The Beadhive: my local bead store
October 2, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Artist Communities, Beading, Suppliers & Product Reviews
Often referred to as the LBS on various forums, I sometimes feel that I don’t pay enough attention to them on this blog! It’s understandable, I suppose, because I buy almost all my supplies in bulk at various wholesale shows. But what about when I run short? Which catalog company is going to (happily) sell me just one small package of headpins, with no shipping charge?
Well, that would be my LBS, not most catalogs!
I realized how remiss I had been, and resolved to tell you about the fabulous bead shop in my town. If you are the owner of another LBS elsewhere (or you’re a beader who is friends with one), I’d love to share your story and pictures as well!
Cyndi Wright, owner of the Bead Hive
First of all, how could I not like a woman who spells her first name the same as I do? Secondly, Cyndi’s shop, the Bead Hive, is well-stocked, inviting, fun, and adorable! It is located at 14 Main Street, in Ayer Massachusetts. There is currently no website, but Cyndi invites you to contact her via email if you’d like; and certainly please stop in if you’re traveling around Massachusetts!
Besides the usual plethora of seed beads, Czech glass, and stones, Cyndi also carries Green Girls fabulous metal beads, vintage glass, specialty findings and stringing materials. And dragons. And fairies.
Some dragons, guarding the tubes of beads I decided to buy!
Why dragons and fairies? Because she likes them! How many beaders do you know who don’t also like the mythical creatures most closely associated with gems, beads, and magic? I particularly liked her “ten cents” bowl, worthy of any hoarding dragon 
The famous “ten cents” bowl
I haven’t been bead shopping in a while… I’m tempted to spend more money today!
I think I’ll stay home and work on “Black and Red” and “Mom’s New Pearls” instead.
(well, until I can’t find that “one thing it needs” to finish each off)
Oh, I know! It’s totally dangerous to walk into any well-stocked LBS
The Bead Hive in my city is extremely overpriced. I’m sure that they have a lot of overhead and theft-costs to cover but it is still galling to be paying easily 500% markup on a bead or finding.
I shop at The Trading Post, a funky handmade gift store, and it’s bead corner is left over from when they used to sell hide and beads to local native artisans. The bead part must still make a profit as they haven’t closed it up. They have a wide selection of seed beads, findings, but not so wide a selection of other decorative beads. They are very reasonabley priced and sell in bulk as well.
btw my city is Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada.
Hi Anita! There is no connection between the two “Bead Hive” stores. It’s a very common name, and I’ve run into several in my travels, but none of them are connected at all. The prices at this LBS, which is not part of any chain, are very reasonable
Ayer? Ayer?? Are you serious?
I must not have been paying attention, because I’m in WESTFORD!
Oh, no. It may be time for another stock-up run….
Oh. My. Gosh!!!
Cyndi: That’s great to hear! I am just always irritated by stores really gouging the customer.
The Bead Hive here is the only “bead” store. We have a Micheals as well (yay!) and a few “secret” stores like my dear Trading Post that I shop at.
I’m happy to hear your Bead Hive is awesome.
Michael’s is one of my favorite places too
Michaels… as a cross border shopper from Canada, I can see price gouging. Even when the currencies have been very close or months, I could still buy items at US Michaels almost consistently for $2 cheaper than the same item in Canada. I know there’s extra delivery cost, but $2 per item almost storewide?
I buy American and use Canadian cost to determine my prices, especially now that I don’t travel as much and have to replenish in Canada.
Paul: yup that cross-border gouging is irritating. But unless there is a huge outcry they won’t change their ways. They basically have a monopoly on the craft store business.
I personally only buy things on sale. I can’t afford to pay full price.
So I let my opinion be known by how I spend my cash.
**Sorry to have changed the topic of this thread :S**
I wish we had a bead store somewhere near where I live. The closest is 40 min. away! The only other choice is Michaels and their 20 min. away. I live close to the border in Canada as well but find crossing is too big of a pain unless doing a big shop, and then there’s always the duty. You are lucky to have that little ‘Bead Hive’ in your area. Looks like a great shop!
Hi there!
Nice blog. Lots of great info. on beading. I just stumbled cross it just now! I live in Massachusetts too. I’ve been to The Bead Hive many years ago when I first started beading. My in-laws live in Bolton, Ma not to far away. We don’t get down there much anymore. My husband and I live in Amesbury, MA on the North Shore. I have a wonderful and beautiful bead shop, where I work and teach jewelry-making! The Riverwalk Bead Shop and Gallery, our website is http://www.riverwalkbeads.com. We don’t sell online, but we have info and class information on our website.
You can check me out at everyheartcrafts.blogspot.com and everyheartcrafts.etsy.com
I’m glad I found your blog. I’m adding you to my blog list.
Why does evryone one only do jewelry beading? Isn’t there anything else out there? I love to go ing to any bead shop. But where is the veratility? I can string beads, but isn’t anyone more creative?
LOL!!! “Only jewelry beading”? You haven’t looked around this blog too much