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The Beadery, beads, plastic beads, jewelry beads, jewellery beads, bead kits, crafts and more
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| About The Beadery® |
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| Greene Plastics Corporation |
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Greene Plastics began manufacturing
decorative beads and other jewelry parts in Rhode Island more than
75 years ago. We now supply not only jewelry items, but also
mosaics, bead craft kits, creative activity sets, and more. We offer
thousands of innovative products for creative crafts and activities
of many kinds.
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Our Goals |
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It is our goal to provide high quality products, while remaining
sensitive to environmental issues and affordability. We offer honest
value and good design. We strive to innovate and lead in our
markets, supplying items for creative individuals and suppliers
throughout the world.
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Our Employees |
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Greene Plastics employs a dedicated and talented work force of some
80 people. Many of our staff have worked here for a generation or
more. From manufacturing to sales and marketing, design, graphics,
maintenance, engineering, accounting, packaging, and warehouse,
everyone is dedicated to supplying the best products at the best
possible prices. Our broad range of capabilities gives us
flexibility not often available from a bead supplier!
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Our Facilities |
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 The
headquarters and manufacturing facilities of Greene Plastics
are located in the historic borough of
Canonchet, in the town of Hope Valley, in a lovely rural
part of southern Rhode Island. The manufacturing and
finishing plant is built around the Asheville Mill, which
dates from 1848. It was originally a textile mill, with
water power supplied by beautiful Ashville Pond.
The
original building is constructed of native granite, and is
recognized as an historic place by the Hopkinton Historical
Association.
Over
the years, our company has grown and expanded into
additional office and manufacturing space.
A new warehouse was
constructed across the street in 1990. |
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| Our History |
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Greene Plastics was founded in 1932
by its namesake, Oliver Watson Greene. The company was originally
located in Wakefield, RI; it relocated in the 1950s to its present
headquarters in Hope Valley. In that same decade, William White
purchased the company. In 1985, it was sold to an ESOP
(Employee Stock Ownership Plan) trust. Profits and shares of the
company are now allocated to the employees as tax-deferred
retirement accounts.
In
the early years, thermoformed beads from Greene Plastics were sold
primarily to the booming fashion jewelry industry, for which Rhode
Island had been a major manufacturing center. The versatile process
of injection molding enabled creation of many styles and colors of
beads and other decorative items.
Images from The Sun,
Westerly, Rhode Island, Sunday, August 5, 1962
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The first three decades of the
company were primarily focused on supplying the jewelry
industry. Moving with the trends of fashion, beads have been
made in
an increasing array of styles, colors and effects.
Plastic beads can be electrostatically coated with a wash of
precious metals,
which results in a truly economical way for people to enjoy the
glow of genuine
silver and 24K gold. In our creative color department, various
pearl effects, neon and glow-in-the-dark colors, glitter colors,
and mottled colors unique to thermoformed plastics have been
developed over the years. There are also processes to effect a
matte finish on beads. In opaque colors, the result is a rich,
ceramic-like appearance; matte transparent colors echo the magic
of beach glass scoured by the sea. Yet another unique process
applies contrasting color within the recesses of beads that have
sculptural detail, resulting in an antiqued appearance.
Hot-stamping equipment applies various patterns or metallic
foils to give the beads and stones additional sparkle or
enhanced detail. |
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Our now well-known trademark,
THE BEADERY®, came into use in the
1970s. Under this name, a growing segment of the bead market –
creative crafts – involved various “do-it-yourself” products,
such as beaded Christmas ornament kits, bead jewelry and items
for the home. |
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The product line expanded to
include hundreds of shapes and colors of beads, acrylic faceted
stones (similar to rhinestones), cabochons, acrylic mirrors,
pendants and charms, mosaic pieces, bead craft kits, and gift items
such as boxes with multiple compartments of themed, color- and
style-coordinated beads. THE BEADERY® is the originator of the
much-imitated Beaded Banner. Various cords, craft/jewelry wire,
jewelry findings and tools are all available. This breadth of
product offerings makes THE BEADERY® a one-stop source for beadwork
designers and artisans.
Expansion into other markets, such as the toy industry, has been
ongoing. We offer attractive and fun activity sets including
everything from pop beads to fanciful construction sets. Picture
frames, weaving looms, bead stringers, storage boxes... the list
seems endless! |
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| In a highly
competitive market, this unique U.S. company has prevailed – due
in part to innovative, cost-effective manufacturing techniques,
and to a commitment to product quality and value. THE BEADERY®
is known for distinctive product and packaging design, and for
meeting and leading fashion trends in its industries.
Significant expansion of marketing internationally brings
increasing sales in over 30 countries. |
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Until recently THE BEADERY®
products were sold directly only to other businesses:
wholesalers, large chain stores, craft shops and other
manufacturers. Now they are available for purchase online by
everyone, here at www.thebeadery.com ! |
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Items in your basket: $0.00 |
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