Latest News & Announcements

PotomacBeads Announces Third Bead Retreat for April 2025

Bringing Creatives from Across the Country to Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown, MD — [September 13, 2024] — PotomacBeads, a leader in the bead and jewelry-making industry, is excited to announce its third Bead Retreat, set to take place in April 2025. Following the success of its first two retreats, PotomacBeads continues to bring 100+ passionate crafters from across the country to Hagerstown for a unique and immersive experience in bead artistry.

Founded 19 years ago in Hagerstown, PotomacBeads started as a small business and grew into a prominent name with 12 retail stores across the United States before transitioning to an e-commerce and manufacturing model. Despite its shift in focus, PotomacBeads remains deeply rooted in Hagerstown, where its 25k SF production facility is still located in the heart of the city’s downtown.

“Our Bead Retreats offer a special opportunity for bead enthusiasts to gather, learn, and share their passion for the craft in a collaborative environment,” says Nathan Buchman, founder of PotomacBeads. “We’re proud that our business not only supports the local economy but also draws visitors from across the country to experience some of the great things that Hagerstown has to offer.”

As PotomacBeads prepares for the upcoming retreat in 2025, the company continues to foster a vibrant community through its free tutorials, high-quality jewelry-making supplies/kits, and engaging events. The retreats have become a highly anticipated event, providing participants with hands-on workshops, expert instruction, and a chance to connect with fellow creatives.

For more information about the upcoming Bead Retreat or to learn more about PotomacBeads, click here or contact hello@potomacbeads.com

About PotomacBeads
PotomacBeads has been a trusted name in the bead and jewelry-making industry for 19 years. Based in Hagerstown, MD, the company has transitioned from a multi-store retail operation to a thriving ecommerce and manufacturing business, while maintaining its production facility in downtown Hagerstown. PotomacBeads is known for its high-quality products and commitment to fostering creativity through educational resources and events like its Bead Retreats.

Potomax Brands Announces the 2024 Launch of Athenacast & Floratrel

Expanding into Premium Jewelry Components and Sustainable Home Decor Solutions

Hagerstown, MD — [January, 2024] — Potomax Brands, the creative force behind industry-leading products for jewelry makers and crafters, is excited to announce the launch of two new brands in 2024: Athenacast and Floratrel. These new ventures mark an exciting expansion in the company's offerings, bringing premium jewelry components and eco-friendly home decor solutions to customers worldwide.

Athenacast introduces a new line of high-quality jewelry components designed to fill a gap in the market for high quality castings and findings. Potomax Brands aims to offer jewelry makers a reliable, well-crafted alternative to existing options, ensuring that both hobbyists and professionals can access high-quality components for their designs.

"With Athenacast, we’re responding to the needs of the jewelry-making community," said Nathan Buchman, founder of Potomax Brands. "Our goal is to deliver components that offer thick 24k gold and real silver platings that can last for years without wear."

Floratrel brings innovation to the home decor space with its stylish, space-saving plant trellises, designed to complement interior aesthetics & make plants & homes healthier. Made from sustainable bamboo, Floratrel’s trellises provide an eco-friendly solution for bringing greenery indoors without compromising on style or functionality.

"Floratrel was born from a vision of merging nature and design in a sustainable way," Buchman explained. "We’re proud to use sustainable bamboo in our trellises, offering customers an environmentally conscious option to enhance their living spaces."
https://www.floratrel.com Athenacast and Floratrel products will be available online through Potomax Brands' ecommerce platforms, with product launches rolling out throughout 2024.

About Potomax Brands
Potomax Brands operates a variety of direct-to-consumer brands that build community. An eCommerce company at heart, Potomax Brands has built several successful ventures, including PotomacBeads.com, BeadOnIt, Claspgarten, BeadTec, Floratrel, and Athenacast. The team elevates each brand through video, community engagement, and cutting-edge technology while preserving the core strengths that make each one exceptional. Each brand develops high-quality products that inspire loyal repeat customers and fans.

