The Beadiak

Nondescript on the outside, it’s easy to walk by The Beadiak without a second glance or thought. After all, it is nestled among identical-looking shops with similar wares. So, this is where one has to go by shopper’s instinct, because once you find it, The Beadiak is dazzling on the inside.

Bead beginnings

Owner Anne Karam, who majored in fine arts, started her career as an independent designer of home accessories but moved into the jewelry-making industry, where she's been for over 30 years.

She ran The Beadiak in Malibu before moving it to its current location at in 2003.

The full service bead store is open seven days a week and employs three part-time employees. “Everyone here has an interest in jewelry-making,” said Karam.

Beautiful beads

Karam said the beads come from all over the world. “When the Berlin wall came down, scavengers found these gorgeous glass beads in factories, dating back from World War II,” she said, describing some of the more notable beads that made their way to her store.

There are Murano glass beads from Italy. Africa also has a noteworthy collection of beads at the store. France and the Czech Republic also contributed some exceptional beads to The Beadiak’s inventory.

The beads come in all shapes, sizes, colors and values. Some are loose, like the fresh water pearls from Asia and the plastic beads that are often found in children’s arts and crafts sets.

Some come in long, elegant strands, like the semi-precious smokey quartz, jade, rodenite and corals. Some are hand-carved, like the tagua nuts from Panama, often referred to as a “poor man’s ivory,” according to Karam.

The beads can be purchased as sets or as separate pieces. Purchased individually, some beads can be fashioned into pendants or incorporated into a purse or tiara. As bulk sets, some of the more precious beads can even be sewn into wedding gowns.

Being full-service, The Beadiak also carries accessories and tools such as magnifiers, project tins, wires and chains for hobbyists and enthusiasts.

Bead-making process

For those who would like an outlet for their creative juices, The Beadiak offers programs for all levels, including ones for school-age children during the summer.

For adults, the Basic Beads class is offered regularly. Priced at $150 and composed of five, 3-hour sessions, the series is for anybody who would either like to make hand-made gifts for themselves or for others.

“At the beginning of each series, we try to understand the student’s goals, so we can help them achieve those goals,” said Karam, who also encourages students to sell their finished products at the shop, on consignment.

For the more adventurous, there are specialized classes scattered throughout the year. Lamp work classes, for instance, are becoming popular. Pendants and other focal objects can be created using this process, where glass is shaped and decorated over a flame.

Silver art-clay classes, which involves hand-formed silver jewelry components, is also offered, as well as glass fusing classes.

A gratifying hobby

With the recession, people bought less this year, according to Karam. The Beadiak tried to stay competitive by diversifying and hosting specialty events, such as bride’s maid parties, birthday parties and on-site projects for the elderly. Karam also closely monitors her inventory levels, which is her biggest expense.

“No one ever fails here,” said Karam, who counts stay-at-home moms, high school students, college students, professionals and groups among her clientele.

“It’s a form of expressive spirituality,” she added. “Emptying one’s thoughts and the repetitive motion of jewelry-making makes one more vulnerable to receiving information from the universe.”

Post 9/11, Karam remembered that there was a sudden spike in enrollment. “I think people found jewelry-making calming, and I’m sure there’s some psychological explanation for that too,” she said.

Karam explained the unusual appeal of beads and jewelry making. “I think it’s sociological, an ice-breaker of sorts, between women. There’s also something about owning a piece that you've made to be very gratifying.”