Skyllas & Sunstrum is a high-end bathroom furniture and accessories brand whose products are made from natural resources like stone and semi-precious stone vessel sinks: sinks of river stone, petrified wood, teak, teak wood rot, onyx, marble, ceramic, porcelain, granite and concrete. The sinks are artistically fabulous.

They also feature custom-made, rustic premium quality teak wood bathroom vanities and recycled wood vanities which exude a modern, industrial or Scandinavian look. All of their furniture is made from quality Indonesian teak wood which is very resistant and rot-proof. They can create teak bathtubs and also sell benches and stools, decor, lighting and tables.

You can add matching bathroom accessories to your decor: cups, mirrors, soap dispensers, soap holders, toothbrush holders, towel racks or trays. They can sell you drains and faucets too.

All of their products are the result of responsible and sustainable exploitation of the resources used.

Go take a look at their showroom on Masson street or admire their on-line boutique. They ship everywhere in Canada and in the United States.

Location: 3830 rue Masson Montréal, H1X 1S8 / Google Map: http://bit.ly/2ak27uZ
Tel: 514-303-8244
Hours: by appointment
Metro: Station Pix IX
www.skyllassunstrum.com

At Bead Box, there is a passion to teach beading, so you too can create beautiful jewelry. Look at the rainbow wall of beads (natural, semi-precious, Swarovski, pearls, resin, silver), and displays of finished work, they will entice you to sign up. Taking a Sunday workshop for beginners is a good way to while away the snowy winter.

Stringing is an Introduction to learning how to bead. Students will learn the proper way to assemble strung necklaces and bracelets, as well as the function and usage of the different findings, threads, and wires. Also a great class for the self-taught novice beaders or anyone who wishes to learn to professional finishing techniques.

Anyone from 12 yrs and older can do this and the course is given in French and English. This class is offered Sunday 10-12pm and costs $40.00 (plus taxes), materials included.

Another course, wire wrapping and looping earrings is also for beginners. The wire wrapped loop is a staple of wire working. It is an essential skill to make earrings, dangle a pendant or connect components. Students will learn this versatile technique while crafting a beautiful pair of sterling silver & crystal earrings. This class is offered Sunday 10-12 pm and costs $60.00 (plus taxes), materials included and are preselected.

You can bring a necklace you have at home to be re-modeled here, or they can show you how to do it yourself. Minors repairs are handled too.

If you don’t have the time to create right now, they have a selection of elegant pieces for you to buy. Their lines  include Nancy Dunitz, fair trade jewelry from Guatemala (made by talented Mayan Indian women), and the Pandora line (they have been authorized retailers since 2006).

Location: 17B Cartier, Pointe Claire
corner: Bord du lac
Phone: 514-697-4224
Store Hours: Tues-Wed 11-6, Thurs & Fri 11-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
www.beadbox.ca
https://www.facebook.com/EntBeadBoxinc

At Bead Box, there is a passion to teach beading, so you too can create beautiful jewelry. There’s a sale happening this month.  Beginner courses start at $40 for 2 hrs, including materials, and then you can go on to crocheting with wire thread, wire wrapping and looping, peyote stitch and more.

Look at the rainbow wall of beads (natural, semi-precious, Swarovski, pearls, resin, silver), and displays of finished work which will entice you to sign up.

You can bring a necklace you have at home to be re-modeled here, or they can show you how to do it yourself. Minors repairs are handled too.

If you don’t have the time to create right now, they have a selection of elegant pieces for you to buy. Their lines  include Nancy Dunitz, fair trade jewelry from Guatemala (made by talented Mayan Indian women), and the Pandora line (they have been authorized retailers since 2006).

From November 1st to November 30th, you can get your hands on some first-grade merchandise at 50% off. All glass beads (including Miyuki & Delicas), wooden beads, resin and metal findings (including TierraCast) are on promotion – 75% off selected merchandise and up to 50% off books

It’s a good time to get your supplies for gifts before the Christmas rush kicks in. Look for their monthly discount coupons offered on Facebook only:  https://www.facebook.com/EntBeadBoxinc

Location:17B Cartier, Pointe Claire
corner: Bord du lac
Phone: 514-697-4224
Hours: Tues-Wed 11-6, Thurs & Fri 11-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Sale dates: Nov 1 – Nov30
www.beadbox.ca

Q1: With the Cirque du Soleil in town, and this being their home town, I was wondering if you know of any businesses where they shop right here in Montreal and can we shop there too?

Since Cirque headquartered Montreal North, their design team uses Montreal businesses as their palette to create costumes and scenery that wow the planet. Those of you with creative itches are lucky to be able to shop in very same stores. Cirque du Soleil has been enjoyed by about 60 million circus-goers more than 100 cities on five continents!

Q2:  What kinds of things are they searching for when they go looking?

What I’m talking about today are businesses who sell fabric related products with high visibility levels, be they sparkly, glittery, shiny, glow-in-the-dark, or just plain feathery (with Totem as the new show there are even feathers glued onto their faces). All of these eventually get sewn or attached to a base suit of spandex.

