How Do I Contact You?
What Are Your Store Hours?
Do You Teach Classes?
Do You Sell Online?
Do You Mail Order?
How Much Is Shipping On Mail Orders?
Do You Sell Wholesale?
Discounts?
What Do You Carry?
What Beads Are Unique to Hawaii and Your Store?
Can I Use Your Table and Tools to Make Something Myself?
Can I Design Something and Have You Make It?
What Are the Fees For Your Jewelry Making/Repairing Services?
Can I Order Custom Jewelry Over the Phone?
Can I Order From the Jewelry page?
What Qualities Of Metal Do You Carry?
What does MOP and FWP mean?
How Do I Contact You?
Pikake Beads
75-5729 Alii Drive #C104, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 331-BEAD(2323)
Contact us via e-mail.
What Are Your Store Hours?
We are open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm
Do You Teach Classes?
Yes! Please see our Classes Page or our most recent newsletter for the current schedule.
Do You Sell Online?
Yes! We sell some beads and jewelry at www.pikakebeads.etsy.com.
Do You Mail Order?
Yes! It's as simple as emailing us or picking up the phone. We accept credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, JCB, and Paypal) or you can mail us a money order. Sales are run through our store.
How Much Is Shipping On Mail Orders?
We ship USPS only, and charge actual shipping. We will do our best to keep the shipping costs to a minimum. With current prices (October 2008) padded envelopes via First-class start at $1.17, and boxes sent Priority range from $4.80 to $12.95. The later option is for a flat rate box that can hold oodles of beads. INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED, but up to you, and we don't charge anything for the packaging or the trip to the post office.
Do You Sell Wholesale?
That is a good question and a complex one. As a bead store we get our beads from the most direct sources possible. Many times we are ordering from the same places as many other so called “wholesale to the public” bead companies. We have many discount systems, when you buy bulk, built into your shopping experience that are available to you every day! We feel this is the best way for our shoppers to get a “wholesale” price when they deserve it. We also have a Kama’aina discount, bead class discount, and occasional coupons. However, please keep in mind that we are a retail shop.
- Kama’aina: 5% off of purchases over $40.
- Bead Class Discount: one-time 15% off
- Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coupons.
What Do You Carry?
Some of our bead specialties are:
- A huge selection of unique, designer carvings made from hand-picked Mother of Pearl from around the world.
- Exclusive Pikake Beads designed lampwork glass.
- Local made lampwork glass (we are the #1 source for lampwork beads by Kona’s very talented Michele Smith).
- Local seeds and nuts, such as mgambo seeds and kukui nuts.
- Interesting beads and pendants from “indie” designers.
- A great selection of metal beads and spacers, including SS and economic plated pewter.
We also carry:
- Chinese-cut and Indian-cut, precious and semi-precious stones from around the world.
- Sterling silver and stone pendants.
- Swarovski crystals ~ We have an extensive line of 4mm bicones, crystal roundelles, 8mm AB rounds, 8mm AB cubes. We also carry some flatbacks, 6 and 8mm bicones, 6mm top-drill bicones, 5mm rounds, 6 and 8mm diagonal-drill cubes, roundelles, hearts, briolettes, margarites, and other trendy, fun shapes (like butterflies, shells, starfish, snowflakes, twist coins, cosmics, etc…).
- Lampwork beads and pendants from local artists and mainland artists.
- The latest in Czech glass… a very unique selection.
- A huge selection of Peruvian ceramics (animals, food, oriental…) in “teenies” and large.
- Chinese lampwork strands and pendants
- Freshwater pearls
- Seed beads ~ loose and on the hank.
- Bone, wood, seed and shell beads and pendants.
- Resin beads
- “Beach” glass
- Mirage/Mood beads
- African Kazuri beads
- Cloisonné
- Millefiore
- Alphabet ~ metal, ceramic, plastic.
