About Accents Beads

In April 1986 Nancy Criswell opened Accents Bead Shop in Olney, MD the first full service Bead Store in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  The store occupied a 250 square foot room on the second floor of a historical building, “The Olney House”. Twenty Years and four moves later, Accents Bead Shop now renamed “Accents Beads” has significantly grown in size. Currently, Accents occupies a 9000 Sq. Ft. facility and a showroom of about 5000 Square Feet. in the White Flint area, Rockville, Maryland. Accents is recognized as having the largest selection of Beads and Findings in the Washington,D.C. Metropolitan area. 

 The spacious showroom provides bead-lovers a one-stop shopping dream. Shopping aisles are wide, tables are provided near windows with natural light, and benches are available for those who need to rest (husbands). Rest rooms are also available. The showroom is staffed by 7 experienced beaders  who are the recipients of many compliments on a daily basis for their outstanding service.  Accents selection includes over 15000 items in stock including beads in Semi-precious Stones, Swarovski Crystal, Bali and Bali style Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearls, Seed beads including delicas, Venetian, Czech, and India Glass. In addition Accents has a wide selection of 14Kt, Gold Filled and Sterling Silver Clasps- Findings & Chain, Beading Supplies and Tools. In addition, Accents offers about 15-20 classes per month geared to beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Most classes produce finished beaded jewelry. Teachers include nationally recognized artists such as Paulette Baron, Jessie Stern and Judy Shapiro.  

For Beaders who love Semi-precious stone Accents has over 3500 Semi-precious beads including common favorites such as Amethyst, Black Onyx Garnet and Tiger Eye to more unusual varieties such as Gaspiete, Kyanite, Ruby Geosite, Seraphanite, and Spurrite and Tanzanite. The selection includes rounds from 2mm-20mm and multiple shapes and sizes including Barrels, Briolettes, Bicones, Freeforms, Hearts, Heishi, Leaves, Point-point cubes, Rondells, puffy and wavy ovals, rectangles and squares. 

As a direct Swarovski distributor, Accents has a complete selection of Swarovski crystal bead styles, colors and finishes. The actual selection of in stock beads covers the equivalent of about sixty feet of wall space, six rows deep. .

Bali and Bali Style Sterling Silver beads and findings are imported directly from Bali and India and provide the basis for a large selection of excellent quality and low price beads and Clasps. The selection includes over 200 beads and 100 toggle clasp styles.

The freshwater Pearl selection covers three 7x4 foot tables and includes every style, color and shape. The over 3000 Japanese seed bead selection currently includes 6/0, 8/0, 11/0, 12/0 13/0 and 15/0 sizes in the following shapes; tube, hex, triangle and square .

The Czech Glass selection includes over 1000 fire polish and pressed glass shapes and colors.