Auburn has its own unique style and it’s become even more special since the opening of Perch Beads at 416 S.Gay St.

Perch Beads is Auburn’s newest shop and blends art with personal style. Customers visit Perch Beads to create their own custom jewelry. Barbara Birdsong, the store’s owner, keeps Perch stocked with beads of every color and stone including rose quartz, tourmaline, turquoise and pearls.

After a customer decides what piece of jewelry they’d like to make and chooses the beads they need, they can begin their project while Birdsong stands by to offer instruction.

Perch appeals to artists of all skill-levels, but above all to jewelry lovers. Taylor Griswold, a junior at Auburn University, made jewelry for the first time at Perch Beads.

“I was a little intimidated at first, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I was really pleased with how well my bracelet turned out,” Griswold said.
Customers can also buy jewelry from Birdsong’s own line, Tallulah.

Birdsong opened Perch Beads on August 1, 2009 after pursuing jewelry making as a hobby for nearly a decade.

“We’ve been having lots of fun with it for nine years,” said Birdsong, “but I’ve always loved the idea of people sharing what they know.”
It was this desire to share her knowledge that led Birdsong to open Perch Beads.

In addition to allowing customers to make jewelry individually, Birdsong teaches classes on wire rapping and other jewelry techniques and also opens her store to parties. Perch Beads accommodates bunco groups, bridal parties and birthdays. In the future Birdsong will be collaborating with Fine Wine and Beer by Gus to host wine tastings in the store.

Perch Beads is open Tuesday through Friday from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about Perch Beads or to schedule a party call 334.209.1378.