The Potomac Bead Company

I have to change my review from a while ago. I HAD to go back into the store as needed help with a wedding outfit. Everyone there was amazing and patient and gave me lots of good ideas. Very impressed.

Kyler helped us. We got great service and he was very helpful and friendly. I got two new bead necklaces for a great price. Thanks Kyler! Sherry

WORSE! When I enter a store I expect to be greeted, especially if I’m the only one there. 30 minutes there browsing around I asked if they could help me find a certain bead, that «only they carry»…so sad the two girls (girls because they seemed very young) had NO IDEA what I was talking about. I explained, but they still had no idea. Asked about another more common bead, and still they were clueless. Ok selection, but very pricey, and sad they don’t carry their exclusives. I will NOT be going back, I’ll stick to another local bead company in Occoquan or shop online.

Great selection, friendly employees, and really cool consignment pieces made by employees of the store make this place a nice community store. I came in to see a necklace an employee had created and ended up spending a couple of hours going through and picking out beads for my next projects. What a neat store to stumble into on my stroll through Alexandria. They even teach classes upstairs — if I had time for one I would’ve signed up! Highly recommend!

I dont do a lot of reviews but the potomac bead co has taken a hit or two by people saying there arent enough tables then recommending Michaels.
You can run up a bill in their shop, but I have always found them pleasant to deal with. Classes are fun and I always seem to learn something. If you want personal help finding things or choosing beads and findings they are glad to help. On the other hand they try not to crowd you if you are someone who prefers to go on their own way. Beautiful eye candy every where. I bring beads with me that Ive found elsewhere and find what I need to round out the project. Ive been in lots of shops and price of beads would be my favorite complaint about them all. But the PBC doesnt seem to be any more expensive than the others. Theres one in richmond that always make my wallet cry.
Irene

I took one class there and it was very very good. It was a small group, which was super. And the instructor knew what she was doing. Like any bead store, the choices can be a little over whelming, and it’s easy to spend too much money. But everything there is top notch. I don’t go often. But when I need special beads this is where I go.

This is the best bead store in the DC area! Everything is so organized and beautifully laid out. What really makes the store are the classes and staff. They have classes that other bead stores don’t have and are constantly adding new (cool) ones. Plus the staff is so friendly and helpful, the managers Kim and Whitney have been so extra helpful as beading guru’s when I go in with all of my beading problems!

I noticed the gorgeous, bedazzling array of Swarovski crystal beads, and the large selection of semiprecious stones (tiger’s eye, anyone?). They had a 20% off sale, and a great selection of silver clasps and bead holders to choose from, at a reasonable price (though you have to look at the fine print to ensure you don’t get a $ 9.50 bunch instead of a nearly-​identical one priced at $ 4.50.
I ended up buying at least several crystal beads, and the cashier mentioned that I had gotten (I forget the exact term used) all angular beads save one rounded one which all but looked identical, and asked if it was on purpose. Actually, I hadn’t known, so I was glad she mentioned it. I wanted an angular one and without me asking, she went and retrieved the proper bead and mentioned a discount if I purchased an additional bead (which I ended up doing).
I wish this place were closer to the DC/​VA/​Arlington area – I’d drop by far more frequently. I was greeted warmly when coming inside, (which is wonderful when you appear young and store employees don’t often treat young clientele so nicely nor take them as seriously as they should) and I could spend so much time just looking at the glass bead displays themselves, they’re so colorful. Anyways, wonderful place. Will likely be a repeat visitor…

This was a great place for a small bridal shower beading party. The guests loved it! Whitney was so helpful with suggestions for catering and getting it organized. Though Whitney described the room as smaller in size, it was a comfortable space that worked out perfectly. We were able to set up and decorate, bring in food and beverage, and everyone had a wonderful afternoon. The staff was very helpful when we were designing our necklace and bracelets. We were not rushed out at the end. Thank you Potomac Bead Company!

I really liked this store, but the prices are high so I’m giving 4*. They don’t have any wood beads (they said they are trying to find a new distributor) but they have a fabulous selection of gemstones and Swarovski crystals.
They do classes almost every day if you can do that (wish I could!).
Overall a great shop if you’re looking for high quality beads and beading tools/​accessories.

My sister and I were there today. It was a very cool store. Lots and lots of beads. Everything you can think of. The employees that work there were very nice and polite, very informative. I know my sister will go back.