Potomax Brands Acquires Claspgarten and Hosts First Bead Retreat in Hagerstown

July 1, 2023 Marks a Year of Growth and Community Engagement with Over 100 Attendees at First Retreat

Hagerstown, MD — October, 2023 — Potomax Brands, a leader in the bead and jewelry-making industry, proudly announces the acquisition of Claspgarten, a renowned name in premium clasps and findings, further expanding its portfolio of high-quality jewelry-making supplies. This strategic acquisition enhances Potomax Brands’ ability to provide an even broader range of products to jewelry makers worldwide.

The addition of Claspgarten strengthens Potomax Brands' commitment to offering quality, variety, and craftsmanship in the jewelry-making community. "We're committed to continuing Claspgarten's tradition of excellence and bringing the brand to the United States," said Nathan Buchman, founder of Potomax Brands.

In addition to this acquisition, 2023 saw Potomax Brands host its first-ever Bead Retreat, organized by PotomacBeads, in Hagerstown, MD. The retreat drew over 100 attendees from across the country, creating an immersive weekend of hands-on workshops, expert-led creative sessions, and community-building opportunities. The event was a resounding success, bringing together a passionate group of bead enthusiasts to share their skills and creativity.

"The retreat exceeded our expectations, and we were thrilled to bring people from all over the country to Hagerstown," Buchman added. "It was an incredible experience to foster this sense of community, and we look forward to making it a regular event."

As Potomax Brands continues to grow, the acquisition of Claspgarten and the success of its first retreat showcase the company’s dedication to providing top-tier products and building a vibrant community around the art of jewelry making.

About Potomax Brands
Potomax Brands operates a variety of direct-to-consumer brands that build community. An eCommerce company at heart, Potomax Brands has built several successful ventures, including PotomacBeads, BeadOnIt, Claspgarten and BeadTec. The team elevates each brand through video, community engagement, and cutting-edge technology while preserving the core strengths that make each one exceptional. Each brand develops high-quality products that inspire loyal repeat customers and fans.

PotomacBeads Expands Production, Product Line, and Potomax Brands Launches BeadTec for Wholesale in 2022

November 1, 2022 Company Reports Over 60% of Sales from New Exclusive Products

Hagerstown, MD — November, 2022— PotomacBeads, a leader in the bead and jewelry-making industry, significantly expanded its production capabilities and product offerings in 2022, introducing a range of new exclusive items that now account for over 60% of the company’s total sales. This growth demonstrates PotomacBeads’ ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality products for jewelry makers worldwide.

As part of this expansion, PotomacBeads increased its kitting capacity and introduced a variety of exclusive products that have quickly become essential for its customers. These high-quality offerings have driven significant growth, contributing to the company's overall success.

“We’re excited about the success of our exclusive products,” said Nathan Buchman, founder of PotomacBeads. “The expansion of our production and kitting capabilities allowed us to meet growing demand, and we’re proud that these items now make up over 60% of our sales.”

In addition to PotomacBeads' growth, Potomax Brands launched BeadTec, the sister company to PotomacBeads, in 2022. BeadTec focuses on providing wholesale products and brands to sellers worldwide, offering high-quality supplies to retailers. This strategic move into wholesale allows Potomax Brands to expand its reach and provide premium products to a broader market.

“The launch of BeadTec marks an exciting new chapter for Potomax Brands,” Buchman added. “With BeadTec, we’re offering retailers the opportunity to access the same high-quality products that have defined PotomacBeads, supporting their businesses and expanding our global footprint.”

With these significant advancements, Potomax Brands looks forward to delivering innovative products and fostering a growing community of loyal customers and partners.

About PotomacBeads

Founded in Hagerstown, MD, PotomacBeads has been a trusted provider of premium jewelry-making supplies for nearly two decades. Known for its innovative products, high-quality beads, and commitment to customer satisfaction, PotomacBeads continues to serve jewelry makers, designers, and crafters worldwide. With a wide range of exclusive products and an expanding global reach, PotomacBeads is dedicated to inspiring creativity and building a community of passionate creators.

