If you want to buy full hanks of beads, stay away from this place. The last time I was there I purchased over 20+ hanks of different bead sizes and type. Size 10/0 are what I am posting about because that was one of the main reasons for shopping this day. I didn't even want to know with other beads I purchased, so I stopped measuring and sorting. Also, I am aware of different styles/types of beads weighing different amounts. However, it is not the case with these particular size 10/0 beads purchased. The owner is completely awful and is not kind at all (unless you're a man. Our last experience shopping kind of made that clear). Rude, and acts like she doesn't even want you there! Even if you're dropping a few hundred on her inventory. Shopped at this place twice. Each time spending over $290+ each time. Spend your money elsewhere for decent human service and beads. Pictures are pretty self explanatory. read more

The Bead Shack - Size 10/ hanks. - Art Supplies Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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The best quality bead selection in Anchorage! Such a peaceful and calm environment and a truly unique selection.

I have never in my life, felt such racial discrimination like this before, until I went to this shop, I wanted to give this small business owner the benefit of the doubt, even though I saw all the reviews before I went here if you are Iñupiat and Comanche or Sugpiaq or any type of Indigenous Native First Nations person cannot get conscience recommend this shop. She made me feel bad. I was having a good day until I went into that shop. She saw that my myself and my husband were clearly Alaska Native Indigenous people in her shop and she saw that I was in a good mood shopping at her shop and for some reason, kept a close eye on me as though I were a thief and I am not crazy when I say this because my husband is a witness and he noticed her eyes were following the both of us the entire time and she was repeating herself and she will never get my business ever again. I was profiled racially and so was my husband as soon as we stepped foot into this place; I saw that she had bad reviews from other Native people, and I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt so badly that I wasted my time there I wasted my time and energy and my money there if you are a Black and or Indigenous Person of Color I cannot recommand this place to you and what I'm telling you, this is the truth because I do not lie, and I am not lying about this. I cannot believe that this happened. It is truly unbelievable that she the owner or one of the co-owners or whatever was this much of a discriminatory racist person against Alaska Native people I do not wish her any ill will. I just hope that she becomes better than this. I think she can. I think she could learn from the error of her ways. I felt her hatred and her bad energy towards me and towards my people. If Yelp Reviews allowed a negative star review, I would give The Bead Shack the highest negative number possible. I can't believe people actually treat each other like this. This was horrible. Going to this place was a horrible mistake I should've believed all the other Native people's reviews because they were telling the truth about this place there's a difference between weird and racist. Racism is hate and she showed me hatred. She showed me discrimination in customer service. You do not treat people like that especially your customers regardless of whether or not they are new customers or regular customers or not or possible forever customersor not. She was not kind and she was disrespectful. She did not listen when I told her that I was willing to purchase some of her items she acted like I didn't say that I have never felt this sadness towards just simply trying to shop for beads like this before. This was truly an experience I will never forget she did not treat me like a human being of which I am and that was not okay and it was not right. read more

Fantastic store with thousands of varieties of beads! I could've spent all day in here. Cozy vibes for slow perusing. There are baskets and labeled muffin tins (with prices) for you to use while you shop. Very kind and receptive service! read more

This shop is top notch and the owner is a fabulous very authentic individual who has traveled extensively to provide the most awesome beads to such a remote part of the world. If you found her unfriendly, then you should back down with your judging unless you know her and have been doing business here. read more

This is the only bead shop I will shop at in Anchorage. I absolutely love the variety of beads, sizes, textures, and colors she stocks in her store. I find new treasures every time I go in! I will not shop at the "other" bead store in town. Going into The Bead Shack is like going to visit a good friend. read more

The best bead place ever! Great service and beads. Owner is very knowledgeable about beads and helpful.

Okay I'll admit I came here because I thought it was a bakery! Yes, I read Bread Shack. It probably didn't help that subway, which was close by, was baking their bread . Sensory issues canceled out my reading ability as I left the book store across the street (ironic, I know). I drove over to this bakery thinking, wow that smells so good. Instead of bread I was met by an astounding array of colors. The beads in this shop were beautiful and definitely top quality. I went in for a nice carb snack and walked out with a few types of beads, some elastic and the desire to return again with friends. One of my favorite things is the huge selection of customized beads offered for different jobs, interests or hobbies. Beads that look like animals, some look like carved bone even. Please help support local business and craft shops and check out this place. Hilariously enough the store owner can even recommend some local bakeries! read more

The Bead Shack - The BEAD shack (no r) - Art Supplies Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

The place was hard to find. Once we found it, the employee was rude and rushing us. I know it was sun shining that day. But when I'm spending more than $100, I expect to at least be able to ask my questions or have a chance to find what I am looking for. We didn't even get a chance to look around. If while the business is open, the person is more concerned with getting people out so they can "enjoy the sunshine," then they are definitely not interested in making sales. We ended up with beads we didn't need, and now will have to make another trip to a different bead store. Not to mention, the prices were 2x the amount we would have paid at AK Bead Co. (which is where I would have normally gone, now I know why). I came here because I heard a couple of people say they had a great selection, but I still wouldn't know. I was in a pinch for time, but I would rather wait until the next day and go to a place that I KNOW has what I'm looking for at a reasonable price, minus the unprofessional, impolite, and downright dismissive encounter we went through. I feel that when you are doing projects with beads, you know exactly what you are going in there for. We just came to refill what we ran out of doing our project and still did not leave with the items that were needed. It shouldn't be this hard to fulfill an order. Nevertheless, i hope the employee was able to enjoy the sunshine they were so desperate to get to... my family, my class, and my friends will not be coming here. I never write a bad review, and the fact that i had to take the time to do this was very specifically for the next person in my shoes. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR $MONEY$, unless you like being rushed, disrespected, and leaving with items that were not what you came in looking for. read more

