When the bead store Circle of Stones was founded in 2000 in La Grange the owner imagined it as a place where people would gather and creativity would blossom.
That vision continues today and is reflected in the addition of new space that will be used for parties and classes at the store at 700 W. Burlington Ave.
Founder Karen Martin came up with the name, Circle of Stones, because it reflected her vision that the store would be a place where people would come together, like stones on necklace, to foster their creative spirits as they fashion necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other items from an array of beads, stones and gems.
“I was actually thinking of people sitting around a table, beading,” Karen said.
Five years ago, Martin, who still works in the store, turned over the reins of her business to her daughter, Rebecca Martin and partner, Cory Gunterman. When a paper store recently closed in the space above the store they seized the opportunity to rent the additional space. That space for classes opened in January.
“It’s a great place for kids’ parties and for group classes of five (people) are more,” Rebecca Martin said.
She became interested in beading while in high school. It’s no surprise she caught the beading bug from her mother.
“I like mixing colors,” Rebecca Martin said. “It reminds me of painting but it’s not messy.”
Karen Martin, who lives in La Grange, said she has always sought ways to express herself through art.
“I’ve always had creative outlets,” she said. “Beads were my favorite.”
The first floor store has ample natural light flowing through large windows and is filled with a mind-boggling range of beads, stones and crystals. The new second-floor party/studio space has room for larger gatherings and a smaller studio space where private beading classes can be conducted.
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Kids’ parties are $20 per person including materials, and participants take home a necklace and bracelet they made. Parties for adults are $10 per person not including materials.
Elaine Layden of Burr Ridge recently took a private class at the store to learn how to create a necklace and bracelet from beads she purchased on a recent trip to Ghana.
She is inspired by the mother-daughter duo.
“They’re creative,” Layden said. “And with the volume of supplies they have you can come up with a very nice product.”
Besides adding the party/studio space, Rebecca Martin, of La Grange Park, said another relatively new addition to the store is the crystals, which have proven popular..
“People who are into rocks –rock hounds like them and other people who use them for healing,” she said.
She does the purchasing for the store and takes an annual trip to Tuscon where a large gem and stone show is held.
“You get to see vendors from all over the world,” she said. “There is tons and tons of inventory and new finds.”
Some of those finds will make their way to the store, she said.
Circle of Stones
Address: 700 W. Burlington Ave., La Grange
Phone: 708-352-5662
Store hours: Closed Monday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to
5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Website: www.circleofstones.infohttp://www.circleofstones.info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CircleOfStonesShop/