I've featured some pretty nifty bead businesses before but Bananas4Beading is one of the coolest. The business is run by an English and Czech couple, Keith and Simi, who do personalized bead tours for beadaholics keen on going to the source of their favorite Czech beads! A trip of a lifetime!
They live near the beautiful and historic capital city of Prague. They got the idea of doing tours because their mother/mother-in-law was really, really into beads and beading! So their tours typically combine both a guided tour of Prague and Jablonec, the bead production center.
It's not just about the bead shopping but also the opportunity to see how the beads are made and to learn something of the long history of the bead industry there. Their tours range from 1 -5 days with accomodation at a family run hotel, breakfast and transportation arranged. Kimi and Keith are flexible with their tours. Many visitors end up wanting to revisit some favorite shops towards the end and they are happy to oblige!
While in Jablonec, visitors can take a group lesson at a fantastic bead shop - if only to rest the legs and the wallet for a while.
A visit to the Glass and Bead Museum will cover the bead history in that area which go back to the 18th century.
There are also antique bead shops where you can expect to get your hands dirty. Some of these treasures were hidden in chimney breasts in times of crisis.
Kimi and Keith like to include at least one factory stop so that their guests can see first hand the full production of the beads we so love. There is also a visit to a small but old glass button press still in use. They said, "This is one of the last button pressing masters still working." They also sell fantastic hand painted glass beads.
The glass pearl making factory also has outlet stores to buy from!
The small glass pearls for making Christmas decorations are still made in the same way for over 100 years.
All in all a beader's perfect holiday!
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
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| Prague, Czechoslovakia |
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| Simi and Keith |
While in Jablonec, visitors can take a group lesson at a fantastic bead shop - if only to rest the legs and the wallet for a while.
A visit to the Glass and Bead Museum will cover the bead history in that area which go back to the 18th century.
 |
| Glass and Bead Museum |
Kimi and Keith like to include at least one factory stop so that their guests can see first hand the full production of the beads we so love. There is also a visit to a small but old glass button press still in use. They said, "This is one of the last button pressing masters still working." They also sell fantastic hand painted glass beads.
The glass pearl making factory also has outlet stores to buy from!
The small glass pearls for making Christmas decorations are still made in the same way for over 100 years.
All in all a beader's perfect holiday!
Before You Go:
- A Floating Jewelry Store
- Esfera Jewelry - A Travelling Jewelry Store
- Superduo Beaded Pendant Tutorials
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
I have corresponded with Keith by email. He is really the nicest person, and I'm sure his wife is too. In the end, I couldn't make the trip because the airfare from the U.S. was just too expensive. I did keep his name and email, though, just in case I win the lottery. I'm sure that they will show anyone who takes their tour a wonderful time.
ReplyDeletewow - this sounds like a dream vacation to me. If only I could go to prague...
ReplyDeleteLooking at the pictures I was wondering if they were taken by you Pearl?
ReplyDeleteThat would be an amazing trip for anyone to take even if they weren't interested in beading.
Without you so many of us would never know any of this! Thanks Pearl!
I wish! The photographs are from Keith and Simi. Like Cat, I am counting on the lottery!!
ReplyDeletelast year I visited prague and I was hoping to find a lot to lovely beads !here. but I didn't at all !Maybe I just couldn't find the place to be for beads, but I was very surprised to discover that there aren't a lot of bead shops in PRague. Maybe outside of prague ? You can see the result of my search at this blogpost :http://mooisvanme.blogspot.fr/2013/07/praag-kralenwinkels.html
ReplyDeleteThat's why you need tour guides like Keith and Simi who know exactly where to take you - Jablonec which is outside Prague. The Prague bit they do is for sightseeing but the serious bead stuff is in Jablonec!
ReplyDeleteHi again just came across your page again, I hope that you are keeping well Perl, sorry I haven't won the lottery yet either but we are looking forward to meeting you one day. keep beading and smiling regards keith and simi
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith! Someday, I hope to get over there and see you both!
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