New York Beads

Second time they’ve overcharged me. I’m so mad!!! Make sure to look at your receipt because if you’re buying a lot of small pieces, it gets easily overlooked. They have a good selection of different kinds of links and clasps so I’m sad to say that I don’t trust going back anymore.

New York Beads had a very good selection of beads and the store was extremely clean. One worker kept going around and fixing the seed beads to make sure they were all color coded appropriately (good employee v. ocd, I don’t know). I bought a few unique pieces here, but some of the charms were supremely overpriced. Two small guitar charms for $ 10?! No thanks. Good selection, but also shop around.

Earlier today, I visited 3 – 4 of the highest rated bead stores on 6^th ave and this was the only one I purchased from. The staff were very helpful and attentive but not at all overbearing like many of the others. The prices ranged from low (little $ 1 spools of colored thread for beaded embroidering, $ 4 packs of seed beads in plastic pouches the size of a hot pocket) to average and I’m not sure what other reviewers are referring to when they say the prices are high. I mean, for sure more expensive than the JoAnn’s fabrics in my Mom’s New England town, but for good reason. I’ll definitely come here again.

I agree that it has a good selection of beads was in the market for some trolls though and was not happy with their selection

a great selection of beads and sequins. I like the small bags of seed beads near the front of the store. I’ve never found bags of seed beads like that anywhere else. Also found some really unusual sequins. Friendly service.

Dis-​a-​ppointed. Appears to stock imports from China. Usual variety and usual quality. Nothing special.

At the outset, let me say that I know nothing about beading, jewelry making, or any kind of craft. I came here to buy supplies for my daughter’s birthday, so that she and a few friends could make stuff during a sleepover.
I knew exactly what I needed, as I had previously identified a few appropriate projects and made a list. So I was not going here to be inspired. It was more like grocery shopping. Anyway, NY Beads had every single thing I needed, and they were all easy to find. The selection, even for such a specific project, was astonishing. I spent 2 hours here – 2 hours! – and it was actually fun. The staff don’t approach you at all, but if you have a question, the guys are helpful and hyper-​polite. (It may have helped that it was late morning, and there were only a few shoppers.) Some of the items, like charms, seemed really cheaply made, but then they were cheaply priced. I appreciated that they had tools in a range of prices.

This is a double-​review for both Beads World and New York Beads– my two favorites out of the Garment District bead stores (see my other reviews on Lavaliere, Toho Shoji, Genuine TenTen, and Fun 2 Bead).
Beads World and NY Beads happen to be very similar– both have a great selection of beads and other crafting materials (glues, jewelry boxes and pouches, bead storage, silk thread and other cord, hemp). You can buy beads individually as well as wholesale, with discount marks at a dozen or a gross. You can also easily go to both for whatever you need, since they are quite close to one another (Beads World on Broadway, NY Beads on 6^th). Neither is perfect, but they complement each other well.
Generally Beads World has a better selection of wood, ivory, cloisonné and lampwork beads, but NY Beads has a better selection of metal findings and charms, feather trimmings, leather cord, sterling/​gold findings, and metal chain. (For Swarovski crystal, I still prefer Tojo Shoji.) NY Beads also frequently has jewelry making tools on sale. I prefer Beads World (verrrry slightly) since I think their bead selection overall is more diverse and more well-​suited for browsing/​passive inspiration, but never have I noticed any real difference in prices between the two.
Happy crafting!

This is my favorite bead store in the garment district. Although it looks much like the other bead stores in the area I think they have a better selection of «extras:» findings, clasps, magnetic snaps, purse handles, wire, tools, books, swarovski crystals, etc.
You get discounts when you buy in bulk.

Good selection of items. Doesn’t have the selection that next door Fun 2 Bead has but does have things that Fun 2 Bead does not. Helps that they are next to each other. Some items are packaged in bulk and must be purchased that way, but pricing isn’t overmuch and won’t break the bank.

Wrote it all about Beads World. While you can definitely find things here, they are often super expensive and I’ve never found anything very special here either. I once purchased sterling silver chain here and when I got home I noticed it was really tarnished. Stick to the catalogs!

Beads available usually in singles or multiples (at a price break.) They’ve a nice selection of beading tools, books and findings as well.