Beadniks

08/10/10

Funky, Eclectic & Fun!

by MakeArt at Citysearch

My girlfriend and I stumbled on this awesome, retro, fun bead store and fell in love! We came back over the weekend and sat for hours creating beautiful jewelry with some very fun people in the back of the store. The staff are fabulously artistic, creative, knowledgeable, fun people. We come from the Northwest suburbs... Beadniks has jillions of beads and every jewelry making tool and supplies you can imagine, but it's the people and the atmosphere we love! Great neighborhood too.

03/27/09

Oh such a sad place

by Sanja at Citysearch

Apart from the personnel being horribly rude, the store is ridiculously overpriced. Besides, the selection is so poor that it took me over an hour to find something to spend my $50 gift certificate on.

I ended up buying regular supplies (like strings and findings).

Go somewhere else.

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

12/09/08

Really Pretty Pieces

by notwist6 at Citysearch

I really love Beadniks in general, i have previously been to the one in Sarasota, Florida, but the Chicago location wasn't the best. I work at a Bead Store, and have been beading for years, but since I'm only 18, the staff disregarded me as 'just another teenager,' and didn't give me the time of day. I walked in and no one said anything, not even hello! An older woman walked in after me, and they were all over her asking if she needed help and asking how she was. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't have money to spend! I spent about an hour in the store, and only one of the women was helpful. Still, the store is GORGEOUS, and they have a lot of really pretty beads; a ton of Bali and really cute charms. I was disappointed in the selection of semi-precious, and what they did have was pretty expensive. Obviously all the people who work there are really talented, you can tell by the already made jewelry throughout the store, I just think the staff could be a little more friendly. Definitely go, if only to get some ideas.

• Pros: Really pretty, fun beads!
• Cons: Not so great staff

02/12/08

best bead shop ever, even if you don't like beads!

by 0507 at Citysearch

I love this shop. Not only is this a great place to hang out with your friends, but you come away with an amazing piece of jewelry to boot. In the past when I've visited other bead shops, I would get overwhelmed with all of the choices and sometimes end up with a weird looking piece. Not here. The folks who work at Beadniks are sooo talented and they are ready to help with advice and fabrication (or to leave you alone, whatever you want). The selection is also much more modern than at other places I've been -- it's not just "beads" the way you may think of them -- the things they have really allow you to make jewelry you would actually want to wear; not something you'll just throw in a drawer later. In fact, there were many pre-made pieces that could easily have been sold side by side with the jewelry at Fragments in NYC or in the Sundance catalog. I left with a pair of earrings that I made, and two pairs of earrings and a necklace that the staff had made. In fact, even if you have no interest in beading, if you love jewelry, you should grab a friend and check it out.

• Pros: The selection, the staff, the funky neighborhood
• Cons: none

01/28/08

A "bead" in the rough!

by kanerp44 at Citysearch

Come on guys you know that you are looking for something a little extra to add to that weekend uniform...or something unique to suprise the little lady with. Well on a recent stroll down Division St. in Wicker Park I came across a store which I had seen before but never took the time to actually check out. Well shame on me...this place is great. I figured the place to be a store with jewelry for women but was pleased to see plenty of unique bracelets and necklaces for me. I have to admit at first I was a little aprehensive to believe I could pull off a bracelet but with the help Mary and the staff I found something that was very "me". Not only does Beadniks have some great stuff for guys all the artifacts and such are for sale. I was able to find something very cool for the apartment.

A very relaxed atmosphere coupled with an intelligent and creative staff make this a enjoyable shopping experience. I recommend for anyone looking to get a loved one something unique for a birthday, anniversary and such. What a welcome addition to the ever growing Wicker Park neighborhood!

• Pros: Service, Ambience, Selection
• Cons: None