It may seem like a simple corner shop when you first walk by with a pretty sign on the door and a neon beads sign in the front window. But when you walk into Beads to Live By, and are greeted by owner Cassandra Spicer with a big smile on her face, it seems more like home.
A home where you instantly feel more creative just by looking at all the amazing beads hanging on the walls, and the beautiful jewelry pieces that have been handmade by Cassandra, Sheila and many others who teach classes there. The atmosphere changes from the busy downtown street on Mechanic and smell of coffee from the Jackson Coffee Co across the street, to a warm, friendly place with sparks of creativity sprinkled throughout.
I don’t even make jewelry, but after seeing the beautiful creations designed by Cassandra and many others, I want to take a class. To me it’s always fun to see a project from start to finish and what you can do. That is the heart behind Bead’s to Live By and owner Cassandra. “One of my favorite things is to give inspiration to others. I love that I get to be creative and artistic for work. It has totally brightened someone's day before. Best feeling ever”
Beads to Live By has been downtown since 2013. “The day and weekend before we opened was an incredible experience. It was both frightening and amazing at the same time.” This was obviously her path because since her opening the store, she has been accepted to participate on a design team for a large bead manufacturer and has been published in 3 different bead magazines, Bead and Button, Beadwork, and Perlen Poesie.
Not only does Cassandra teach classes(she has been beading since she was 19), she helps other local artist by selling their products and promoting their classes as well. Cassandra laughed as she told me about a story of a friend who made a deal with her male co-workers. She would go to their cross fit class, if they came to a beading class. “Beading helps give opportunities to people who love to be creative and can use it as a resource or outlet.”
The main reason this bead store is different. Quality and expertise. “I don’t sell products that I wouldn’t use myself. We carry the tools and components to put everything together. We also try to promote the amazing individuals who design and teach others to make these pieces.”
I have seen first hand the expertise that Cassandra offers. She will jump right up and help anyone who needs to find that perfect bead to finish their product. She will know what type of bead, finish, and color you want before you even start looking!
Not only is she a Bead Master, Cassandra is also an amazing person who opened her doors to me and a crazy idea I had for some mini sessions with my Dream Team Girls(more on those later!). She let me borrow pieces of jewelry to have the girls wear and model for their sessions. We created some amazing images, and got to showcase her beautiful art work. Here are some of my favorites(which you now can see hanging downtown in her store)!
If you are looking for that perfect bead, a great new class to take, or just a warm inviting smile, head on into Beads to Live by. They specialize in selling beautiful beads, patterns, classes, and beading supplies! The are located at 145 S. Mechanic St, Jackson MI 49201 Or head to their website www.beadstoliveby.com
BeadsTo Live By from Carrie Stadelman on Vimeo.
Beads to Live By
Along with capturing images of Cassandra and others beautiful work, I made a few videos for them to use in their marketing and social media:) Here is one of them!! Enjoy
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