BEADSCAPE ~ A Bit of Déjà Vu
Welcome to all of our current Beadscape Family Members and Welcome to all of our New Beadscape Family Members, too!
WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT'S BEEN
We're so glad you are visiting our online shop! If it's your first visit, welcome to our growing family. We treat all of our customers like they are family, the way we did way back then, in the 60's and 70's. That's the way it's always been done here at Beadscape.com for over 26 years and counting!
Hi, I’m Laura, founder of Beadscape ~ A Bit of Deja Vu and Only the Unusual. One of the best hippie shops online with a great selection of Grateful Dead merchandise, water buffalo sandals, incense, body oils, tie dye clothes, genuine crystals, jewelry handmade to your order, hippie clothing, and much, much more.
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On December 2, 1993 my whole life changed. While stopping in traffic someone hit me from behind, leaving me with a partial and permanent disability in my left hand. At the time, I was a cocktail server at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. After surgery, recovery and physical therapy I could no longer carry a tray so I had to resign from my job and find other work.
In 1994, I started making jewelry to help with the rehabilitation of my left hand. I had always made things - jewelry, wall hangings, decorative boxes, embellished clothing, but I never thought about selling any of it. By the end of 1994 a friend of mine named Irwin offered to let me set up a small table to sell some of my wares at Columbus Farmer's Market located in Columbus, NJ. And so it began. At first I sold jewelry and beaded hair. Then, I learned to hair wrap (an art form which I love). One thing led to another. Soon I was vending at Flea Markets and Craft Shows 4 days a week and making jewelry the other 3 days. Eventually, it all became too much for me to setup and move so I looked for a small shop to settle down in. I rented a small shop in January 1995 in Rancocas Woods, NJ from a friend of mine named Mary.
By October of 1995, I needed a larger shop so I moved across the street to a larger shop. My business continued to grow and expand. Along with my best friend Kim, I started vending at major rock festivals including the Further Festival, A Day in the Garden Festival in Bethel, NY, Gathering on the Mountain and the Sunshine Daydream Festival.
On December 2, 1993 my whole life changed. While stopping in traffic someone hit me from behind, leaving me with a partial and permanent disability in my left hand. At the time, I was a cocktail server at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. After surgery, recovery and physical therapy I could no longer carry a tray so I had to resign from my job and find other work.
In 1994, I started making jewelry to help with the rehabilitation of my left hand. I had always made things - jewelry, wall hangings, decorative boxes, embellished clothing, but I never thought about selling any of it. By the end of 1994 a friend of mine named Irwin offered to let me set up a small table to sell some of my wares at Columbus Farmer's Market located in Columbus, NJ. And so it began. At first I sold jewelry and beaded hair. Then, I learned to hair wrap (an art form which I love). One thing led to another. Soon I was vending at Flea Markets and Craft Shows 4 days a week and making jewelry the other 3 days. Eventually, it all became too much for me to setup and move so I looked for a small shop to settle down in. I rented a small shop in January 1995 in Rancocas Woods, NJ from a friend of mine named Mary.
By October of 1995, I needed a larger shop so I moved across the street to a larger shop. My business continued to grow and expand. Along with my best friend Kim, I started vending at major rock festivals including the Further Festival, A Day in the Garden Festival in Bethel, NY, Gathering on the Mountain and the Sunshine Daydream Festival.
In 1996, my company was invited to be an official vendor on the first FURTHUR FESTIVAL, featuring all of the members of the Grateful Dead in their respective bands, along with many other amazing artists. We vended in 31 cities in 45 days all across America. It is an experience I will never forget. The following 2 years, 1997 and 1998, my company again vended on the FURTHUR Festival. So many awesome memories of being surrounded by such wonderful people.
In August of 1998, I met my boyfriend (now my husband) Stephen. He fit right into my life and immediately started to vend with me and we made even more unforgettable memories. He helped more than he’ll ever know and my business continued to grow.
