She Magazine

Beadology (Lake Geneva)

Published:

By Jill Tatge-Rozell

This Hidden Gem truly has gems. Thousands of them — from semi-precious stones, Swarovski cystals and fresh water pearls, to seed beads, hand-painted enameled beads and art glass.

Rainbows of bead strands line the walls and trays of loose gems in a kaleidoscope of colors pepper the Beadology store in Lake Geneva. The treasure trove of beads, hand-selected by beadologists and mother and daughter Judy McKinley and Jill McKinley, of Twin Lakes, awaken the creativity within.

Visitors to Beadology, whether accomplished “beaders” or not, are like kids in a candy store, buzzing from one colorful collection to another. They can buy them by the strand or scoop, or even one unique bead at a time. Patrons can select finished pieces or learn to make simple, multi-strand and wire-crocheted necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings, keychains and other accessories.

To make things easier for novices, jars of bead mixes with names like “Twilight,” “Under the Sea,” and “Val’s Vineyard,” offer blends of complementary colors. For less than $10 someone can leave the store with a hand-made piece of jewelry.

As added inspiration, hundreds of pieces crafted by the McKinleys are on display and for sale, ranging in style from everyday to high-end.

For the McKinleys, the store is a way to pass along a family tradition. Judy, who grew up in Chicago, affectionately remembers getting together with her cousins at grandma Rose’s home on Sundays to bead.

“We’ve beaded all our lives,” she said. “We would go to church and then go to grandma’s. It was a way for grandma to keep us all occupied.”

Grandma would bead with them and sell the finished pieces to friends. It always has been a hobby that has spanned the generations. Youngsters in the family who were too small to bead would collect beads that fell to the floor and put them in a pickle jar under the table. That same pickle jar now is under a display table in the Lake Geneva store where it serves the same purpose.

Judy’s mother, Val Sikorski, also contributes to the pieces in the store, as does her sister Jan Ketzka and Ketzka’s daughter, Jenni Knight. Ketzka’s work has been featured on the cover of Stringing Magazine, beading’s foremost trade publication.

Pieces by other area designers also can be found in the store.

When the economy took a downturn, the number of people interested in taking classes at Beadology increased.

“We may not sell as many necklaces as when we first opened, but we do teach more classes,” Judy said.

Beadology 101, which teaches the fundamentals of the art and introduces students to the tools, is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, while an earring-making class is held at noon on Sundays. Walk-in workshops are available daily, and students all leave with finished pieces.

For the more advanced, a Vintaj natural brass wire crochet class is offered at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Those wishing to take this class must know basic crochet techniques.

Judy said their combined dream of turning their passion into a business has evolved into a business they are passionate about. As they enter their third year, the partners have plans to offer more classes and are putting together new grab-and-go kits that include everything needed for a finished piece of jewelry.

“We want to share this with as many people as possible,” she said.

Store:

Beadology

Address:

270 Broad St., Lake Geneva

Hours:

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. off season; closed Tuesday; open earlier or later for workshops

Phone:

262-248-1895

Website: