By Rachelle Carino, 15, Glendale HS

If you want to experiment with beads, there are some great places to get them cheaply downtown. Try some of these stores:

Beads and Trims
321 East 8th St.
Los Angeles CA 90014
(213) 689-1000
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Berger Specialty Co., Inc.
413 East 8th St.
Los Angeles CA 90014
(213) 627-8783
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; no weekends

Bohemian Crystal
812 S. Maple Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90014
(213) 672-9553
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

California Bead Creations
935 Maple Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90015
(213) 624-8318
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sun. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CW Trimming Center
925 Maple Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90015
(213) 622-9602
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hi Line Beads
746 Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles CA 90014
(213) 955-3311
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

LA Trimmings and Beads Inc.
702 S. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles CA 90014
(213) 623-3903
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Midtown Los Angeles
Jeweler’s Emporium
5444 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90038
(213) 463-4885
Mon.-Thurs. 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Fri. 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

West Los Angeles
Bead Gallery
1571 Barry Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90024
Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bead Source
10606 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90064
(310) 470-1515
Mon.-Sat.. 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Bead Werk
10895 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90064
(310) 470-1515
Mon.-Fri. Noon to 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.