Elements of Wire

Bead In Hand
Oak Park, Suburbs
145 Harrison St
Btwn S Lombard & Taylor Avenues
Illinois City, Illinois 60304 Oak Park, Suburbs
145 Harrison St
Btwn S Lombard & Taylor Avenues
Illinois City, Illinois 60304

All classes at this location

If you are coming by car, the easiest way to get here is on the Eisenhower Expressway (290). Oak Park borders Chicago due west of Chicago’s downtown. From O’Hare airport, take 294 south to 290 east. From Chicago, take 290 west from 90/94 or downtown.

From the east: Exit 290 at Austin Blvd. At the end of the exit ramp, make a right turn onto Austin (you'll be travelling north). The first street has a traffic light and that is Harrison St. Turn left and drive 3 1/2 blocks. Bead in Hand will be on your left. The shop is just before the first stop sign you come to at Harrison and Lombard Ave.

From the west: Exit 290 at Austin Blvd. At the end of the exit ramp, make a left turn onto Austin (you'll be travelling north). The first street has a traffic light and that is Harrison St. Turn left and drive 3 1/2 blocks. Bead in Hand will be on your left. The shop is just before the first stop sign you come to at Harrison and Lombard Ave.

The most common mistake is exiting at Harlem Ave., because Harrison Street does not go all the way through to Harlem. (But if you like getting confused, this is the place to do so, because east of Harlem is Oak Park and west of Harlem is Forest Park. In Oak Park, Harrison Street is parallel to the expressway on its north side, while in Forest Park Harrison Street is parallel to the expressway on its south side. See, wasn't that fun?)

If you are taking public transportation, the easiest way to get here is the CTA Blue Line. Take the train marked Forest Park. Exit the train at Austin Blvd. Walk west toward Lombard Avenue. When you get to the top of the stairs, you’ll be on the Lombard Ave. bridge over the Eisenhower Expressway. Turn right (north) and walk one block to the stop sign at Harrison Street. Turn right again (east) and Bead in Hand is just a few doors down on the same side of the street.

Parking
There is often street parking in front, but if not, turn onto Lombard and park along Lombard. There is metered parking right near the corner, but if you drive a little further you can park on the street for free. There is also parking on weekdays and Saturdays in the parking lot just east of us, off of Taylor Ave. (next to the church).