The Bouncing Bead

I have been coming to The Bouncing Bead for several years now. They have everything you need for any type of beading projects. The owner, Jolene is very friendly and always asks us what types of classes we are interested in. The Bouncing Bead has the best classes in San Diego. They have well– known beading artists who teach classes all over the country. The wire– wrapping classes are the best I have taken because of the instructor, Sue. She has such creative classes and is so bubbly and friendly. The customers are treated well here and I look forward to my next visit!

My granddaughter and I stopped in for the Bead Shop Hop today. She made a beautiful bracelet with the assistance of Miss Sue. Wonderful owner and employees!

My 9-​year old daughter wanted to make a necklace, but we had no idea how to do it. The woman at the store was so nice and helped us from start to finish. We would definitely go again!

I’ve been here a few times, my first time i didn’t shop right I guess and got snapped at about proper usage of the Baggie system. The second time I just couldn’t really find something that I wanted. (I guess that’s where shopping online has changed my thought process in price) something’s In here I’ve seen on eBay for almost 2 times as less as what this place charges. But, I like how it is convenient and you don’t have to buy in bulk which is nice. The store is big but just couldn’t really bring myself to buy anything. Maybe I’ll give them another shot later on down the road.

Bouncing Bead is a great store with a wonderful staff. The owner, Jolene is always friendly and helpful, as well as her employees. I wanted to take a class there that didn’t fit my schedule and they bent over backwards to accommodate me. The class was taught by Sue, who does an incredible job, has great patience, and is talented beyond compare. My «number one» is customer service and the Bouncing Bead gets straight A’s in that category. The selection of merchandise is good and they’re always helpful in finding things that fit the bill for whatever I’m working on. Jolene is creative and fun with her promotions, allowing the customer to get to know the store and staff better, making shopping there an even more positive experience. If you haven’t shopped there, definitely give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank goodness I found this place! When I’m having my competition bikinis made, I always glue the Swarovski rhinestones on myself. Sometimes when I run short on my rhinestones, I would go to Michael’s or Joanne’s to buy extra rhinestones (bc ordering it online, which is super cheap, wouldn’t ensure I would get my rhinestones in time), in which they sell in tiny packages that I would have to end up buying multiple packs and it would end up costing me a ton. I randomly found this place on Unilocal and they sell gross packets of rhinestones for a WAY better price than Michaels or Joanne’s and they were so close to me too! Never knew I had this little gem right in my backyard! No pun intended ;) Go here for all your rhinestone or bead needs!

This place has a great selection of beads, and a great selection of rhinestones that I was looking for! About five of my girlfriends recommended this place to me & I can see why! Their prices are great, the costumer service is amazing & they offered so much help and creativeness on what rhinestones to use & how to use them. I now have tons of rhinestones I’ll be using & a new glue that is great. Any dancer or pageant girls dream store for sure ;) I’ll be coming back a lot more frequently now!

i have taken a couple of classes here and they are good. The instructors are very helpful. However my last experience in the store was less than expected.
The class schedule states that any supplies purchased at the shop are eligible for a 15% discount, except for «bulk, value, consignment, classes, Swarovski flat backs»
I’m not sure which category Fireline ($ 11.95) fits but I did not receive a discount on that item. There was no explanation when I checked out. When I contacted the store through their web site and left a message I did not receive a reply. I know Jolene is new to the business but that is not the way to keep a loyal customer base which is important with so much competition.
I agree, there is not the same feeling in the shop as was there with the previous owner. I hope things improve.

I have now been here 2 times and they have helped me find exactly what I needed for my weird projects. They helped my husband and I get the supplies we needed as well as help making a bracelet from some dice we had. And they helped me find the exact beads that were used on a costume I had a picture of.

This used to be THE place to come to for my jewelry needs. I could get a word of advice from the staff too with whatever project I was working on and they knew all about what they were selling. The previous owner, Laura, has sold the business and it’s just not the same anymore. Christy, who was a wealth of information, suddenly disappeared and all staff that I’ve met since her departure know little or nothing when I have a question. I’m talking about simple questions too as in when they started carrying a new brand of wire, I asked two questions, «What is the difference between the new wire and the old (there must be something or else why would they carry both) and which gauge would be considered standard?» The answer to both questions from the two staffers was, «I don’t know.» The new owner doesn’t seem to have a lot of experience and doesn’t have many thoughtful answers either.
My boyfriend does a lot of jewelry making too, mostly metal work, and he no longer comes here either. He buys all of his supplies online now. I currently have a project to repair a friend’s bracelet and it uses materials I haven’t got experience with and I don’t know where to go for advice and materials. I’m depending not the internet now but I miss being able to go into the Bouncing Bead and get my supplies and information that I need.
It’s such a disappointment that this place has changed so drastically. It’s okay if you know exactly what you need but otherwise, I recommend going elsewhere.

