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!

April & Aries Birthstone

The Birthstone(s) of APRIL & ARIES

Diamond's are more than the clear, multi-faceted style, found set into rings often associated as "a girl's best friend". They are so much more! We carry a rough-cut diamond bead, beautiful in it's imperfection, in a deep sparkly grey or jet, sold in little one inch lengths ~ making diamonds assessable to all!

  The Diamond is April's birthstone. It is believed to conduct the planetary energy of Mars, drawing toxins from the body, increasing inner strength and promoting balance, clarity and abundance.  It was thought to bring victory in war and was worn by royalty to keep them safe in battle.  Diamonds are also thought to be effective for health problems related to the pituitary glands and the brain.

  There are several birthstones associated with the Aries zodiac sign, depending on the country of origin.  Western alternatives to the diamond include Aquamarine, said to stimulate youthful happiness and relieve anxiety, as well as Bloodstone, known for increased physical strength and enhanced courage.

  According to Hindu astrology, Jasper (particularly of the Red variety) is believed to inspire perseverance, balance positive & negative energy and helps to stabilize the often restless and naturally impulsive Aries temperament.  Topaz is another alternative birthstone, used for improvement of eyesight and protection from injury.

Stones - No words needed....

Words are unnecessary.

Sterling Silver Link Charms!

New! Sterling Silver Link Charms

 We are excited about getting these sterling silver link charms in store! 

A current trend is to incorporate a charm link into a delicate strand, creating a sweet,
simple bracelet ~ these charms are perfect! 

Tree Of Life Link Charm

Hamsa Hand Link Charm

Evil Eye Link Charm

Lotus Link Charm

Star Link Charm

Horse Shoe Link Charm

Ohm Link Charm

The links come in a variety of designs and can be used with a wide range of materials including various strings, cords or chain. Play with texture, colour and size to achieve the look you want.

Below is a step by step tutorial on how to create an elegant and stylish link charm bracelet.

 Materials

1 meter of Knotting Cord

l Clasp

2 Crimp Covers

Sterling Silver Link Charm

2 Jump Rings

2 Fold Overs

Instructions

1. Cut your nylon to size. In this design the nylon is doubled up on each side. 40cm length will make an average size bracelet. Adjust the length as needed.

2. Attach each side of nylon one at a time.
Divide the nylon in 2 and slide on the link charm.

3. Tie a knot in the nylon.

 4. Use a crimp cover to cover the knot.

5. Attach a fold over to the end of the nylon.

6. Add a jump ring.

7. Add a clasp.

8. Repeat steps 1 to 6 to add the nylon cord to the other side.

 

Try different cords and chain to make different style link charm bracelets.

Macrame style using waxed nylon cord

Sterling silver chain with green tourmaline drop  

Visit us in store to make your bracelet at out table with our tools or place your order online today!