If you haven't been to the new store, you won't notice it.
If you haven't been in since June, you definitely will notice that some things have changed. I've been doing some re-arranging while we're slow, so you might not find your favorites where they used to be.
One of the reasons I've had to re-arrange things is because we've more than doubled the amount of the vintage beads we have and I didn't have room to hang them all out for sale!
The history behind these beads is that they came from a trading post in western AZ. The owner had passed away and his family was left to deal with all the stock from the trading post. They had an auction and through a friend, we wound up purchasing literally close to 1 ton (that's 2000 lbs) of beads. We had somewhere around 30-35 5 gallon buckets. Each of them weighed between 60 and 75 lbs. The beads were all in little ziplock baggies and until we started stringing the beads, we had no idea what treasures were hidden in them. Once the beads were strung and washed, the gorgeous jewel like colors and designs were revealed.
We don't know exactly where these beads came from. Some have guessed Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic. Others have guessed India or Japan. Regardless of their point of origin, these handmade glass beads will add a one-of-a-kind touch to your jewelry designs.
"Extinction Station" - the last stop at AZ Bead Depot - has been moved to a new location with more "last of their kind" beads added on an almost daily basis.
We've highlighted "the good stuff" on an endcap that's immediately to the right as you enter the store. These beads are high quality gemstone beads. This is where you will find the some of the best garnet, citrine, amethyst, rhodochrosite, onyx, malachite, lapis lazuli, labradorite, tourmaline and more. If you're ready to kick up the quality of you designs, be sure to spend a little time checking these beauties out.
For now, in the center display case near the findings room, you'll see the best of the best. We have ruby in zoisite, faceted citrine, amber, hessionite garnet and more. These gemstones will dazzle your eye and add flash to your designs. (This will temporarily change when we do our "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" contest/fundraiser!)
We've added several larger sizes in Czech seed beads - 33/0 (this is a big bead with a fairly large hole), 1/0 (aka pony beads) and 6/0. If we don't have a particular color, be sure to ask Mike to put it on the next order for you.
Last, but not least, I'm researching some interesting beads. The packaging (some of it) says Ecuador, but there's no other description. I've been playing "Internet detective" to see if I can discover what these beads are. They are definitely one-of-a-kind - each one has been handmade. I haven't been very successful so far.
Come on in and say hi - we're having birthday cake on July 30th- 31st because it's Mike's birthday. Mike's birthday is Friday, but I'm sure we'll have cake leftover on Saturday! I might even make him blow out candles, but I'll have to get permission from the fire department first!
