I don't know about you, but I much prefer to hold (fondle) and
examine my purchases before I make them. Of course, this means
in a shop or show. But, once I've determined that 10mm
Swarovski Style #5010 in Montana AB is just the thing, then any
fulfillment method will work.
As any Canuck who has tried mail order knows, it is
much preferable to order from a Canadian source even if
slightly more expensive due to trans-border duties, tariffs,
levies, fees, brokers, etc, etc (OK, I exaggerate un
peu, but "free trade", ha!).
- Integrity
Pearls
- was part of a quick emailed recommendation list of Cdn
pearl sources. Never tried them, but they look interesting.
Reviews from actual customers very welcome.
- Canadian Tire
(National Chain store)
- Beaders have long haunted fishing tackle stores for
supplies and even more since Fireline has been reported as one
of the best stringing materials around. You can get it many
places, but Canadian Tire has it as well as Spider Wire (that
you might want to try as well). Don't forget to pickup some
cheap pliers, wire cutters, and glue while you're there...
- Lee Valley Tools
(Coquitlam, Vancouver)
- Officially a fine woodworking and gardening store, LVT is a
treasure trove for any crafter. They carry a gamut of
products from tools for small scale work, a wide range of
glues and glue applicators, containers and organizing
supplies, as well as safety gear. Wooden knobs and toy parts
have also been known to be used for bead and tassel forms...
- Chapters/Indigo
(National Chain)
- When you have a mega store, you have to stock some less
than entirely mainstream books, because there's only so many
copies of Harry Potter and the latest movie tie in thriller
that you can fill your store with and not look stupid. So it
is that Chapters/Indigo has a fairly decent selection of
current craft and beading books. They may not make sure that
they have a good stock of all the classics, but if what you're
looking for just came out, you have a fair chance of finding
it a one of their stores.
- Golden Crown
Bookstore (Chinatown, Vancouver)
- 159 E. Pender St, Vancouver, BC
p: 604-688-2282
Beads are hot all over the world, including Taiwan. Tucked
in the back corner of this store is a good selection of
books about all manner of crafts including beading, Chinese
knotting, and how to make really cool things with
bubble tea straws.
- Iwase Books (Yaohan Mall, Richmond)
- #2535-3700 No 3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 3X2
p: 604-231-0717
A Japanese bookstore with a healthy craft section, especially
beadwork. Beadwork is hot in Japan and not only do they
regularly receive new bead books, they also get the Bead
News magazine. They also carry what appear to be
instructional videos for beadwork, but as I don't think the
explanatory monologues in Japanese would be particularly
helpful for me I have not tried them.
- Mountain Gems
(Burnaby)
- See their entry in the Jewelry and Lapidary section.