Welcome to AZ Bead Depot!
"The Friendliest Little Bead Store in the West!"
Photo Album - About Us
We are Mike and Deb Weller - owners of AZ Bead Depot, "The Friendliest Little Bead Store in the West". Mike is a jeweler who owned his own store in NJ for many years. Deb worked in her mother's accounting office for nearly 20 years and traded "bean counting" for BEAD counting!
We began in the fall of 2004 with a complete jewelry store in a small local flea market - we filled a 10' x 20' tent using Mike's "leftover" jewelry - gold, silver, diamonds, etc. . We also did repairs while the customer shopped in the flea market and replaced watch batteries and watch bands. Before our first winter season had ended, we had decided to expand and add "something else". Mike (aka the Supply Sarge) started researching the possibilities and he discovered beads. We did a little homework and decided that adding a "bead room" would fill a niche in the area. On May 1, 2005, we opened the second 10' x 20' tent with beads, findings and supplies. As time went on, we added more and more inventory and eventually outgrew the flea market shop.
On July 1, 2006, we opened our brick and mortar store in Apache Junction, AZ. We started with 6 tables of bins and pegboard on 2 walls, with shelves for the seed beads, bugles & Delicas. By October of 2006, we'd added a 20' long gondola plus 3 free standing 4-way displays, and got rid of 3 tables. We have freshwater, shell and glass pearls, coral and gemstone beads in many sizes, shapes and colors. We have amber, amethyst, turquoise, emerald, malachite, jade, labradorite, plus too many more to list. When Lonnie's closed their E. Mesa store, we added the same line of tools, and more lapidary supplies, including tumblers, ionic and ultrasonic cleaners, torches and soldering equipment and more. We also carry sterling wire in many gauges, as well as half round, square and twisted.
This summer we MOVED into a much LARGER store! We're 2 miles east of the old store, in "historic downtown" Apache Junction. The new store is in the old Basha's shopping center (the same shopping center as Good Apple and the Antique Mall) near the focal point. We're on the NW corner of N Apache Trail (the road that turns into SR88 going to the lakes) and W Apache Trail.
One thing that may be unexpected is our security systems. In addition to audio and video surveillance, which is pretty much an essential item in today's world, we also have another feature. We have lockers for purses and bags (that includes guys with backpacks or fanny packs). We ask everyone (even our family members) to lock their purse/bag in a locker and they keep the key. I've shopped in stores where they ask you to put your purse under the counter - NO WAY! I would not be leaving my information where someone could steal it. You are always welcome to lock your purse in your car, but please bear in mind that with the criminal element nowadays, it would be safer locked inside the store. Please understand, I am not accusing you of stealing, I'm just trying to protect my inventory so that I can remain in business! THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING!!
When we were researching and visiting bead stores in the area, we learned a lot by observing. We decided to make customer service our focus. We're not the type of store where someone hovers over you while you shop. We are the kind of store that smiles, says "hi" and tries to help you find exactly what you need to finish a project. We're the kind of store who cares about whether you spent 2 days at the hospital with a sick child or you just lost a loved one. We celebrate the happy times, too - a new home, new grandbaby or furbaby, or your first sale! Our customers are "family" - you are always welcome to bring your dog into the store - we always have a dish of water and doggie cookies for four-legged family members.
The saying goes that "marriages are made in heaven". I like to add "so are thunder and lightning". There might be times when you encounter a little "thunder" in the store, but don't worry, it's just that we both have the same goal, but sometimes disagree (loudly??) on how to get there. It usually blows over as quickly as an AZ desert storm.
Check out the AZ Bead Depot blog at azbeaddepot.blogspot.com to find out what's new.
We began in the fall of 2004 with a complete jewelry store in a small local flea market - we filled a 10' x 20' tent using Mike's "leftover" jewelry - gold, silver, diamonds, etc. . We also did repairs while the customer shopped in the flea market and replaced watch batteries and watch bands. Before our first winter season had ended, we had decided to expand and add "something else". Mike (aka the Supply Sarge) started researching the possibilities and he discovered beads. We did a little homework and decided that adding a "bead room" would fill a niche in the area. On May 1, 2005, we opened the second 10' x 20' tent with beads, findings and supplies. As time went on, we added more and more inventory and eventually outgrew the flea market shop.
On July 1, 2006, we opened our brick and mortar store in Apache Junction, AZ. We started with 6 tables of bins and pegboard on 2 walls, with shelves for the seed beads, bugles & Delicas. By October of 2006, we'd added a 20' long gondola plus 3 free standing 4-way displays, and got rid of 3 tables. We have freshwater, shell and glass pearls, coral and gemstone beads in many sizes, shapes and colors. We have amber, amethyst, turquoise, emerald, malachite, jade, labradorite, plus too many more to list. When Lonnie's closed their E. Mesa store, we added the same line of tools, and more lapidary supplies, including tumblers, ionic and ultrasonic cleaners, torches and soldering equipment and more. We also carry sterling wire in many gauges, as well as half round, square and twisted.
This summer we MOVED into a much LARGER store! We're 2 miles east of the old store, in "historic downtown" Apache Junction. The new store is in the old Basha's shopping center (the same shopping center as Good Apple and the Antique Mall) near the focal point. We're on the NW corner of N Apache Trail (the road that turns into SR88 going to the lakes) and W Apache Trail.
One thing that may be unexpected is our security systems. In addition to audio and video surveillance, which is pretty much an essential item in today's world, we also have another feature. We have lockers for purses and bags (that includes guys with backpacks or fanny packs). We ask everyone (even our family members) to lock their purse/bag in a locker and they keep the key. I've shopped in stores where they ask you to put your purse under the counter - NO WAY! I would not be leaving my information where someone could steal it. You are always welcome to lock your purse in your car, but please bear in mind that with the criminal element nowadays, it would be safer locked inside the store. Please understand, I am not accusing you of stealing, I'm just trying to protect my inventory so that I can remain in business! THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING!!
When we were researching and visiting bead stores in the area, we learned a lot by observing. We decided to make customer service our focus. We're not the type of store where someone hovers over you while you shop. We are the kind of store that smiles, says "hi" and tries to help you find exactly what you need to finish a project. We're the kind of store who cares about whether you spent 2 days at the hospital with a sick child or you just lost a loved one. We celebrate the happy times, too - a new home, new grandbaby or furbaby, or your first sale! Our customers are "family" - you are always welcome to bring your dog into the store - we always have a dish of water and doggie cookies for four-legged family members.
The saying goes that "marriages are made in heaven". I like to add "so are thunder and lightning". There might be times when you encounter a little "thunder" in the store, but don't worry, it's just that we both have the same goal, but sometimes disagree (loudly??) on how to get there. It usually blows over as quickly as an AZ desert storm.
Check out the AZ Bead Depot blog at azbeaddepot.blogspot.com to find out what's new.
Gemstone beads including AA and AAA Amethyst, Emerald, Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli and Amber
"Semi precious" gemstones - agate, jasper, aventurine, labradorite, malachite, crysacholla, chalcedony and more
Turquoise - we have Bisbee, and Sleeping Beauty turquoise, as well as turquoise from Nevada and Colorado. We also have copper and silver (sterling or plated) findings and coral to accent your creation.
Freshwater, glass and shell pearls in many sizes, shapes and colors.
