Beads Galore Offers So Much More To Tinley Residents

Beads Galore and More could easily be confused for the Land of Oz when walking through the doors. 

Entering the store at 17727 Oak Park Avenue, you are immediately surrounded by an array of colorful beads hanging at the top of the walls, and bins filled with beads line cabinets at the bottom. Some capture the light while others reflect it. Some twinkle. They all sparkle. Around a thousand different varieties of beads are available in the store ranging from glass to Swarovski crystal, priced from ten cents to $18.

Behind the counter, customers will usually find owner Sandra Sims practicing various techniques or working on a project for a customer.

“A lot of customers come back to the store with projects partially done and I’ll help them finish it at no charge,” she said.

That individual attention and customer service prompted the additional “And More” to the name of the store.

 “I’m willing to help anyone who comes through my door," Sims said. "A lot of stores have popped up and failed because they want you to take classes for things I will show them how to do here for free. Individual attention is our specialty. Customer service is literally why I’m still here.”

Sims saw the benefits of quality service after working side by side at her mother’s rock shop for 20 years. Her mother, Jeri Justice, opened her business Jeri's Rock Shop, currently located in Oak Forest, after looking for a room divider with rocks on top for her home. While searching, she stumbled upon a rock club and became addicted. She loved it so much she opened her own store and 40 years later she’s still in business. 

“She taught me everything she knows about rocks and business,” Sims said. She took a bead stringing class and like her mother before her, she was hooked.

With her mother’s connections and her husband's work history, Samantha was approved for a loan and the dream of owning a bead store came to life.

After 16 years in business, Sims believes it’s the customers that are most rewarding. 

“You establish a relationship with them," she said. "I love being a part of their project and moments in their lives.”

Sims recalls a customer who almost spent $450 on a headband for her wedding.  Instead, she purchased two plain ones, sewed them together and added Swarovski crystals from her store for $70.

“A customer may go to a bigger brand store and buy a whole kit when they only need two or three things," Sims said. "I only sell customers what they need because I want them to come back. I’ll show them how to use the tools.”

While most businesses are folding due to the economy, Sims is finding creative ways to benefit from it.   

“I just made an eyeglass strap for an older customer," she said. "She wanted a strap with a more subtle color for the summer. She went to buy one at the doctor’s office and the price went from $10 to $40. She got a custom-made one done (here) for $20.” 

Along with buying individual beads, customers can also purchase jewelry made at the store. Sims uses various techniques to make items including the Kumihimo technique, a Japanese form of braiding.

Sims sets an environment where customers are free to let their creative juices flow with the many possibilities of beading. Customers have used the beads for a variety of projects including bookmarks, toe rings, anklets and name bracelets that are popular for Mother’s Day. Beads, to Sims, can add pizzazz and individuality to any project. 

One customer beaded a bouquet for her daughter's wedding. 

“She saw it in a magazine” Sims said. “She came in and we figured it out.”