Hi, I make beaded jewelry and will be visiting Paris and Venice. Does anyone know some shopes that sell beads for making bracelets, necklaces and earrings? I don't want jewelry - just the loose beads.<BR>Thanks

Lots of places in Venice sell loose glass beads both new and antique. They're in the same stores that sell jewelry already made up. Many of these stores allow you to pick the beads &amp; then they'll make up a necklace or whatever for you-but they're happy to just sell the beads. Some of the best prices I saw were in a shop right near the Jewish museum in the ghetto (not the shop that sells ebraica but down the &quot;street&quot; from there). Some antique shops also had some nice one of a kind beads in baskets.<BR><BR>There's a shop near the Guggenheim museum that sells wonderful jewelry (not inexpensive). She makes it herself so has lots of interesting pieces she combines. You might want to have a look. You go past the museum entrance til you hit a small square that's a dead end. Her shop is on the right in that square.

Thanks for the information. I'll try to find those places.<BR>

Wander over past the Accademia Hotel in the streets close to the Grand Canal. There is a bead store on your right as you head away from the hotel. (sorry I can't be more exact than that)..but it is a good neighborhood to poke around in and the bead store has some great jewelry and loose beads for sale.

HI Denise47,<BR><BR>I came across a couple bead stores during my recent trip to Paris--the one I remember is in the Marais, of course I don't remember the street, but I do remember it was in an area where there seemed to be a lot of asian and indian wholesale jewelry storefronts (these were not open to the general public, but the bead store was a retail shop.) Maybe someone else is familiar with this neighborhood?? <BR><BR>Patti

La Samaritaine has a nice selection of beads for jewelry in their craft department. I believe this is on the &quot;top&quot; floor just before you take the stairs to the roof top terrace. If you go be sure and go to the terrace on top and get a great view of the city!

Thanks! If I remember correctly La Samaritaine is a fun store to visit anyway. It has been awhile since I was in Paris.

Thanks! If I remember correctly La Samaritaine is a fun store to visit anyway. It has been awhile since I was in Paris.

Sort of the same, but not quite:<BR><BR>Posters, do the stores you mention carry beaded trim? Not the loose beads, but beaded trim that can then be sewn onto a pillow, purse, or whatever. If not, does anyone know of any places in Paris or Venice that would carry such an item? Any fabric stores/craft stores/etc. I should look out for?<BR><BR>I make purses, and have been thinking that I would love to make one with fabric and beads collected from various places on my trip.<BR><BR>Jennie

Denise,<BR><BR>The store that PamSF refers to is Antichita at 1195 Calle Toletto in Dorsoduro. They do have lovely things. They close in the afternoon (as many stores do) between about 1-4pm &amp; then reopen from 4-7pm I think.<BR><BR>Jennie,<BR>In case you don't know, you are looking for what's called &quot;passementerie&quot;. Most of this is made in France. There is a famous maker called Houles (an accent grave over the &quot;e&quotthat should have a store or showroom in Paris. You might try doing a web search.<BR><BR>In Venice, I went to a fabulous shop called Bevilacqua which is famous for their fabric. In this shop they also sell ready made pillows with passementerie. I just can't remember whether they sold the passementerie separately.<BR><BR>I also think there is an area in Venice for buying fabric &amp; trim. Have a look on the web or in the yellow pages when you arrive).

mclaurie:<BR><BR>Thank you for the information! That's exactly what I needed! I have seen it referred to as passementerie, but wasn't sure if anyone here would know what I meant by that. Where I live, I've been much more successful calling it plain ol' beaded trim. ;0)<BR><BR>Whatever it's called, thanks SO much for the suggestions! They're great! i really appreciate it.<BR><BR>Jennie

Jennie,<BR><BR>FYI when I was trying to find out whether Houles had a store in Paris (BTW they have one in London now) I discovered there are lots of websites that sell passementerie online. I know it's not the same as the &quot;hunt&quot; but thought you might want to do a google search. Have a great time. <BR><BR>BTW I bought the most beautiful closet sachet at Bevilacqua. It actually looks like a small purse but it's sealed. Definitely worth a look, if just for inspiration!