Fall Trends 2016

It can be refreshing to change our look as the seasons change around us. We've noticed a few trends that have picked up some extra momentum as we move into fall, and each of them leave quite a bit of room for creativity. See which of these suit you, and make the fall your own! 1) Tassels We have seen these being used in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces to create a fringed look. You can use pre-made tassels, or make your own with whatever string you like. 2) Chokers Though the term traditionally refers to necklaces which sit at the collarbone, it is becoming more conventional to use this in reference to necklaces which sit as high as possible (once referred to as "collars"). They are often about 12-14 inches in length, and ideally have some means of adjusting the exact length. We generally recommend chain extenders for this purpose, but it is also common to use flexible materials such as elastic. An important side note about chokers: when you make one for yourself, keep in mind that you need to be able to move your neck around! Looking side to side and looking down will put pressure on the choker, and if you don't take this into account, you will either be uncomfortable or break your piece. So when you measure, turn your head a bit to give you that extra leeway. 3) Lariats A lariat is a long cord with finished ends, often with charms or other decorations dangling from them, which can be wrapped around several times. Suede and leather are especially popular materials to use for these right now. 4) Layering Wearing many of the same type of jewelry is very trendy this season. Whether you wear necklaces of varied lengths, a multitude of bracelets, or several rings on the same fingers, the pattern of repeated accessories is not only popular, but fun to play with. You can custom-make your own rings with wire so that they will fit after the first knuckle. Rings that sit at this point are known to some as midi rings. 5) Cuffs In a similar vein to layered bracelets, cuffs are quite popular this fall as well. There are many ways to create these thick wristbands, such as using strips of leather. Our favorite variations of this trend are the Bead Wire Cuff and the Double Width Woven Bracelet. If you have been inspired by us, we warmly invite you to post pictures of your creations and tag us on instagram. You can also follow us for more inspiration and project ideas.

Glue Wars

"What glue should I use for this project?" We get asked this question pretty often, so it's time to find out - contest style!

We put each glue to work in three tasks: bonding a polished stone to a base metal finding, sealing a knot, and creating a transparent raised surface.

Here's an overview of how well each contender did:

Adhesive	Bonding Stone to Metal	Sealing Knots	Transparent Raised Surfaces	Ease of Use	Key Traits
Diamond Glaze	C    Not Ideal	B   Pretty Good	A+ Excellent	Mid-Range Thickness and Applicator	Applicator can clog easily
E6000	B-  Okay	C-  Not Great	A-  Very Good	Very Thick	Strong-smelling
GS Fabric Cement	F    Totally Useless	A+ Excellent	D-  Barely Passable	Fine Applicator	Very Flexible
GS Hypo Cement	D-  Barely Passable	A   Very Good	F    Totally Useless	Fine Applicator	Versatile
Special 'T'	A+ Excellent	B+ Good	F    Totally Useless	Mid-Range Thickness and Applicator	Strong-Smelling
Super New Glue	A    Very Good	B-  Decent	F    Totally Useless	Very Runny	Dries quickly; Strong-smelling

The best glues for binding two different surfaces together were Special 'T' and Super New Glue.  Special 'T' and Super New Glue differ in score only because of the drying time. Super New Glue dries almost instantly, which makes it very difficult to adjust placement, but it also means you don't need to clamp it in place while it dries. Special 'T' dries enough that you can take the clamp off within a few minutes, but it has a tendency to ooze while it dries, so you need to be very careful about how much you use or it will bond your project to whatever surface it's drying on! (For us, it dried to some fuzzy fabric, and the bit of glue with fuzz stuck to it could be flaked off once it dried, but we might have just gotten lucky there... Then again, we probably used a little too much of it.) All four of the other glues did poorly with this test because, even after 24 hours of drying time, the two surfaces could be pried apart by hand. E6000 gets a slightly higher score for being the thickest, making it the most useful for gluing irregular surfaces to flat ones.

Next was sealing a knot. By far the GS Cements were the best for this, as they remain flexible even once dried (which is especially helpful when gluing knots in elastic). The Fabric Cement does not seep into materials as much, so it gets the highest score as it will not affect the appearance of material cords as much. The Diamond Glaze, Special 'T' and Super New Glue all get B-range scores because they dry hard, which makes them a little bit brittle. However, it seems that they only really flake off the area around the knot and stay on the knot itself fairly well. The E6000 gets the lowest score for this test because it is thick and goopy, which means it makes a huge mess unless you use something like a toothpick to apply it, and it is the most visible after drying.

The final test was for making a raised surface resembling glass, such as if you were to put a picture in a frame and seal it in. (Ice resin is excellent for this if you want an extremely thick dome; this test is aimed at thinner, but still three-dimensional, fills.) The winner is Diamond Glaze in this category, as it dries clear, has few or no bubbles, and does not seep into paper (meaning it will not cause inks to run). E6000 gets a high score because it also dries clear and does not soak into paper, but it does have tiny bubbles in it that need to be carefully removed before it dries, which is unnecessarily arduous. The Fabric Cement gets a pass, but the applicator is so small that it would take ages to fill an entire project, so it's far from ideal for this task. The other three all fail because they soak into paper and are far too runny.

There are some general advantages and disadvantages to each type of adhesive that are helpful to know. The GS Cements have very fine applicators which make them useful for detail work, but they are also very difficult to close as there is a pin in the lid that you need to thread into the applicator to avoid clogging or breaking it. Special 'T' and Diamond Glaze both have a mid-range consistency and applicators that can get clogged easily. Super New Glue, Special 'T' and E6000 are very strong-smelling and need to be used in well-ventilated areas. Super New Glue dries extremely quickly, so you need to be very careful not to get it on your hands or clothing.

