Divas Beads looks to fill Walla Walla Valley’s needs

MILTON-FREEWATER - When Pat Dirr and Julie Culjak enrolled in one of Geri Honn's bead classes at Suncatcher Studio in Milton- Freewater, they had no idea they were about to enter a business partnership. "We were all talking about how someone ought to open a place locally to buy beads," said Dirr, who originally had no intention of being that "someone." Culjak couldn't agree more."I had just moved here in July and signed up for classes to meet people," she said. Culjak also noted that once a rental site had been found, she had to quickly catch her husband up to speed. "I didn't think we were serious. I hadn't even told him yet," she said.But what Dirr, Culjak and Honn have created is a unique bead boutique for beaders with all tastes and abilities. "We really tried to make it homey," said Culjak. The women all collected items from second hand and thrift stores as well as their own homes to give the store an antiqued and stylish flair."We really tried to make it an intriguing and inviting place by using dishes and other treasures to display our products," said Dirr.The store, which touts glass, silver and crystal beads of all colors, shapes and sizes, also is fully stocked with sterling silver findings, chains by the foot, tools and inspirational books for viewing."We went to Tucson to a bead show and went crazy. Geri had some ideas, but we just bought all sorts of things," said Culjak.Along with products and supplies of all kinds, the store also will continue in line with Suncatcher Studio and offer classes and workshops instructed by co-owner Honn. Honn, who originally taught classes at Suncatcher, will begin lessons at Three Divas Beads in May."Right now people are signing up and then we will contact everyone to set a time," said Honn. The women also noted that they are looking for outside instructors who could bring in other beading workshops or classes

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You create your own bracelet. And you create your own story in the process," Anne Goodman, the company's other managing director, explained.
"It's so much fun to create," Peresin said. "It truly is an experience unto itself."
Every story has a bead. And every bead has a story, they pointed out.
Some beads take their inspiration from mythology, astrology, or fairy tales, while others are inspired by symbolic images and familiar things in everyday life.
For example, there's a lucky knot bead for good luck and happiness. And there's a three-in-one bead, which combines three rings into one as a symbol of unity. It was one of the first Trollbeads created.
An opal for loyalty, amethyst for peace of mind, a garnet for devotion and grace, turquoise for courage and success, and the lapis lazuli for competence are brought together in one bead to signify wisdom.
There are more than 500 different Trollbeads available -- everything from favourite flowers to zodiac signs, initials, hearts and stars.
"New Trollbeads are released three to four times per year," Goodman said. "At the same time, several existing beads are retired. As a result, the line is constantly evolving and changing."
The Trollbeads collection is designed by 18 Danish and internationally renowned designers.
Beads are made from 18-karat gold, sterling silver, Italian Murano glass, natural pearls and precious stones. Prices run the gamut. Silver beads range from $26 to $45, for example, while Murano glass beads are $35 to $45. At the top end, there are 18-karat gold beads with glass/stones for hundreds of dollars, including the Wisdom bead for $736 and the Three Flowers bead for $547. There's also an 18-karat gold model with diamonds -- the Yes! bead -- which retails for $1,200.