I went to go check out the bead shack for the 1st time, and I did have two of my kids with me, and I told my kids not to touch anything in the store, they were admiring all the shiny beads and were talking to each other, I was only in the store less than 10min, and the lady at the register immediately told us we can't touch anything, then she came near us and complained that she hadn't slept in 3 days, and she asked me to leave my kids in the car, all while everyone in the store was looking at us. I told her I planned on leaving anyway, it's very unprofessional to announce all her commands and put us on the spot like that, I won't be returning, I'd rather go to the Alaska bead co. Where we have been welcomed and appreciated. read more

I went to the Bead Shack in Anchorage. Extensive inventory of beads. Beautifully presented on easy to see racks. Lovely colors and selection and reasonable prices. Just for that value I'd have given a ten star review. However the owner was dismissive and generally very unfriendly. I introduced myself and said I have a bead store in Oklahoma, she was immediately unfriendly and uninterested in what I thought would be a shared passion for all things beads and beautiful. Not welcoming at all. The only reason I didn't leave immediately was because my friend wanted to shop. I purchased a few lovely colors. If ever in Anchorage again, I would never go back. Her selection and prices may be the only reason she is still in business because it certainly is NOT because she is welcoming and friendly to people who contribute to paying her bills. She is a total RECTAL ORIFICE. I WOULD GIVE HER A MINUS 1000 BUT THERE IS NO SELECTION FOR THAT. read more

Absolutely the best place for beads and bobbles and all kinds of beautiful amazing glass beads and some super quality unique items too, you must see this place to believe it. Huge selection at the very reasonable prices. The owner is way cool, very helpful, you just cant help but fall in love with her, . Super new location you have, its so fun !! read more

Absolutely LOVE this store!! There is a great selection of charms, filler beads, natural stone beads, glass beads and more. The owner is super cool and sweet, she really knows her stuff. One of my fave places in anchorage for sure! :) read more

The Bead Shack - Art Supplies Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

I am up visiting from Seattle this is my sister's favorite shop. And I can see why. The owner of the shop is so sweet and welcoming. She has the most amazing treasures, beads and charms. I can't wait to go back! We've been crafting and making bracelets. Best bead shop hands down! read more

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I love the store and all the beads but unfortunately masks are not worn here by employees during covid-19

Outstanding selection and reasonable prices. I was really surprised to find such a beautifully curated collection. Very well stocked in Delicas, Japanese and Czech seed beads, and druks. Huge selection of glass buttons and specialty beads. Don't miss this shop while in Anchorage. read more

Although The Bead Shack is not a full supply bead store it certainly is an inspiring one. They do carry many Czech bead shapes in what seems every color available. Most bead stores simply pick and choose which Czech beads to carry but this store has a wonderful back-lit display at waist level to easily see the colors and shapes. The walls carry full strands of the same so you can save on bulk. Also nice .925 silver findings. For the seed bead lover they have a whole other area of Japanese beads. I saw some very cool pendants in antiqued brass that I've never seen and my daughter-in-law says some oceanic pendants were very "Anthropology" style. I'd like to go back again and take a real slow browse. Some ethnic beads as well as semi-precious stones. read more

I found this place on accident when I was visiting Alaska and it was amazing! The owner is a super sweet woman who was very helpful, and the store was gorgeous. This place has a huge selection of seed beads, and a great selection of animal/symbol beads, etc- basically a lot of cool beads from around the world that I've never seen anywhere else. I ended up buying a strand of African trade beads, some seed beads and a bunch of leather cord- the price on the leather especially was very good. I'll definitely be visiting again the next time I happen to be in Alaska! read more

This is a great place to feast your eyes! There are items from all over the world and each lends images to the imagination for what can be created with them. The owner is very friendly and always willing to help with information and how to's. read more

My favorite bead store! I come from Long Beach, Ca to Anchorage every year to visit my sister (who happens to be the best sister on the planet) and one of my first stops is always the Bead Shack. Laura who owns the shop is so wonderful. She travels the world finding these treasures and she has impeccable taste. I can't wait every year to see what she has added. She's knowledgeable and always willing to share ideas. read more

The Bead Shack has an incredible selection of seed beads ranging from triangles, hex to size 15 to size 6. What is great about this store is these beads are all hanging on the back wall on swinging "doors" so that you can find coordinating colors, sizes and shapes for any project you might be working on. Plus they have a great selection of Czech beads including fire polish, leaves, etc. A huge selection of singular beads arranged by color and also exotic beads from ...well everywhere. Great store! read more