Q3. Okay let’s start with the spandex, where does someone go for that?

Les Textiles Bon-mar is right on boul. St-Laurent and they sell yards and yards of spandex for that second skin that performers wear. Some of it gets printed on with animal-like or other patterns and the rest incorporates metallics, shiny fabrics, glitter fabrics, holograms, netting or glow-in-the dark fabrics into designs.

There’s new state-of-the art fabric using are photonics. These are electronic fabrics which have thread like electric wiring running through powered by a power source. They need costumes to light up in the dark all kinds of patterns.

The rest of this store is full of unusual fabrics for athletics – swimming, figure skating, dance, gymnastics, windsurfing, aerobics and also for theatrical events. Their products go from keeping you warm to cooling you off or keeping you safe.  Hard to find products like Wonderflex and Fosshape are here for mask making.

They sell Scotchlite reflective tapes and have a new division ((canucme.com) that makes luminescent t-shirts which light up in the dark keeping you safe at night by by making you visible. The graphics are made using 3M™ Scotchlite™ glass bead technologies.  Each reflective graphic is composed of millions of microscopic glass beads covered in aluminum.

Location: 8448  St. Laurent Blvd.
Corner: De Liege St.
Phone: 514-382-2275.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
www.bon-mar.com

Q4: You mentioned feathers and boas, those are fun accessories, where would they go for those?

F.F.F. French Feather & Flowers, the name says it all. If you are in the need of feathery things – flowers, veils, feathers and boas (in white, red, black, burgundy, fuchsia, hot pink, bright yellow, forest green, lime, light pink, orange, brown, etc.), this place is a treasure trove. Hand made flowers a big specialty not only for Cirque, but for bridal parties they can be made into headpieces or centerpieces.

Flowers can be created out of your own fabric or out of feathers. Feathers added to real-flower bridal centerpieces and for baby baptism parties or lamps. Bridal headpieces are sold here too as well as garters, silk flowers 1st communion veils, purses, gloves and bridal shower parasols,

Location: 6565 Henri Bourassa Blvd. W
Corner: Sartelon
Phone: 514-332-8584
Hours: by appointment: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:304, closed 12-1
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Q5:  Okay, that leaves the sparkly things, where do the designers shop for them?

Frabels, a business that has been around for 70 years, sells Cirque rhinestones, rhinestone banding, sequins, sequin appliques, sew-on stones (flat stones with two holes in them), beads and lots of chain.  The showroom is full of findings, beads, rhinestones, pearls, semi precious stones, resin beads and Swarovski crystals for jewelry-making. All kinds of rhinestone trim, tools, chain, wire, etc. are here along with a hot fix setting machine and catalogues to look through to find exactly what else you might need. You must spend at least $200.

5580 Pare St.
Corner: Devonshire
Phone: 514-842-8561
Hours: Mon-Wed 8:30-5, Thurs 8:30-8, Fri 8:30-4:30, Sat 9-2 (summer call first)
www.frabels.com

Q1:  Fall is a time to start new hobbies, and with beaded jewelry all over the fashion pages, there’s been a huge resurgence in the desire to learn how to bead

For about last 7 years, the making and wearing of beaded necklaces and jewelry has been hot. Think about it, for both men and women, the adornment of beads for ornamentation goes back to ancient civilizations.

Besides the beauty of the beads and the finished items, “more and more people use it as a tool to relax”, says Ruth Shine, former owner of the grandmamma store of them all – the Bead Emporium – which had opened in 1974 (and recently closed). Beading can be repetitive, so it is soothing. It is also a hobby that doesn’t take up much space.

Q2:  Is it just beading necklaces, or are there other ways, this hobby is taking off?

– Beads are also moving out of the traditional stringing them on a string routine. For instance, they have been fashioned by Pandora in Denmark as charm bracelet items to be given one at a time for special occasions.
– Beads  are being used to make art cards.
– Beads can be a history or geography lesson, if you want to learn where they come from.
– Shine also uses beads as the theme of escorted vacation touring in Mexico.
– Rare bead specimens from all corners of the world are also bought and sold to collectors.

Q3:  Is it hard to do?  Where can we take lessons?

Bead Box, 17B Cartier Ave at Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire. Phone: 514-697-4224. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a passion here for teaching beading, so that you too can create beautiful jewelry. For those who are looking for something special, it’s their unique beads and colors that follow the fashion trends which makes their customers happy.

This is the store which sells the Pandora charm bracelets from Denmark. You can add silver, gold, semi-precious and Murano glass beads to it. Beginner courses start at $40 (plus materials) for two hours, and then you can go on to crocheting with wire thread, wire wrapping and looping, peyote stitch and more. Looking at the rainbow wall of beads (natural, semi-precious, Swarovski, pearls, resin, silver) and displays of finished work which will entice you to sign up.

Club Bead +,  65 Cremazie Blvd. West at St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: 514-389-1616. Hours: Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This treasure chest is full of seed beads from China, Czech Republic fire polished ones, crystal beads (the whole line of Swarovski) along with wood, bone, horn, cat’s eye, golden coral and semi-precious stones in special shapes.

