Blingly beads of Bangkok

Bangkok

Blingly beads of Bangkok – If this alliteration didnt get your attention – then you are not a hardcore beader! 😀
I recently took a trip (was it a vacation, I dont know?) to Thailand which was a “Turning 30” gift for myself from myself. Sometime last year, when I realised that I am finally leaving my 20’s behind I gave myself a list of things to do before turning 30. Yes! one of those cliche lists, which ofcourse included traveling abroad alone! So after a hell of a lot of planning I took a 5 day trip which included a “half a day of shopping in Bangkok”! I do know ‘half a day’ is far too less for shopping anywhere in Thailand, but given the fact that I was nevertheless buying something or the other everyday (grin!) I had to limit myself and my Bhats (Thai  currency) somehow.

bead supplies in bangkok

While I did shop for clothes and knick knacks, shopping for beads was a priority. After some research on the internet I found that you could either buy beads at Palladium or China town in Bangkok. I chose Palladium as it was close to where I stayed. Palladium World Shopping center is a place in the middle of Bangkok where even a seasoned jewelry shopper with go crazy. It is a 5 storeyed mall at the corner of Pretchabari road and Ratchaprarop road, opposite Platinum mall, with an entire floor B1 zone catering to jewelry related products. 
Address
Palladium World Shopping center,
B1 Zone, 555 Ratchaprarop road, Bangkok- 10400 

bead shopping in bangkok

 
After Shopping for beads in dingy crowded alleys of Delhi, Shopping in a calm A/c environment in Bangkok was quite different. The place was eerily quite, clean with stores selling pearls, agates, shell beads, crystal beads, amber stones and ethnic beads. There were packaging and display supply stores too. Most of the stock comes from China, but it said to be cheaper here. I found the Pearl stores slightly expensive; ethnic beads very expensive and Amber was not for retail buying. I didnt buy agates as they mostly come from India. Westerners might find it cheaper when compared to their local markets but the prices here were similar to India (even online shopping). Only the Chinese crystal store had findings, others only had beads. There was no wire or metal related supplies. What did I buy? I bought some bamboo coral, some pearls, MOP/Shell beads, loads of big blingy crystals – you can find then throughout this post!

bead shopping in bangkok

The main speciality of this complex is that there are handmade jewelry makers who make and sell pieces wholesale right before your eyes here. It was fascinating to watch artists make huge blingly pieces in minutes. Unfortunately photography was not permitted. There is also a branch of “Pink Pussy”  a fabulous accessories shop with amazing jewellery at fantastic prices. I went crazy here and didnt know what to buy. I did in the end buy 3 beautiful cocktail rings – a graduated flame, a wolf and an engagement style solitaireish ring all for 650 THB!!! It would have costed atleast triple anywhere else in the world.
WarningThis is not a place to take Teenage girls or women with credit cards!!  LOL

Pretty Pussy Store

At Platinum fashion Mall, I saw the Indian and Chinese crowd go berserk. People bought suitcases and filled them with clothes. I have never seen so much Clothing in my life before. But most of them are for petite women and the fabrics/cuts are such that it cannot be worn in India; atleast not in the streets. After some hunting, I bought a couple of tees and dresses. Most shoes were too small for me and I missed the bag section completely as I was very hungry and was looking for the food court craving like mad for some decent Indian food.

Pretty flower hairbands everywhere

People were buying necklaces at Jungle acessories in heaps and bundles. Why? Because the same thing bought for 100 THB a piece (approx Rs.208) is being sold as “Fashion jewellery” in fashion chain stores like Lifestyle, Globus, Westside and their likes for Rs.399-599! Easy profit!
I unfortunately, had only a 500 THB note with me, by the time I came to this store, so I bought 2 necklaces and a watch and sadly kept the remaining money for a taxi ride back to my hotel. And I am extremely proud of the fact that I didn’t give in to the temptation and break out my credit card! 😀 Though I missed 1K THB  somewhere – which is another story for another day. 

To sum up – If in Bangkok, Go shopping to 
Palladium World Shopping center for pearls, agates, crystals and fabulous hand made beaded jewelry
Platinum Fashion Mall – for clothes, shoes, wigs, bags, suitcases, jewelry, Food
–  Chatuchak Sunday Market – all sorts of knick nacks; things that you didn’t think you wanted before

I didnt go to Chatuchak Sunday Market as I went to the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai then, but more on that later. With this trip I started my bead sourcing for the upcoming season and its still going on and I am buying (or hauling) from various sources. Will have to create something from all of them soon, predominatly to make space. Hopefully I’ll find my muse. Till then Take care; Happy Shopping!

I hope you found it interesting 
 Cheers

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12 responses to “Blingly beads of Bangkok”

  1. bairozan avatar

    Good for you, such a delightful present to yourself! These beads will make some gorgeous jewelry for sure, I am so looking forward to it!

  2. Divya N avatar

    haaa, Thanks! People ask me, why Thailand, I just dont know. I picked a place I could afford and left, maybe all the shopping plans had something to do with it 😉

  3. Little Treasures avatar

    What a treat to yourself! I would surely go crazy too in that place – I can only imagine what it was like! Love your cocktail rings btw! Great picks!

  4. Dr Sonia S V avatar

    Loved reading this post of yours Divya and wow hats off to you for daring to travel abroad alone!! Takes courage!!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia
    Cards Crafts Kids Projects

  5. Divya N avatar

    Arent they great? I saw the flame ring in gold the previous day and thought to myself that its so pretty, but so expensive that I cant afford it. And the very next day I found it at a bargain, I was so happy 🙂

  6. Divya N avatar

    Oh , it doesnt require courage just patience and lots and lots of planning

  7. Karin G avatar

    Your post brings back memories! We went to Thailand 4 years ago and it was a wonderful trip, I brought quite a lot of beads and other supplies and still have some! I love to know that beads come from all around the world. I love all the bling you chose! And the mother of pearl, beautiful! It will be amazing in your beautiful work.

  8. Cinnamon Jewellery avatar

    It sounds like heaven! I'd spend all day trying to decide what to buy! I live the faceted beads in your first photo.

  9. Divya N avatar

    I spent the first few hours, doing just that – wondering, what to buy! It was very hard making a decision

  10. motidana avatar

    Just saw your post on your Bangkok visit and relived every moment reading about your shopping experience. Must have been such an exciting time for you seeing so much of goodies, that I`m sure your imagination and creativity must have gone for an overdrive . Waiting to see all the lovelies you conjure up from your Thai treasures.
    And hats off to your discipline in not submitting to shopping on your credit card . I gave in during my visit and was in a shock when the bill came 🙁

  11. Divya N avatar

    I kept what you said in mind, I gave myself enough time to look through the beads and buy them. but yes it was overwhelming

  12. Neena Shilvock avatar

    Sounds like heaven to me!!

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