Growing up in and around her parents bead store in Lake Tahoe, California, Lily Palmieri got an early education in stringing beads, making beaded jewelry, and the business of beads. Continuing the family tradition, Lily opened her first venture, the Bead Collective, last month in the storefront next to Articulture at 2615 East Franklin Avenue.

Being a Seward Co-op shopper for several years, Lily was drawn to locate her store in Seward because it’s “a cool and artsy neighborhood” as well as having affordable rents. Opening in time for the Seward Winter Frolic and the holiday shopping season, Lily hopes to benefit from the traffic along Franklin Avenue and her proximity to Articulture, with its classes and artistic clientele.

The Bead Collective is open Monday-Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, and offers a wide selection of beads along with a growing selection of pre-made necklaces, bracelets and rings. The beads come from all over the world, including brass, copper and silver beads from various African countries; glass beads from the Czech Republic and Germany; wooden beads and pieces inlaid with abalone shell from the Philippines; and, especially popular with children, inexpensive hand-painted Peruvian ceramic beads and pieces shaped like trains, animals and letters.

If you’re looking for precious or semi-precious beads, the Bead Collective has those, too, including sapphire, ruby and turquoise. In the near future, Lily plans to offer classes in jewelry making and parties for children and adults. And that favorite necklace that you can’t wear because it broke? Give a call to the Bead Collective at 612-345-5022, or stop in and talk to Lily about her upcoming jewelry repair service.