Nov. 4, 2004 – Deborah Broad and Jamie Batson were e-mailing each other this summer and found they were both beading at the same time.
Both love beads. Broad said she has always "loved to collect beads and pretty, shiny things just like a magpie." They decided they needed to do something with all their beads. In October, they opened their store Beaden in downtown Christiansted. They were able to get a quick start because between the two of them they know a lot of beaders and jewelry makers.
Numerous St. Croix beaders and jewelry makers sell on consignment at the shop, located on Strand Street in the Caravelle Arcade Shops.
Sam LeBeau makes one-of-a-kind handblown glass beads for sale in the shop. Michael Smith, Park Westerfield, J.R. Greer, Jeanne Kuzmich, Patti Mason, Sheri McKeigue, Danna Redding, Melissa Sabourin, Melanie Smith and Patricia Woodward are among the local beaders and designers whose works are for sale.
The shop also features fine glass art from the Island of Crete and wind chimes made from antique Japanese plates.
Each month the shop will promote one of the designers. Next month the featured designer will be Melissa Sabourin. She uses semiprecious stones such as the beautiful ocean jasper to create necklaces, bracelets and earring sets.
The beaders can also do custom designs and special orders for the holidays.
Arriving all the time are pretty beads from all over the world made of glass, fimo – a colorful clay-like material rolled into unique designs and baked – and wood, which are for sale at the shop. Findings and thread for stringing beads are also available.
"Ours is one of the few stores on the island that does restringing," Broad said.
They also offer adult classes in basic beading once a month on a weekday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. or Saturday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The class price includes instruction and a packet of beads to make an anklet, bracelet or earrings. A local beading society also meets at the store once a month.Call the store at 713-9880 to register and for more information.
Broad, who formerly ran Deborah Broad Gallery and Gallery Gia in Christensted, has relocated her gallery into the store, selling paintings in oils, acrylics and pastels. Broad teaches all levels of art classes for adults in those media. The classes are for up to three people with individualized attention and instruction.
Watch for details on the grand opening being held in December in conjunction with the other stores in the Caravelle Arcade.
The store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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