Taylor Swift shows spark beading bonanza and big sales for crafting retailers [Video]

When Taylor Swift swings through Vancouver in December, Mikaela St Louis will be among the pop star’s most prepared fans.

The long-term care nurse based in Campbell River, B.C., will travel to one of the shows with 275 Swift-inspired friendship bracelets she made over the last few months.

“We don’t have a tonne of stores here, so I got everything that was available to me here and then I drove to another town an hour-and-a-half away and spent like $500 at Michael’s on beads,” said St Louis, estimating her bill for bracelet-making materials has now surpassed $1,000.

Beaded friendship bracelets have become a hallmark for Swift fans, who string each one and then trade them at her concerts, attributing the trend to a line in her song, You’re on Your Own, Kid, which says, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”

Fans like St Louis have proved to be a …