To preface-i live in the western suburbs and come here for the classes. I do buy beads on occasion though mostly I get them online or from craft stores closer to me Their classes are great :) usually 2-3 people and one instructor, i have taken the wire wrapping and the stringing classes and learned to do a proper crimp, discovered soldered rings for closures, and learned how to wire wrap loose stones. I have been beading for a hobby for ~3 yrs and learned a lot online, but nothing beats someone watching you directly and giving hands on feedback. I tried to wire wrap many times but couldn't before taking the class, now I have a small bowl full of stones I wrapped on my own. The beads and findings are good, they have a decent selection of African beads, crystal beads and others but mostly I like stones (they do have, but in my opinion their stones are a bit pricey compared to online or other shops). I do like their loose jars of beads, you can fill a 'shot glass' of random beads for a few bucks which is neat if you want some unique shapes for focal beads. The neighborhood is cute and theres a nice coffee shop around the corner. Theres a pay by plate lot across the street and i havent had to hunt for parking. They are a bit of a quest for me, but worth going to for the classes read more

Fabulous selection of beads and jewelry making supplies. Owner is knowledgeable and helpful. If you need it, they have it!

Stopped in recently-- bead stores seem to be increasingly rare. This one had a decent selection of things given its size including higher quality materials like demi-fine findings and some higher quality stone beads. There were some North African artifacts that caught my attention. Run by elderly women with the power to ignore or be nice as they choose (and patronized by the same) One star off for price point, some basic or lower quality things were inappropriately high. read more

Wonderful selection of beautiful and unique beads at reasonable prices! Space to work and create in store. And they offer glasses! read more

I took a kumihimo (a type of Japanese braiding that uses a small disc) class to learn to make a beaded braid style bracelet. Kim, the owner, taught the class which included detailed clear written instructions and lots of pointers and help. The cost was very reasonable and the class space at the rear of the store was well lit and comfortable. in addition to having a great selection of beads and supplies, the shop has many finished pieces on display for inspiration or purchase. A great place to learn and to find unique and beautiful jewelry! Looking forward to coming back! read more

Great shop, easy parking, helpful folks. Beautiful beads - wish I could buy everything!

Such a lovely store! Great selection and welcoming staff- asked if I need help and showed me how I can shop around. Super personable and sweet, I'll be making the drive from Chicago every time I need a crafty fix :) read more

Wow! Great customer service-love this store and their classes. With so few bead stores, I drive from Glencoe to Oak Park. Today I drove down because I needed a "steer" on a project. They cheerfully helped me out. Great Store-great people! read more

My first visit to this bead store was for a class, and, as I was the only one who signed up for it, I got what amounted to a private lesson in knotting. The owner is a knowledgeable and friendly woman who's been in the business for quite a while, and she's an excellent teacher. I'm always in the market for seed beads, as I mostly do bead weaving, and this store has a nice selection of Delicas, Tohos and Miyukis, as well as hanks of Czech beads, all in the most commonly used sizes. You'll also find semi precious stone beads, glass beads, findings, supplies and a good selection of trade style beads from Africa. The inventory is good for what the space allows, and well chosen as to price point and variety. The store is a half mile from the Austin Blue Line stop, so well located for public transit, and situated on a street with some other compelling shopping. I enjoyed my class immensely, and will return for more classes, and to stock up on beads. read more

Accompanied my teen on a field trip to Bead in Hand for the purpose of finding precious stones for their metalworking class. Amazing selection including rocks, shells, bones, and beads of all shapes and sizes! The staff is super sweet and helpful, especially Charlotte. We had a blast. I can't wait to come back and create my own necklaces and bracelets! read more

Great little store! I learned how to make earrings here. They've been around since the 90s, I think. I don't live in the area anymore, but when I'm in the neighborhood, I try to stop in. read more

Bead In Hand (BIH) is where I took my first bead class, about 7+ yrs. ago. One day after work, some time after I took the beading class, I stopped by to shop and got this feeling that my presence was.....? I was so outdone, I sent an email and did receive a response. I always wondered if it was me and NO, it wasn't..................FAST FORWARD!......... 6/19/09, while shopping @ one of my favorite bead shops, I met a fellow beader, someone new (1 month) to the bead scene and she mentioned that she took a class @ BIH also and coincidentally expressed on occassions when she has went there, experienced the same unwelcoming atmosphere that I felt, though she recalled one short-haired person in particular. I haven't returned to Bead in Hand since and have found other bead shops to spend my green & silver. Yes, my dough is green & silver too! *I'll update this review when I locate exact dates, esp. the date I was @ BIH and proclaimed NEVER to return again. I think I still have the email I sent and the response I received.* read more

