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By Steve Morris
 Bead Rush, a beading store located on West Fifth Street in downtown Rush City, opened in April of last year and has been catering to the needs of crafty people ever since.
Right: Bead Rush owner Christene Tanata has more than 1,300 items of inventory in approximately 400 square feet of retail space in downtown Rush City. She said it would be helpful to have more foot traffic in the area to improve her business.
The store stocks a wide variety of beads, wire and craft items. Specifically, the store shelves are lined with check beads, India Foil, Swarovski, gem stones, heische and gold filled sterling silver.
“I have some clever people who come in the store,” Bead Rush proprietor Christene Tanata said.
Tanata is the wife of Tom Tanata, owner of Rush City TV. Christene Tanata does the book keeping for her husband’s business until she deiced it was time to try her own adventure. A year after she set sails on her own business, she still isn’t quite sure why she went for it.
“I don’t know. Insanity maybe,” she said when asked why she opened the business. “I was just looking for something to get into.”
She decided to set up shop in Rush City for two primary reasons: it’s where her husbands business is located and there are not many bead shops in the area.
Her 15-year-old daughter, who enjoys making necklaces and bracelets, was also part of her inspiration.
Business has gone well, but Tanata is still in need some of some foot traffic to help the business.
The Rush City Music Festival is a big boost and helps get people in the store, she said.
To compliment the bead aspect of her business, Tanata also sells hand-painted gourds.
The store is a work in progress and Tanata said she is busy looking for new beads and items to fill her store.
Tanata said customer can make a sterling silver bracelet or necklace for around $20. Prices vary depending on what is made and the type of materials used.
Tanata offers free classes and instructions on wire wrapping and earring making. She said people are welcome to come in any time but are encouraged to call and make an appointment ahead of time.
“I am always more than willing to teach classes,” Tanata said.
Tanata envisions her shop as a community gathering place where creative and crafty people join to work on projects. In the store rests a collection of magazines people can look through for inspiration.
When she isn’t teaching classes in her store, she teaches through local community education offices. To date, she has taught in Braham, Cambridge and Rush City.
Bead Rush is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact them at (320) 358-3484.
“It’s been gratifying. People are still discovering the place,” Tanata said.
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