Why Bead Shape Is Important, Peridot, Shell Beads & Mr & Mrs Bead Greek Holiday
See us this weekend at London Gem n Bead Fair, Kempton Park – or two weeks later at Berwick-Upon-Tweed or The Scottish Bead Fair in Glasgow.
For bookings so far click Bead Fairs 2023
Bead & Pearl Supplies: MrBead Shop
Beads Go North!
Newcastle next weekend, then Berwick-Upon-Tweed Saturday 12th August, Glasgow Sunday 13th August and Harrogate weekend 19th-20th August. Plus we’re in London at Kempton Park weekend 29th-30th July in between. This is the largest Gem n Bead Fair with over 50 exhibitors. Easy parking near M3, and it even has its own railway Station!
Content:
Why Bead Shape Is Important
Shell Beads Are In!
Benefits Of Shell Jewellery
Mr & Mrs Beads Greek Holiday
Greek Jewellery
Newcastle Bead Fair Report
Next Bead Fairs
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15% OFF ORDERs!
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £35 – under this UK P&P is just £2.99. International shipping from £6.99.
Can only be used at the MrBead shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key KEMPTON at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 4th August 2023. Use at: https://mrbeadshop.com.
BEAD FAIRS ARE GOING NORTH
Saturday 12th August: Berwick Upon Tweed Bead fair
Sunday 13th August: Scottish Bead Fair, Glasgow
Weekend 19th-20th August: Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair
For details & all bookings click Bead Fairs 2023
WHY BEAD SHAPE IS IMPORTANT
- Different-shapes add variety and interest to jewellery designs. Allowing you to create unique patterns and focal points that enhance the appeal of the design. Shapes can be combined in various ways to create patterns, geometric or organic forms.
- Different shaped beads add texture and dimension to jewellery. Beads with angular edges, like cubes or bicones, create a structured and contemporary look – while round or oval beads offer a softer and more organic feel. Incorporating different shapes allows you to play with this aspect of design, enhancing the jewellery’s sensory appeal.
- Mixing different-shapes help establish a visual hierarchy in the design. More prominent beads can be used as focal points, drawing attention and creating a sense of balance. By strategically placing different shapes, you can guide the viewer’s eye creating a harmonious composition.
- Working with a variety of bead shapes stimulates creativity and experimentation. Opening up endless possibilities for design – allowing new combinations, patterns, and techniques. Mixing different shapes can lead to innovative and unique jewellery designs.
- Different-shaped beads allow more personalization. You can choose beads that convey a specific theme or message. For example, heart-shaped beads in a bracelet can symbolize love, or incorporating star-shaped beads can represent dreams and aspirations. A shape can be used that holds personal significance with the wearer.
- Different-shapes are a form of artistic expression. It allows you to translate your ideas, emotions, and inspirations into wearable art. By utilizing various shapes, you can create pieces that reflect your artistic vision and convey a unique story or mood.
In summary, making jewellery from different-shaped beads offers visual appeal, versatility, texture, dimension, visual hierarchy, enhanced creativity, personalization, and a means for artistic expression. It allows you to create stunning and individualistic pieces that stand out and captivate.
Click To Choose Bead By Shape
SHELL BEADS ARE IN!
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.
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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.
MR & MRS BEADS GREEK HOLIDAY
MiMi & I took a much-needed break between 7-day weeks exhibiting at bead fairs all over and packing online orders in between. Four days in Santorini and three in Athens – 3 different islands and the mainland. Santorini is overrated and over priced, with some things costing 3-times the Athens price.
I like to keep moving! We spent 9-hours flying, about 5-hours in boats, and around 4-hours in buses & taxis.
For a short video of Nigel & MiMi in Santorini click here
Us in Athens, click here.
GREEK BEADS
Queen Camilla wears evil eye jewellery every day. The Greeks believe it protects them from negativity that has been wished by someone envious.
Evil eye jewellery is combining more popular all over the world, and you only need a few evil eye beads in a bracelet or necklace.
To see our evil eye beads click here.
