- The Bead
Shop
- 621 Johnson Street
p: 250 480 1496, f: 250 480
1497
Good variety, not as good at Beadworld, though. Sometimes the
staff is rather moody, and not terribly friendly. They kind
of cater more to the 'hemp' crowd. But they are open till 7,
which is a bonus!! Walking distance to Beadworld, so you can
go back and forth comparison shopping.
- Beadworld
- Lower Courtyard, Market
Square (between Government and Store, Fisgard and
Pandora)
63 - 560 Johnson Street
p: 250 386 5534
hours: open 7 days a week
Victoria's biggest bead store. Good selection, lots of
everything. Delicas, Czech seeds, very good selection of
pearls and gemstones. No website. Staff is friendly and
helpful... most of the time!
- Beads and Wire
- Inside New Directions Hair Inc.
#103 -
300 Gorge Road West
p: 250 920 3523
hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5
This is probably the smallest bead store in Victoria, but the
owner, Franca, has a very good selection, with what could be
the best prices in town! This store is inside her hair
salon... truly a hobby out of control! This is also the only
bead store in town that offers classes. This is where Marie teaches! Staff is
very friendly!
- Cathay Gallery
- 540 Fisgard Street
p: 604 780 0755 / 250 383 9208
A Chinese gift store with a small collection of jade and
sandalwood beads (and finished jewelry) as well as simple
knotted cord necklace findings to wear and display a focal
bead. Just upstairs from Beadworld.
- Panacea
- 532 Fisgard Street
p: 250 391 8960, f: 250 391
8961
hours: Mon-Sun 10:30-6
A bubble tea, furniture, clothing and bead store, but they do
have a fairly good selection of unique beads. Mostly Czech,
and some charms. Not much in the way of supplies and such,
but well worth a visit.
- Secret Village
- A funky little bead shop with a fairly eclectic selection
of generally ethnic beads and an average selection of beading
supplies. Prices vary as to the mood of the owner who
usually throws in a small number of free beads (usually it's
easy to see why they are free...).
Warning: This is a cash or cheque only
establishment, no credit or debit card facilities.
- Skanda
- 1033 Fort Street
p: 250 475 2632, f: 250 475
2631
In the antique district, this ethnic interior decorating store
also has a selection of collectible/art jewelry and beads
(mostly semi-precious and silver).
- The Rockhound
Shop
- 777 Cloverdale Ave
p: 250 475 2080, f: 250 475
2083
hours: Tue-Sat 9:30-5:30
Family owned, extremely friendly and helpful. They have a
limited selection of high quality silver and gold findings and
gemstone beads. Very good selection of wire work tools. The
only place in town to get a wide variety of sterling wire.
Great selection of jewelery making books, as well of back
issues of Lapidary Journal.
- Button & Needlework
Boutique
- 102 - 561 Johnson Street
p/f: 250 384 8781, toll
free: 877 384 8781
A nice needlework store that also carries a good selection of
buttons. This is the first and only place I've heard of that
carries a finding for buttons that facilitates their use as a
pendant.
- Canadian Tire
(National Chain store)
- Beaders have long haunted fishing tackle stores for
supplies and even more since Fireline has been reported as one
of the best stringing materials around. You can get it many
places, but Canadian Tire has it as well as Spider Wire (that
you might want to try as well). Don't forget to pickup some
cheap pliers, wire cutters, and glue while you're there...