Where LAFC's Kelsi Smith Shops For Craft Supplies in DTLA

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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.

Image via Berger Beads/Facebook

British-born Los Angeles Fashion Council director Kelsi Smith keeps herself pretty busy. From making big moves at The Grove to searching for LA's next design star to advocating for LA Fashion Week, Smith is the ultimate supporter of local and up-and-coming talent. The wearer of many hats also runs Stylesmith media group and is president of local blogger community Two Point Oh! LA. When we asked the digital guru to share one of her go-to shops, we also learned she's quite crafty and she pointed us to this Downtown LA bead store brimming with DIY goodness.

Berger Beads, on Maple and 8th opened in 1938 and is still family owned and operated, now in their 4th generation! It's a treasure trove of vintage beading and jewelry supplies, gorgeous cabachons, giant wooden beads, chain, trim—everything you could possibly need for a craft project or even just inspiration. I particularly love the rare collection of beads hidden behind the counter, such as their collection of African trade beads and their vintage supplies, such as brass cuffs in a variety of widths. You'll walk in with no clue and walk out with a million crafty ideas (once I made a dozen bolo ties after a visit. Yup, bolo ties!). Oh, and it also has the biggest collection of studs I've seen anywhere.

· Berger Beads [Official Site]
· Stylesmith [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked]

Berger Beads

413 E. 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014