Store Name: Beadniks, Chicago
Owner Name: Mary Tokarz & Lauryn Keenan
Address: 1937 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622
Website: www.beadniks.com/chicago
How long has your store been open? 5 1/2 years
How big is your store space? 1,500 sq. ft
Tell us a bit about your bead store’s design. What’s the greatest inspiration behind your bead store?
Sally
Roesler started Beadniks on Martha's Vineyard over 20 years ago and the impressive
store is still a haven for bead & jewelry lovers.
Our Chicago location has helped Beadniks evolve into a fashionable brand. We
are located in Wicker Park, a hip neighborhood which is perfect for our unique
clientele.
We cater to men & women, young & old, elegant & edgy.
What made you decide to open a bead store?
We
met in the corporate world- Lauryn was an attorney & Mary did graphic
design for a financial firm.
We wanted to work for ourselves doing something that we loved.
We are talented at different things & enjoy different aspects of the
business so we make a great team.
Chicago was in need of a bead store that welcomed everyone from a beading
novice to a jewelry designer.
We have a talented staff, inspiring atmosphere and a vast array of inventory to
help customers create beautiful jewelry.
Do you have a specific product that your store is known for?
In
addition to selling a lot of semi-precious stones, we have a terrific selection
of chain- sterling silver, 14 karat gold-filled, antique copper, matte gold,
gunmetal, vintage brass, matte black, silver & gold plated. We also have a
wall full of leather in a rainbow of colors, from natural brown to neon.
Do you offer classes? What is your most popular class?
Bead
& chain is a classic for us. This class is very technique based and it
allows students to design a piece of jewelry that they will actually
wear.
From simple & delicate to chunky, statement pieces- we have it all.
What do you think are some of the biggest change in bead trends in the last 5 or 10 years?
The
natural beauty of stones combined with mixed metals.
Druzys, geodes, slices & spikes are very on trend, especially if they are
capped or electroplated in gold or gunmetal.
Rough cut, matte finish, anything organic like carved bone, horn pendants &
wood are also popular right now.
As an artist and not just a bead store owner, what is your favorite material/style that you use?
Favorite
gemstones include ruby, tourmaline, green amethyst, iolite & chrysoprase.
Latest obsession- horn pendants. We have a shelf dedicated to our favorite
shape which displays pendants made of bone, turquoise, african brass, even a
seal claw.
We are also loving our Indian diamond beads, charms, rings & bangles- the
combination of black & gold with the sparkle of rose cut & pave
diamonds is to die for.
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