PERIDOT: THE COOLING GEMSTONE FOR AUGUST
Just the name Peridot sounds summer cooling, and its vivid, shimmering aqua-green colour is the ideal gemstone to complement a light summertime outfit. However, peridot goes well with any light colour. Peridot (pronounced pair-a-doe) is the gem variety of olivine, a mineral formed under intense heat. Perhaps named from the French word Peridot, meaning unclear, due to its inclusions and cloudy nature. The name comes from the Greek Peridona, meaning ‘giving plenty’.
Small crystals of peridot are often found in rocks by volcanoes and in meteors. Because the iron which creates the colour is an integral part of its structure, its colour is always green – ranging from transparent lime to olive green. One of the few gemstones with only one colour and is always small beads. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for thousands of years, said to be the favourite gem of Cleopatra, and mentioned in the Bible. In ancient Egypt it was mined at night because legend tells that peridot was hard to see during the day.
Peridot has been confused with emerald and many jewellers refer to it as “evening emerald”. Peridot was later used to decorate medieval churches, carried back to Europe by the Crusaders, like the huge stones of more than 200 carats in size at Cologne Cathedral. Peridot is recommended for insomnia, digestive problems and to stimulate the mind. Some say it can repel evil spirits, intensified when the stone is set in gold.
Peridot is for people with the star sign of Leo.
Click To See Our Peridot Beads
PERIDOT & PEARL NECKLACE
Peridot & pearl go so well together – teardrops of the moon goddess! This necklace is to inspire what can be done using a combination of different stones.
Blue pearls with vivid green peridot make a striking fresh combination to cool you from the summer heat.
Clusters of pale-blue 7mm rice pearls are wrapped with 4mm peridot beads producing this 16" -18" long necklace with a lobster clasp.
CARNELIAN – ANOTHER GEMSTONE FOR AUGUST
This flesh-coloured stone comes from the quartz family, and is usually bright orange to reddish orange, translucent to clear. However, it can be other colours like green or yellow. Carnelian has many ancient beliefs, like protection during travel after death and against evil. It’s also said to calm bad tempers!
The name comes from the Latin word “Carnis” meaning flesh. The Roman thought that the darker Carnelian represented males and the lighter, females. Many believe that it creates a bond with man and nature.
Carnelian is for confidence. Thought to help blood disorders and remove toxins. Carnelian is in tune with the energies of the Earth. Making you feel comfortable with your environment, able to pause and reflect, and feeling secure. Carnelian stimulates the reproductive organs too; hence its long use as a fertility symbol. It’s also said to help creativity and have a clearing effect, replacing negative energy with positive. Making it easier to find direction and feel in control of your life. A good stone for people starting new projects or who feel they are going nowhere. It motivates, allowing you to find the energy to make the most out of life. Carnelian is best for people with the zodiac sign of Leo, and for those born on a Friday.
Click To See Our Carnelian Beads
NEWCASTLE GEM N BEAD FAIR REPORT
Click the online version of this newslettre to see pictures. This will be our last time at Newcastle Gem n Bead Fair. It’s a long way to travel for a quiet show. However, it was great to catch up with the other exhibitors and the social banter in the evenings. Most of the visitors were looking for rocks, rather than beads for jewellery.
Also, because of the cost, we never have enough space at Gem n Bead to display our full range of show beads. Next year we will be doing more of our own one-day shows where we have a larger display.
2023 BEAD FAIRS
We’re doing less Gem n Bead Fairs, and more of our own single day shows. Most of our own shows are very busy, free entry & free refreshments. Let me know if you think there isn’t one near you?
NEXT BEAD FAIRS
Weekend 29th-30th July: London Gem n Bead Fair: Kempton Park
Saturday 21st August: Berwick-Upon-Tweed Bead Fair at Ancroft Village Hall
Sunday 21st August: Scottish Bead Fair at Normandy Hotel, Glasgow
Weekend 19th-20th August: Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair at Great Yorkshire Showground
Saturday 2nd September: Cornish Bead Fair at John Betjeman Centre, Wadebridge
Sunday 10th September: New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall
Sunday 17th September: Beads Up North, Haydock Racecourse
For the full list so far click: 2023 Bead Fairs.
15% OFF ORDERs!
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £35 – under this UK P&P is just £2.99. International shipping from £6.99.
Can only be used at the MrBead shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key KEMPTON at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 4th August 2023. Use at: https://mrbeadshop.com.
To join our beady newsletter for free click MrBead Newsletter
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