Probably the best store in the MSP area. Their seed bead variety is amazing, and they have hard-to-find Swarovsky crystals. Good choice of semi-precious and handmade glass beads as well. Prices range from expensive to very reasonable. Plenty of cheap plastic beads for children, stringing supplies, and accessories. Good amount of loose beads and finished jewelry too. Two ladies working there were super nice and helpful. read more

It's 3x more expensive then stormcloud and northland visions. Last time I went in with my partner the employee literally ran over to us and wouldn't stop watching us and following us around. Then her and another worker were being rude to an older native guy and he was telling them that every time he goes in he's getting racially profiled. Then when the man left, me and my partner were standing at the counter and the two employees proceed to shit talk the guy and whisper about accusing him of stealing or that his complaints for being racially profiled were invalid. Right in front of us. Really weird. Wouldn't go back. read more

I had a great experience here after almost being warded off by bad reviews. The staff was actually very friendly and struck up some conversation with me. The seed bead selection is amazing and they had so many different sales. The sales rotate weekly. Today I got a few 100g bag of seed beads for $2.99. That was exactly what I was looking for. Their selection is bigger than Beadhive just not quite as "aesthetically pleasing" with the layout and sale signs. I didn't care, the prices were perfect for me. For $50 I walked out with a 10 pound bag. I know that because I weighed it out of curiosity. read more

It's close. Northland moved and Bobby Bead is faster than heading North East or waiting for shipping. I have given this place a fair shake-weathered through the obviously suspicious staff on a few occasions and bought more than the average customer! Yesterday two customers and a staff member were clustered and hissing about a suspicious customer, "Did he even buy anything?! You better check where he was standing!" It's gross-categorizing and expecting the worst from people if they aren't cookie cutter-who would buy if being mesideways glances and whispering?! Your location will guarantee two things: a) many different walks of life b)customers! (Until you shoo them away.) Beading is my happy place. Your store should foster this. From now on I am driving the extra bit to Northland or checking out Stormcloud. read more

My husband and I were in Minnesota the week of 6/23/21 and I visited this shop during our trip. This is a fantastic bead store with the largest selection of toho seed beads that I have ever seen. The owners and staff are very friendly. I visited 4 other bead stores while in the area, and Bobby Bead was by far the best. read more

3 out of 5 times I've came here they were closed outside if their "open" hours. I'd suggest calling first and not trusting their posted hours. Especially if coming from a distance like me. read more

I've ordered from Bobby Bead twice now. Both times my order has arrived rapidly and it's accurate. I couldn't be happier with the service from my online order. I think we've become the "must have it now" generation and don't think we need to be patient of other's actions. People complain about being watched carefully but I can guarantee it's because beads are so easy to shoplift. Go to a Joann's and listen for a bit while you're in the beading section. Funnily, I always hear "assistance needed in jewelry" about umpteen times. I'm a very touch feely shopper so I probably drive asset protection crazy. Obviously, I haven't shopped in person, wish I could it's so blasted hot here already. but it's a long way from the Phx. AZ area. I LOVE BOBBY BEAD!!! read more

I came here for stretchy string and they had what seemed like an impressive selection of beading supplies. I'm not heavy into beading though I've made a few bracelets. They had a decent selection of semi-precious beads such as amethyst. The staff was helpful; one nice employee made a point to ask if I needed helpful amidst a lot of activity in the store. read more

I took my twin eight year old nieces here on a Saturday afternoon - none of us had ever beaded before - Shana was super helpful and walked us through everything. My nieces had a blast and we all learned and created jewelry and great memories. Thanks!! read more

Bobby Bead - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bobby Bead's return policy is deceptive. It states "No Cash refunds. Returns within 30 days with receipt." I went to return unused, unopened beads within a week of initial purchase with a Corporate Credit Card. I was told I could only receive store credit. I wasn't asking for a cash refund rather a credit to my credit card. Like the previous reviewer's comment-the staff was unfriendly both times I visited and made no effort to interact or offer assistance. I will never return to this store. There are other bead stores in the Twin Cities that I will give my business to. read more

I want to vindicate this place a little bit. It really depends what you're trying to do. I'm glad they're here and close. I would never send a beginner beader here, and I would never go here for silver, even if their prices on bulk bali are ---- ok. I would not go here if I needed a lot of help. There are some good staff there, but it's hit or miss. HOWEVER. If you are a serious user of seed beads, the wholesale area is superb by any standards. Only Storm Cloud in Stp. is comparable. It has saved me a LOT of mail order. If you are serious enough to use bulk, resell your wares, or need a lot of a consistent dye lot - you're not getting that at the retailers I would send anyone but the most die hard to. Swarovski is OK. Some interesting leather polished stone selection. Only place to have a lot of pearl stock any more for some reason. (If you're starting out, Beadhive, best classes and help) read more