Load of options for beads! I would not say I am an avid jewelry maker, but I do love making earrings more so for hobby than for selling. This place has pretty much everything you need. They give you tons of options to choose from with a huge variety of glass beads to semi precious stones.
They do offer classes if you’re into that kind of stuff. I don’t know if I would personally go, but it is nice they offer it as an option.
Prices are reasonable I’d say for the quality of product they have. However, I don’t foresee myself spending $ 37 on a strand of beads. Simply my personal preference though.
I will definitely come back for sure!

LOVE THE CLASSES!!!
I love the classes they have offer and they are prices fairly in my opinion. They have a great selection of beads, gemstones, cording, and findings as well. I may buy a few pieces from them, but I prefer going to the International Gem and Jewelry show when they come to the MD, DC, VA area to purchase raw materials at better prices.
The staff was helpful and very knowledgeable. I was even able to convert one of my friends who WOULD NEVER be caught dead in a beading store. He ended up spending a few hundred dollars and the rest is history.
Parking can be a pain having to run out and fill the parking meter if you plan to be there a while.

Really cool store with lots of shiny, pretty things to look at. And while there are $ 65 strands of beads, there are a fair amount of more affordable strands as well. Staff is also helpful and doesn’t mind how long you browse.
Also, they offer classes! And even a novice like me with terrible fine motor skills was able to make some pretty cool pieces. The store also will lend out tools for you to work on projects.

Couldn’t wait to visit this store and one day I actually found a parking space right in front!
They have a ton of space, but not as many beads to look through as some other local bead stores-​even though their beads are located both upstairs and on the main floor. Prices are pretty fair though.
People who work here are helpful and do not seem to mind how long you spend browsing!

I love coming here for the classes and the great bead selection. I’ve bought some beads online but am always disappointed and end up back here. Such beautiful stones and supplies at a fair price.

I went back to finish my last pair of earrings and a gal set me up with tools and a little work station just like I’d had in the class. I heard they let you come back to finish your projects but this is pretty exceptional. The employees were polite and helpful and didn’t even pressure me to buy anything else. Also, I felt so bad for the poor woman at the counter listening to what had to be a pretty standard annoying customer rant with cheerful neutrality, then offer to help the woman fix her problem.
I completely love how free of attitude the gals at this store are!

Love coming here for beads! They have such beautiful stones and wonderful beading supplies! Materials are top notch. They also offer classes for jewelry making!
Street parking.
Expensive store, but good quality. You can get a lot of these things cheaper online tho this store is still fun to browse.
When you spend $ 500, you get a certificate for $ 25 store credit.
Owners are nice.
Great place to browse for inspiration!
Street Parking

Walking into this store is a little like how I imagine Aladdin must have felt when he walked into the Cave of Wonders. Do not enter if you a) are overwhelmed by shiny objects b) have hoarding or magpie tendencies c) need to be anywhere in the next 30 minutes.
Strings of beads arranged by hue cascade down every wall, making the store a continuous wash of vibrant color. Long tables dominate the middle of the space, featuring evenly spaced depressions full of individual stones, beads and charms. The beads are arranged by medium. Thus, you begin with the semi precious stones (agate, quartz, peridot, tourmaline, citrine, coral, to name just a few). Next are beads made of glass (venetian and murano too!), followed by beads made of wood, metal, resin, plastic, shell, and ceramic. There was even a section just for swarovski crystal beads.
In addition to beads you’ll also find anything else you’d need to make jewelry (except the equipment). This includes chains, findings, hooks, clasps, closures, and charms in silver, gold, copper, and brass. Also ribbons and silk cords and wires. No tassels, braid or trim, unfortunately. Oh and keep in mind — this is just what I can remember of what was there!
Upstairs they had (Even More) beads and also a space where a bead-​making class was being held.
Everything was impeccably organized and labeled. The only downside was how incredibly overwhelming it is to be faced with such an array of choices!

This place when you walk in is clean and neat. The staff is RUDE and really snotty. I picked beads that were hanging under one sign with one price. When I went to pay it was another price because they had just «rearranged» the store, not my problem. When I brought this to the rude manager’s attention she was annoyed that I was questioning her. Do I care that you just rearranged the store, no, you should have moved the signs to reflect the correct beads.
Have I ever been to your store? NO
Will I ever come back? NO