Nomad Bead Merchants

Good selection of materials and price points. I’d like to see less glass beads, but no big deal.
Customer service from the main clerk makes the experience sour. I’ve been rung up by Margo a few times and it feels like customers are a nuisance.

I don’t understand the so called customer service at this store. Every time I have come into the store to look, the owners act like customers are intruding on their social hour.
For a family owned business, these folks seem genetically free of any customer service or even basic social skills.
They may be the only bead store in Boulder, but not the only bead store in the world.
Treat all potential customers with courtesy and respect, not just the ones you consider special.

I brought my mother in law here to look for a new charm for her necklace. We were there for almost an hour. At approx 4:15pm, we were told, «Just to let you know, we close at 5.» We said…“In 45 minutes? OK…” We were again reminded at 20 minutes-​til, «We close at 5.» It wasn’t done in an informative way, but a rude one. In fact, all that I got from the staff was rudeness. My mother in law’s chain was a little thicker than an average chain, so we were told they did not have beads large enough for it in silver. As we continued to look anyway, one of the women asked us if we could use further help. We told her we were still just looking for the beads and she literally goes, «Didn’t you hear her say there aren’t any big enough?» (By the way, they clearly didn’t listen to what we were wanting – we found silver beads large enough to fit).
There were three different staff members (I believe one of them was the owner), all of them rude. I brought two beads up to the cashier and she goes, «What are these?» I said… they’re hematite beads and pointed where they came from. She goes, «I need the barcode». Not once had any of the staff mentioned that we should be collecting barcodes (by the way, if you’re going to make your customers do this, have signs for those who don’t shop for beads that often and don’t know the protocol, and provide pencil and paper so they can write down what they have… HELLO). I had no problem going to read the barcode for her, but again, I was faced with such rudeness in that exchange that I wanted to walk out rather than support their business.
I will never go into Nomads again. I refuse to support a business that wants their customers to cater to them and not the other way around. WE are supporting YOUR business, ladies. We did nothing to provoke any rudeness. I did not walk into your store to irritate you, but I am so sorry I did walk in.

Blown away by this smörgåsbord of all-​things-​beads!!! Stellar variety and something for every budget. The shop aesthetic is energizing (great background music while I was there) and the staff, especially Jake, upbeat and friendly. Jake was very attentive and had great suggestions despite the whole store being very busy. I left with a few things I’m thrilled about. Will definitely be back many times over!

WOW ! What a great place to find in the middle of downtown Boulder ! I just moved o the area and was surprised to find this great store. Amazing selection and very helpful. I attended a trunk show that was happening after Tucson and found some very unique items. Loved it !

I have been purchasing some supplies here since I began beading a few years ago. I work only sporadically and often pick up items when I am on trips to other states and have time to kill while there. I often supplement that collection with things from this store to complete my designs. They always are helpful, but don’t always have what I want since my style is not along the lines of what is currently trendy in Boulder.
They have some very unique things which others seem to appreciate and Jake is very helpful with technique advice.

I love this place!!! Fun. Gorgeous. Creative. Great finds, great prices, great energy.

Love this store. GREAT bead selection and GREAT staff. Willing to help you put things together and find things that work. I was also very, very happy today that they let me buy a half of a strand instead of the whole thing. The staff here really does do everything in their power to help you get what you want. BEST BEAD STORE IN THE DENVER METRO AREA. by far =)

I’ve been here to search for beads and findings about four or five times. The staff is often hanging out and socializing and not very helpful. It feels like and intrusion to ask them a question.

I’ve been going to Nomad ever since I became a Tibetan Buddhist, and I would never take my mala elsewhere. Jake is the man. He always remembers me and my beads, and has helped with a lot of problem-​solving for my mala… softening the edges of my beads, suggesting platinum wire, doubling the platinum wire, finding the best material for a wrist mala. He is so sweet, and everyone else up there is great, too. Also I am confident that for even expensive repairs/​purchases, he tries his best to make it affordable for me, even if it means he isn’t as making as much as he could be. I get the feeling that this is something he has done for many lifetimes. Also, there are a lot of cool beads for very, very cheap that I like to get to wear in my hair. Under a dollar for a lot of them. There is also a lot of space to work on pieces as you please.

I had so much fun at this store last time I was visiting! Mother B and I stopped in after lunch, not intending to buy anything but we both ended up with sweet little baggies of beads, baubles, chains, and hardware to make several projects.
I scored a RAD art deco-​style gold «A» that I put onto a simple chain and it looks like a million bucks. I should have bought every letter in the alphabet. I also got a bunch of neat little skull beads and a whole assortment of shiny spacers, seeds, rhinestones, and carved beads. Ma B got some very cool tribal-​looking pieces and leather laces to make a kit for my bestie.
Even more fun than the selection, though, was the staff. They were in the middle of rearranging several areas of the store when we were there, but still super helpful and chipper. One of them put together one of my necklaces for me, gratis.
Like kids in a candy store we were.

1 $ bowls of beads, helpful staff, great variety.
The place is arranged like you are wandering through a collectors stash, it’s very artistically and temptingly displayed. And I definitely wander. I had to go around at least 3 times to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
The beads in window look great, but it can be hard to read the bead sometimes.
Helpful suggestions come unbidden at the cash register. Classes offered in a small shelved off area in one corner of the store.

This bead store is a «must see» in Boulder. Its rich, exotic, eclectic feel is feast for your eyes but more importantly the staff: Jake, Catherine, Margo and Ben are warm, helpful, personable and EXPERIENCED. All of your beading, wire and general jewelry questions can be answered here. They have great classes too!

I went to this bead store today for the first time and WOW! They have such a great assortment of beads in their store. I could spend hours in there and not get bored just looking at everything. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. I wish they offered classes… their website says it is coming soon… they have free classes on sat. mornings but it is extremely limited which is understandable, there is not much room. Only about 5 people can sit at the table for the class.

This is my favorite bead store I have been to in Colorado thus far. Their selection is vast with all my favs: labadorite, lots of pearls, agate, pretty faceted glass beads (my new obsession), and a decent selection of findings and chain. The people that work there are also super helpful, play good music and often throw in freebies when I visit. What’s not to like?

We have enjoyed this shop for some years now. Also worth a stop when passing through Boulder, especially en route for a pint at the Sun. The mala they restrung for me is still going strong! Keep up the positive Iray Vibration.

If you love beads, crystals, malas, and exotic findings from around the world, Nomad Beads is the best venue in Colorado. Jake runs an awesome shop. Everyone is welcome and the staff helps with every little detail if you ask, otherwise you are free to browse and linger as long as you like. What a collection of spiritual people! truly kind and knowledgeable and very helpful. The music is inspiring and above all the rare beads and ornaments are hard to find anywhere else. This is a one of a kind shop that will linger in your mind long after you visit… like traveling to a new country, right on Pearl Street!