What's in a number?? It's just 2015....

but, it's a whole new year!

2015 ...our address on West 4th Avenue
2015 ...marking our 21st year in business!
2015,  it's poised to be quite the year!

Come along for the ride and join us in the journey of injecting creativity, inspiration, communication, and the joy of sharing into our every day lives.

We opened the doors of Country Beads on October 1st, 1994 when a lot of activity was going on in Vancouver and on West 4th Avenue. It was a summer with City Hall strikes affecting our permits and opening, a riot after a Canucks game when they lost the final game to Boston, and the opening of some other prominent mainstay retailers impacting the spirit of west 4th Avenue. Some favourites such as Hip Baby, Briers (changed its focus to furniture and closed it's gift shop),Chocolate Arts (moved to a manufacturing facility), Australian Boot Co., the new Capers development had only been open a year and Terra breads opened shortly after us, with their first location being right up the street.

Country Beads Store Front - 2015 West 4th Ave Vancouver

In all our years, the front hasn't changed much. We still line the window with jars in a rainbow of beads which I'm sure have been part of many tourists photos, and our green awning is still tucked inside the overhang. But the barrels of flowers are gone as they seemed to be too enticing to the late-night crowds leaving Bimini's, a popular pub right across the street.

We still connect with our many customers who have been visiting since we opened. Many who may remember the little round Oak table at the back where we could sit and chat while beading. It's wonderful to see so many who have come to the store with their parents and are now adults themselves, and others whom we've gotten to know personally over the years. So many great customers whose loyalty, creativity and suggestions have aided in our continued success.

In the summer of 2010, we decided to renovate to try and maximize the space. We had a half wall with an archway that came down, moved the cash to the middle of the store to utilize all the walls, and added a fresh layer of paint - all with only losing 1 full day to construction! The end result was more organization and focus on all the beautiful beads!

Country Beads interior 2005

Sue during store renovations in 2010

Store renovations 2010

Country Beads interior 2015

We still offer classes during store hours for a variety of projects. It is exciting to see customers progress from beginners to professionals as they initally take a class and then develop their skills, techniques and find their style, many whom go on to sell their designs and begin running their own jewellery lines. In store classes are held Saturday and Sunday mornings, with class techniques changing each week. Check our website for an up to date class schedule.

West 4th Avenue has always had a strong community spirit and would celebrate "Kits Days" revolving primarily around a go-cart race down the hill. This has been replaced with Khatsalano Days, which has been going strong for a number of years. A summer street festival with free live music and side-walk sales for a full day all the way from Burrard to Vine street! Thanks to Grant of Zulu Records who has spear-headed this event. Click here to find out more info on the 2015 Khatsalano Day.

Khatsalano Street festival 2014

We take great pride in our website which has an extensive e-commerce presense. Despite the fact that you can browse 1000's of items on-line, we just can't show them all! So if you have a chance, come see us at the store. If not, shop on-line, give us a call, or send an email and we'll certainly be in touch. We ship packages everyday - from within the neighbourhood, province, and Canada to the US and around the world!

Country Beads website

Recently started are our Beadcraftination evenings! On Thursday's we're open from 10am to 8pm allowing a crafternoon session from 5pm to 8pm in the evening for a casual drop-in for customers to come hang out and work on a project with others. This has been going well for the last few months and will no doubt continue through the warm spring and summer months but please check our website for any revised store hours, in case of changes.

A fun and productive evening so far with friends coming in, creating their own designs as well as a customer-lead bead embroidery class that spanned across several Thursday nights.

Let us know if you have a project you'd like to share!

Bead embroidery project Thursday night 

Social media is a part of all of our lives in some form or another. To keep the dialogue going and stay up to date with new products, advice, inspiration and events follow us on: facebook, twitter and Instagram or sign-up for our newsletter.

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We are constantly inspired by the creativity, ingenuity and imaginations of our many customers and friends who walk through our door everyday. Thank you all for making us a part of your neighbourhood and lives!

We look forward to creating with you during our 21st year, 2015, and many years to come!

Sue and the staff at Country Beads