Meredith G.: Want to go to the Bead Museum?\n\nMe: Ummm.....ok.\n\nLater that day....\n\nMeredith G.: I thought you knew about this place?\n\nMe: Nope, I thought you did!\n\nYep, that is how I ended up at the Bead Museum in Glendale. Still, I must say, if you have ever made beaded jewelry, this is an interesting stop. \n\nThe museum traces the history of the (wait for it....) bead as both a decoration and as a form of currency and communication. There are beads that are thousand of years old and works from all over the world, including some amazing African \"bead paintings.\" The museum also shows the evolution of beading as an art and the materials used to make beads. While def. off the beaten path, if you like beading or beaded arts, worth the short trip out to Glendale and the $5 admission. Also, there is a great bead gift shop on site, which carries all sorts of exotic beads for crafts and, of course, beaded jewelry.