The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

 A rekindled interest in homemade one-of-a-kind gifts and a new, expanded able fuelling a local entrepreneur success in the rocky economic times.

Justine Jacus, 47 and mother of two children, was the owner of beads Galore for 15 years. It was recently expanded their store Maltman driving to a place with twice as high as the area information in Sutton Way, next to garden bakery flour.

Tables abundance of stained glass beads, semi-precious stone, shell, bone and ceramic beads fill the camp. Strands of turquoise, coral and agate depend on the walls.

Between Longs and Safeway, the touchable jewelry pieces are attracting pedestrian traffic and a whole series of new customers who have discovered the world of pearls. Since moving a half months, that business has nearly doubled its revenue, Ryan said.

With the additional space,Ryan, going beyond pearls to offer workshops in collage picture frames, mosaics and crochet and knitting classes. A number of basic foodstuffs glass beads and free form wiring classes for beginners to experienced jewelry makers are still options.

"The classes are booming bead, but I want to go further with him," said Ryan.

Glass Beads Game Public Participation in Decision-making and silver smithing are also on the horizon in a classroom at the rear of the business. Artists show their pottery, felted bags, retro furniture and designer jewelry in the store's craft gallery.

"I'm looking for craftsmen to teach and artists to sell their wares," said Ryan.

Jacus has always been her own boss, starting from the date it sells bikinis sewn at home with her friends at the beach of Waikiki. By the time she was in her 20's, she was with four yogurt and coffee shops in San Francisco.

"I was an entrepreneur my whole life. I've never worked for someone else. I have always done my own thing," said Ryan.

Then she decided to slow down and out of the city. Zog after Nevada County, where their mother lived, and opened her bead store on Maltman Drive, in Grass Valley.

Jacus is also the owner of the Scotch Broom, a women's clothing store in Commercial Street in Nevada City. While the economy has forced some people to conserve by less money for clothing, the people have learned they can make a Sundance-style necklace or earrings at a fraction of the cost.

"I think the people who learn more about their gifts. I think the people would rather receive something that you have made," said Ryan.

Others are training new thread beads her grandmother into something more modern.
"Pearls come from all parts of the world. I want to wholesale beads. I look for unusual, new colors, new shapes. I like semi-precious, but not?" Ryan.said.

Large Chunky pieces with saturated colors, which now Ryan said.

"Like all your jewel tones. People want more color," said Ryan.

A table is located in the center allows customers to sit down and bead creations in their own house.

"You can sit and listen to your own if you need some instructions," she said. "I think one of the things that we are known, is customer service. It is with enormous me," said Ryan.