You can find a good deal here sometimes. They do have an extensive assortment of all kinda of beads and all the works you may need. They also have books, magazines, and some handmade jewelry on display. The people who work there are um.....how to say this politely, need to get off their high horse. I've been beading for about 14 years now. I know a thing or two, but the answers that were given to me by the Bobbys employees were a complete and utter BS. Maybe they were high or something. Also, organizing this place can help too. And, cleaning. Cleaning can really go a long way. But I still go there sometimes to get my bead fix. read more

Good selection of seed beads and charms. Staff is helpful. I always enjoy shopping there.

Haven't been here in years. The woman working was SO helpful! And they even reimburse for the meters with quarters!

If I could give less than one star I would. Could the staff be any more patronizing or rude? The manager just about spun her nose out of joint when we asked to use her restroom. Even after I informed her I had traveled a long way to shop at her store. I ended up spending over $200 and barely got a thank you. They carry a lot of tarnished old Bali silver not worth buying. They obviously don't know the price of silver. Bead selection very poor in dim cases. read more

The guy that was working at the time was all by himself and he did a great job at managing great quality time with every customer. When I walked in I told him my idea of what I wanted to do, which was making a bracelet for my friends birthday, with their birth stone (peridot), he asked me to wait a bit, very respectfully. After it died down, he spent valuable time with me to find the beads I wanted. He offered to help me make the bracelet there! And I took the offer, it was an amazing experience, my very first time making a bracelet with great costumer care! After finishing it, he gave me an awesome deal on the pricier bead, and it was way lower then my budget and I was totally happy with the outcome! Totally recommend this place, hard to find parking but I sneaked mines into ACE's hardware parking and just walked a little. read more

hey, some younger people like beads, too. I don't need to be a post-menopause new-age hippie lady to buy some beads, right? The way you treated me said otherwise. I JUST WANT SOME FUCKING BEADS! read more

I went into the Bobby beads on Hennepin and Lake Street. Purchased beads to be mailed to me. Was told I would receive order in 10 days. I never received my beads. They did not offer to replace order or to return my money. They said I'd have to come in and reorder and pay for it a second time. They have no documentation of my order. Very frustrating. The worst. Very bad business practice. Terrible customer service. read more

From reading the other reviews about the customer service, it probably depends on who help. but I walked in randomly to this store and was greeted politely and although the employee that was helping me seemed a little nervous or didn't know what to say to make a sale. I didn't mind becuse in the same way I'm like that with certain people at work regardless of that. I did walk out with something I didn't exspected to get there. read more

Man...what happened to this place? I used to be a frequent shopper back in 04-05, and loved it. The staff were awesome, the store was packed but was always clean and organized, it was a fun place to kill a few hours. Then everything changed...the old staff disappeared and a new breed of grouchy, stuck-up employees took their place, lame t-shirt and khaki uniforms made an appearance, and the over-all look and atmosphere of the store degraded. Bead Monkey is my go-to place now. No thanks, Bobby Bead. read more

Other than being followed closer than my own shadow by the staff who were not hiding the fact that they thought I was perhaps pouring beads into my pockets, and other than my questions being grudgingly and haughtily answered, there was a pretty decent selection of supplies here that didn't break the bank. I'd go back just for the selection of beads, it's at least better than Michael's. read more

Are you a serious beader? Then this place is probably for you! I don't know, I'm not one of them. I needed to make a couple necklaces for Halloween for my daughter and the staff, who are not apparently supposed to do all this work for you, which is fair, did, in fact help me assemble things a lot. They were just beyond helpful. So yeah, this place is great. Looks like a huge selection, but again, what do I know? read more

I definitely want to balance some of the less enthusiastic reviews by saying how helpful and pleasant I found all the staff people who helped me. There were several people working in the shop, and they ALL went out of their way to make my shopping experience a positive one. They took all the time I needed to examine the various trays of beads and pick out just the right ones. They were sensitive to my requirements (complicated, because I was making mixed media art pieces) and came up with good suggestions. The bead selection was excellent, and the prices were fair. They certainly will have my business from here on out. read more

Everyone is really into beads at Bobby Bead. Who would think that there could or would be a whole store dedicated to them! I found what I wanted for an art school project, and then some. Good location in Uptown too. read more

Bad parking. Only one person working- no one else was even in the store, but I only talked to her when I checked out- the only words she said to me was my total. Decent selection of beads, but they were dirty- dirty trays, beads, counters.. I was glad to leave. Hopefully they can turn themselves around cause the location is great- but the store and staff.. not so much. read more