Titanium and aluminum jump rings in wild colors and colored copper wire can be purchased. The club has the largest selection of English and French books on beading, and offers workshops. The beginner artisan workshop lasts five weeks, and you learn the basics of beading and jewelry making for $125. Club membership is free with your first $100 purchase and after that, if you spend over $50 you’ll get your 30% discount.  www.clubbeadplus.com

Q4:  You always seem to find a place to buy it for less, do you have one for beads?

Frabels, 5580 Pare St. at Devonshire Rd. Phone: 514-842-8561. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re into making jewelry, this wholesaler has sixty-four years of knowledge. Hy Stern started the business back in 1942 after being introduced to the Swarovski crystal beads by F.B. Allen, so they were the first to sell them here – and you can still check out their sparkling Swarovski wall.

Their airy bright new showroom is oriented to the retail trade (you must spend at least $200) and is packed with findings, beads, rhinestones, pearls, semi precious stones and resin beads for jewelry-making. All kinds of rhinestone trim, tools, chain, wire, leather cord, etc. are here along with catalogues you can look through to find exactly what else you might need.

You will discover things here that are not found in the other businesses mentioned – perhaps large crystal pendants, donuts (semi-precious discs) or even crystal chandelier components. www.frabels.com

For about the last five years, there has been a resurgence in the desire to learn the new craft of beading. The making and wearing of beaded necklaces and jewelry is hardly new. For both men and women, the adornment of beads for ornamentation goes back to ancient civilizations.

Besides the beauty of the beads and the finished items, “more and more people use it as a tool to relax”, says Ruth Shine, owner of the grandmamma store of them all – the Bead Emporium – which has been open since 1974. Beading can be repetitive, so it is soothing. It is also a hobby that doesn’t take up much space.

Beads are also moving out of the traditional stringing them on a string routine. For instance, they have been fashioned by Pandora in Denmark as charm bracelet items to be given one at a time for special occasions. At the Bead Emporium, beads are being used in “altered art” classes to make art cards.

Beads can be a history or geography lesson, if you want to learn where they come from. Shine also uses beads as the theme of escorted vacation touring in Mexico. Rare bead specimens from all corners of the world are also bought and sold to collectors.

Bead Emporium of Montreal, 368 Victoria Ave. at Sherbrooke St. Phone: 514-486-6425. Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop was started by Ruth Shine, both because of her interest in the history of beads, be they from Guatemala or India or Mexico, and her passion for their beauty. The shop carries beads from all over the world (semi-precious, silver, glass, bone, horn, tribal, collectible, etc.) which can be used to make your own necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Books, tools, threads and findings are here, and if you like to take your beading with you while you travel, they even sell cutters that are airline friendly. Help with designing jewelry has always been the strength of this shop. During January, it is a good quiet time to bring in grandma’s or mother’s old beaded necklaces and get them re-modeled (for a fee). Fimo clay, videos, classes and birthday parties are also available.

Frabels, 5580 Pare St. at Devonshire Rd. Phone: 514-842-8561. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re into making jewelry, this wholesaler has sixty-four years of knowledge. Hy Stern started the business back in 1942 after being introduced to the Swarovski crystal beads by F.B. Allen, so they were the first to sell them here – and you can still check out their sparkling Swarovski wall. Their airy bright new showroom is oriented to the retail trade (you must spend at least $200) and is packed with findings, beads, rhinestones, pearls, semi precious stones and resin beads for jewelry-making. All kinds of rhinestone trim, tools, chain, wire, leather cord, etc. are here along with catalogues you can look through to find exactly what else you might need. You will discover things here that are not found in the other businesses mentioned – perhaps large crystal pendants, donuts (semi-precious discs) or even crystal chandelier components. www.frabels.com

Bead Box 17B Cartier Ave at Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire. Phone: 514-697-4224. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a passion here for teaching beading, so that you too can create beautiful jewelry. For those who are looking for something special, it’s their unique beads and colors that follow the fashion trends which makes their customers happy. This is the store which sells the Pandora charm bracelets from Denmark. You can add silver, gold, semi-precious and Murano glass beads to it. Beginner courses start at $40 (plus materials) for two hours, and then you can go on to crocheting with wire thread, wire wrapping and looping, peyote stitch and more. Looking at the rainbow wall of beads (natural, semi-precious, Swarovski, pearls, resin, silver) and displays of finished work which will entice you to sign up.

Club Bead +, 65 Cremazie Blvd. West at St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: 514-389-1616. Hours: Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This treasure chest is full of seed beads from China, Czech Republic fire polished ones, crystal beads (the whole line of Swarovski) along with wood, bone, horn, cat’s eye, golden coral and semi-precious stones in special shapes. Titanium and aluminum jump rings in wild colors and colored copper wire can be purchased. The club has the largest selection of English and French books on beading, and offers workshops. The beginner artisan workshop lasts five weeks, and you learn the basics of beading and jewelry making for $125. Club membership is free with your first $100 purchase and after that, if you spend over $50 you’ll get your 30% discount. www.clubbeadplus.com