Beads, beads & more beads

A community-minded couple has teamed up with several local instructors to generate excitement for creating jewelry and crafts by hand.

Shane and Desiree Woodward have opened Bead Paradise, in downtown Camas.

“I am very focused on being a family friendly business and involved in the community,” Shane Woodward said.

He said Desiree fell in love with downtown Camas after she attended “Girls Night Out,” a fund raiser for cancer charities, in May.

Shane volunteers as a member of the Downtown Camas Association marketing committee.

“We want the community to succeed, and in order to do that we need to support one another,” he said. “We need to promote Camas as not only a great place to live with great schools, but also a place to grow and bring new businesses.”

In October, the Woodwards joined forces with Burgerville, to provide free children’s beading classes and a costume party.

During a recent “Mom and Me” workshop, offered through Camas Parks and Recreation, mothers paid for basic beading instruction at Bead Paradise and there was no additional cost for the children to participate. Birthday parties, featuring bracelet making classes, are also available.

The store’s space includes a classroom where individuals can learn how to make crystal crosses and Swarovski bracelets. Shane said popular classes this month involve teaching participants how to make tennis bracelets and beaded ornament covers for Christmas gifts.

Class fees range from $10 to $20 per person, and participants receive a 15 percent discount off the cost of materials. Wine is available during the Saturday night classes, and the classroom has enough space for 40 students.

Linda Fordyce teaches students how to make wire wrapped “Capture a Stone” pendants. She has been featured in “Bead and Button” magazine. Other instructors include Cheryl Downer, of Washougal, and Sally Johnston, of Camas.

Patty Ginswar, an elder with the Cowlitz Tribe, teaches how to make beaded ornament covers.

Native American jewelry, created by Suzanne Donaldson, is available to purchase. Bead Paradise also sells bone beads that can be used in moccasins and dreamcatchers.

Bead Paradise has jewelry findings such as clasps and ear wires, as well as Japanese seed beads which can be added to quilts and clothing. There are also turquoise and other semi-precious stones, shells and freshwater pearls, glass and semiprecious beads, Swarovski, Chinese and Czech crystals, Pandora style beads with sterling silver or pewter cores, and breast cancer awareness, “Hello Kitty,” heart and tennis racquet charms. Some necklaces and bracelets are ready to wear.

Tools available to purchase include jewelry hammers and pliers. There is bead and jewelry cord, nylon thread, leather and chain, as well as silk and hemp cord.

There are beading kits as well as books and magazines on the topic. In addition to bead boards, mats and craft organizers, Bead Paradise sells wooden bead holders hand made by Gene Downer, of Washougal.

The Woodwards, of Washougal, are the parents of two.

“We want them to be able to grow and live in this community for years to come,” Shane said. “The children are the future and the future leaders of Camas. That’s why we will continue to offer free kids classes and donate to PTA’s and other children’s programs on a regular basis.”

Bead Paradise, 415 N.E. Fourth Ave., is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 834-2323 or email beadparadise@yahoo.com. Class schedules are available at www.beadparadise.net.