String Bead

My beads were found and they called me! I think a long ago employee misplaced them. Carol the owner was gracious and apologetic. The store looked great and I picked up a schedule to take some classes. I was impressed. so glad they were found.

Frankly I dislike this store. Last time I came in they were very rude and acted like I shouldn’t be there. Then the owner Carol came to my work/​school and demanded that we all find different places to park because her and her customers need the closest places to park. I thought it was rude and very unprofessional that she demanded another business to abide by her when there is no designated parking on the property. I will NEVER shop here again!

They’re nice as hell and will help you with your project even if you are a novice. Lots of variety of natural material beads: glass, crystal, metal, wood, ceramic, bone, etc. (didn’t see any plastic). Of course have all the other bits for any jewelry project: chain, fasteners, wire etc. They offer classes that look pretty cool so I am definitely thinking about doing some of those. Bring cash because if you’re just fixing a bit of broken jewelry it might only be like 50 cents. Some of the instructors sell their finished pieces there so if you are looking for a really unique trinket for a special lady you might find a nice gift.

On a recent trip to Chico, I found this store via my phone. So glad I did!
String Beads isn’t as lushly laid out as Bella’s Beads (another Chico store), but they do have a large selection of beads and other jewelry supplies. It’s laid out logically and attractively – metal findings are grouped, freshwater pearls are grouped, seed beads are grouped, and so on. They also group beads by color, which looks GORGEOUS and provides inspiration and guidance for lots of people, I’m sure.
The store has impressive finished jewelry items on display around the store as well, and my friend and I studied several of them, oohing and aahing and picking out beads to replicate them. Good merchandising, String Beads! :-)
The young lady who waited on us was super: She was instructing a pair of customers who were working on jewelry at a table, helping us find what we were looking for, and manning the cash register. She did it all politely and professionally.
String Beads is located in a strip mall with a neat fountain out front. I’d like to take my lunch and sit out front by the fountain next time I shop there; it’s good to have fortification for mammoth bead-​shopping excursions.

I took a class from the store owner at the SF Bead and Design Show. Even before I had taken the class, just from my conversation with her to sign up, I knew that this store would be fabulous. Carole (the founder) taught my class, but the other staff that I met seemed equally nice. What a fun four+ hours and I learned a lot about beginning soldering — enough to be dangerous, but safe.
I hope to take the three day class in Chico sometime and to visit the store in person.