Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Fischman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A spiritual experience in my life led to the discovery of my love for crystals and minerals found in the earth. They have been my inspiration and companions for the past 57 years, leading me to a career in fine jewelry with Zales Corporation where I studied Gemology, Jewelry design and business management – and a Commodities License, where I researched and invested in Precious Metals markets.
Our shop in Encinitas is a fairy tale come true. Summer of 1969 I was 15 years old and working on the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights NJ. I walked into a small bead shop 3 blocks from the ocean to spend $2 on strands of small colorful beads, to string the shells I’d collected on the beach as gifts for my sisters and friends.
While at the shop I asked about a large blue bead and was told it was an antique Italian glass Chevron bead made in the 1700’s. I was told it was an “African Trade Bead” and had traveled around the world, being worn by some tribal warriors and healers in African or Native American tribes. It inspired me and my mind imagined faraway lands and sacred people… the intricate patterns opened my imagination to art, travel, culture and history that day. I walked outside. turned to look at the shop and said to myself “Wouldn’t it be nice to own a little bead store in a nice beach town a few blocks from the ocean?” I smiled and walked back to the room I was renting to string my beads.
30 years later, living in Encinitas with my wife Valeri – her birthday was approaching and I thought what to give her to show my love (she’s an angel!). Aha! I’ll make earrings to match the necklaces I’d made for her over many years. Each night when she was asleep I’d go into her closet, pick out a necklace or two… take them into my beading room and make a matching pair of earrings. Sometimes this was easy…other times a challenge as matching beads were not available, so I’d take a couple from the back of the necklace, then refinish it so Valeri wouldn’t notice. This went on for about 6 weeks… one day I counted the necklaces and matching earrings – 42 pairs – and she was about to turn 43!
So I made another earring but when I went to make its match, I was out of a small ten cent part. I headed down to the nearest bead store… it was empty of both people and beads, apparently, it was about to go out of business. I spent my dime, went home and finished the pair of earrings. When I gave them to my wife I told her about the interesting “coincidences”. After much discussion, we decided to take a chance and bought the store using our savings, a small loan from my Dad and took out a 2nd mortgage on our Encinitas home.
With great love and lots of hard work, we’ve enjoyed the past 20 years operating our shop, which has been voted the Best bead and Crystal shop in San Diego. Our business has thrived and survived by loving what we do, being grateful for our staff, appreciative of and generous to our customers and laughing each day!
We’re known for having “special” items – rare and beautiful crystals, antique beads, items of quality acquired as if they are to be gifts for our family… this is the standard we set. Anyone can find ordinary… it’s everywhere. When people come visit us at Beads, Crystals and More – they will find “special” here.
THANK YOU for asking!
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha, haha… LOL. Oh yes.. the long and winding road to success is easy and quick isn’t it? Life presents us with challenges…along with opportunities to express ourselves, learn skills to overcome most obstacles and the free will to choose what path to walk along.
When we bought the business there were very few customers or good beads… I didn’t know if we would have enough for the first months rent! We scratched and saved every dollar we made to buy new merchandise, filling the empty shelves and cases…. cash flow challenges.
Working Long hours was a given – before and after we bought the store… imagining what we wanted to create… and how to do it. Cleaning, making new displays… sourcing new product lines, establishing relationships… The first year was the hardest in trying to turn around what had been about to go out of business and make it our own…
We’re now in our 20th year and I don’t feel like we’ve plateaued yet, still striving to make our shop the very best it can be!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Beads, Crystals and More is just that: The oldest, continuously operated bead store in San Diego – voted the Best bead and crystal store in America’s finest city! Our shop is overflowing with abundance… almost every day we hear people exclaim that they are overwhelmed by what they see and discover!
Beads are humans oldest portable art form dating back to 100,000 BC. Beads are found in every culture from those long extinct to the most advanced countries as items of adornment, power and beauty. We share our enthusiasm and wonder each day with those who visit our shop.
First things first… we’re one of the best bead stores anywhere to be found, with everything a bead lover could want, from rare Antique Trade beads worn in Tribal cultures of African, Native American and Tibetan cultures. Our collections of high-quality Gemstone beads, Swarovski crystal, colorful glass from the Czech Republic, India, Italy, Japan, Germany… to shells, Corals, woods, metal and bone… we’re a parts store for creative people! A large selection of Sterling Silver, Gold and fashion chains…clasps and tools and more!!! So much more. 🙂
Amazing natural CRYSTALS from our friend’s mines around the world. From small stones to carry in your pocket to 400-pound Healing Amethyst Geodes from Brazil. Museum quality specimens gathered with great care and intention. These magnificent crystals, created in nature in all the colors of the earth – used by healers, designers and collectors – are inspiring and emotionally moving… a rare, valuable piece of real estate you can take with you!
We are known for our quality and selection – we are also known for treating people with generosity and respect and for having integrity in the way we work. Our staff are talented women and men… we’re a big, loving family! Two local singer/songwriters just wrote an anthem for our shop which we will record and share online soon on YouTube, FB and our web page. A video about our shop, created by the parents of a local artist has been seen over 7,000 times.
We LOVE what we do and it shows! Please come visit and see for yourself.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
What a good question….. I love San Diego and we are truly blessed to live and work in Encinitas. This small beach community is filled with special souls… very friendly and supportive…. lots of healthy people, practicing yoga – living spiritually and creatively… loving the ocean waves. We have felt supported by our local officials when we’ve approached them with an issue or problem. One drawback commonly heard is the cost of living here… rents for our shop have risen dramatically over the years and I know of many small businesses that have had to leave or close due to rising costs.
Pricing:
- Crystals and minerals from 50 cents to 400-pound Healing Amethyst Geodes! Whatever your budget or desire we aim to please.
Contact Info:
- Address: 967 S. Coast Highway 101 Encinitas, CA 92024
- Website: Beadscrystalsandmore.com
- Phone: 760-942-5222
- Email: Beadlovers@aol.com
- Instagram: Beadscrystalsandmore
- Facebook: Beads, Crystals and More on FB
- Yelp: Beads, Crystals and More on Yelp
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO0CY8UM46Y&feature=youtu.be Link to our video.
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
