Had a great experience at Tropic today. One of the owners worked with me for about 1/2 an hour to get a leather strap fitted just right for hanging a pendant and becoming a necklace. (In typical bead store fashion, the cost of all the parts she used only cost like $4--how do bead stores stay in business??). But she took her time and was completely patient, didn't seem like she wanted to be doing anything other than help me. And she did a great job. So good I tipped her $5. While waiting, I noticed a beautiful piece of agate on a counter and inquired about buying it. She thought about it long and hard, then said: "actually, we'd really wanted to make that into a pendant. And I won't make any money just selling you the stone--I earn my profit from the labor of turning it into a pendant." Man, I totally respected and appreciated her transparency and honesty. So I offered her more money and she sold it to me. Which I also appreciated. Oh, saw a negative review here about their customer service being rude--she told me they'd purchased the store from the previous in October, 2015. So it's possible the bad experience may have come during the prior regime and staff. read more

Tropic Jewel - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

When you're friends with someone who can make jewelry, you not only act as her enabler, but you exploit her for all the free handmade jewelry you can. Thus it was, on a trip to Madison, that I cleverly took my jewelin' pal into Tropic Jewel for a quick supply run, while secretly planning to turn her into my own personal one-woman sweatshop. First I must tell you that Tropic Jewel is flippin' hot in summertime. It's on the second story of this weird strip mall, so you not only have to haul yourself up a flight of stairs, but once you get up there, there's no A/C waiting for you. Pause and catch your breath before heading in, because it gets stuffy in there when it's crowded. If you have any interest in jewelry-making at all, though, is this ever the place for you. Shelves and shelves of bead trays, sorted by color, contain every kind of bead you could imagine and then some. One whole table is devoted to pearls, natural and dyed. In addition to smaller beads, they have large semi-precious stone pendants and even some metal pendants. There's also a good selection of findings, tools, and kits. I especially liked the beginners' kits, which had everything you needed to make, say, a pair of chandelier earrings or a bracelet. Lots of times those beginners' kits are pretty lame, but these projects were actually cool things that you'd want to wear - or give as gifts. We picked out some nice coin pearls, glass beads, and other beads for me, and with my friend's help, I ended up getting three pairs of earrings for less than what one pair would have cost in a department store. But even if you're not a jewelry expert, the staff is helpful and will answer your questions, and I believe they even hold classes there to teach beginners how to use their new purchases. If you can take the heat (it's not called Tropic Jewel for nothing), this is a nice place to browse, plan projects, or pick up a piece of finished jewelry for yourself or someone else. It was almost enough to make me want to take up beading myself - like I need another time-sucking hobby in my life. read more

I have a mixed review here. I have been to Tropic Jewel twice. My second visit was great. Overall, I love the selection, one of the best bead selections I have seen in a bead shop in Wisconsin. The prices are great, there is a clearance section just to the left of the doors that is fabulously priced. The staff on my second visit were friendly and helpful. Had that been my only experience at Tropic Jewel I would hands down give them a five star review. However, the first time I frequented Tropic Jewel the service was terrible - rude even. I had brought my 6 year old daughter who also loves to bead. I had instructed her how to choose the beads, how not to mix them up, and to wait for me to correctly mark the quantity and price on the bag. She was doing fine. But the staff were very rude to her and to me. She instructed us several times in an exasperated fashion how to do what we were all ready doing. She followed my daughter around and told her not to touch anything. I get it, everyone has a bad day, everyone has bad experiences with children in their shop. But, one in a customer service profession needs to be able to analyze the situation correctly, and proceed on a case by case basis. There was no reason to treat a customer that poorly, no matter their age. As you can see from my review, we did go back, and I am glad that we did. Our second trip there, also with my daughter, was great. However, the "tiger mom" in me will be forever disappointed in their customer service. read more

A necklace I had ordered online came without part of the clasp that was needed so I could wear it. The friendly and helpful clerk at TJ not only found the part that fit what was missing, she quick as a wink put it together so I could wear it right then and there. She also charged me a very reasonable price as well. I can also attest that Tropic Jewel has a terrific selection of earrings of all kinds. Whatever your taste, you will be able to find something you like. read more

Went in today to look for rings, and i was very set on getting one. I knew what i wanted, and was going to look at one, so, without reading the signs, i pulled the ring rack out. Not reading the signs was my fault, but the woman(short dark hair, glasses) yelled across the store at me. She talked down to me, and gave me a dirty look. No one has spoken to me like that since i was in first grade. It seemed to us that she didn't want anyone to be in the store, extremely unwelcoming. My friends and i immediately left. read more

A nice little bead store in downtown Madison. Tons of glass beads and a decent selection of semiprecious beads. Also, they carry lots of finished jewelry for purchase/inspiration. Helpful staff. On the downside, selection of chain and Swarovski crystals is very limited. Definitely worth stopping by! read more

I am not from the area, and my girlfriend and I spent the afternoon shopping around on State Street. This jewelry store has a wide selection of sterling silver rings, however, it should be noted that you get what you pay for. The store itself appears run down, and the service isn't much better. After purchasing one of their rings, we had instant buyers remorse, and returned to the store within an hour with our receipt. We were not greeted kindly, and were not allowed to return the product. Overall, not pleased. read more

I am a frequent customer of Tropic Jewel. They have a nice selection of beads and materials to make your own jewelry as well as pre-made jewelry. I dabble in both options, but I am in no way a connoisseur of making jewelry. Because of this, I ask a lot of questions and need help picking things out. That is where my issue is: the customer service sucks. The women don't seem to want to help me and their answers to my questions feel almost patronizing, as if I should know the answer. Or, perhaps they do not have an answer for my jewelry-related question, but they do not seem to have any remorse for this. Tropic Jewel is incredibly close to my apartment and they have not lost my business because the prices are low, it is convenient, and I like to support local stores. But, I hope that they will take this into consideration because I know I am not the only customer that has experienced their less than friendly customer service. read more

Oh Tropic Jewel. How do I love thee? Your staff is super fab and friendly, you're open later than a lot of places, everything in the store is priced fairly. I love how you sell individual beads and findings. I am always inspired, please don't ever leave me lonely. Get yourself to Tropic you will never be disappointed :) read more

Great place to browse! If you're a jeweler, they're fantastic about ordering bulk supplies and giving a small discount. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I sent a friend there once to ask how to solve a problem she was having with a pair of earrings, and they were wonderfully helpful. Prices and "good deals" vary quite a bit, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Sometimes I can find a great deal there, but for larger stones or wire-wrapping, it's a mixed bag. But I can never resist stopping in! read more

I enthusiatically endorse the very positive comments by earlier posters, especially about their helpful staff and just want to add that their two-level mall building has a public elevator to take you up to the second floor where Tropic Jewel is located--look for the elevator on the end of the building nearest the intersection of North Broom & West Gorham Streets. read more