Lisette Mccarroll grew up in a household with three brothers, and she always wanted to break away and stand out as the “girly girl.” 
Mccarroll said she figured the quickest way to do this was with jewelry. She couldn’t afford to buy sterling silver and gemstone pieces, so she made it a goal for herself to learn how to bead. Now, eight or nine years after learning how to successfully bead from a Kirkland’s co-worker, she and her husband, Steve Mccarroll, have opened their own store. 
A year ago, Lisette and Steve decided it would be worth it to open their own store. She said once Steve started noticing how much she was spending on beading supplies, he started doing research to find where she could purchase them cheaper. 
The couple decided they would open their own store but would wait until Steve retired, about three and a half years from now. However, when an early opportunity came up, they decided to jump on it. They found a space they could afford and decided to move forward. 
“She’s always wanted her own store, and we were thinking we were going to have to wait and do it later. Thankfully, everything just kind of fell into place,” Steve said. 
Cajun Bead Crafts offers a variety of different bead strands, seed beads and other supplies. The bead strands line the walls in color-coordinated order in varying in size and shape. 
Lisette said the highest priced bead strand is about $18, but everything else is under $15. The majority of the pieces are between $5 and $12. Steve said with two strands of beads, a customer can make a bracelet, necklace and earrings. 
“That’s our thing is that, when I was shopping, I always wanted to get the best price for my money, and there’s a certain limit I’ve learned with retail,” Lisette said. “There’s a certain [price] limit people will probably go up to.”
Lisette said the store started as a supply store, but after customers’ requests, they decided to add beading classes. 
“I’m not a professional. It’s a hobby, and I’ve taught things before,” Lisette said. “I just didn’t think that was something that we were going to probably do and as we got into it more, we had more requests for it.” 
On Tuesdays, Cajun Bead Crafts offers basic beading where students can learn how to string, put on a clasp and make things such as
earrings. On Thursdays, there is seed beading classes, which is beading with small beads, and Saturdays are “beading social” where beaders can bring whatever they want to work on and have a space to bead and socialize. All of the classes run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The classes are free unless beaders need to buy supplies. Lisette said they don’t need to buy supplies if they already have what they need but still want a place to learn and socialize. 
Lisette said the beading classes are very relaxed and a good place to learn from others. 
“It’s fun sitting around the tables with classes and seeing all the different designs and colors that everybody comes up with. It just inspires you,”
Lisette said. 
You can reach Meg Ryan on Twitter @The_MegRyan.
 

Gallery • 13 Photos

Charles Champagne

Various beads and bead accessories are on display Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Cajun Bead Crafts, LLC located on Jones Creek Rd.