Let It Bead

This shop has moved and hasn't changed it's web site. We looked up and down for the address on the web but couldn't find the shop. Only when I read a few reviews did I realize the shop had moved. Not happy. This was my reason for going downtown  View Less … View More

2nd Time Bummer with the Clucking Hens. Well, Let it Bead has always been a place I've turned to to find unique beads or last minute findings. But now I'm going to strongly reconsider.

This is the second time I've visited where I've been ignored or curtly greeted AFTER about seven minutes of employee gossip. Shouldn't customers come first? And more importantly, I don't think that I should have had a bad experience with the customer service in the first place.

This second time really irked me. Now, normally I'm one to mind my own business. But when there are three people in the store- two associates and myself- it is kind of hard to ignore what's being said. First, topic was about some previous customer that irked one of the associates. Makes me not want to ask questions out of fear I'll be "irking" the very people who are supposed to help me. Second topic- comments about some person who was/is having an affair or something?!? REALLY?!? Customers shouldn't be hearing this. I felt really awkward. Totally unprofessional.... not that I would categorize these people as professional.

When it was finally time for me to purchase my few beads (would have been more but didn't want to disturb the gossip to get some sterling findings out of the case), I was rung up by some girl with long stringy brown hair. The only words out of her mouth were the amount of my total...and.... oh yeah, a quiet thank you with a stern face.

Time to take my money elsewhere!!!  View Less … View More

Best bead store in Portland. The first time I visited Portland, of course I had to go to all the bead stores I could find. Out of the four I went to, Let It Bead was by far the best. While other stores were nice and had unique things, Let It Bead had the warmest feel. It felt the closest to a home, where as the other bead stores felt a little more... "storish". Their staff members were very helpful and open, they felt almost like friends rather than employees. As for their selection, they have a WONDERFUL selection of semi-precious stones. I am more of a czech glass person myself, which I was just a tad dissapointed to find that selection was not so big, but their wide range of other things made up for it. Their new trendy location is awesome and is in a great area of Portland to do the rest of your shopping.  View Less … View More

MOVED! - In NW Portland now!! Not "downtown". Mostly I am writing this review to point out that the store is now on NW 23rd (cross street Quimby). As far as rating or number of stars - 4 seems reasonable... I'd give the place a solid B. The shop has always been fairly decent in my book - both staff and selection. There are better and worse I'm sure, and honestly it really depends what you're looking for when calling out the "best" bead shop. But, you're likely to find what you need for most projects at Let it Bead.  View Less … View More