Bead Paradise II
29 West College Street, Oberlin, OH 44074
OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY
10:00am - 6:00pm
SUNDAYS Noon - 5:00pm
About Us
History of Bead Paradise
The original Bead Paradise was a store owned by Elsie Schmiedlin, who ran the store during the 1960's in her historic landmark home in North Olmsted, Ohio. Over a period of five years, Ruth purchased the bulk of Elsie's inventory and loved the name of the store, hence the Roman numeral II at the end of our name.
Bead Paradise II was founded on August 15, 1987, opening in the upper level of the Co op Bookstore in Oberlin, Ohio. It was an instant success, mainly because there were very few bead stores in Ohio at that time, and after three and a half years there, it was time to expand. The business then merged with a clothing store, also in an upstairs location, called The Studio on the Park. Combining contemporary and unusual women's apparel with Ruth's jewelry designs was a perfect fit, and the store grew in both fame and inventory. In May of 1997 the store moved to its current location at 29 West College Street, a three-story building. In July of 2001, Ruth purchased the building, which is listed in the National Register of Historical Places as part of the Downtown Oberlin Business District.
The selection of merchandise in the store is truly amazing. We carry a full and diverse line of vintage, ancient, and new goods. Our collection of findings is extensive, with a wide variety of handmade sterling, gold-filled, copper, and brass; it also includes many vintage base metals and 18K gold. The focus is on unusual and rare beads and components from Africa and Asia. Our vendors are direct importers from the countries of origin, and the collection of rare trade beads from Africa is unparalleled. Antique silver, brass and 18K gold beads and pendants from the African continent, India, Yemen, and Afghanistan are a major focus in Ruth's designed jewelry, and our selection is vast! Our antique seed beads and vintage German glass add flavor to our large selection of Czech and Japanese glass. Our selection of stone beads includes a wide variety, from inexpensive semiprecious stone to ruby, emerald, sapphire, and diamond beads, and we are always on top of the latest design elements manufactured in India and China. Our Swarovski crystal collection combines vintage and discontinued shapes and colors along with the full line of current goods. The store is focused on designers and unusual stock for the jewelry trade. We encourage any interested beginners to jump in, take a class or two, and become full-fledged jewelry designers in a short period of time. People of all ages and gender love to bead, and with 20 years of serving the public's beading needs, our staff is top-notch and provides friendly and thorough customer service.
Our clothing lines are ever-changing, keeping up with trends and customer requests. We introduce new lines every season, many of which are small designer labels. We carry mostly machine washable apparel made of natural fibers, and our sizes and styles are selected for every age, size, and ethnicity. Clothing lines we carry include Cut Loose, Nomadic Traders, Eileen Fisher, Flax, Oh My Gauze, Tianello, Putumayo, Dunia, MycraPac, Sugar Lips, LA Fixsun, Papillon, Star of India, Magdalena, and others. We strive to support socially responsible companies and steer clear of bottom-priced goods from "sweatshop" factories. Our moderate price range can fit every budget and we try to buy fashion-forward styles.
Our full line of natural health and beauty products is selected with price and quality in mind. The ingredients are all natural and none of the brands we carry conduct animal testing. We carry Bach Flower Essences, Badger Balm, Burt's Bees, Tom's of Maine, Jason, Earth Science, Kiss My Face, Wyndmere Essential Oils & Blends, Mountain Ocean, Archipelago, Aroma Naturals, Tiger Balm, Sunshine Spa, Heritage, and Aura Cacia, along with natural hennas, pure shea butter, and soy candles.
Upstairs, we have an import shop loaded with lush Afghan rugs, India bedspreads, and exotic fabrics from Africa, South America, and Thailand. We also carry our own line of 2T - 6X sundresses for girls which are made in The Gambia from tie dye, indigo, and printed cotton fabrics. In addition, there are vintage Japanese kimonos, jackets and bags made from antique and appliqué fabric from Thailand, and hand loomed apparel from cottage industry family businesses in Peru and Guatemala. We have over 50 types of incense and sage bundles, Mexican and Tibetan gift items and accessories, and a great selection of cigarette rolling papers and tins.
