The Community Square, which sits along Silver Lake, is home to a new business, set to begin operating in the coming weeks. Artist Tara Grey is happy to opening Bead by the Sea, which is a life-long dream come true.

Tara was born in New York, and when she was five years old went across the country with her parents. The Grey family traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico and Tara fell in love with the state where she had "great exposure to artists." Following that trip she began splitting her time between New Mexico and New York and spoke of "the great dynamic of art" between the two locations. As a young adult, Tara studied Photography and Sustainable Architecture at University of New Mexico, then tranfered to Evergreen State College in Washington state where she graduated with a BA in Design and Photography.

Tara began working within the film industry, transporting original copies of film through New Mexico to specific destinations. During that time Tara noticed the accounting department was overloaded with work, so she offered to help.  After being given the opportunity to display her skills and knowledge of accounting, Tara was offered a series of jobs working on major motion pictures.

Tara first visited the Ocracoke in 1995 and immediately began looking for jobs and housing. In 1996 she worked and lived on the island during the summer, and returned each year after. Recently, Tara decided to focus on her love of art, so she resigned from her accounting job and moved to Ocracoke and began working on Bead by the Sea. Set to open on April 1st, Bead by the Sea will not only offer a great view of Silver Lake and access to the Community Square and docks, but will allow visitors and residents alike to create jewelry. Guests will have a wide variety of beads from which to choose, and can select individual beads or bead strands, plus charms and clasps to make their creation truly unique.

Tara said she "wants to bring art to the local people," and in the future looks forward to offering classes where people can learn a variety of skills and new information. Creating jewelry at Bead by the Sea can be done as an individual or in groups. Tara welcomes any kind of private party – bridal or birthday, for example – and will arrange everything needed. Tara hopes the shop will aid in "creating a culture" on Ocracoke, where people can come and create and focus on art in a designated workspace.

Beginning on April 1st, Bead by the Sea will be open Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. During the summer months, Tara plans on having the shop open even later so "people can come at night and enjoy."

Tara said people can design jewelry to be shipped out if requested. Creating unique, personal jewelry while being able to look out over Silver Lake? All of that and more can be experienced at Bead by the Sea!