Glorious Beads

I stopped by here looking for some crystals to make some jewelry with. They had a few of those but soooo much other fun things as well! The owner is super bubbly and really helpful in helping you figure out how to make or fix your jewelry. (She was helping another customer fix a piece of jewelry.)
She has so many different types of beads in all different colors, and very reasonably priced too! I really could spend all day in there dreaming up different projects I could make! They even hold classes at the shop!
It’s best to call ahead because the hours on Unilocal don’t necessarily match up.

Gloria and her friends are so friendly. I think there’s a great selection, good prices, and happy to support a small local business. Just wish I had more time to get in more often!

Where Everyone knows your name…
Castro Valley is so fortunate to have a bead store. Many in the SF Bay Aread have closed during the recent years of financial difficulties. This store is great for seed beads, Swarovski crystals, strands of semi-​precious stones, findings, great books and much more. Prices are a bit higher than some stores, but the location is so convenient it is always worth it to me to shop locally and avoid a drive into Berkeley or San Jose whenever possible.
Also Gloria is available to repair jewelry at an extremely reasonable price. For beaders in the Castro Valley area this is a wonderfully convenient and very friendly place «where everyone knows your name».

I used to frequent this store often as a kid, and enjoyed putting together necklaces and finding lots of pretty beads here. I hate to give a local business such a low rating, but regardless of the selection or customer service, I will never visit again for one reason: cats.
Being incredibly allergic to cats is a pain in the butt when it comes to visiting friends’ houses, but I shouldn’t have to put my health at jeopardy for a business transaction. When a store has cats, it tells me they put the owner’s comfort above that of their (potential) customers. This, despite a large sign hanging by the register that says, «Pamper the customer.» I didn’t feel pampered as I waited 5 minutes to be acknowledged while the owner was on the phone, and would have left except there are no other stores like this nearby.
The owner was helpful once she finished her phone call and served another customer who was behind me in line, but it really doesn’t matter as I won’t return while they keep pets in the store.

I love going to this place because the owner, Gloria, always makes me feel like a long lost friend! She has a great selection of books and seed beads. She offers lessons on basics at a very reasonable price. Always fun to pop in and see what’s new. AND she sells AVON too! Bonus! I’d rather give her my business than buy it on line. Oh, I almost forgot, another bonus. She offers a frequent buyer card (not hard to do here). Way fun, Yami says, check it out.

Great selection! Friendly ladies!

This place is very small, but has a decent selection. The owner is a very nice person and very helpful, which is probably why people come here over other better priced shops. Very expensive compared to others in the Bay Area.

Love this place! The owner, Gloria, is the friendly person there is and always makes you feel at home when you come in her store. They have a wide selection of beads from seed beads to gemstones, and other things. They also offer classes. From the front parking is rough, but there is actually a lot begind the store.

Love this bead store since Gloria took it over! Gloria makes the store a warm environment to relax and evoke my creative spirit. It became my sanctuary after I went though a difficult time. Whenever I need relief from the stress in my life, I wander down there and enjoy the assortment of beads.