Don't waste your time... I always try to shop at local small businesses wherever possible. This place is making me reconsider. On the two occasions that I have visited this store, the people working there have have been unhelpful, rude and disinterested. They are lacking in both inventory and customer service skills. Not too sure how they have survived this long. If I could give it less than 1 star I would. read more

Easy to find bead store. Great selection of beads and other jewelry making accessories. I found everything I needed to make a cute necklace this morning! Service was great. The ladies were helpful and friendly. I would recommend this place to anyone who makes jewelry or Interested in learning. I'm sure you'll leave inspired. read more

Wow...am I really reviewing a bead shop?!?!? YES!! and it's a great one. I am pretty new to the all thing and so far have been ordering my supplies online (it's much cheaper) but I ran out of Swarowski black round beads 4mm (I am telling you, I am serious) when I was making a thank-you bracelet and didn't want to wait a week to finish it. I called around to see if anybody was carrying any and Bead in Hand was. Hurray!! To my knowledge it's the only store in the area that does have Swarowski - a huge plus! It's a smallish store situated in the Art District but they have a lot of things......a lot.......I particularly like their vintage items and their collection of pendants and charms. Tons of findings too. This section of the store kind of looks like your grandpa's garage/tool display - it's a huge wall of tiny drawers - but it's all the more charming. Don't be too clumsy though....could be a huge potential mess! read more

Cute little bead store. Not a great selection, unless you're into seed beads and more "primative" styles--glass and base metal and other cute beads and findings...I'd just like to see more natural gemstones and such. I was in the area bc my girlfriends took me to brunch for my bday and I popped in for a look around. I did like that they had some of the gemstones (of the handful they carry) loose, so you could pick what you wanted. After I selected, and was ready to check out, the woman at the counter (who had been very helpful til then), asked me about my baby. I hadn't heard her at first, and said "pardon?". She had a cringe on her face and apologized, and only then had I realized what she'd asked. And NO, I am not pregnant. Just happen to have had a crappy couple years and all my grained weight is right there. Frankly, if I hadn't spent several minutes selecting the items I wanted, I would have walked out. It kinda ruined my afternoon. I did, however, sharply say "next time maybe you don't say anything til there's crowning." And I kinda almost feel like for the small amt I was spending there (as in ~5 for my single bead and some silk cord), after that rudeness, she should have just handed it to me and eaten the cost. I'm actually wishing i had walked out now, because I probably won't look at the necklace I was going to make without thinking of this. :/. A little tact goes a really long way. Happy birthday to me. read more

I came here not knowing a thing about beading and the salesperson was incredibly helpful in spite of being very busy. It was very nice and I will certainly go back here for supplies before going to a big box craft store. read more

Gorgeous, comprehensive collection, and friendly people. This is a dangerous place. Well worth the quick drive from Chicago if you're into vintage and hard to find beads. read more

Bead In Hand has been under new ownership for a past several years now. It has always been a great bead store, but the place has a fresher, more friendly vibe these days. I have never been disappointed with the selection and it has opened my mind to many new ideas. Bead on! read more

I feel a strong need to provide an updated review of this enjoyable store and its expert and gracious owner. As Kathy R. pointed out below, Bead in Hand changed owners several years ago and now has a fresher and more friendly vibe. As a longtime patron, I've enjoyed following the progress as new owner Kim has transformed the store into a more lively, aware contributor to the Oak Park Arts District and the jewelry-making community. The wide variety of classes and the guest teachers that Kim offers at Bead in Hand make it the perfect place for beginners to learn basic skills and for experienced makers to polish and expand their techniques. To get acquainted with this gem of a store, stop by to take one of Kim's Third Friday Workshops during the monthly Third Friday Gallery Walk. Or drop in anytime to browse the beads and find out what classes and special events Kim has scheduled. read more

Awesome place. I had broken my girlfriends favorite necklace and brought it in. A very nice lady who was preparing for a beading workshop took the time to repair the necklace and charged me so little! Thank you read more

This is a fun shop. Great selection of beads; glass, seed, pearls, crystals, real stones. They have charms and findings for all your needs. The classes rock and the staff is very helpful. Go there let your creativeity blossom. read more