Seashell Jewellery & Gold-Coloured Beads

To see the web version of this newsletter with photos click https://www.beadnewsletter.co.uk/mid-june-2024

See us tomorrow at the Cheshire Bead Fair, 11am to 4pm. At a new venue just outside Nantwich – Goodwill Hall, Faddiley CW5 8HY. Free entry & refreshments!

MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com. For 2024 bead fairs, click Bead Fairs 2024.

Content:
Cheshire & East Anglia Bead Fairs
Seashell Jewellery
Benefits Of Shell Jewellery
Kent Bead Fair Report
Gold Coloured Beads
2024 Bead Fairs
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CHESHIRE BEAD FAIR

If you’re in the midlands, don’t miss Cheshire Bead Fair. Many new semi precious beads by MrBead – along with crystal beads & finding from Southampton Bead Shop, beads by Make It Company, & Beading Amazing, & everything for the home jewellery maker.

Some say Lewis Carroll’s cat is smiling because of the abundance of dairies in Cheshire – but we think it was because of the Cheshire Bead Fair!

EAST ANGLIA BEAD FAIRS

Next weekend we’re at Lincoln Bead Fair, Saturday 22nd June, North Kyme Village Hall LN4 4DL – then Sunday 23rd at Essex Bead Fair, Great Bromley Village Hall CO7 7JA – and Sunday 30th June at Norwich Bead Fair, George Best Western Hotel NR2 2DA. All free entry & refreshments! Make a weekend of it, stay at a Travel Lodge, and enjoy the open skys of the area.

SEASHELL JEWELLERY

Some say seashell jewellery will be everywhere this summer – it’s all over social media. Likewise, starfish and fishy jewellery is also trending. Even UK TV star, Chloe Ferry is wearing an oversized starfish necklace and earrings from Studio Virgo London.

Capture the essence of the beach by crafting your own seaside shell jewellery. Not only do you end up with unique, personalized pieces, but you also preserve the memories of sun-soaked days and ocean breezes.

Be creative and experiment with different shell shapes, sizes, and colours. Mixing and matching can lead to stunning results. Be patient – working with shells is delicate. Take your time drilling holes and handling thin pieces. Combine shells with other natural elements like sea glass, pearls, or stones to diversify your designs.

Ideas:

Shell Earrings

Select two matching shells.
Drill a small hole near the top of each shell.
Attach a jump ring through each hole, then connect the jump ring to an earring hook.
Optionally, you can add beads or charms to the jump ring for extra flair.

Shell Necklace

Choose a larger shell as the centerpiece.
Drill a hole near the top of the shell.
Thread a piece of jewellery wire through the hole and twist to secure it.
Add beads or smaller shells to the wire for added detail.
Attach the wire to a necklace chain using a jump ring.

Shell Bracelets

Select several small shells.
Drill holes in each shell.
Thread the shells onto a piece of elastic string or thin wire.
Add beads between the shells for a more intricate design.
Tie the ends of the string together securely, or attach a clasp if using wire.

Shell Jewellery Is Back In Fashion!

History Of Shell Jewellery
Sells have been collected for thousands of years, with desirability leading to their trade. If you’re at a seaside staycation in the UK, go down the beach early!

Different technology has turned shell into many uses, apart from jewellery. Today, they’re dyed every colour in the bead box – creating attractive jewellery at affordable prices. Shells make natural, versatile jewellery. Beach combing is a lot of fun and the main source of shells. However, they can also be found in old shell necklaces and trinkets from charity shops (already drilled), and even restaurants.

Types Of Shells
All types of shells can be made into jewellery and other things, like wind chimes. Cockle shells can be drilled and threaded together to make a necklace. Even ordinary green mussel shells can look great when sanded and polished.

Drilling Shells
Whatever you’re making, drilling holes into your shell is a necessary but tricky part of the process. A small electric drill with tiny drill bits is ideal to make holes. However, you can also make a perfect hole with a thumbtack, a needle, or even scissors. Drill slowly and carefully for accuracy and to avoid brakeage.

