Brooklyn Bead Box

I traveled from manhattan to the Brooklyn Bead Box for a ring making class. I called to book a seat and paid $ 50. The jewelry making supplies (two cheap stones, were not included in the price)! I then saw the same thing on groupon for $ 25, but the staff basically told me too bad/​tuff luck — they wouldnt honor the groupon. The selection of beads was unimpressive (plentiful but uninteresting and cheap). I bought a neclace for $ 20. When the cashier asked the manager to waive the $ 1.50 for my two stones, she said No. The class was boring and the teacher didnt really seem to be into it. The shared table was cluttered and dirty. The staff was unfriendly. There were some folks making jewelry that looked like they were locals so it wasnt empty so I guess that is good for the owners. I thought it was bad business not to honor the groupon and then charge me a buck-​fifty after I spent 70 dollars. Bad business model. I would not go back and would definitely not recommend it. Find another place for jewelry making! Trust me! But if you must go… use a groupon!

I recently purchased some magnetic clasps here and made 3 very lightweight bracelets. The magnets are so weak that the bracelets kept falling off. I just bought some new clasps online that are terrific. I don’t think the owner of this store is very experienced or would not be selling these inferior products. I also needed some copper colored clasps and jump rings to attach to a bracelet and necklace. When I got home I found out I was sold closed jump rings which are useless for attaching a clasp. I was really hoping I had found a local bead store I could go to instead of buying online all the time. The owner was very nice but doesn’t seem to know her craft that well.

Been taking classes here since the summer and I’ve really enjoyed my experience so far. Everyone is friendly and helpful. I’ve learned how to make charm bracelets, earrings, tennis bracelets, and knotting my broken pearl necklaces. The classes are small and intimate. I would definitely recommend coming here with a friend or even by yourself to learn a thing or two on making your own jewelry! What a fun way to spend an afternoon before heading out to dinner at a local spot nearby!

Note: This review is not for the store itself, but for the Tennis Bracelet workshop I took.
I signed up for the Tennis Bracelet workshop deal that I found on Living Social as a birthday gift for my mom. Having taken a jewelry making workshop before at Brooklyn Charm in Williamsburg, I was excited to take a class closer to my apartment and to share the experience with my mom (it was her first jewelry making workshop). To preface this, my mom was about 15 minutes late for the class. Not acceptable. That’s understandable. However, the way she and the rest of us were treated by Erin, the workshop leader, was even more unacceptable. My mom struggled with making the bracelet, which makes a lot of sense since most people don’t make jewelry for a living. Erin was visibly annoyed the entire time and should’ve either said we should reschedule because she was annoyed about people (not just my mom) being late or sucked it up and taught the workshop respectfully. The entire experience was awkward and uncomfortable for everyone. Erin gave us such attitude and seemed like we were doing her a favor by sitting through the class that WE PAID FOR. THE BEADS WEREN’T EVEN FREE WITH THE CLASS! Ugh. We spent the majority of the two hours in SILENCE. She was unclear with a lot of her directions and assumed that things were intuitive, but they were not. It was actually a very time consuming and intricate process. By the end of the two hours, we should have felt accomplished and excited, but we only felt a sense of relief that we did not have to hear her annoyed tone any longer. There was another older woman that took the class that spoke to us afterwards and she wanted the name to the other workshop I attended at Brooklyn Charm because she was also unhappy!
The irony of the situation is that there was a sign in the shop saying that it was a relaxing environment and that we should silence our phones. LOL. There was nothing relaxing about the experience at all. I was very disappointed and would not take another class with Erin again if she is the only instructor there.

there is nothing wrong with their beads but they are so unprofessional. I left a necklace to be fixed, upon dropping it off i said, «i am going to be moving 350 miles away in three weeks, will it be done» they said yes no problem. That night i got a call: i was missing a piece. I brought it over in the early afternoon the next day. I stood there and waited a full ten minutes for the girl to get off the phone (some groupon promotion had apparently generated a lot of questions). it’s not a big deal, i was not n a rush, it’s just worth noting because of what came later. Fast forward over two and a half weeks later and all of a sudden i realize they never called. So i call them, guess what? it’s not done. They say dont worry come get it tomorrow, thing is I was leaving to move in about 36 hours. I dont know if you have ever moved a family of four across the country by yourself, but it’s kind of a bad time to have to be running errands. I had ‘pick up necklace’ on my list but when push came to shove, i had to prioritize being there for the movers over getting the necklace. This necklace was my mothers and I really cannot not get it back. So i’m now all moved and i remember the necklace. I call them and ask if they can send it to me, the owner starts talking about how expensive that would be and i say. well here is the thing i asked you when i dropped it off both days if it would be a problem getting it done, and both days you said no problem, but it turns out it was a problem and i think you should just send it to me. So the owner, a woman who is apparently an adult, starts mocking me. She asks for my address, i give her the majority of the address and i ask her to wait so i can look up the zip (ive been here two days) and she says she cant wait. so i say, well last time i was there i waited ten full minutes for the nice girl to get off the phone, so somehow i think you can wait thirty seconds. Then she asks me about waiting ten minutes so i explain about the call and the groupon and how it was fine, but it was literally ten full minutes so then she starts mocking me again and just saying literally over and over again and then she hung up on me. I cant wait to call back today to get the tracking number.

Honest (literally) to goodness relaxation in a playfully educational environment. Thanks Elise and Julie! #i’llbeback

I came here recently to take the charm bracelet making class with a girlfriend of mine. I randomly found the class online, and called last minute. The woman that took my reservation was very sweet, and helpful. She helped accommodate us so we would be able to participate in the class that evening.
Based on my experience, I will most definitely be coming back for a different class. I had a great time!

