SPOTLIGHT ON ... STORE
January 2008

Our featured bead store this month is Beadalotta

With a simple weaving class at the local bead shop in Hudson, NH, in 2003, the beading adventure (or is it madness?) began. That simple class led to an obsession with all things beads and that obsession became ... Beadalotta.

Come on in to Beadalotta ..."A Fun Place to Bead". Mother and daughter owners, Patricia Dubbels (the mom half of the ownership) and Michelle Heim (you guessed it - the daughter half of the duo) moved back to their Midwestern home-state of Wisconsin in the spring of 2005. After working for the bead shop in Hudson, NH, for just shy of a year, they knew that they wanted to open their own shop. Determining that Fond du Lac was a good spot and that there were no other shops in town, they started to plan. Beadalotta opened its doors for business November 18, 2006.

Beadalotta doesn't have a specialty that they are known for - maybe because Pat and Michelle are interested in a wide variety of bead-y things - unless that area is enthusiasm. They are enthusiastic about all kinds of beads and pass that enthusiasm along to their customers.

Color is everywhere in the shop...from the beads (semi-precious stones that are handpicked, Swarovski crystals sold by the piece, Czech glass beads, Miyuki seed beads, high quality pewter and a variety of specialty items) to the multi-hued walls to the eclectic furnishings and décor. Pat and Michelle want the shop to feel like you can kick off your shoes at your friend's house and chat for a bit while you bead.

A variety and expanding selection of classes are offered - from the in depth Beading Basics and Wire Basics classes (who knew there was so much to learn?) to an array of weaving classes such as the Russian Spiral to Square Stitch to Right Angle Weave. In the upcoming year, more new classes will be available in macramé, precious metal clay and additional weaving classes.

Pat and Michelle believe in teaching a stitch or technique and then getting their customers to use their imagination and explore their creativity. Beadalotta has beaders from every range of experience...from the very beginner to the very advanced. From the occasional beader to the jewelry maker to the fishermen (hey, it's Wisconsin and the fishermen come in to get crystals for their lures and harnesses).

"We believe that our customer service is what sets us apart. We are always happy to help our customers with their beading needs and questions. We try to greet our customers by name so that they know that they are valuable to us. We encourage questions and if we don't know the answer, we will try to find it. If we don't carry a product, we will find out who does. It's about being proactive. Need a little help with design or color choices? Just give us a holler. Our customers, some who have become great friends, are the most important part of our business," says Michelle.

Who needs therapy? Just walk through Beadalotta's doors and get a little color therapy. Come on in....meet other people who share the same bead-y interests. Or should I say obsessions? If you are ever in Fond du Lac, WI, stop in to visit us at 21 E. 2nd St., Suite 101. Visit us on the web at www.beadalotta.com to see our classes and news about the shop. Contact us at 920-322-1885 or at beadalotta@beadalotta.com.