Beadology Iowa opened as Dawn’s Hide & Bead Away in 1987. In August of 2008, the store was sold to current owners Karen and Laurel Kubby.
The store is full of beads from around the world: stone, pearl, metal, organic, glass, crystal, and one-of-a-kind flamework beads. We carry jewelry findings, tools, and beadwork supplies. Custom and repair work is a staff favorite. All finished jewelry is made in house. There is an extensive class list that includes wirework, stringing, knotting, flamework, borosilicate glass work, seed bead weaving, and metal work.
We pride ourselves on creating a respectful, supportive, and nonjudgemental atmosphere in which jewelry designers–from beginners to professionals–can thrive. This is done in the spirit of collaboration and community building; offering support, instruction, stellar customer service, and a quality product line.
Beadology Iowa is staffed by Emma Hodges, Laurel Kubby, Karen Kubby, and Alyssa Jakowchuk.
Karen Kubby is President of Kubby Gyrls, Inc. and co-owner of Beadology Iowa. Her specialty in creating and teaching is seed bead weaving, yet she dabbles in chain maille, wirework and lampworking. She has been a lampworker since 2008 and teaches the basics in the Beadology Iowa flame studio. Her speciality is asymmetrical cubed right angle weave (CRAW).
Karen has been a high school science teacher, potter, director of a nonprofit reproductive health care facility, and a local elected official. She has been beading since she was in 6th grade and loves to share the art and science of beading and lampworking with others.
When not at the store, Karen loves to be in her extensive flower and produce garden, commuting by bike, and of course, beading.
Laurel Kubby is Vice President of Kubby Gyrls, Inc. and co-owner of Beadology Iowa. She loves creating beaded jewelry & sculptures, teaching beadwork, and encouraging others on their bead journey. Her specialty is 3-dimensional contemporary geometric seed bead work. She is very interested in the design process & beading techniques. She also enjoys kumihimo & bead crochet. She plays with wirework, chainmaille, and bead stringing. She teaches classes at Beadology & in Phoenix.
Laurel has been beading since her teens, but became serious about it in the late 1990’s. She has been published in numerous books & magazines. She has been a finalist as well as a winner in several beading and kumihimo contests. She has also had beadwork exhibited in several museums, both nationally & internationally.
Laurel is a retired gynecologist in Phoenix. She previously taught high school math & science in the Chicago area. She has one daughter. She is an avid international explorer and has been on 6 of the world’s continents.
Alyssa Jakowchuk is the Assistant Manager. They have been crafting one thing or another all their life. They come from a very crafty family and are happy to be a part of a new crafty family at Beadology Iowa. They’re always learning, trying to expand their skill knowledge into new mediums. The newest has been paper, making pop up cards. With the influence of Beadology, they’ve found ways to bring beading into their cards. Nothing like mixing mediums. Their obsession with color drives them to find new palettes to experiment with, which they finds intensely exciting. In their free time they write, draw, crochet, makes card, and, of course, bead.
Emma Folsom (she/they) is the newest member of the Beadology Iowa team. Emma is a sewist, fiber artist, poet, and copyeditor. She learned to sew at a very young age, and her hands have never been without needle and thread for very long. Emma has always had an affinity for repetition and for arranging—this makes them feel right at home at Beadology. When they’re not sewing or arranging indoors, Emma may be found outside birding or hiking.