Address:
203 East Ash Street
Cobden, IL 62920
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- Provider travels up to 150 miles
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Southpass Beads
-
203 East Ash Street
Cobden, IL 62920 (map) - (618) 893-6170
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Jewelry Making, Design, Repair & Glass Bead Making
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Southpass Beads • Cobden, IL • $15-20 per hour
- You'll be asked a few quick questions that will help describe your needs.
- You'll be asked to provide your contact information so that Louann Elwell will be able to get in touch with you.
- You'll have the option to get competing quotes from other qualified service professionals, saving you time and money.
Southpass Beads is a full-service bead shop. We also make our own jewelry and glass beads. Our products frequently involve bead weaving, wire-working, bead stringing and a combination of all of these. We also hammer our own copper blanks, make our own earwires and do needle felting. With our combined experiences, we are also able to answer many questions relating to most topics in the jewelry making and bead making arena.
Our necklaces and earrings use our beads as well as other materials especially copper, sterling silver and sterling silver plated components, semi-precious stones, pearls, glass crystals, Czech glass, and seed beads among other items. Some of our bracelet designs include a branching fringe technique, macrame, linked copper rings with handmade glass beads, felted beads and chainmaille among others.
We make our own glass beads with a torch using soft 104 glass. All our beads are kiln annealed for strength and stability. Some of the items we make include large focal beads with floral surface designs that are either raised or blended, smaller filler beads with design or solid colors, character beads including our sugar skull beads, SIUC saluki dogs, and custom ordered beads. We have done ground hogs, vultures, dogs, unicorns, hearts, Halloween themed beads, and many others. We also make marbles.
All materials for the jewelry we make are available in our shop or can be obtained rather quickly from our usual suppliers. Turnaround time could be from a week to two weeks depending upon the complexity of the design. Some of our designs can be seen on our Etsy site which is listed below.
Customers typically drop off items at our shop or at the occasional local festival or fair that we attend. Delivery is available.
Question and answer
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. We have been making jewelry and beads since 2002 so we have many customers who are repeat buyers. Our work has also sold in art auctions. Our experience in selling at fairs and festivals has allowed us to know what customers are looking for. We keep up with current trends and are aware of innovative techniques which we add to our pieces.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. How to make the same products and be successful at it. The secrets I could share would be to read magazines and buy books on how to do different techniques. Magazines will show current trends which will give your work an edge over the usual bead stringers out there. Taking classes are incredibly helpful in learning proper techniques and expanding your knowledge base.
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. Will your work stand up to regular use? Can I trust that you will fill my order in a timely manner? Are your handmade beads kiln annealed? Are the materials used of good quality? If the item needs repairs at some point will you be willing to fix the problem? Do you offer a warranty? How do you ship the items to me?
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. My job is wonderful because my bead shop and workshop is in my home. I love seeing someone excited about my work. It is wonderful to see one of my pieces out in public. I feel like not only have I made a wonderful piece of art, but I have also made a friend when I have a satisfied repeat customer.
Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?
A. Whenever it is possible, I take classes to increase my knowledge about different beading processes. I have taken classes at various bead shops and at the Bead and Button Show. I have taken classes taught by Barb Switzer, Nancy Zellers, Katherine Bowman, and Stephanie Sersich. I consider reading all the latest magazines and buying books part of my education!
