since I was flying back they gave me a card to order threw the website. They are alittle more pricey if u buy per piece but all in all love this store

Arton Beads is two stores side by side at 523 & 525 Queen St. W., Toronto. One store sells semi-​precious stones and precious metal findings (among other things) and the other sells seed beads, base metal findings, tools, packaging (boxes & bags) pendants, rings, bookmarks, charms, you name it! I’ve been in both stores on several occasions and they have practically anything you need. Every nook and cranny is literally jam-​packed with stuff, you could easily browse there for a long time. The space is very tight so be prepared to get up close and personal with fellow shoppers. Arton’s prices are very reasonable and there is always stuff on sale. They have a membership deal where once you spend $ 60 before tax (this can be combined over several shopping trips, just keep your receipts) you can get a card which gives you 15% off regularly priced items. The service is not bad, the staff have limited English and they aren’t the types to stand around chatting about your latest beading project but they always answer my questions. The store doesn’t have a parking lot but you can generally find a spot on Queen St. where there is metered parking$ 2.50/hour, 3 hour maximum) but be wary of the parking restrictions during rush hour, they are actually different on the north and south side of the street.

there are 2 sides to this store. the left side and the right side with a wall in between. i went in on the right side. i showed the lady what beads i needed and she took me to the area where they were. then i saw the prices and asked why so expensive? english is not their strong suit here. i never really got an answer and she spoke with another lady at the counter. so i paid and then went next door.
this is the side i should have been in!!! this is where all the plastic beads and more economical items are! and i literally replaced everything i had shown them with the cheaper stuff!
so i go to the counter and explain i was just next door and what happened. in her most aggressive voice and tone. she yells at me: no refund! i’m like: i JUST bought the stuff next door! like 5 minutes ago. she yells back at me: NO! so i ask to speak with a manager (i don’t scare easily!)
some man comes up to me and he says next time make sure you have bought the right stuff! (who knows what was said to him as they were speaking their language in front of me) i say to him: i did ask and your staff next door but they don’t speak english very well. he gave me back the difference between the two sales and tells me not to be rude!
i said: no problem! i won’t be coming back to give you my hard earned money and i will tell any friend not to come here as well!
go across the street to bling bling! they are awesome!

Don’t expect any good service here, especially from the owners. customer service isn’t exactly on the list of priorities here. On numerous occassions I have seen staff very friendly to regular customers (hint, people who drop a few hundred dollars) and if you aren’t a familiar face, good luck to you.
Beads here aren’t the best but they aren’t the worst either. Don’t expect high quality.

With the disappearances of the once-​ubiquitous Lewiscrafts, I find it’s not easy to locate the specific thing I need for crafts. I wanted a leather cord to make a necklace, and my local Wal-​mart proved disappointing.
This place is fully stocked for all kind of beads, chains, buttons, jewelry-​making materials, clasps, fasteners, etc.
Every wall and available surface was covered with product, but it still felt reasonably well-​organized. Each type of tiny widget or doodad came in a tiny plastic bag, and were hung up neatly on hooks on the walls. It only took me a minute to locate what I was looking for.
I’m not a huge craft enthusiast, so I can’t offer an expert opinion on the selection, but it sure felt like this place was well stocked!
Maybe it’s a language barrier thing, but I felt like service was a bit lacking. Anyway, the prices were reasonable, and I give this place a thumbs-​up.

You can really spend HOURS at this place… For me it was 1.5 hrs (gosh it didn’t feel that long). I was looking for glass beads, pearls, wires for a wedding centerpiece idea. We’ll see how it goes.
I purchased most of the items at Arton and was very pleased. Customer service was friendly & helpful. They even helped me with a bracelet as I had a feeling it was not going to fit a friend.
Their selection was quite large. I think it’s safe to say their selection is prob the best on Queen Street. I was honestly a little overwhelmed at first. I wish they made a door in between the two units so I didn’t have to keep going back and forth. The units are 23 & 25.
If you spend over $ 60 u will get to be a Arton member and enjoy some discounts!

I could spent way too much time and money in this place! The selection of beads is great and the price is quite reasonable. I often find myself buying far more beads than I know I’ll ever use (at least I’m stockpiling a great collection so I’ll have something to do once the zombie apocalypse hits! hehe).
There is a slight language barrier with the staff, however they are still very friendly and helpful so it’s never been an issue.

I used to come here back when I was in high school going through a beaded necklace and bracelet phase.
I came back not so long ago when I needed to resize a bracelet of mine and remembered how great this place is. All the jewellery making things you need are here and I get inspired every time I go there. The staff is great — they’re helpful with advising how best to do things and where items are. The stores (there are two actually stores, side by side) is unpretentious, a bit cramped but packed with goodies. My favourite bead store in Toronto.

I have shopped there in the nineties when they (names witheld) were running the place with just a couple of girls helping them. Originally he was on the floor to help and was at the cash for questions, help and cash out, but now the place just runs itself.
They have the best selection under one roof bar none. And the owners are really nice people unlike what Diva Dee who gave a really bad review says of the place. Most of the girls working there are new Canadian Asians so their english isn’t great.
They’re as nice as anyone else, they’re definitely not rude. They usually are very busy and I wouldn’t advise going on a saturday afternoon if you require special attention. I would have loved to have been there when DivaDee threw her tantrum.

Everyone I know has been into Arton Beads at some point for something — located in the heart of the fashion district they sell every shape, size and colour of bead you can possibly fathom. They also sell Swarovski crystal components, and less pricey but equally beautiful Czech crystal beads. You can find lots of interesting jewelery findings and settings to explore your creative side.
They finally implemented a loyalty plan with a membership card that gives a 10% discount if you spend over $ 20. You have to spend over $ 60 in one purchase to qualify for the membership; and there is a rewards stamp card now available too. These programs weren’t around when I was starting out making my own jewelery.
Almost all of their inventory comes from John Bead — who is the local wholesale distributor of beads and Swarovski components. Their store markup is not too ridiculous, and if they don’t have something in stock but it’s available from John Bead they can order it in for you. Shop around the other bead stores on the same block because sometimes you’ll find the same items for a little less.

I love the selection in this store. They have most everything at fairly reasonable prices (though you will find some stuff a bit pricier than other nearby stores). Its very easy to abuse your membership which you get if you spend at least $ 60 in one go and it lasts about a year. You get 10% off purchases of $ 20 or more. I came in once needing 1 teardrop bead ($ 3) and left with over $ 20+. stupid membership making me spend… anyways its definitely one of the stores to stop at if you are visiting the crafting/​fabric area in Queen West between Spadina & Bathurst.

Frequented by SERIOUS beaders/​jewelry makers, Arton is the place to go (even for hobbyists like me).
They expanded a couple of years ago into the store next door as well — now it’s a LITTLE bit less crowded… still, it’s worth cramming yourself down the tight aisles for a fabulous selection at the best prices in the city!

Fact: This place sells beads. Beads. Beads. Beads. Don’t go in there thinking «Oh, I hope they sell feathers ’cause»… oh wait, they have some of that too. Silly me!
Aside from having walls and containers of beads and the like, as well as everything you need to make your own jewellery and accessories, this place also offers up inspiration for your next project. I mean how can it not with that selection of beads? When I have a hankering to make some necklaces, very seldom do I walk into that store looking for a specific something. I go there with a clean slate and an open mind and let the ideas pour in.
If that’s how you proverbially roll, then I suggest you come here.

Beads, jewellery making supplies, accessories, and more.
This is always my 1^st stop when I am in a creative mode! The selection is great. Lots of types/​styles in all sorts of price ranges. You really can create some spectacular jewellery for next to night.