About Us
Our Story
Thank you for visiting Beadworld.com! Bead World began in 2004 as a brick-and-mortar bead store in Phoenix, Arizona, and soon after expanded with a second location in Scottsdale. In early 2013, ownership transferred to Karen Thompson. Since then, Karen has expanded the variety, quantity, and quality of everything Bead World offers.
By June 2018, the Scottsdale store had grown so much that we moved into a larger space—there were simply too many beads! Fast forward to June 2019, when Karen’s daughter, Kiara Rimsza, joined Bead World to create our online store (where you’re reading this now!). Kiara is now the Director of Online Sales and Co-Owner alongside her mom. Their close and respectful relationship has made them a strong and balanced business team.
Karen’s love for beads and jewelry making began shortly after she bought a small jewelry kit filled with bits and pieces for creating bracelets and wine charms. When Kiara was little, she fondly remembers making wine charms with her mom, despite being far too young to drink wine. Karen quickly fell in love with designing jewelry and began selling her own creations. Her favorite part was experimenting with new techniques. Two of her most popular designs—the Spanish Knot and Leather Wrap bracelets—were later made into Bead World Kits.
Originally from England, Karen has always been a creative entrepreneur. Before moving to the United States, she was a wedding dress designer, manufacturer, and business owner in Letterkenny, Ireland, where she met her husband, Karl. Together they moved to the U.S., got married, and started their family.
We hope you love Bead World as much as we do ♡
All our love,
Karen and Kiara