Summer in Cobden

Summer in Cobden and Introduction to Small Town Bead Shops 101

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So here we go!  I own a small bead shop in southern Illinois and having retired from 30 years at a state university, this is my primary focus!  My flowers pictured here adorn the property and we have worked hard to get them to look this year -  and this year were way early and incredibly beautiful.  

Bachelor Buttons

Dianthus

Roadside Iris

Southpass Beads is a full service bead shop, small but really loaded with beads that you don't find just anywhere.  Especially in southern Illinois as there are really no bead shops to speak of, only the big chain craft stores.  We've received visitors from all over, great feedback, and I'm really enjoying being a shop owner! So shop local folks - if you read this stop by and see what we have to offer.

Here's some pictures of my shop!

All sorts of artworks hang from trees - here's one of them! We have a large wind chime, made from an oxygen cylinder and it has the most glorious "bong" sound!

Here's how we look from the street and as you enter the shop.  You see the new construction in the pictures above, which is still awaiting a coat of paint!  I'm choosing white but leaning towards a bright yellow trim around the edges so it will catch your eye as you approach the entrance.  Park on the street in front of the shop!

As you enter, you'll likely be greeted by Walter J. Cat (above), an adopted grey tabby, very fat and very vocal.  He usually wants in if he's out or out if he's in.  Here he is waiting at the door and saying "Hello!"

As you enter the shop, you'll pass our counter and will see a large wooden slab bar - this is the beading bar, still a bit under construction.  I've fallen a bit behind due to some foot surgery, but am looking forward to be up and running - literally - very soon!  Here you'll see a couple stools so you can sit and pick out beads for your works of art!

Updated Classroom area - this is new, too.  We did have the classroom in the main showroom of the shop, which made for cramped quarters when a class was in session.  We now have our own classroom space which also serves as storage for extra beads and supplies!

Here you'll find tools, stringing materials and a huge selection of silk ties - all handmade by Class Act Designs, a woman-owned business out in California! We have loads of colors!

The center of the room where you'll find trays of bead caps, charms, and other assorted findings.  My plan is to change these to shiny new acrylic trays in the near future!

 Czech glass seed beads, Swarovski crystals, Czech pressed glass beads, ceramic beads and fire polished crystals....expanded color selections! We have way more selection than the big chain craft stores!

Image here just a little dark - I took the picture late in the day early in the spring, but you see the revolving display full of various supplies - kumihimo supplies, hole punch tools, hammers, seed bead spinners, looms, bead boards - all sorts of glorious things!