End of an Era – Beadazzled closing after 29 years in Dupont Circle on June 23rd

Inside 1507 Connecticut Ave, NW via Facebook

Thanks to Lila for passing on this very sad retail news:

“Beadazzled Dupont Circle closing June 23

We are very sad to be closing Beadazzled in DC. It was our first store, my baby, built with sweat equity and funded by bead sales from my home over the summer of 1989. For 29 years our amazing team has loved you, and we’ve been grateful to be loved by you. We’ve watched 10-year-old customers, and some of our teen-aged summer staffers grow up to bring their own children into Beadazzled. You’ve helped us through good times and bad, and we hope we’ve done the same for you.

We came to Beadazzled in many different ways. My addiction to beads began in the markets in West Africa. Long-time customer, and now team member Bill Schulz, discovered beads while giving up a habit: “I spotted a small kit labeled, “Have Fun With African Beads.” I bought it immediately, thinking this was the solution to keeping my hands busy with something other than a cigarette. In fact, that purchase changed my life. Beads and beadwork have, for me, become an abiding passion. Working at Beadazzled for the past two years has been a part of that, as well as a joy and privilege. It’s my colleagues and the store’s customers–from the dedicated collector to the teenager who’s just discovered this universe of self-expression–that have meant the most.”

We have similar stories of transformation from customers who have found that beading keeps them from compulsive eating, relieves stress from working in an ER or law office, provides a creative outlet that’s growing into a business, and much more.

We will miss you so much. But times have changed, rents have skyrocketed, and we simply can’t continue to serve you in our DC location, but we are not disappearing. We are each reinventing ourselves in myriad creative ways.

I’m already selling my jewelry and Guatemalan imports, mostly to museum stores, and I’ll continue to teach and lecture about the Bead Business, Color Theory, Jewelry Design and more.

Deborah has launched her independent restringing service and helps me with large jewelry orders for stores and catalogs.

Kathleen will keep teaching fun classes for children and adults. She, Amber, and Bill are cooking up some exciting ideas that might involve shows and fairs, or pop-ups around town, maybe with beer, maybe with coffee, who knows.

Please watch your email for an important survey coming soon, where you can also add your suggestions for neighborhoods and events for us to consider.

We look forward to seeing you soon to thank you, to say farewell, and to help you stock up on beads, jewelry, and supplies at great prices during our final sale.

Beadazzled in Falls Church remains open to serve you. Brick and mortar retail can’t survive without your ongoing support. If you like having, independent stores in your neighborhoods, support them!

With deep thanks and appreciation for your support,

Penny Diamanti”