The Bead Shop

I’ve been going to The Bead Shop since I was a teenager (when it was still up on the third floor) and I still love going.
It’s a great place to pick up odds and ends of jewellery making supplies and haberdashery items in small quantities. It might not be as cheap as bulk buying, but I only wanted to make one necklace not 100. Their selection of Swarovski crystals, pendants and buttons is great, and they have a full shade card too if you want to order a specific colour/​shape in.
The system is simple if you’re buying larger quantities of beads, you use the little beadcounter bowls and guides by the entrance to count your beads and then place into a little plastic zippy bag and write the quantity on the outside. Some beads are already packaged up into lager bags as well as individually for ease.
The semi-​precious stones here are pretty reasonable for the quality, and last time I was in there were lots of really cute buttons. There’s a loyalty card system and I’ve used their online shop which provided excellent customer service too. This is a great place to take kids to pick out things to make their own jewellery or keyrings, they love getting a little bowl and picking out their beads.

If you’re a fan of crafting, fancy yourself as a bit of a creative, or simply like tinkering with some DIY goodies, the Bead Shop is a great stop for you.
Located on the first floor of Afflecks Palace, it’s a fair sized emporium of (almost) everything you could need for a rainy day in. Half term or summer holidays on the horizon? I’d totally recommend bringing your kids here and letting them go a little bit crazy with crafts.
There’s obviously a great assortment of beads, but also necklace and bracelet chains, feathers, felt, thread, embroidery rings, ribbons, studs, earrings… I could go on! Keep an eye out for special offers and sales, especially in the large boxes stored underneath the main tables — they’re out of sight, but don’t keep them out of mind as this is where many of the random bags of items for circa £1 are kept.
Pick up a bag — and a pen to keep track of what you’re spending, which is a good idea and lessens the workload for those behind the till when it’s busy! — and get crafting.

I recently filled an afternoon entertaining two young girls, quite a large portion of our time was spent in this shop, and subsequently using the spoils we left with to make the perfect ‘princess’ jewellery. Well worth it, I only spent £10 on a selection of rainbow coloured beads, fixing string and fasteners. Honestly, I am going to have to go back to quell the need to fashion my own.
Interestingly they also provide beading classes where you can form the beginnings of the next Love Links empire!

This place is wonderful. I remember coming here at the age of 13 and thinking this shop was the future. Obviously others thought the same thing as its still going strong.
The concept: spend hours choosing coloured beads, choose a lace/​string, make a fabulous and unique necklace/​bracelet. I have to stay away from this place as a grown adult now to avoid walking out of the shop looking like I am polly pocket. Not to say you cant make stylish pieces for grown-​ups it’s just my tastes in beads seem to be similar to that of a ten year old!

I remember girls being obbsessed in this place when I was younger.
Situated on the 1^st floor of mild rebellion central, Afflecks Palace The Bead Shop specialises in beads (don’t) & jewellery making supplies. Not only that, they also run beading classes for all levels throughout the week & stock a wide range of beading kits, semi-​precious stones & Sworovski Crystals.
So much like cracker dealers, they lure people in, get them hooked, then simply cater to demand.
«C’mon man, just a few more pink flower beads…»
«I think you’ve had enough.»
«Dammit I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough!!»