It is a truly fantastic shopping experience!
About Ruth
I grew up in the small college town of Oberlin, Ohio and was exposed to music, art and performance my entire life. As a child, I quickly learned to love antique jewelry and beading. Drawn to crafts, I dabbled in many mediums (batik, weaving, spinning, painting, sculpting) but always came back to my favorite love: collecting beads and designing jewelry. Early on, I incorporated natural elements such as feathers, driftwood, shells, beach glass and assorted found objects in my jewelry. I imitated Native American beadwork which I saw displayed in Plains museums. I combed our local flea market and recycled numerous broken necklaces, pieces and parts. I hunted for stores where I might buy some beads, but they were few and far between.
When I was first exposed to African trade beads in 1986, my jewelry designs took an immediate turn, and my quest for "old time" colors, shapes, and patterns for incorporation into my designs became a full-time obsession. I traveled to West Africa for the first time in 1995, and I was inspired by the music, rhythms and dance, the abundance of light, the various flora and fauna, the different and new smells, the taste of all sorts of new foods, the patterns of fabrics, and their wonderful colors. My artistic expression embodied in my new life experiences took hold, and I proceeded in new directions with my beadwork. First, I gathered every old-time color of seed beads in the form of "tambas", which are multiple strands worn around a woman's waist in the Ivory Coast, and throughout West Africa. I looked for all sizes of heishi for blocking holes. Any molded glass, found in Fulani jewelry, of bright colors and varied shapes and sizes were important in my work. I wanted to be a purist, using only old beads and no new substitutes. I felt a spiritual connection with the former wearers of these beads, imagining all the generations of previous owners. As a bead merchant, I felt connected to the age-old traditions of the bead trade and felt a need to keep the beads circulating, to be the provider of beads for a new owner.
I had many mentors at a young age who inspired and guided me in my quest to expand my knowledge of beads, and my technical skills as a silver smith and jewelry designer.
Ruth Braun was a pioneer in metal work, and taught me a multitude of silversmithing techniques. Her watchful and critical eye drove me to see detail and technique in a new way, and I think of her often. I taught silversmithing classes at Oberlin College from 1983 to 1987 after some instruction by her.
Allen Chaney, owner of the infamous Allen's Rocks & Gifts, employed me for two years, and under his steady tutelage I learned many skills: how to cut and polish stone, how to grade and appraise stone, how to cast metals and mix 10 - 22K gold, how to repair just about everything, and how to efficiently serve a vast array of client needs. His invaluable gift of shared knowledge will stay with me throughout my life!
Elsie Schmiedlin, the owner of the original Bead Paradise, was a very generous and artistic beader, and her influence is clear in my everyday duties as a store owner and beader.
Libby Gregory, the founder and original owner of Byzantium in Columbus, Ohio, enriched my life in many ways. Without her advice and encouragement, I doubt that I would have had the confidence to open Bead Paradise II. Her tragic death in an airline crash in 1991 was devastating, and though I miss her, she continues to influence a lot of my decisions and grounds me, as I emulate her and am forever grateful for her guidance.
Ebrima Sillah, my dear husband, who is never ever bored with beads and shares a rich intercontinental life by my side, bridging understanding between African traditions and our American life. For your unwavering love and steadfast support, I thank you!
Thanks to my parents, Walter Aschaffenburg and Nancy Cooper, who throughout life always encouraged and supported my endeavors and inspired a love of art, led me by example, and shed infinite love and acceptance upon me, and to my children, Taya and Silvija, and my stepchildren, Haji, Mohammed, Lasana, Saibo, Mommy, Haruna, Molamini, Mustafa, Kausu, Mariama, Fatimatah, Alaji, Sankung for their participation in our family business!
I am so fortunate to be employed in a business that brings me such infinite joy!