Meet Lori Clarida of Wild Beads

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Clarida.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Wild Beads first opened in Arlington in 1998 as a full-service bead and jewelry making store. I purchased the business from the original owner in 2013 because the business was going to be liquidated and four people were going to lose their jobs and Arlington was going to lose their only bead store.

Currently, we employee 3 people and have the largest seed bead and chainmaille selection in North Texas. With approximately 5,700 square feet of seed beads, Delicas, gemstones, Swarovski crystals, pearls, jumprings, Czech glass, wire, findings, etc. it is easy to say that we have a little bit of everything related to beading, chainmailling and wireworking.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The retail business has changed drastically over the past five years with so many people shopping on-line.

In the beading business, however, the serious beader likes to touch and feel the beads, as well as, match color and texture. Although beaders like to touch and feel the beads, our business has had its fair share of struggles because so many people are learning new skills via YouTube and not taking hands-on classes so much anymore. Also, people sometimes feel they get a better “deal” on-line which is not always necessarily true.

We have in the past two years opened an on-line store and made our presence on Facebook more known which has opened up our customer base somewhat.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Wild Beads – what should we know?
Wild Beads is a small, family-owned, business which strives to give each customer personal attention. Not only do we have a huge selection of seed beads but we will also help our customers choose colors, textures, etc. to make their project utterly spectacular.

We do also have an online store and are continually adding products to that inventory as well as our brick and mortar store.

At Wild Beads, the customer can find just about anything that they need to string a necklace, weave a bracelet or tapestry, find books on how to use shaped beads, or get helpful, friendly advice from any of our staff. We also offer classes and have tables where customers can sit and bead the day away. We will also host beading parties at the customer’s request.

Also, we host several formal and informal beading groups. The Wild West Bead Society meets at the store the third Tuesday evening of each month and there are two informal beading groups that meet at various days/times during the month.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Credit for our success goes to our customers and our employees. Without our supportive customers and bead society members, we certainly would not be a successful business. Also, our employees are the best that there are in being helpful and friendly with our customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wildbeads.net
• Phone: 817/652-3232
• Email: info@wildbeads.net
• Facebook: facebook.com/wildbeads
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wild-beads-arlington

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