You'll Be Dazzled at Beadworks

By: Jessica Wakeman
Published: April 19, 2007

White Plains joined the ranks of bedazzled cities across the states with the April 15 opening of Beadworks at 96 Westchester Ave., directly across from Nordstrom’s. Beadworks is a unique shop that offers the opportunity to combine contemporary fashion with personal creative expression. They provide a vast selection of beads as well as the tools needed to make any piece of jewelry desired.

“Beaders” no longer have to travel out of White Plains for the variety of beads offered at Beadworks. Those not familiar with the pastime of beading will become immersed in a world many are already enchanted with. In fact, Nancy Nygreen, the franchised owner of the White Plains and Providence Beadworks stores, found herself recreating her career when she stumbled upon the beading world. She says, “I felt I was not the artistic type until I discovered that anyone can be creative with beads. The attraction of beads is both timeless and contemporary.”

The store originated in London’s Convent Garden area in 1978 and despite the lack of signs or advertisements it immediately became a hit. Beadworks then moved to the United States opening stores in Dallas, Providence, Boston and Norwalk. Nancy Wall, founder of the American company and author of jewelry design books, is thrilled to have White Plains as its newest location, saying, “[White Plains] maintains Beadworks’ tradition of locating in attractive and interesting places.”

The variety that Beadworks offers is incomparable. Their selection covers a range of prices, materials and styles. Among other things, Beadworks prides itself on their support of small crafts people internationally. There is a selection of lamp-work beads by a Czech Republic company, Alle Alle, glass and wood beads by Manik Manik, a company in Java, an assortment of African beads, pearls from Hong Kong, and a large selection of Asian cloisonné beads.

When first entering the store, the eye gorges itself on the delicious abundance of color. Every nook of every cranny is filled with any material in any color you could imagine. There are naturals including nut, shell, wood and bone, semi-precious stones, crystals, Swarovskies, merino glass, pearls, plastics, silvers and much more. The colors are mesmerizing—turquoise, corals, bright purples with lowlights and blacks with highlights.

The Beadworks staff is also available to help with technical aspects of jewelry making as well as to offer any creative insight. The store provides a kit to make jewelry on the premises and offers classes and instructional books. Also available are design consultations, “charmed” beading birthday parties, “sparkle and pearls” parties, and “rent the store” parties.

Beadworks provides a fun and inexpensive way to create jewelry, for yourself or for others, and the opportunity for personal flair in anyone’s jewelry collection. Find your creative spin with the timeless element of beads.