To summarize, we recommend GS Fabric Cement for knots, Special 'T' for bonding two flat surfaces, E6000 for bonding irregular surfaces, and Diamond Glaze for creating transparent raised surfaces. If you are doing multiple types of projects, E6000 is the most versatile, with GS Hypo Cement being a close second.

Year of the Monkey

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Monday, February 8th marks the beginning of the Year of the Monkey. In Chinese astrology, those born under the sign of the Monkey are considered to be gregarious and playful, full of energy and humour. At social occasions, they often become the centre of attention. They tend to be very generous, talented, and inclusive. Monkeys are very curious and clever, making them excellent problem-solvers and mediators. Because they are so charming and engaging, it is easy for Monkeys to become famous for whatever talents they possess.

Of course, there are two sides to everything. The common challenges Monkeys face in their personalities are that they can be deceptive, opportunistic, and self-serving. Though they can be loyal and devoted, they can also be flighty and lose interest in relationships quickly. These challenges can be overcome if the person is aware of them and willing to transform them into strengths by applying them in the appropriate contexts.

Many people are unaware that there is also an element associated with each year. 2016 is actually the Year of the Fire Monkey. The element of Fire is associated with leadership, confidence, originality, positivity, and adventurousness. It is also symbolic of aggressiveness, dominance, forcefulness and impulsivity. The stones that resonate most with Monkey energy are strombolite and lepidolite, and the stone that most embodies the traits of Fire mentioned above is sunstone.

So what does this year bring for each of us? Well, it is above all else a year of change. It is likely to involve a lot of emotional processing, whether through conflict or inner reflection, and at the same time is likely to bring new connections to people, whether you already know them or not. Since Monkey is carefree and playful, there are many unexpected twists and turns that may happen this year; also, since Monkey is creative and Fire is innovative, people who have these traits will navigate the tumult much more effectively, able to take advantage of the opportunities presented in chaos. For those people who tend to be more obstinate or strong-willed, the ideal is to take a lesson from Monkey's tendency to hide things and be less vocal about your positions for this year, as you will experience a lot of push-back otherwise. Of course, challenges provide opportunities  for growth, so do as you like - just know that you may be challenged more often than usual this year! For those who would like a little help navigating this rocky terrain, carnelian, ruby, aventurine, pyrite, and sunstone may be helpful.

For  the signs four years away from Monkey on either side - Rat and Dragon - this year will be easier than for many other signs, as they hold the highest compatibility with Monkey energy. There will also be a focus on building or strengthening bonds with friends and family this year for these signs. Stones that can help with this process include lepidolite and ocean jasper.

For Monkeys themselves - anyone turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, or even 108 - this year offers freedom to do whatever calls to them, but they must be careful not to get carried away. What they do this year can set the tone for the next eleven years, so this is an ideal time to take advantage of the flux and redirect their energies if they are so inclined. Stones that may be helpful with this include lepidolite, fluorite, and pyrite.

Overall, the Year of the Monkey is one of enthusiasm, laughter, and potential, bringing change and connectivity. Whether you're outgoing or shy, adventurous or conservative, this year promises to bring some interesting new experiences into all of our lives.

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

September's birthstone is the mineral corundum "Sapphire", a relative of the ruby.  Sapphires come in a variety of colours ranging from the well known blues, to pink, purple, orange, yellow, brown, green, colourless, red and black. 

August Birthstones

This month's birthstones are Peridot and Sardonyx.

Peridot, or Chrysolite, is also the zodiac stone for Libra, and falls under the gem variety of Olivine.  It is composed of two minerals: forsterite and fayalite (which is the iron-rich component responsible for this stones green colour). This gorgeous stone is sourced from various regions of the world, but is most abundantly found in Arizona.

Historically, Peridot has many biblical references and was considered to be sacred and was worn on the rings of Catholic Bishops to symbolize purity and morality.  It is believed to be a protector from negative emotions, have a healing effect on the liver and gallbladder and to have a soothing effect on the wearer when worn at the base of the throat. Peridot is associated with the heart chakra and said to be excellent for prosperity, abundance and the healing and harmony of all kinds of relationships, particular marriage.  It is used to alleviate stress, anger, jealousy, digestive problems and ulcers and slow aging.  It 's even thought to strengthen ESP!

http://www.countrybeads.com/semi-precious-stones/peridot

Sardonyx is a banded Chalcedony gemstone and is typically a reddish-brown variety of Onyx and Carnelian.  It is mined throughout different regions of the world, with the most prized coming from India.
This stone vibrates optimism, happiness and confidence.  It is used to enhance willpower and the mental discipline needed for studying or for focusing on the task at hand.  It's believed to bring lasting happiness and stability marriage and partnerships, attracting friends and good fortune.  It is also thought to be protective, and it is recommended to be placed in each corner of a home near doors and windows to prevent misfortune.

Sardonyx is also used for improving stamina and so is excellent for recuperation after illness.  It helps individuals with internal reflection, improving one's personal qualities, which aids in an improved connection with others

Kyanite Points!

We love these blue Kyanite points! We have a variety of lengths & thickness but all have a long, pointed shape, with delicate or more weighted looks to choose from. Each smooth stone has a hole drilled near one end, and is perfect for wire wrapping into a pendant.

Choose a fine wire or heavier wire gauge to complete your piece--use your imagination with wire wrapping for styles and variety.

Wear your pendant on a chain, or add a Kyanite pendant as an accent in a wire loop necklace, as shown below. Blue kyanite can activate mental communications, psychic capacities and aids lucid dreaming. It also helps to clear and re-align the Chakras.

Everyone should have some Kyanite in their jewellery - facilitating beauty, inside and out!