Beadline, the place for quality beads

Best Buys

Beadline is celebrating its 16-year anniversary this month. Owner

Naomi Cantonwine says beads and the way they appeal to people of all

ages fascinate her. You can find millions of beads here. Vintage

glass and African trade beads are its specialty. Cantonwine deals

with many African bead traders.

“I am proud to be a part of this continuum,” Cantonwine said.

Last month Cantonwine was honored with a gift from a bead trader

from Ghana. On his return from Africa for observance of Ramadan, she

was presented with a king’s treasure of a beaded hanging bearing

Cantonwine’s name and the name of the shop. Beadline offers a variety

of gemstones, clasps, cords, chains, wire, tools and books that are

ideal for hobbyist or professional bead stringers. It’s also a source

for design consultation and restringing.

“It gives me great satisfaction to repair a broken necklace that

has been lying in a drawer unused for years,” she said.

Local designers and businesses rely on Beadline for services. Open

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 995 S. Coast Highway. Parking in the

rear. Information: (949) 494-3262 or [email protected].

HERE’S TO A CHOCOLATE VALENTINE’S

La Rue du Chocolat in Peppertree Lane is a high-quality chocolate

shop known for its excellent truffles made in San Francisco from

three companies -- Joseph Schmidt, Candy Shop and Candy Jar -- and

for their hard-to-find cordials. Hand-dipped strawberries are made

here daily and are their best seller. All other chocolates are made

in Dana Point. New chocolate bars from Dolfin Chocolat of Belgium are

wrapped in classic pretty papers and make great gifts. For

Valentine’s Day there are affordable sequined boxes, Chocoholics body

frosting and a Strip Chocolate game. Unusual items available include

award-winning hot cocoa mixes from France, chocolate wine sauce from

Napa Valley for ice cream and other desserts, gourmet marshmallows

from France with aromas and gourmet lollipops. Open from 11 a.m. to 8

p.m. Monday through Thursday; and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday

through Sunday at 448 S. Coast Highway, Suite B. Information: (949)

494-2372.

TINY BUBBLES AND SOAP

Bubbles of Laguna Bath and Body Shop has great Valentine’s gifts.

There are Love Kits with massage oils and lotion, heart-shaped soaps

and bath fizzes. Connoisseurs can find French milled, tripled milled,

glycerin, supper-fatted, shea butter and seaweed soaps. Bubbles

customers love the Crabtree and Evelyn’s products, Mistral and Pre de

Provence soaps; Roger and Gallet shower gel, Get Fresh spa products

and the Rigaud candles. Fun soaps are the novelty body detergents

(mini-boxes of laundry detergent) designed to wash away obsessive

compulsive behaviors, shop-a-holic syndromes and PMS symptoms. There

are even detergents for goddesses, super dads and super moms. The

Ergo candles are great: They’re made of soy wax, they’re soot free

and they come in fresh bamboo, mandarin vanilla, pear vanilla and

pink grapefruit scents. Kids love the Bath Ice Cream, a scoop of bath

soda that fizzes and releases minerals and fragrances in the water.

Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and from 9 a.m.

to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday at 445 S. Coast Highway.

Information: (949) 494-1417.

BARGAIN HOME ACCESSORIES

Von Hemert Interiors Furniture Outlet is having its 83rd

anniversary sale through March 2 with great bargains on furniture and

home accessories -- prices are reduced up to 50%. Included in the

sale are high-quality brand names such as Baker, Century, Hickory

White and Maitland-Smith and exclusive European imports. Von Hemert’s

also offers design consulting, custom drapery and furniture and

flooring. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and

from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 345 N. Coast Highway. Information:

(949) 494-6551.

BRIGHTLY COLORED DISCOUNTS

Fresh Produce is having its fall/winter clearance sale today

through Monday. Select merchandise is reduced 30% to 75%. Fresh

Produce carries bright colors all year round. The pre-shrunk cotton

specialty store appeals to those who travel to tropical spots. All of

the solids, prints, stripes and gingham pieces are designed to mix

and match. Capris and T-shirts are always popular. Children’s sizes

are for those 6 months to 14 years old. Accessories include sandals,

hats, bandanas, earrings, bracelets, visors and socks. Open from 7:30

a.m. to 8 p.m. today; and from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday through

Monday at 240 Forest Ave. Information: (949) 376-2233.

* BEST BUYS is a weekly feature of the Coastline Pilot. Send

information to Greer Wylder at [email protected] or P.O. Box 248

Laguna Beach, CA 92652, or via fax at 494-8979.