Love Bobby Bead! they have an AMAZING selection of anything you could want. They take care of professional retail crafters with extra discounts, and they're all super helpful! Don't EVER buy beads at Michaels, they overcharge and have almost nothing! read more

A great store filled with everything I need for making jewelry. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

I would have given them a better rating, but there are just too many discouraging factors. The staff is snotty and won't help you with simple things. The owner is...well, I have heard less than nice stories about him. Their prices on everything besides seed beads is over priced. They would never help a beginner out, that's for sure. Once I was in the store and I heard the manager(?) YELL at this poor young employee girl and asked if she had taken her "stupid pills" that morning. You shouldn't talk to people like that, no matter if they are your employee or not. read more

I have to agree with some of the other reviewers. Something happened between 2005 or so and now. I used to feel good when I walked in and chatted with the folk behind the counter. Now, if I can get in, I feel more like the piles of dust on the floor than a sustainer, unaddressed. If beading is supposed to be lucrative, someone please clue me in. It feels like management is in a panic, so they're pulling all the good stuff, the fun stuff, the stuff that draws business. There's nothing amateur here, amateurs aren't welcome, and there's no love of the art, or the store, that I can sense. That in itself will kill a business. I've found myself taking my business where it's welcome, in all it's cheesy, unskilled, uneducated glory, despite the barrage of email coupons. read more

I had a much different experience at Bobby Bead than some of the other reviewers here...my experience was really good. When I entered the store, they asked me if I needed help, and I said "no," so they thankfully! left me alone (I hate it when salespeople hover). Later, when I did need help finding a partcular size of bead, they didn't just say "if it's not on the shelf, we don't have it." They went into the back room and dug through their bins just to make sure. Most places won't do that for you. But the best thing of all was the ENORMOUS selection of seed beads. I've been to Bead Monkey, Beadhive, Michael's, JoAnn's, and all kinds of smaller bead boutiques in the Minneapolis area, and Bobby Bead had by far the widest range of colors, shapes, and sizes of seed beads. The prices were right in line with other bead stores, and when I was there, they were having a 50% sale, so I left as a happy customer. My sole complaint about the store was something they really couldn't do anything about: driving and parking in the uptown area was a headache. Just be prepared to walk a few blocks if you go during a busy time of day. read more

Appointment only? Really??? Your employees are at the shop during the day answering the phones and telling me I can t stop in unless I spend $50 or more. And when I ve inadvertently stopped by the store during these hours there are several employees in the store and yet they won t let anyone in. What do you think you are a fine gem shop LOL? Have it your way. I had no problem finding what I need at Michaels Craft store and on eBay. I will not be patronizing your store in the future. read more

My newest hobby is beading and while I'm still getting the hang of it - I realized that I do not have enough in my supply kit! Stopped by Bobby Bead after hearing about it from a friend. Holy cow - bead over load. It' is almost overwhelming the amount of beads they have and then the colors, and types and sizes are just insane. Great if you know what you are looking for. It look me at least 20 minutes to decide on a pink bead! The staff was very quiet and didn't approach me at all. Which was OK - but I was looking for something but couldn't find it and when I went to go ask the staff was all missing!? There was only one guy in the store and he was helping 2 other people at the same time. They have a huge variety but I also found the store to be a bit pricey for the amount of beads that you get. I've been to Bead Monkey multiple times in Minneapolis and they seemed to have much friendlier service and a bit more reasonable pricing. read more

I agree with the previous reviews about the service. The staff is full of themselves and seem more interested in seeming cool than in helping clients. Even though it's a small business, there is no personalized attention. It is simply unfriendly and over-priced. read more

There were three staff people but they were all too busy talking to each other to help me. It was as if I was bothering them with my questions. Not sure what business model they're following. read more

Bobby Bead was my first obsession. When I first walked into the store and saw the stones and beads on the walls and every type of finding and fastening and do-dad I could have ever imagined, I had found my niche in the world. After years of making and putting thousands of my pieces into the world, walking into Bobby Bead is like going home. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, too. And they offer classes. read more

Regardless of customer service (which can indeed be lacking at times), Bobby Bead is my first stop for beading supplies. They have a huge inventory and carry almost everything you would need for most beading projects. They've been a staple for beaders in the twin cities for years, and I would imagine there aren't many bead stores out there that carry more than them. I live out of town, and I go to bobby bead every time I'm home to stock up! read more

I love the products, but the new hours are awful. Closed Monday through Friday unless you want to make an appolintment - but you must commit to a minimum $50 purchase. What??? I live in the area and shop at the store A LOT. When I am working on a project and need supplies, I don't want to wait until the weekend. There are other vendors out there, I guess I will have to explore some new options. read more