Supplies to put it together:
- Findings ~ TONS in Sterling Silver and 14k Gold-filled findings (with bulk discounts J), 14k (a small selection), and plated.
- Wire ~ Sterling Silver, 14k Gold-filled, Plated/Craft, Aluminum, Brass.
- Chain ~ Sterling Silver, 14k Gold-filled and plated.
- Stringing material ~ Accuflex beading wire, Fireline, monofilament, elastic, Griffin carded silks, Nymo, C-Lon, Beadsmith nylon cord, leather, pleather, suede, rubber tubbing, satin, raw silks, waxed cotton, waxed linen, and hemp.
- Tools ~ A wide variety of round and chain/needle nose pliers, cutters, crimping pliers, Nylon Jaw pliers, Split Ring pliers, tweezers, reamers, pin vises and Laser Scissors.
- Other Supplies ~ Bead boards, bead shovels, storage containers, needles (regular English, “Big Eye”, and flex), beexwax, Thread Heaven, Bead Nabbers, Wig-Jigs, jewelry cleaner, tool pouches, craft totes and Hypo-Cement Glue. For gifting or selling we have boxes, bags, and displays.
What Beads Are Unique to Hawaii and Your Store?
- We have an awesome line of Mother of Pearl carvings that can be used for pendants and earrings… literally hundreds of designs, all made from the highest quality shell.
- Pikake Beads custom designed lampwork glass (Italian style, made in Czech Republic). These beads are designed by us and are heavy and very high quality. We also carry a nice selection of regular Czech glass beads (pressed and firepolished) that many out-of-towners tell us they have not seen before.
- Local artist lampwork glass beads and pendants...Moretti glass (specializing in local artist Michele Smith), Pyrex glass, dichronic glass, and decoupage paper beads.
- Local shells ~ This stock rotates and at any given time we may or may not have Puka, Cowry, and or Ni’ihau (aka Princess Liliuokalani shells, which are tiny shells that are hand-picked and then hand drilled by using a nail to tap the shell).
- Local Mgambo seeds ~ also called Velvet seed, Maambo, African Velvet Seed, Hawaiian or African Pussy Willow, and Weleweka. The Hawaiian transliteration of "velvet" is "weleweka," giving the seed its modern Hawaiian name.
- Local Job’s Tears ~ The white-grey seed that naturally comes with a hole!
- Local Tropical Seeds ~ These are usually sold undrilled. This stock rotates and at any given time we may or may not have Sandalwood, Royal Poinciana, Wili Wili or other tropical seeds.
Many people ask us, what beads in our store are ones that they can only find in Hawaii. Unfortunately, the Big Island of Hawaii does not have an abundance of gems that can be found here, and labor is very expensive. There are some natural materials found on the islands that can be used for jewelry, but they are not easily made into beads. We hate to be bubble bursters, but a lot of “Hawaiian” souvenirs are made from tropical materials, from other tropical places, and crafted where labor is cheap (Indonesia and China are big importers). So please don’t get confused when vendors imply something is local. You can usually tell by the price tag. The imported stuff is very inexpensive and the real local stuff is much more valuable. We carry both local and imported beads.
More info on what is found on the islands:
There are only two prevalent stones that are naturally occurring. One is Lava, which would be fun for making jewelry, but unfortunately it is said that you will have bad luck if you take lava off of the island. We even had a customer ship some back to us! The other stone is Peridot, but the pieces found are very small (think specks) and even the largest pieces are extremely difficult to put a hole in.
There are the local seeds and nuts. Such as Mgambo seeds, Sandalwood seeds, Kukui nuts, and many more. We do carry these items both local and imported. You can also find these items yourself. For the seeds, you will only need a drill to make the holes. The nuts, however, are much more difficult to drill as you have to get the nut out! I would say 99.9% off the “Hawaiian” nuts sold in stores are imported.
Finally, there are local shells. This is probably your best bet for a Hawaiian “gem” that is easy to find, and sometimes they will even come ready to go with a hole.
