Friday, September 17, 2010

Shipwrecked

Before I left for my little trip to Seattle with my brother, I looked up the bead shops in the area.   The first bead store I  went to was okay, but pretty small and just a bit pricey.  I asked the cashier if there were any other bead stores in the area worth checking out and she said there was one about an hour away.  My brother and  looked at each other, shaking our heads and sighing, "Urgh, and hour away...no..."  But then she added this bit of information, "It's the biggest bead store in the world."

All of the sudden, an hour didn't seem so far away.  Just an hour, to the bead store mecca of the world?!
So of course, the next day we headed off to Lacey, Seattle to visit Shipwreck Beads.

It's claim to fame is true.  It's the biggest bead store I will ever see.  Over 20,000 square feet of shopping space for bead shoppers of the world.
This is not a store you can just run in and out of.  This is an all-day event!  They even have a place to eat lunch inside because they realize the bead shoppers need fuel to keep going. 
lunch with my my jewelry shopping cart pulled up beside me

We ended up being in that store for nearly 4 hours.  While I shopped, my brother conducted lots of video-taped interviews with other customers to keep himself entertained.  He got caught up on some business calls, too.  And, believe it or not, he even bought some beads!! (Is my brother the greatest or WHAT?!)
most of my purchases of the day!
For anybody out there that loves beading, or even just likes it a little, Shipwreck Beads is well worth the trip.  They have loads- and I mean loads- of beads to look at (and buy!). Their prices seem to be better than most.  Everything in there seems to sparkle- including the shoppers and employees!  Everyone we talked with was so friendly and happy.  If I am ever shipwrecked, I hope it will be at Shipwreck Beads.
even the sidewalk is beaded!



27 comments:

Unknown said...

This is so cool! I love that your brother didn't just sigh and look at his watch! XX!

Melissa Sarno said...

You look like you're sparkling and glowing yourself- like a kid in a candy store! That's very exciting- I'm glad you found the bead mecca.

Anonymous said...

wow, that is some place. food too. I can see you had so much fun.

Elizabeth Halt said...

Wow. Now that is a loving and creative brother.

It looks like you had a ton of fun!

Unknown said...

Ahhhhhh...great job Care Bear. I felt like I was flashin' back when I read through it. Next time I want photography credit though!!!!!! LOL. Good times!!!!!

Deb said...

Darn - I'd probably think I'd died & gone to heaven if I ended up in a store that size Kerri!
How totally fabulous :)

What an awesome brother you have too - many men would just sigh, roll their eye's & follow reluctantly around.

ching said...

beaded sidewalks?cool!

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful!! I wish I had something like that near where I live, I would neeed it for my shop. It must have been an exciting day...!!

Noël said...

I am so jealous, Kerri! That store looks amazing... and I love the beaded sidewalk.

Jadyn said...

Love how you're beaming - a result of both the bead store and having a blast with your brother I assume? The beaded sidewalk is great!

Suzi said...

I would be in heaven, what fun! Hope you had a great trip!!!

lori vliegen said...

this looks like one of those places where you walk through the doors and you hear the angels sing!!! wowza......beads galore!!! sounds like a great way to spend the day!! :)))

Anonymous said...

What an adventure being shipwrecked in a way cool bead store with a cool brother! This is my kind of bead store: they feed you AND entice you with pretties!

P.S. How much fun would that be if we lived near each other? We have so much in common I'm surprised we don't live closer!!

malia said...

kerri, when i saw the title to your post i knew where you ended up! i have heard a lot about shipwreck and i'm glad you had so fun there

Our Hopeful Home said...

I am so envious! I love Shipwrecked!

Lisa said...

Okay - Shipwreck Bead Shop is *Totally* going on my Bucket List. I love beads!!!

How awesome and what a great brother you have. Can't wait to see what you create!

Heather B. said...

What a blast! AND a beaded sidewalk!! Sounds like a great time...

Lis said...

I just love how you are GLOWING in these shots!

yum ... bead store ...

of course, i would need to be shipwrecked in order to get to all the projects i've bought materials for!

Valerie said...

I was telling my boss about this yesterday--I don't think I could be faced with that many options and be able to choose anything. Looks like fun. You've got me thinking about looking for a jewelry class. Maybe in the Spring.

Meanwhile, thanks for the tip about Maroon 5. I can't believe I don't have it yet--I knew their new CD was coming in September, but I didn't know when. Now I know what I'm doing at lunch today!

danielle daniel said...

WOW! That place in INSANE!!! I have never seen anything like this place... I have to agree that you look beautiful and so happy in your pics. Looking forward to seeing your new creations with your many beads... xo

Laurie said...

OMG...you went to Shipwreck and didn't bring me! LOL! I used to get their catalogs and would just get all mooneyed over the amazing beads they have. What a fun time!

Roberta said...

Wow...my sister would have felt like she had died and gone to heaven...lol Thank goodness I don't get into beads that much because I collect enough ephemera without adding another vice :}

Anonymous said...

Wow--that must have been a bit overwhelming to be in there! But that shopping cart is very cool, looks like they do good things for their customers there. I've had their catalogs before, can't imagine what it must be like to feel like you're IN the catalog!

Anonymous said...

No doubt one of my most favorite spots to SHOP! Customer since their first store. Have a major stash, thanks to Shipwreck Beads. Bead wise they can rival Tucson. ~~just sayin' ~~~Barbara Chard, Polson, MT~~ formerly Seattle, Edmonds, WA

Anonymous said...

My daughter moved to Seattle from Buffalo 3 years ago. Last year I found shipwreck beads when we went to visit relatives in that area. It was a Sunday afternoon and there were only 2 hours left to shop. When I walked in, I was asked if I had ever been in the store before, and she said the first day average time is 4 hours to look and buy. I laughed at her. 2-hours later, when they were closing, I was upset I didn't have more time. I was there again this past October and was able to spend 3 hours in the store!! Love it and will make it a regular stop whenever we go visit our daughter.

Kitty S said...

I'm spoiled since Shipwreck Beads is about 15 to 20 minutes from me.

Catherine Todd said...

Wow! What a great story about a fantastic trip to a fantastic store. Lucky you! Loved the photos especially, and hope you post more. Thanks for sharing. CatherineTodd2 at gmail dot com.