Photo by Ryan Lely.
Customers bringing their packages to the Box n’ Mail store in the West Plaza Shopping Center might think they’ve gone in the wrong door at first; the space is now open, light and filled with rows of beads of all shapes and sizes.
Box n’ Mail, in business since 1996, still occupies part of the area, but on its 11th anniversary, owner Ann Selby made a decision to share her life-long passion for beads and opened Sonoma Beads in June. “The Box n’ Mail business has not changed,” said Selby, “we still offer shipping, mailboxes and notary services. But this year we took the space and opened it up, painted and carpeted and started a second business, Sonoma Beads.”
The new venture is the outgrowth of what Selby terms her “obsession” with beads, having collected vintage crystal and glass beads, unusual stone and one-of-a-kind beads for much of her life. As a “beader,” she also perceived a need in Sonoma for a store specializing in beads. The shop carries all the materials necessary to make a finished necklace, bracelet, earrings or anything else customers can dream up to use beads for. The wires, tools and implements Sonoma Beads sells are made by a Sonoma-based wholesaler, the Soft Flex company.
Looking over the myriad containers, it’s apparent that the word bead is somewhat misleading. It can be applied to sparkling cut crystal in a rainbow of colors; polished stones like malachite, turquoise and jade; hand-worked silver; blown-glass in a variety of shapes and design; or pearls and precious stones.
Sonoma Beads offers two-hour classes for both adults and youths eight to twelve years old. Adult classes are $45. The youth classes cost $35. People can use their own beads or can purchase what they need at the shop. Children’s classes are taught by Nancy Bercu, a retired art therapist, and are limited to six participants. “Kids love to make their family and friends personal gifts,” said Selby. “We had a little boy about 10 years old who wanted to make his grandmother a necklace for her birthday. He picked out the beads and finished it that afternoon.”
The shop also has a table set up for customers who want to work on their designs while at the store. Selby is available for consultation and advice, and can often be found at the bench, creating a new design of her own. Sonoma Beads features her line of beaded eyeglass holders and necklace, bracelet and earring sets for purchase along with all the raw materials for creating individual designs. “The design is the most fun part,” said Selby, “it’s amazing how everybody has different ideas—each beautiful in its own way. I love it, and it’s so therapeutic.”
Sonoma Beads is open 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri. at 585 Fifth Street West in the West Plaza Shopping Center, Sonoma; 707.939.7047.
