Bead shopping in New York City can be rather expensive, but how could I possibly miss this opportunity? Going out to visit bead shops in Manhattan gives me the chance to get to know what components New Yorkers like to create with, when they are in a jewelry-making mood. New York retailers are known for their sensitivity to the customers’ requests, because retail competition there is very high.
I’ve seen people looking for a strand of natural beads to make a simple necklace, and I’ve seen people from a fashion district looking for specific materials with creative ideas in mind.
6th Avenue Shops
To save time (and money) on transportation, I chose to visit three bead stores that are located close to each other. Their selection differs from store to store, therefore it is more interesting to browse and customers can focus on finding unique metrials rather than getting stuck comparing prices of those materials they are already familiar with. All three shops are located on 6th Avenue within several blocks from Herald Square and 42nd Street, the infamous tourist destintions. As a result, you can easily plan your itinerary around these two other tourist attractions and then spend a couple of hours in these three stores while moving between Herald Square to 42nd Street.
Toho Soji
990 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
This is my favorite place to get simple creative ideas for affordable jewelry. It might even become a one-stop shop location, if you are happy with all of the components you select for your projects.
As you enter, on the right side you can see seed beads. The prices of large packages make them more affordable than small packages of delicas. However, most of large packages I saw, were size 10 and 12 of round seed beads. I use them for bead embroidery. It is rare that someone decides to use them in a bead pattern since they are not largely available in most of the bead shops around the country.
In the back of the store you may find plastic pearls which can be used for bead embroidery (because they are very light) or for bead weaving practices. Using Swarovski pearls for practice may cost you an arm and a leg, so this is a good alternative.
As an online shopper with years of history, I have noted that Swarovski components are more expensive in this store than in any other online shops known to me. At the same time, online purchases end up being compulsive too. Therefore, buying one thing at a more expensive price might be better than placing a huge online order just because you needed that one component.
A wise shopper is a happy shopper, so choose your tactics accordingly.
Bead Center
989 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Here you can expect better prices, but the selection is also different.
If you are looking for seed beads, walk towards the rear part of the store. The left side contains poorer quality seed beads: cheaper but not worth investing in if you are into bead-weaving. The size of those beads is not consistent. On the right side seed beads have a slightly better quality. The selection of colors is basic. I didn’t find any fancy finishes or interesting seed bead colors.
Bead Center is a good place to purchase sequins if you like to use them in your embroidery. There are so many colors and shapes of sequins that I literary got lost and found it hard to decide which one to start with.
While Toho Soji is more focused on glass, metal and other fashion beads, Bead Center also carries strands of gemstones and faceted glass beads.
Tools and accessories seemed more affordable here. I even thought that some prices were very close to what you might expect to pay online. It is helpful that you can actually hold these tools in your hand and have a better understanding about their future use in your jewelry projects.
M&J Trimming
1008 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Even though M&J Trimming has a vast selection of Swarovski components and other beads, I primarily visit this place to shop for ribbons and lace.
This store contains so many colors and different kinds of ribbons and lace that many fashionable ideas might be born right there just by looking at all of them.
It used to be famous for buttons and ribbons, but over the past few years I have purchased a little bit of everything there, including beads. You might encounter high prices, but I don’t believe the components you’d find here are meant to be purchased in large quantities. It is very possible that you might find a ribbon or a cord here, that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Or, at the very least, you will find its replacement. A better one.
Even though everything is available for sale online, I still prefer to visit this store and touch every product I might consider purchasing. A good feeling on the skin is a very important factor for jewelry making that you shouldn’t overlook.
Other Bead and Gem Attractions
Walking from one of these stores to the other, you will notice other shops related to jewelry making. There are some containing more sophisticated gemstones and others that focus on cheaper jewelry. Whatever your interest may be, remember that New York real estate is ridiculously expensive and therefore prices will always be higher than in most shops across the country.
Happy beading!
P. S. More photos of shops mentioned here are available at Svetlana.Gallery Facebook page.
