JBC Beads — Attraction in Downers Grove

JBC was my first major bead vendor when I began making jewelry in the early 1990's. I met Betty, the owner, at the Jewelry and Gem Show in Rosemont. Betty was delightful, so encouraging and helpful to me. The gemstone products she had were amazing - stone shapes that nobody else had. She was always getting new things in, so I would call her once a week, and she would describe what she had on the phone. (Nobody had websites then.) I would pick anything that sounded good to me, and she would send me a box. Oh, what fun that was, getting a box of beads every week! Eventually I stopped doing that, but for many years, I looked forward to seeing Betty and John at the shows in Rosemont. Their company grew and grew. They always had amazing products that nobody else had, and very high quality. They don't come to the show in Rosemont anymore, and I really miss seeing them, but I don't drive, and the store is very...

I went to this store for the first time last week after buying from them at the Intergem show at Rosemont, and I had a great experience. They have the best selection of beads in the area at very reasonable prices. The staff is also really friendly and knowledgeable, and they have quantity discounts if you purchase a lot too. I always pined for the extensive bead stores in NY, but it's so great to know that there is one in the suburbs. I live in Chicago, so it's quite a trek to get out there but it is...

Be careful here. The owner will tell you the price on all beads along the walls but she doesn't write it down. Make her write the price on each package. I trusted her and when I paid I found out that she has a different price for each package of beads. She says that everything is 50% off but the price keeps changing. I feel cheated but I should have made her write the price on each package. One pig of AB 4 mm bicones are 13.33 for 72 and another is 22...