SPOTLIGHT ON ... STORE
June 2007

Our featured bead store for this month is Blue Fire Beads & Jewelry.

From glass to silver, crystals and stones, Blue Fire Beads & Jewelry is a real gem. The New Lenox, Illinois store caters not only to crafters with a flare for creativity, but also to shoppers hunting for a special necklace, bracelet, earrings, cell phone charm or other bauble. One of only 20 or so bead stores of it's kind in the Chicago area, Blue Fire Beads features thousands of beads and gem stones, magazines and books, custom made jewelry, hand made glass beads and features classes and workshops that attract customers from across the country and around the world.

Family owned and operated by Mari & Keith Johnson, the store opened in April 2003 and is located on historic Lincoln Highway. The 1400 square foot store only uses and sells Soft Flex wire. "I started stringing on Soft Flex wire and was absolutely hooked on it. I tell my customers not to bother with the other brands ... nothing else drapes like Soft Flex. Our daughter, Brooke, is our stringing teacher and feels the same as I do!" said Mari.

The bead store also features a large glass beadmaking studio with 8 stations. Mari has been making glass beads for 8 years and teaches lampwork and fusing. She brings in teachers from across the country, in addition to selling her handmade glass beads in the store and on her own website, www.mjlampwork.com. "For jewelry that features lampwork, I recommend the 49 strand Soft Flex. It's sturdier and I've never had a necklace break." said Mari.

Mari & Keith are now in the process of getting their stock online at www.bluefirebeads.com. They're starting with Swarovski crystals, clasps, sterling silver, and Soft Flex. It will take a few months to get everything online, but each day we add a bit more.

Blue Fire Beads & Jewelry is located at 2534 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Lenox, IL. 60451. You may contact them by phone at (815) 462-4900 or visit them online at www.bluefirebeads.com.