Helen O’Donnell, Owner

Monika Piper, Sales Associate

Kathy Dummer, Sales Associate & Blogger

Gahanna Bead Studio had its beginnings in a storefront on Highway 62, with a close-out purchase of fire polish Czech glass beads and pearls. Products were added bit by bit, until here we are some dozen years or more later, now the oldest bead shop in Columbus carrying the most unusual, uncommon and eclectic selection of beads, findings, and materials for artisans who include beads in their work.

Two more moves would follow, plus one expansion, to place us now at 1028 N. Hamilton Rd. as one of the anchor shops for Silverlane Shopping Center. Continued loyalty and support from our “shop small” customers, local and from afar, have helped us to continue to grow and expand our bead choices and our class offerings. Thank you for helping us to serve our local community for this long. We hope to be doing so for many years into the future.

Most days and evenings, you’ll find Brie, Helen, Monika, and Kathy ready to handle your every beading inquiry. We’re lucky to have additional support staff with Tracy Van Niel on Saturdays; and Jodi Corrier providing much appreciated assistance during busy times and with birthday parties and Girl Scout events. Kathy Shield-Dummer is responsible for the weekly class updates you receive and aids Helen on many website, print, and graphic art questions. While she is an award-winning polymer clay artist, Kathy is a newbie beader. You can read about her beading journey on our blog!

Gahanna Bead Studio would not be what it is today if not for the hard work and dedication of the consistent and high-quality work of this fabulous staff.

In 2015, we expanded our store to include a bright and spacious 1200 sq. ft. classroom. Since then, we’ve attracted regional and national instructors who inform us on everything from wire-working and metalsmith techniques to polymer clay and more. And we’re just getting started!

Please visit our instructor page  to learn about upcoming guest instructors. We are always open to suggestions for instructors, so if you’ve had a hankering to take a class from someone you’ve seen or heard about, drop us a line, and we’ll work on it for you.