On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 00:19:39 +1000, "watchcat"
wrote:

I'm looking for recommendations for the best bead shops in Sydney and
Melbourne (Australia). I might be making some business trips this year and
want to check out the bead shops if they aren't too hard to get to.

The Bead Company has a fairly large range of "the usual stuff": seed
beads, Czech crystals, some Swarovski, mineral beads/chips and a range
of findings etc. Very limited range of tools and only the cheap base
metal crimps, however!

They're not in the city itself but the closest is Enmore (next to the
Enmore Theatre), which is less than 10 minutes by bus from Railway
Square (Central). There is very limited parking in this area, so
public transport is your best option. Hurstville is about 2 min walk
up Forest Road from Hurstville station. Never been to the Chatswood
store.

http://www.beadcompany.com.au/html/frame.html


There's also a bead shop in "The Metcalfe Centre" in George St, The
Rocks (The Bead Barn?) but this seems to be more expensive (look like
a Tourist Trap IMHO). It often have some more interesting findings,
but basically the same range of beads as the Bead Co (but more
expensive!). It's a 10min walk from Circular Quay station, or find
one of the buses that scoot down George St.


There's also Polly's Beads out at Penrith, but I've never been there.

http://www.pollysbeads.com.au/


There was also "Beadhouse & Castings" at Alexandria, but I checked it
out recently (it's close to work) and it appears to be gone - the
place had a "for lease" sign out the front and nobody was answering
the phone.

http://www.ronchudy.com/gallery/products


I'd be interested to know if there are any good bead stores in Sydney.
There has GOT to be more than these.