Beads on the Ave, Delray Beach

Beads on the Ave combines an impressive selection of gewgaws with expert instruction from the likes of Tonia Turner, affectionately known as "The Bead Doctor." Inside the shop, Swarovski pendants, semiprecious and precious stones, and glittering pieces from local artists glimmer as light floods through them from the all-glass storefront. In the spacious back room, instructors lead up to 25 students through a range of hands-on classes, teaching them how to create stunning works of wearable art as they sip on brought-from-home libations. The teacher provides supplies appropriate for each class, though they may charge extra for specialty beads, more expensive materials, or top-secret access codes to the White House's ruby vault.