Cabeadle Beads - On Rundle Street in the Adelaide City region's East End

When you step into Cabeadle Beads on Rundle Street you step into an Alladin's Cave of colour. The store's co-owner, Rae Hinton, freely admits she has no idea how many beads line the shelves but she does know that the search for them has taken her around the globe:

“These are from China, these are Austrian crytsal, this is sterling silver. This comes from a beach somewhere in India.”

And just as the origins are endless so too are the potential creations to be made by the Do-It-Yourself jeweller.

“A floating necklace is a good start because it looks complicated. It's always pretty when it's finished. And it's not hard to do.”

At Cabeadle Beads the choice is a little overwhelming but fear not because the owners Gerda Huisin'tveld and Rae Hinton will take any novice under their wing regardless of their age or sex:

“It's surprising. Men like beads too. We had one family walk in fairly recently - a man and his wife in their thirties and two young children. It was Dad who said sit down and don't move. He was the one making the beads. He didn’t let the kids do it. He told them to sit down and don't touch anything.”

Rest assured kids are welcome and Cabeadle Beads offers the perfect cure for the winter time blues. You're given advice on bead selection and plenty of tips as you set out on your "Do It Yourself" design. The day is visited, I settled on a little green and black number using Austrian and Czech crystal, while Canadian backpacker Rosie Lacoursiere explained what can be done with time and imagination:

“You can put on different layers and it ends up making squares. So I'm either going to turn this into a necklace or a bracelet when I'm done.”

Cabeade Beads offers various kit options and you can work with synthetic or natural products. Rae always has a few inspirational pieces on hand like a wedding head dress from Thailand. But regardless of what you design a few fundamentals are essential.

“Just a tip - When you come into Cabeadle Beads remember your glasses! Last bead... And with the catch on.... It's stunning.”

  Cabeadle Beads is open six days a week. It's at 298 Rundle St, Adelaide and has a range of options for the kids during the school holidays. If you have any further questions please email sales@cabeadle.com.au or visit www.cabeadle.com.au