Old Colorado City's Original Beadstore has had a long life!
Starting out as Bead Trader, then it became Beazu
At White Rabbit Beads, we offer a wide range of beading supplies for all your jewelry-making needs. And we have been around a LONG time!! The business was originally founded as The Bead Trader in 1989, then was purchased by Beazu Beads in 1995. Beazu Beads, in 2002, hired a young Taryn Sweeney who worked on the weekends for nine years.
Taryn became the owner in 2011, we became White Rabbit Beads
When the owner of Beazu beads was looking to retire, Taryn decided to buy the business!
Taryn had been the weekend gal here for many years, so when the owner of Beazu wanted to retire, it was an easy transition for Taryn to step in as owner and our lovely place became White Rabbit Beads! As owner of the shop Taryn added her extensive beading experience, creative talent, and welcoming spirit to the place, making it absolutely the best place to bring your repairs, take a class or just stop by and say hi to the doggies! Her pups Bhopal and Mindy always made the day better with pets and kisses! During her tenure as owner, Taryn finished her PhD and opened her own yoga studio just down the street!
In 2024, Taryn decided to pass the shop on to new hands!
As Taryn's career moved in new directions, she decided to find the best new owners for the place
Running a business is a lot of work, and with so much on her plate already, Taryn decided it was time to pass the torch. White Rabbit Beads has always been a go-to in Colorado Springs and in order for that to continue on, the shop needed new caretakers. It was such a tough decision because she loves our store and wanted it to continue on the same lovely spirit it has always been, so she went on the hunt for folks who love the art of beadwork as much as she does. That's when she met Cheyene!
In 2024, Cheyene becomes the newest owner!
White Rabbit Beads in now the only Native Owned bead store in all of Colorado Springs.
Cheyene has been beading since she was young learning traditional beading techniques as a child. Then as a high school student began metalsmithing, and as a young adult became a lapidarist. Along side her partner Jason they opened a business called Beyond Lapidary in 2022. Beyond Lapidary specializes in cutting and polishing rock silversmithing and beadwork. Jason is also a talented beader, silversmith, lapidarist, and artist. As long time patrons of White Rabbit they are committed, to continuing on all the magic everyone is used to seeing and adding a little of they're own. They plan to expand on classes to incorporate more metalsmithing, and rock work.