PotomacBeads Expands into New Production & Fulfillment Center in Hagerstown

May 7, 2020 Move to 25,000 Square-Foot Facility Supports Growth in Kitting and Automation

Hagerstown, MD — [May, 2020] — PotomacBeads, a leader in the jewelry-making supply industry, expanded its operations in 2020 by moving into a new 25,000-square-foot production and fulfillment center in Hagerstown, MD. The facility, formerly used for furniture production, enables PotomacBeads to meet increasing demand with greater efficiency, enhancing both production and order fulfillment.

This new space has allowed PotomacBeads to introduce advanced packaging and bagging machines, further automating the kitting process. These additions ensure that customers continue to receive high-quality products, packaged with care, while enabling the company to scale its operations and increase capacity.

“Our move to the new facility has been a game changer,” said Nathan Buchman, founder of PotomacBeads. “With the expanded space and new machinery, we’ve been able to streamline our operations and grow our kitting capabilities, allowing us to serve our growing customer base better.”

The state-of-the-art equipment introduced in the new facility plays a key role in PotomacBeads’ ability to offer an even wider range of exclusive product kits, which are quickly becoming a favorite among jewelry makers. The increased production capabilities are part of the company's broader strategy to keep up with rising demand for its unique products while maintaining the quality and creativity that have made PotomacBeads a trusted name in the industry.

With this move, PotomacBeads is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory, delivering the same level of excellence and innovation that its customers expect.

For more information about PotomacBeads, visit https://www.potomacbeads.com/ or contact hello@potomacbeads.com

About PotomacBeads
Founded in Hagerstown, MD, PotomacBeads has been a trusted provider of premium jewelry-making supplies for nearly two decades. Known for its innovative products, high-quality beads, and commitment to customer satisfaction, PotomacBeads continues to serve jewelry makers, designers, and crafters worldwide. With a wide range of exclusive products and an expanding global reach, PotomacBeads is dedicated to inspiring creativity and building a community of passionate creators.

PotomacBeads Shifts Focus to Manufacturing and Online Expansion

Company Acquires BeadOnIt Boards, Closes Retail Store, and Expands eCommerce Presence

December 27, 2019

Hagerstown, MD — PotomacBeads, a leader in the jewelry-making supply industry, made a significant shift in its business model by moving away from traditional retail and deepening its focus on manufacturing. This strategic decision came with acquiring BeadOnIt Boards, a premium brand known for its high-quality beading boards. Additionally, PotomacBeads has closed its warehouse retail store and directed its efforts towards expanding its growing online presence.

The decision to close the retail store allowed PotomacBeads to concentrate on eCommerce and manufacturing, ensuring the company could better serve its global customer base. With the acquisition of BeadOnIt Boards, PotomacBeads gained a unique, premium, high-demand product that quickly became a favorite among jewelry makers.

"2019 has been a pivotal year for us," said Nathan Buchman, founder of PotomacBeads. "By shifting away from retail and focusing on manufacturing, we were able to dedicate more resources to our online community and offer even more innovative products like BeadOnIt Boards. It allowed us to streamline our operations and provide a better overall experience for our customers."

As PotomacBeads continues to grow its online presence, this transition has positioned the company to offer a wider range of exclusive products and meet the increasing demand of its eCommerce customers.

For more information about PotomacBeads, visit https://www.potomacbeads.com/ or contact hello@potomacbeads.com

About PotomacBeads
Founded in Hagerstown, MD, PotomacBeads has been a trusted provider of premium jewelry-making supplies for nearly two decades. Known for its innovative products, high-quality beads, and commitment to customer satisfaction, PotomacBeads continues to serve jewelry makers, designers, and crafters worldwide. With a wide range of exclusive products and an expanding global reach, PotomacBeads is dedicated to inspiring creativity and building a community of passionate creators.