The Jewel of the Inland Empire Resides in Grand Terrace

Katherine Pellegrine, owner of Katherine's Beads & Supplies, has the largest selection of beads this side of the Mississippi. Ok, Ok, Ok, this side of the Colorado River. "I love what I do." said Pellegrine. I enjoy helping customers find just the right beads to make something beautiful for themselves or others. Katherine was a jewelry-maker prior to selling beads. Friends would often come to get beads from her. They knew the quality of beads that she had, and they knew they could trust Katherine to have the best beads. Katherine always had a wide selection of beads for her creations. Her dear friend Viola suggested, "Why don't you open a bead store?" Katherine thought, "If I'm a bead-oholic there must be others out there like me." Her first location was in their garage. Katherine has been into beads since the age of nine. Her grandfather was postmaster in Oklahoma on the reservation and her grandmother ran the trading post store, so when they moved back to California they brought beads and Indian artifacts with them. Her love of beads came from her grandmother Elsie and her aunt Eva. Katherine perfected her art of jewelry-making into a business at the age of 10. Her brother would take her beautiful creations and sell them at San Bernardino Valley College. “Beading is a hobby; an interest that once you start you never give up, unlike other hobbies, beading is a passion. You may rest a while but everyone always comes back to beading.” said Katherine. Katherine is a lapidary, also known as a rockhound. She can cut, shape, and find stones. Her cousin, Fred White, taught her how. Katherine is so knowledgeable about beads she has been asked to speak to service clubs, and other organizations. She shares that there are many uses for beads, besides accentuating a woman's beauty. “The word 'bead' comes from the word Beatty, meaning prayer. Beads are associated with prayer like rosary beads. Beads are also associated with exchange like money or wampum. Beads were here long before any other kind of jewelry. They took wood, shells, all kinds of things and drilled holes in them. Beads to me are adornment.. they make you pretty, and there's a little gypsy in all of us. When you wear dangling earrings you swing your head a little more,” explained Katherine. Classes are available for anyone interested in this art form. Silversmith skills, enamel bead-making, wire wrap, metal fusion, bead-knotting, pearl-knotting and more. Ellie Wang is one of the best beaders in the area and often teaches classes at Katherine's Beads. A reservation can be made by calling (909) 825-5885. Ingrid Johnson is a local beader, and according to Frank and Katherine, is also one of the best beaders in the area. Ingrid loves bling, and buys nothing but the best Swarski. Johnson says, "I love to shop at Katherine’s Beads because of the huge selection she has. Whether you like to do bead-weaving, stringing, glass bead-making or working with metal, she has the supplies. Katherine is very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. There’s always something new." Katherine's Beads has inventory like none other. Katherine's husband, Frank Pellegrine, is a partner in every sense. He often man's the store and Katherine shares, "He tells me he knows where all the different beads are located." Frank attributes Katherine success to her knowledge of all the beads and jewelry-making materials. She teaches a lot of classes to help others enjoy this profession as well. She has been in business over 30 years. "I really like doing what I do," Katherine said. The couple previously had more than one location, but after suffering from AFib she and her husband, Frank, decided it would be best to consolidate in their Grand Terrace location. Their store is 1000 square feet (the largest in the Inland Empire), and "crammed full" said Frank. Catherine also has a large warehouse filled with beads and jewelry-making supplies, "and another thousand square feet at home!" said Frank. Katherine is a member of the Southern California Local Bead Store Association. The Association sponsors an event called the "Shop Hop." Katherine was delighted with the number of people who expressed their appreciation of her selection of beads and supplies. Katherine's Beads has customers that come in from other states, including Nevada and Wyoming. Katherine's bead store is truly a jewel nestled in Grand Terrace. Katherine's Beads is located at 12210 Michigan Street, Suite G, Grand Terrace. For more information call Katherine or Frank at (909) 825-5885.