I am so happy that I stopped by. I was looking for hard to find feathers for a pair of earings I was fixing. Joleen went well beyond what I had excpected to help me out. Needless to say 3 weeks later she found me a set of feathers and fixed my earings for me. I can’t say thank you enough. I highly recomend them!

The new owner, Joleen, at Bouncing Bead is such a warm individual who bends over backwards to help with a buyer’s needs. When you walk in, you receive a friendly hello.
Joan, who works part time, was extremely helpful assisting me recently with a design that I was having problems.
I would recommend this store for their large selection of beads, great classes and staff.

I was really looking forward to taking a class at The Bouncing Bead. I registered well in advance, purchased my supplies, and even showed up early… only to learn that the class had been cancelled by the instructor that morning and no one had made any effort to contact me.
The owner wasn’t in the shop, but I spoke to her on the phone and she was apologetic for the oversight. Mistakes happen, I get that, but customer good will is a valuable commodity that’s easily lost. I’ll certainly never take another class at The Bouncing Bead without verifying and re-​verifying the schedule with them.

I have a gripe about the Frequent Buyer Card they have at the Bouncing Bead. To me, it doesn’t matter what you buy, if you are spending the $ 5 needed for each punch, you have spent $ 5. It doesn’t matter if you buy one of something or buy it in bulk (20 package), you have still spent $ 5.00 They don’t give you credit for buying the items sold in bulk because it is already discounted.
I also wanted to take a picture of one of the necklaces they had on display and the owner said no. This is a craft store and you would think they’d want to encourage creativity. What if I wanted to make that necklace and buy the supplies there?
When I completed my Frequent Buyer Card, I wanted to use it the same day. I didn’t realize you had to come back another time to use it. Instead of being a stickler on the rule, they should have let me use it.
This experience has left a poor taste in my mouth. Consequently, I came back and used my Frequent Buyer Card and won’t go back again.

The best bead store in town!!! Been going this shop for years at their original location (s). I loved the old owners, they were great! The new owner is fabulous!!!
Best selection in town!

I fell in love with The Bouncing Bead a year ago when I had an idea for a bracelet for my Mom’s birthday. They helped me find the right beads for the project, and encouraged me to sit right down and showed me how to make it! I’ve been hooked on beading since then. So nice to be able to pick and choose what I need, and their help is always «just right». I think I’ve been to every bead store in San Diego, and this is the only one who consistently greets me when I walk in the door, and they are the only store that acts like they are happy to have customers. Have taken several classes as well, and I like how «open ended» they are, always with ideas how to take the design/​techniques learned and change it up for a variety of looks.
Today I wanted to celebrate a major milestone in my life, and I knew I could depend on The Bouncing Bead to make it special and help me make a wonderful bracelet to remind me of my success. Thank you!

Small store, but great beads and wonderful staff. Unlike some other bead stores, the labels are actually correct… no claiming that some dyed plastic is jade or turquoise. Also, unlike some other stores, they don’t treat you like a criminal when you walk in; no one demands that you check your purse with total strangers.
Went in there with my long-​haired hubby — whom many stores treat with suspicion, thereby losing our business forever — and everyone was incredibly helpful. Excellent quality of merchandise, too. Easy parking. It also looks like they offer a great variety of classes.
I honestly can’t imagine why anyone would give this place less than a stellar rating.

Ala cart place for your beading needs
Instead of having to buy in bulk they sell many items individually. It helps in a pinch when you just want to try something out, only need one or two of something, or have an urgent last minute fix. The prices are decent and the owner is nice. I do not like the fact there is a minimum you have to spend on your debit card but that is becoming more common place (I think it’s 10.00 min)
Have good hours though closed on Mondays (damn)
I was asked once if I needed them to help me attach some rings to this chain I had bought. I accepted the help and found out later I was charged for said help. Not cool but I will let it slide
A pretty decent craft option when wanting to avoid big name craft stores down the road

In addition to being a bead and jewelry supply store, The Bouncing Bead provides a variety of classes in an intimate setting so you get personalized help on all your projects. The ladies were super friendly, helpful, and encouraging. Loved your music selection that night! Some old school Switchfoot, Goo Goo Dolls, Hoobastank, Eve 6, Tonic… it was like a playlist of my of my college years!
That being said, I am glad I bought the groupon because I ended up spending a total of $ 19.95 for the class, beads, supplies, and in the end the necklace I made. If I didn’t have the groupon or some of the equipment/​supplies, I could have easily spent over $ 60 for the whole process. Just letting you know, making a necklace, it doesn’t come cheap.

I came in here when they first opened and always meant to get back, maybe take a class or two, but didn’t make it in for a long time. I really enjoyed this last visit and talking to the owner who is both knowledgeable and talented. They have pretty good prices, at least on the things I was looking at. I bought some iron-​on crystals and a Mylar iron-​on sheet for making your own design. I definitely want to take a class here sometime, maybe with my daughter.