In May 1999, at the suggestion of my friend Rose Ann (who we affectionately call the Major) we moved our business to a busier location and rented a store at 14 Scott Street, Riverside, NJ. In April 2001, we then moved to a larger location at 12 Scott Street, Riverside, NJ. We were able to purchase this building and pay it off completely in a few short years.
On May 6, 2003 our lives changed again. We both said "I Do". Now I spend the rest of my life with my best friend, Stephen. He was worth the wait, my love forever!
In 2006, we adopted two very cute dogs, Maggie and Annie. They were adopted from the AWA in Voorhees, NJ. Maggie was a poodle/cairn terrier (Toto dog from the Wizard of Oz) mix, she was dark gray with white markings. Annie was a Cocker Spaniel/Whippet/Eskimo dog mix, she was blonde with white markings. Together, they filled our lives with big eyes, wagging tails and lots of LOVE.
Our business thrived until March of 2012, when suddenly, I completely tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I had surgery in June 2012 but it re-tore almost immediately, leaving me with a permanent disability. Because I have very limited motion in my right arm, we decided to close our shop. We miss it everyday but we continue to keep the spirit alive with all four of our secured websites - Beadscape.com, Beadscape on Amazon.com, Beadscape on eBay.com and Beadscape on Etsy.com. Each one of our online stores offers different items so please be sure to check them all out. If you do see items in any or all of our online stores, you may contact us directly to place a combined order and receive combined shipping charges that will save you money. You may contact us at (856) 316-8602 to order from us directly and save!
In August of 1998, I met my boyfriend (now my husband) Stephen. He fit right into my life and immediately started to vend with me and we made even more unforgettable memories. He helped more than he’ll ever know and my business continued to grow.
In May 1999, at the suggestion of my friend Rose Ann (who we affectionately call the Major) we moved our business to a busier location and rented a store at 14 Scott Street, Riverside, NJ. In April 2001, we then moved to a larger location at 12 Scott Street, Riverside, NJ. We were able to purchase this building and pay it off completely in a few short years.
On May 6, 2003 our lives changed again. We both said "I Do". Now I spend the rest of my life with my best friend, Stephen. He was worth the wait, my love forever!
In 2006, we adopted two very cute dogs, Maggie and Annie. They were adopted from the AWA in Voorhees, NJ. Maggie was a poodle/cairn terrier (Toto dog from the Wizard of Oz) mix, she was dark gray with white markings. Annie was a Cocker Spaniel/Whippet/Eskimo dog mix, she was blonde with white markings. Together, they filled our lives with big eyes, wagging tails and lots of LOVE.
Our business thrived until March of 2012, when suddenly, I completely tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I had surgery in June 2012 but it re-tore almost immediately, leaving me with a permanent disability. Because I have very limited motion in my right arm, we decided to close our shop. We miss it everyday but we continue to keep the spirit alive with all four of our secured websites - Beadscape.com, Beadscape on Amazon.com, Beadscape on eBay.com and Beadscape on Etsy.com. Each one of our online stores offers different items so please be sure to check them all out. If you do see items in any or all of our online stores, you may contact us directly to place a combined order and receive combined shipping charges that will save you money. You may contact us at (856) 316-8602 to order from us directly and save!
On December 8, 2018 we adopted our new dog Hattie. We lost both Maggie and Annie earlier in the year and our house was so quiet the silence with deafening. Maggie and Annie were both 13 years old and brought us joy for the 12 years we had them. Thankfully, Hattie has again filled our lives with unconditional love and lots of kisses. Just who saved who? It doesn't matter, we are all so happy to be together.
As you peruse our merchandise, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (856) 316-8602. We love hearing from our customers. We will add new merchandise regularly so check back often.
As you peruse our merchandise, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (856) 316-8602. We love hearing from our customers. We will add new merchandise regularly so check back often.
Welcome to Beadscape.com!
Now ~ sit back, relax and get ready for a flashback ~ Enjoy!
PEACE, Laura & Stephen
Hattie Too! (Woof! Woof!)