Supporting local bead shops

I have had several interesting conversations recently with both local bead store owners and beading consumers that got me thinking.

Beading consumers are always looking for value, and they have been flocking to online shopping options in droves. Whether it’s due to a broader variety of merchandise, lower prices, or the ease of point, click, and have it show up on your doorstep, there’s no doubt that the bead shopping landscape has changed dramatically over the last 10 years.

But I hope these online buyers won’t forget the additional value that their local bead stores can also provide! How many times have I bought some beads online only to have them arrive looking very different than what I expected? Sigh. Too many!!