Bead Shops in Venice

Many of the smaller shops around St. Marks (not ON St. Marks) have beads. I saw a lot of sizes from tiny to large. You just have to wander - which is the best thing to do in Venice anyway!!!

I found a nice store on Salizzida San Lio (sorry don't remember the name). Most of the beads were imports though, very few Venice-made. The prices on San Marco square are out of the blue. Quite honestly, you will probably find a better deal at home, but it is more fun to say you bought them in Venice.

Many of the shops at Murano sell beads. You might want to check out what they have to offer.

This is part of my shopping plan in Venice too. I hijacked someone's answer from another Website:

"Perle e Ditorni, San Marco 3740 on Calle della Mandorla- between Campos San Angelo and Manin. You can buy their pieces already assembled, string your own there, or purchase to string later.

Costantini, San Marco 2668A on Campo San Maurizio. You can buy by weight or in their pre-made packages. Not very good ventilation inside either; the shopkeeper was smoking like a chimney indoors.

Antichita, Dorsoduro 1195, Calle Toletta. An antiques store which has a collection of lace and hand-painted beads for purchase individually or already made into jewellery.

On Murano I go to the artisan's collective shop." (she has more info on that)

I stayed in Accademia when I was there recently and there were lots of shops selling loose beads, some antique. Just wander the streets and I'm sure you'll find some interesting and unusual shops.

Hi, Just returned from Venice and found the best bead store but when I went back to buy before we left could not retrace my steps.

This is the only store in the shopping area behind the main square of San Marco that sells lampwork beads for $1 euro each on strings that have about 20 to 30 beads. The beads are located on the right when you walk in the door. This shop is quite small.

If anyone knows the name of the shop please pass on or if you are going and stumble across it, please let me know. While in Venice I stumble upon a flea market while walking on the Santa Croce path. There I bought Venetian silver foil beads in various shapes, all 14mm size for $0.85 euros each.

FYI if you are going to Rome, the wholesale district for beads is two blocks up from the main train station on Via Principe Amedeo. All India and Chinese imports but some very good deals to be had. Don't be afraid to bargain.
Cindy