The Birmingham Bead Shop

I am right next door to this shop, in the Greenhouse building of the Custard Factory. So when I fancy popping in to see what new little bits they have in, I can just pop down and see. It’s one of Birmingham’s little gems and very popular with those that love making things and sewing.
It’s a place where the design/​fashion students from South Birmingham College have easy access to. I’ve seen quite a lot of people from the college popping in and out. The shop has so much to offer! For saying it’s such a small shop, they have utilised the space very well by placing products into small box containers which circulate the sides of the shop floor. They’ve even used the walls to fit some of the products on shelves, so that you can see everything.
What I love the most is that every item is clearly labelled i.e. price and name of item. So when you walk in there, you are not confused and can spend a lot of time just wondering around the store.
The ladies who work in the shop are very welcoming. When I first walked in, I looked very lost because I’m not the best crafts person but I really wanted to be nosey and see what the fuss was about; because I’d heard great comments from friends. So, when I walked in, I was shocked to see so many little gems and that’s when I began to appreciate the value of this independent retailer.

Birmingham lacks many high quality art & craft supplies shops. That’s where Birmingham Bead Shop fits in. Small but perfectly formed haven full of shiny things and pretty things and crafty things for you to buy to make yourself prettier, or to make something pretty for someone you know.
I’ve been spoiled by a recent trip to NYC where I visited the Brooklyn Charm Shop and spent a long time ogling shiny expensive and inexpensive charms and other jewellery making supplies. I was grizzling away about how there’s nothing that even compares anywhere near me — so it was an AWESOME surprise to pop into the Birmingham Bead Shop only to be blown away by the range they manage to cram into such a small space, as well as the helpfulness of staff who can show you how to properly open and close a jump ring, or what a crimp bead is for. They’ve even run classes in the past in jewellery making, though they have none advertised at the moment. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled though!