FYI, there are no Hawaiian pearls. Hawaii tried to farm them and was not successful.
Can I Use Your Table and Tools to Make Something Myself?
Yes! As long as the table has not been previously booked, it is available. There is no charge for using our table.
Can I Design Something and Have You Make It?
Yes! We have very low fees for our services. So low, in fact, some of our beaders find it easier than making it themselves. Come on in and take a look at our fees, or let us give you a quote for a design.
What Are the Fees For Your Jewelry Making/Repairing Services?
Below is a basic fee list. We reserve the right to charge accordingly for any discrepancies.
- Regular Stringing $ .50/inch
(Includes stringing material, but no findings. Minimum fee of $5.00) - Stringing Precious Stones $1.00/inch
- Stringing With Knots $1.50/inch
- Attaching Clasp Only $3.00 + findings
- Basic Wire Wrapping (Includes Wire)
- Thin (24ga or smaller) $1.50 each or 10+ $1.00 (one piece of jewelry)
- Thick (22ga or larger) $2.00 each or 10+ $1.50 (one piece of jewelry)
- *Earring minimum is $10.
- Specialty Wire Wrapping $Varies (usually $15-45)
- Epoxy or Resin $10. (requires 24 hours)
- Designing Fee Add 15% to materials
(If you have us copy one of our designs (that are already on the floor or on the website) we will add this fee.)
Can I Order Custom Jewelry Over the Phone?
Of course! Tell us what you would like and we will do our best to create your vision. When done, we will email you a picture. Hopefully you will jump up and down with joy! However, if you don't, it's no problem to us. We wouldn't make anything WE didn't like. We'll just put it for sale in our store!
Can I Order From the Jewelry page?
Yes! There is a good chance that we can either remake the piece or at least something similar.
What Qualities Of Metal Do You Carry?
Sterling Silver (SS) ~ 92.5% pure Silver combined with alloys. The most common alloy is Copper, but Germanium, Zinc, Platinum, Silicon, and Boron can also be added in efforts to improve various properties.
Fine Silver (FS) ~ More than 92.5% pure silver, hence more tarnish resistant than SS. Often designer made silver or some Thai silver pieces/findings are FS.
Fine Silver Plated Pewter (FSP) ~ Fine silver is mechanically applied to a pewter core. Not to be confused with more economical "plated" metals, which are electrically bonded to a base metal core and can wear off easily, Our FSP is very durable and with care can last a lifetime. We like it because it is more tarnish resistant than SS. The daisy spacers we use are usually FSP.
Silver Plate (SP) ~ The most economical for metal beads and findings. It is made up of affordable metals such as brass, pewter, white metal, and even plastic, and then fine silver is electrically “flash” plated onto the surface.
14k Gold-Filled (GF) ~ Gold (14k) is mechanically applied to the surface of a base metal (like brass or copper). Not to be confused with more economical "plated" metals, which are electrically bonded to a base metal core and can wear off easily, GF is quite durable and with care can last a long time.
Vermeil (V) ~ High-karat gold (18-22k) is mechanically applied to the surface of Sterling Silver (SS). Not to be confused with more economical "plated" metals, which are electrically bonded to a base metal core and can wear off easily, GF is quite durable and with care can last a long time.
Fine Gold Plated Pewter (FGP) ~ High-karat gold is mechanically applied to a pewter core. Not to be confused with more economical "plated" metals, which are electrically bonded to a base metal core and can wear off easily, Our FGP is very durable and with care can last a lifetime. We like it because it is more affordable than GF or V. The daisy spacers we use are usually FGP.
Gold Plate (SP) ~ The most economical for metal beads and findings. It is made up of affordable metals such as brass, pewter, white metal, and even plastic, and then fine gold is electrically “flash” plated onto the surface.
What does MOP and FWP mean?
MOP: Mother of Pearl
FWP: Freshwater Pearl