A friend and fellow jewelry-maker and I are heading to Rome for a week in February, and I'm coming up empty on Google searches for bead shops in Rome. Anyone know anything?
We don't have a place picked out yet, but yes, I have posed the "Where's the beads?" question on some other craft-specific forums (fora?). So far, it's looking like the antiques area in the Piazza Navona section of town may be a good bet to start looking.
I don't know if this is helpful, but it's Venice that's really known for its glass beads. Surely some places in Rome sell them. Good luck.
If you already have lodging, you could ask them about any shops in the area. Or is there a bulletin board for "beaders" where you could post that question?