Other Tools
Use a mask and goggles when sanding shells, and a small file to smooth edges. For tiny shells a pair of tweezers is useful for positioning. If you want to colour the shell, use ink containing shellac – this is waterproof when dry.

What Is Mother Of Pearl?
These are pearl shells. The shining, playful, reflected light of mother-of-pearl has attracted attention since ancient times. The mollusk forms mother-of-pearl as a protective shell. Like the pearl it’s a secretion of the mantle, composed of alternate layers of calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Among the chief sources are pearl oysters from the tropical seas.

Click To See Our Shell Beads
All Our Pearl Beads

BENEFITS OF SHELL JEWELLERY

Shell jewellery offers several benefits, both aesthetic and practical benefits:

Shells offer innate beauty of natural material with various shapes, sizes, and colours. The iridescent sheen and patterns create stunning designs that appeal to people’s aesthetic sensibilities.
Wearing shells, associated with the beach and marine life, foster a connection with nature. By incorporating them into jewellery, individuals gain a feelings of tranquillity and harmony.
Shells are generally lightweight, making jewellery comfortable.
Shell jewellery is versatile, whether it’s a casual outing, a beach holiday, or a formal event. From simple shell pendants to intricate shell earrings or bracelets.
Shells jewellery is eco-friendly, being soured sustainably. Either washed ashore or from sustainable farming – ensuring no harm to marine ecosystems.
Shell jewellery is suitable for individuals with sensitive skin. Shells are non-reactive and hypoallergenic, making them less likely to cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.

KENT BEAD FAIR REPORT

See the online newsletter for pictures. Kent is a new one for us – a great area in a very-beautiful village, just off the M25, M20 and South London. A lot of visitors from open to close, and we done well – but not quite as busy as expected. Afterwards, MiMi & me spent the evening at Ramsgate – great harbour-side restaurants.

GOLD COLOURED BEADS

The colours you choose say a lot about you. They reveal what’s in your head, innermost feelings and emotions. They’re part of your personality. However, when you design jewellery for profit, don’t let your personal likes influence what you make.

Each colour creates an effect on other people and has a meaning. Gold is the colour of success, achievement, optimism and positivity. All over the world gold is associated with wealth and triumph.

Wearing anything gold-coloured doesn’t just reflect these qualities to others. Gold Fish BeadThe colour’s psychology brings you optimism, wisdom and enlightenment too – helping to build your spiritual self. A Yang colour, full of masculine energy and power of the sun. Unlike silver, which is associated with female energy.

Click For Our Gold Beads
Click to Choose Beads By Colour

Summer Bead Fairs

Bead fairs are fun. A good way to lean how to make jewellery chatting with other visitors – and there’s nothing like actually seeing the beads ‘in the flesh’. Checkout the latest semi precious from our recent shipment from China. We try to cover all the UK: from Cornwall to Scotland, Wales to Norfolk, London, and all in-between!

Bead Fairs 2024:
Sunday 16th June: Cheshire Bead Fair, Goodwill Hall, Wrexham Road, Faddiley, Nantwich CW5 8HY
Saturday 22nd June: Lincoln Bead Fair, North Kyme Village Hall, Vacherie Lane, North Kyme LN4 4DL
Sunday 23rd June: Essex Bead Fair, Great Bromley Village Hall, Parsons Hill, Gt Bromley CO7 7JA
Sunday 30th June: Norwich Bead Fair, George Brest Western Hotel, Arlington Lane, Norwich NR2 2DA
Saturday 6th July: Worcester Bead Fair, Omersley Village Hall, Sandys Road, Omersley WR9 0DY
Weekend 27th-28th July: London Gem n Bead Fair, Kempton Park, Staines Road East, London TW16 5AQ

We've booked 29 shows so far this year - click: 2024 Bead Fairs. More To Follow!

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