Beaded by Brooke

Stringing together business success

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

Submitted Photos

Something old. Something new. Something beaded. Something for Brooke Barbeau to create in every color, including blue.

The 25-year-old Wethersfield resident can take something that’s a quarter-century old, worth 25 cents or $25, and make a gift that’s worthy of a silver anniversary or silver medal.

Beaded by Brooke is a handcrafted jewelry business that was born in August 2025. That’s when she left her job with the state of Connecticut and became a full-time graduate student at the University of Connecticut seeking her master’s degree in public administration and turned what was a hobby into a side hustle.

Brooke Barbeau is a budding, or shall we say, beaded artist.

“I would love to be my own boss. Jewelry making has given me that perspective,” the budding entrepreneur said.

This passion from her past is now her consistent compass, pointing her towards her future.

“My grandma taught me [how to bead] when I was in high school,” she recalled on how they created crafts together over summers and school breaks.

She makes mostly necklaces, bracelets, and earrings and she’s “trying to get into rings.” What makes her designs distinctive are the materials that she uses.

“I do go for natural gemstones. I curate those from local bead stores. I get a lot of second-hand stuff from antique shops and repurpose the beads” is how she describes her artistry.

“For me, it’s a great way to save on materials.”

Perhaps she’ll take an older item and make it look more up to date. Or she’ll take an original idea and hand craft it from start to finish. 

“I get a lot of compliments – the beads I use, the styles and designs I create. People say they are unique. They inquire about custom work. I can work with something they already have or create something new,” she said.

Whatever the inspiration, customers have crafty ways to find these ultimate statement pieces.

“I have an Etsy shop. I do local craft fairs. It’s a lot of word of mouth. I’m still gaining traction selling online,” Barbeau said.

Those craft shows include the Rocky Hill Community Center and the Parkville Market in Hartford. She hopes to get accepted into Celebrate! West Hartford because that is the town where she grew up, as well as more festivals and artisan shops in her adopted hometown of Wethersfield.

The biggest marketplace these days is social media where she has a growing presence on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook, and intends to expand that even more.

Besides earning her degree – in which time management and critical thinking will prove to be crucial business skills – Barbeau plans to string together that larger online audience with her IRL one.

“People enjoy watching videos and I’d like to set up at a local market,” are the next steps of her business plan.

Her initial lessons learned are those of gratitude.

“I have an appreciation for handmade things and for small businesses. It takes a lot of hard work to get things made and to get things sold,” she stated.

Something old. Something new. Something beaded with a love that’s true. WL

For more information go to Beaded by Brooke on Etsy or connect on Instagram or Tik Tok @beadedbrooke or on Facebook @BeadedByBrooke.