San Diego – Beads and More

On April 1st 1992, Beads and More was born. The store was the idea of the original owner, Kandra Norsigian. At that time bead stores were scarce in San Diego. Kandra wanted to create a space for people to bead and share creative ideas within the store. The store was designed so that people of all ages could easily string up a piece of jewelry (without having any prior jewelry making experience) and have it completed for them to take home. After making one cute bracelet in Kandra’s store, I was hooked. That is how I became a beader, and eventually, the future owner of Beads and More.

I always envied people who knew exactly what they wanted to do when they grew up. I never knew. I was always pretty good in school but lacked ambition when it came to deciding on my future. After I graduated from high school, I spent several years going to college studying various subjects but nothing ever felt right.

One day, in 1993, my friend Daniela took me to my very first bead store to make a piece of jewelry. The store happened to be Beads and More. I was mesmerized by all of the beautiful beads and all of the possibilities. There were so many colors, so many choices, that making just one little bracelet took nearly two hours. But I loved it. I was hooked. I became a regular customer and after two years of frequenting the store, Kandra asked me if I wanted a job. Of course I said yes! I took advantage of working with some excellent beaders and artists. I learned every technique they would teach me and I loved every minute of it. One year later Kandra promoted me to manager and in 1998 she asked if I wanted to buy the store. The rest, as they say, is history.

Twelve years later I can easily say, buying Beads and More was one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve met the best people, the best customers, the best friends, and of course my fiance Juan at the store. I still enjoy the art of beading and the joy of teaching someone an incredible hobby that can really enrich and transform ones life.

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