Legendary Beads, Austin

Over the last decade, Legendary Beads has sprouted from its humble beginnings—a small storefront with seed beads in terra-cotta pots—into a jewelry-making hub in the midst of a shopping center. Though their digs are much larger, the staff prides themselves on preserving the laid-back South Austin vibe that they cultivated at their original location. The shop glimmers with more than 50 types of beads, stones, pearls, and gems—from amber and coral to jade—which are color-coded and exhibited on easy-to-shop displays. The inventory continues to grow as the staffers bring in the latest beading trends in addition to specific stones and gems requested by their clients. Fostering a sense of community, they welcome guests to have a seat at their beading table to ask questions about certain bead styles, jewelry-making techniques, and which beads taste best with barbecue sauce.

To facilitate jewelry making, they stock chains and tools, such as wire cutters and round-nose pliers, and a certified gemologist leads a jewelry-making and design class, limiting attendance to five students to ensure personalized instruction.