This month, Sweet Earth Jewelry and Gifts, 341 W. State Street, Sycamore, is offering a bead trunk show as well as a bracelet making class.

These activities, however, are nothing new to the store and its owners Rich and Roseann Para.

The Paras have owned Sweet Earth Jewelry, formerly the Ben Franklin store, since 1996 but changed the name in September 2009.

“We had a contest in the store and let the residents rename the store,” Roseann said.

Roseann said the store is currently holding a month-long bead trunk show with semi-precious or gemstone beads.

“It’s beads that a vendor sends to us that aren’t really part of our normal inventory,” Roseann said. “They’re generally a much better price and then we give our customers an additional discount on top of that.”

Sweet Earth is known for its work with semi-precious gemstones like turquoise, jade and Swarovski crystals.

“Sometimes we get exclusive designers to allow us to have their beads here for a month,” Roseann said. “It’s really great because we usually get an entire collection so customers are able to see a lot of beads that they normally wouldn’t find.”

In addition, the store is offering a Create a Crystal Bracelet class on Sept. 25 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Rich, who has been teaching the basic learning to bead class for 17 years, said through this class he also shows students the techniques needed to make other pieces of jewelry.

“It’s a $50 class but you’ll end up walking out with a sterling silver, crystal bead bracelet,” Rich said. “You’re getting a lot from this class.”

Roseann said the store is also well known for it’s gifts.

“We were voted best store in DeKalb County to get a birthday gift recently,” Roseann said. “Our gift area is really very different because it changes with the seasons. So every season we bring in a new collection of gifts.”

After renaming the store, Roseann said they tried to carry more environmentally friendly products that are made in the U.S. This includes 100 percent soybean candles, recycled cardboard puzzles and organic hand creams. They also carry scarves and handbags made by hand from Guatemala which they purchase through the Fair Trade Federation.

“All the goods that we sell helps to alleviate poverty in that part of the world,” Roseann said. “They also help women and their families continue on in their traditional crafts and support the community.”

The store is also known for its engraveable gifts.

“We do our own engraving here in the store,” Roseann said. “In fact, I get to do the engraving.”

Roseann said because she and her husband are at the store every day they have the advantage of getting to know their customers.

“We get to talk to customers and find out what they want and what they’re looking for and we’re able to change our inventory,” Roseann said. “Sycamore and DeKalb are wonderful communities.”

More information about Sweet Earth Jewelry is available on the store’s Facebook page or on Discover Sycamore’s event page .