09/24/2025
Welcome (back) to the Flip Flop Bead Shop, where inspiration and warm hearts ignite your inner light.
At the corner of US 285 and Mount Evans Boulevard in Pine Junction, Colorado, there’s a shop where creativity gets stirred, friendships blossom, and treasures wait to be discovered.
For more than 20 years, John Hardesty made Flip Flop Bead Shop a cherished destination. In the 1990s, he traveled the 285 Corridor selling hand-beaded necklaces from his truck, sharing his passion for rocks and jewelry wherever he went. By 2005, he opened the shop to create a welcoming space where his love for beads, gems, and craftsmanship could flourish. His growing expertise earned the store a stellar reputation over the ensuing decades, and his warm, caring nature fostered lifelong friendships. Visitors would often be greeted by his warm-hearted wife, Carolyn, and their much-loved dogs, who added their own special welcome to the shop.
Through her parents, Jenni grew up immersed in the enchanting world of rocks, minerals, gems, and jewelry. From John, she learned not only the intricacies of the business, but also the joy of sharing it with others. She absorbed a deep sense of love and the importance of nurturing genuine connections with everyone who walks through the door, just like her parents did. Jenni often helped out at the store during the last years of John's life, and inherited it after Carolyn passed on in 2020 and John passed away in 2023. She embraced their legacy fully—bringing her own warmth, bright energy, and thoughtful vision to the space, making it a place where both treasures and friendships flourish.
Above all, Jenni has her parents’ gift for drawing amazing people into the store—people with creative spirits and hunger for inspiration. People with talents to explore, dreams to fulfill, and hearts ready to connect. Flip Flop Bead Shop is exactly the place where all of that comes alive — a space that sparks creativity and nurtures the heart.
Jenni would never tell you all this, but I’ve witnessed it time and again: she and her daughter-in-law, Katelyn, light up the store with vibrancy, warmth, and joy. Together, they turn first-time visitors into friends of the soul. Long-time shop fans stop by frequently to get one of Jenni's famous hugs that seem to channel and amplify the affection that John and Carolyn showered on everyone. Visitors invariably leave with smiles in their hearts and a deep appreciation for the shop’s magical atmosphere.
I'm Janet, and I have the joy of helping Jenni build her vision and a thriving community of connection right here on our little corner of paradise. And I'll share regular updates on shop events, promotions, sales, and activities. Follow us here so you never miss out on any of the amazing new treasures that arrive every week. Here are just some of the things you'll find:
💎 Crystals, Gems, and Minerals – including local Colorado finds like amazonite, smoky quartz, mica, and quartz.
✨ Beads, Cabochons, and Jewelry Supplies – fresh from gem shows in Denver and Tucson, local and international suppliers, miners, and rockhounds. Perfect for makers and collectors alike.
👗Tie-Dye Clothing, Vintage , and Gently Used Clothing – eclectic, colorful, and full of personality.
🕯️ Candles, Incense, and Gifts – thoughtful items to brighten your home and your spirit.
💍 Fine and Costume Jewelry – from sparkling treasures to unique handmade creations. Many are made by local artisans and designers.
🌈 LGBTQI+ treasures - rainbow spinners, jewelry, clothing, and inclusive gifts.
💖 Meditation and Spiritual Essentials - metaphysical books, singing bowls, tarot cards, prayer candles, and other supplies.
🎁 Unique Gifts and Keepsakes - fine art, pottery, bells, chimes, ethnic and cultural artifacts and offerings, salt lamps, figurines, and much more!
Step inside the shop and feel the magic. There are always new treasures to discover and heartfelt connections to make. Jenni's gentle soul and thoughtful vision keeps the shop vibrant, inspiring, and filled with love, just as her parents intended.
We look forward to seeing you soon, and to help spark your inner light of inspiration and creativity!
