Bead shop in Rome and/or Florence
 

I saw a posting recently questioning the location of a bead shop in Rome but never saw anything defining its location. I believe the original post was directed to barb and she referred it to seaurchin.

However, does anyone know of any bead shops in either Rome or Florence? I am looking for high quality beads (Murano maybe?). I have tried the Italian yellow pages but to no avail.

Thanks!
Linda

I had a difficult time finding a bead shop anywhere outside Venice. I even found a jewelry shop in Florence that made its own products on-site and sold a few loose beads. They could offer me no ideas for more comprehensive bead shops in Florence.

SeaUrchin, please help.

Man I wish I had written down the address but we found a bead shop down one of a million alley ways in Rome close to Piazza navona. There out there...maybe someone knows.

In the Oltrarno, I found a shop that sold unstrung beads of semi-precious stones at extremely reasonable prices. I tried to find the name and address, but nothing looked familiar. Crossing the Ponte Vecchio, it was to the right on a street that ran parallel to the Arno, I think...

Ta Da!!

I had to find my jewelry pouch with my necklace inside to find the name but here it is:

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/muranopiu.htm

SeaUrchin: Thank you! I can't tell from the website if they sell beads, but I will definitely check out the store. I appreciate that you went to so much trouble.

sandi travelnut: Do you think the store SeaUrchin described is the store you had in mind? It is called "Murano Piu" and it says they are located behind Piazza Navona on Corso Rinascimento.

Eloise: I will be sure to look for the store while I'm in Florence. It sounds perfect! Thank you for your help.

SeaUrchin, when you walked into the store, did they have big pots or bins on the floor full of beads? I know that this is the right area but not sure if it's the same store.

Mu wife frequents a bead shop across the street from the Trevi fountain.

The beads in that store were in plates on tables but that was a year ago, maybe they are in bins on the floor now. It is a fairly elegant shop but the prices are fair I think. I know the salesgirl took the time to wrap each charm I bought individually and was happy to do so! (making it a pleasant experience). It is on the street that runs alongside P. Navona.

If you find another shop, let us know! Have fun beading!

Not the same one. The one I saw was buried in a dark alley maze somewhere around the Piazza. We got lost looking for a restaurant that was suggested here and stumbled onto the shop.

DRJ: Thanks! I'll definitely look for that one.

SeaUrchin and sandi travelnut (and anyone else who's interested): I'll stop in at Murano Piu to see what they have and then I'll roam the dark alleys around Piazza Navona to see what else I can find.:-) What fun I'll have exploring! I'll let you know what I find.

Grazie mille!
Linda

You won't believe the shops you'll find, and beautiful, tiny piazzas with fountains....can I go with you?

I've found a few in Venice:

Perle e Ditorni, San Marco 3740 on Calle della Mandorla- between Campos San Angelo and Manin. You can buy their pieces already assembled, string your own there, or purchase to string later.

Costantini, San Marco 2668A on Campo San Maurizio. You can buy by weight or in their pre-made packages. Not very good ventilation inside either; the shopkeeper was smoking like a chimney indoors.

Antichita, Dorsoduro 1195, Calle Toletta. An antiques store which has a collection of lace and hand-painted beads for purchase individually or already made into jewellery.

On Murano I go to the artisan's collective shop. I can't find the address in my notes, but if you step off the vaporetto at the Museo stop and walk left on the Fond. Longa, you'll find it about four shops down. If you've passed the Co-op you have gone too far. They have bins of beads almost to the ceiling and the largest selection and best prices I've found.

Good luck!

What a bonehead I am! You didn't ask for shops in and around Venice. Sorry about that...

In Florence there is a small shop just north of San Lorenzo and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi on Via De Ginori.

Thanks, krix. I'll save the Venice ones for next time. But I will stop in the Florence shop!

sandi - This is my first trip to Italy and I can't tell you how excited I am! I'm going to try to do a trip report because I've received so much help from this forum. I leave five weeks from this Thursday.

LCBoniti;

Did you ever find any of the bead shops? Which ones did you like the best and where were they?

Thanks in advance, Jane

Hi Jane -
Actually I found one which may have been the one Eloise referred to (in Florence). It was exactly where she described. It had beautiful glass beads from Venice. I purchased several striking ones which my jewelry-making friend used for the centerpiece of beautiful necklaces she made for the two of us. The store had several kinds of beads, both loose and already made into jewelry, as well as other nice Venetian glass pieces. Since I wasn't going to Venice, it was great for me!

As for Rome, we did so much that I never had the time to look for bead shops there. Next time . . .

Linda

I have read all the comments ,, and I wondered how nobody looking on line or in Google , for the name of bead shop rome ,,
Any way you can see that in via sora 30 rome italy ,, in the center of old rome between the famous place PLAZZA NAVONA , and CHIESA NUOVA ,, from the main street CORSO VITTORIO EMANUELE.

Thank you very much , and please if you have any question you can send e mail to rankoussi@beadshoprome.

Regards.

I found one on via dei Coronari in Rome. They had some already made jewelry as well. This was just a great atmospheric street to stroll down, too!

For those interested in beads shops in Florence Beadedlily is a must.
http://www.beadedlily.com
The owner Tim gives demonstrations in the shop and also teaches the techniques. Bead heaven !