Went back here 4 years later and had a great experience. I had a necklace in need of restringing. A kind woman offered to help me restring it then and there, and also untangled a knot I couldn’t get out for months. Turned out to be extremely cheap too!

I love this place, it’s a great little spot to tuck into when you want to have some quiet and creative time. The staff is very helpful, they offer classes and services without pushing it. I enjoy just going in to make some jewelry and either stick to myself or talk with the women who own and manage it. My only complaint is I wish they had a bit wider a variety of bead styles however their selection is great for the space that they have. Give a try if you have a day to yourself or one with girlfriends.

took a fun class with my friend. staff was really nice. we took home some cute bracelets. nice selection of beads. will return
PS Sharon is great!
I did return & earring class was excellent!

Had wanted to try out a jewelry-​making class that was affordable– enter BBB via Living Social for $ 19.
Have already been here twice for Wire-​wrapped Rings (beginner) and Wire Cuff Bracelet (advanced), and really enjoyed them both. Made 3 wire-​wrapped rings during the class, and probably could’ve kept going. The wire cuff was definitely more time-​consuming and required more patience, but we got to finish our pieces. The staff/​instructors are very friendly and helpful.
This is something I see becoming a hobby as you can bring your own projects and use their equipment for free (and no sitting fee wooo).
Do note that if you do use their beads, which you can pick out from the store before you start, you will have to pay for these separately, at the end (I say this because I took another jewelry making class, and they provided some cheap beads, which was included in the price).

Bought a Groupon deal, I was very excited !! But i couldn’t show up to the class because of an emergency, I tried to explain, but BBB wouldn’t even bother to help me out, they just focused on their store policy. (must cancel your class before 48 hours if you cant make it) which i understand, but customer service is really important now a days. Businesses get out their policy and try to be understanding, Either a discount or money back or even a Free Class. I bought 2 classes at $ 19.00 Each Total of $ 38.00 LOST … Imagine i would’ve paid $ 40 – 45 ea. i would’ve lost $ 80-​$ 90…all they said was «I’m sorry we cant do nothing» …SMH Really Disappointing… This Review is based on Customer Service. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICES ORIENTED!!! No type of genuine care for clients to resolve disputes.

I stopped in to convert some vintage clip-​on earrings into dangle ones and ended up staying for hours. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the store has a great atmosphere (great music, lots of light) that made me want to stay. I made two necklaces and a bracelet and had an awesome time doing it. I will definitely be back.

The Bead Box is a nice little neighborhood bead store. They have a pretty good selection, super helpful staff, and good pricing.
I took off one star because sometimes their selection can be a little lacking. If you’re not up for the trek up to the fashion district bead stores, pop in here and getchya jewelry on!

A few years ago when I first started to bead on a loom, I was given bad advice from one of the staff here. She suggested that I use the more expensive fireline as my warp threads which ended up being quite costly and downright wrong. Fireline is too elastic to use on a loom. Nylon thread is better.
The materials are also expensive. For those who live in the area, it’s best to go to the «bead district» in midtown.

Fantastic place. So much fun with the kids. Manager was super helpful. Would definitely come back again.

I can’t promise you as fabulous a time as my daughter and I had, but I would say if you are into beading and great service, then it is worth the risk. The bead selection is great and the woman working there, Erin, was super helpful, supportive and fun to work with.

Brooklyn Bead Box. First of all, I’m in love with the name. Secondly, as I start to become more of a girly girl, I am also becoming more crafty. I’m in the process of creating my wedding bouquet and I am on the hunt for cute and funky accoutrements to add to my project. Sharon was so helpful and gave me all the ins and outs of the store. She even told me I could bring my broken jewelry to get repaired! I could have stayed there forever, picking and choosing beads, stones and crystals. I left with a 20% discount on my stuff, a punch card and a cheesy smile on my face. Thank you for the exceptional service and as I’m writing this, I’ve already been back to fix my earrings and chain.

Modern day quilting circle!
I have never written a review of anything ever online but the bead box has made such a huge difference in my life I feel compelled to sing their praises. I have developed a hobby because of this store and the women who run it, it has brought so much happiness to my life… I can’t thank them enough.
The store is very warm and inviting, the women who teach, run and own the store are so great. The vast majority of the patrons are really great as well, on any given day you walk in, sit down, and work on a project and not only get to be creative but also get to know some really interesting people you would never to talk to under any other circumstances. So cool!
Thank you Thank you Thank you so much Sharon, Natalie and Erin you are all so great!!!

Loved the Beginner’s Ring Making class! This was my second class here and I really enjoyed myself. This time, we were taught by a very hip short-​haired woman with glasses (having too much fun to remember her name) and I believe a nose ring… She was so funny, I was cracking up so hard.
Basically, you walk in and you’ll see a handful of women working independently on their projects at a huge table. We were asked to pick out the beads we wanted to use, and we were supplied with all the tools and wire. There were 4 women in the class and it looked like we all had different levels of crafting abilities, but we all did fine. One of the best classes I took because if you kept to a good pace, you could have walked out with 4 or 5 completed rings.
Unfortunately, I had the mishap of making my first ring too small, got it stuck on my right ring finger, and struggled getting it off for 5 minutes. The instructor kindly took me to the restroom and we managed to slide it off with some soap and water. I also was late 10 minutes to the class which was entirely my fault. But we got lucky and we were given an extra 30 minutes to finish our rings.
The finished products came out so pretty, I decided to buy a mandrel, some wire, and beads to make more rings when I got home. I also bought a pendant and chain to go with. Even though it was closing time, I thought the workers and owner worked extra hard to accommodate my last-​minute questions and shopping.
Second time also using a Groupon. The only negative feedback I have is that bathroom could have been cleaner. Overall, a very good experience.