When Monique Smith turns the key to her storefront on 95th Street, she isn’t just opening a business; she is opening a sanctuary she built bead by bead.
Smith, of Blue Island, owns The Bead Bar by Mozaique, a jewelry lounge that blends design, conversation and curated cocktails in a cozy studio at 3408 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, across from Binny’s Beverage Depot. Though she held a soft opening in December 2024, she has not yet hosted her official ribbon cutting, something she hopes will mark the next chapter of her growing venture.
Her road to entrepreneurship was anything but typical. After surviving two strokes, Smith said she began to see life and healing through a different lens. Beading became a meditative therapy, a way to steady her hands, rebuild focus and rediscover joy one gemstone at a time. What began as self-care slowly evolved into a vision.
“I have been creating jewelry since 2009,” she said. “For years, I tried to hide and only shared my talent with friends and family. But eventually, I realized I wanted something more intentional, not just a boutique but a place people would actually want to go.”
She considered her own habits. A jewelry store was not a frequent destination, but cocktails with friends were. So she merged the two ideas.
The result is a jewelry lounge where guests design luxe pieces with guidance from stylists, sip signature cocktails and enjoy gourmet small plates. The space offers a curated selection of mid to high-end jewelry, with every visitor leaving with a custom piece that looks like it came straight from a designer counter.
But the heart of The Bead Bar is connection.
As a mother, artist and entrepreneur, Smith said she spent years nurturing everyone but herself. She envisioned The Bead Bar as a space where women and men could reconnect not only with their creativity but with themselves. The studio hums with laughter, storytelling and the soft clinking of crystals as guests work together around communal tables.
“Whether it is a girls’ night out, a corporate team-building session or someone looking for a therapeutic outlet, this is not just a class,” Smith said. “It is an experience.”
The Bead Bar currently operates by appointment and for special events, allowing Smith to tailor her hours around her customers’ needs. A quick booking form and a brief conversation open the doors to the lounge’s offerings, from jewelry experiences to specialty workshops and upcoming events.
Her daily commute from Blue Island takes her through the colorful patchwork of neighboring communities, a drive she says inspires her. Surrounded by small businesses, she sees fresh approaches to entrepreneurship at every turn, fueling her own creativity as she continues building her vision.
Bookings and event details are available at www.beadbarchicago.com, where visitors can explore upcoming classes or schedule their own Bead Bar experience.
