So far there’s just 11 Gem n Bead Fairs confirmed, starting in July. We’ll exhibiting at 8 of these, plus about 10 of our own fairs – and Big Bead, scheduled for Saturday 16th October. See bookings so far at Beads Fairs 2021.
Until a show, best to order beads online – with MrBead’s no question refund – you have nothing to loose! New MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com
Content:
Bead Fairs Back Soon!
Moonstone Beads
Frame Beads
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Shipping is free too on UK orders over £30 – under this UK P&P is just £2.50. International shipping from £5.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key SHOWS at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 30th April 2021. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
Safe
Although usually very busy, bead fairs in 2021 will have a limit to how many allowed in the hall at once, and practice social distancing for your safety.
What Can I Expect?
If you’ve never been to a bead fair before, you’re in for a treat!
Most fairs are made up of small varied exhibitors. Selling loose and string beads, one-of-a-kind jewellery, antique – and other speciality items like bead books, storage boxes, and accessories. There’s usually a small entrance fee, reduced or free for toddlers.
Inside are rows of bead vendors sitting behind tables. Some of the larger exhibitors have a huge presence – but don’t miss out on the little sellers with handmade items you won’t find elsewhere. You’ll be overwhelmed at the variety of things to buy, so walk round first.
Types Of Bead Fairs
The largest bead fair in the UK is The Big Bead Show at Sandown Park twice a year. With over 80 different exhibitors, just off the M25 in Surrey. Arrive early and stay late as it gets very crowded!
Then there are about 30 Gem n Bead Fairs a year: consisting of a mixture of beads, jewellery, and mineral exhibitors. Held for two-days on weekends all over the country, typically at house-racing venues. There’s a small fee for entry, that usually covers both days.
There’s also numerous, smaller, bead-only fairs all over the country. Most have a small entry fee and offer refreshments and tables to chat with other visitors. We also organize our own bead fairs from Scotland to Cornwall, including London and the Home Counties. These are more relaxing experiences, with free entry and free refreshments.
Wholesale
If you’re spending hundreds of pounds – always ask for a discount. Wholesale and retail bead fairs are combined in the UK, so anyone can buy wholesale. Unlike the US, where you need the right credentials to get into wholesale shows with really big bead importers.
Organise Your Visit
Expect a lot of walking – you’ll need all the your energy. Take a trolley to carry everything, as beads get very heavy. A pen and paper is also useful to make a note of the stall or type of beads available.
Always walk round before buying, making a note of prices. Some buyers like to bring some of their own beads to match colours and shapes. However, there’s an infinite variety, so be flexible.
Take Cash
In 2021, almost all exhibitors have a card machine. However, there can be a problem at some venues with the internet/phone signal (this is the UK!). So best to bring some cash too. The larger venues have ATM machines, but don’t count on it.
If you’re a compulsive shopper, set a budget, review your stash and make a list of things you need before you go. This prevents getting home to find you’ve spent good money on something you already have.
Chat, Chat & Chat Again
Talk to the vendors to educate yourself – and talk with other visitors to get new design ideas. It’ll help you make better choices, curbing your natural tendency to buy on impulse.
Don’t Throw Anything Away
Keep exhibitors’ business cards and leaflets together in one bag so they don’t get lost. Or after buying, keep in the bag with the purchase, so you know what the beads cost. Better still, use a felt pen to write the price directly on the bag, so it won’t get lost.
Other Benefits
The larger shows offer beading classes. These workshops are great to learn techniques and projects you might not encounter in your home town. Bead fairs are also good to stock up on bead books, threads, boxes, and other bead accessories which are hard to find elsewhere.
Our shows booked so far (more to follow soon): Bead Fairs 2021
Colours
Moonstone comes in colourless, white, grey, and subtle yellow, but always has a blue or white sheen. Rainbow moonstone is colourless with a blue sheen and a rainbow-like array of colours.
Moonstone folklore
Much mystery surrounds this stone. In India it’s considered sacred to lovers, and is also known as a “dream stone” bringing beautiful dreams.
In Arab countries women sew moonstone into their garment as a symbol of fertility. It was also believed to be protective to seafarers, who have used it since ancient times. During full-moon, moonstone is very powerful for reconciling love – and as the moon decreases, is said to allow one to foretell the future.
A feminine stone for female issues and the inner-child, but also used by men who want to reach their feminine side. Moonstone brings confidence, calms the emotions, and aids spirituality, intuition, and clairvoyance.
Also thought to protect against fever, fluid-retention and urinary problems. Its soft shine supports the emotional and dreamy side of a person. Wearing moonstone will also increase your sensitivity for others.
Natural moonstone
Classical moonstone from Sri Lanka shimmers pale blue and is expensive. Moonstone from India has a cloud-like plays of light on beige, brown or green, backgrounds – and some have a cat’s eye or a multi-rayed star.
Uncut moonstone is dull and lacks the play of light. This is brought out by the cutter’s skills, who must locate the stone’s axis. Classical moonstones are always cut as cabochons.
Value
The more intense the colour, size and transparency, the more valuable is the gem. Top quality fine blue moonstone shows an incredible “three-dimensional” depth of colour, which you will see clearly only when tilting. These are rare and expensive. Brighter coloured Indian moonstone is cheaper, so is opalite moonstone.
Opalite moonstone
Opalite moonstone is most common today. This is a synthetic stone with even more blue shimmer than genuine moonstone, that’s only been around recently.
Against a light background, it appears milky white, shimmering golden faint lilac-blue and other colours. Against a darker background, it changes to a bright icy blue with the highlights altering to intense oranges and reds. The stone practically glows on its own, and demands attention by outshining all around.
Opalite moonstone adds a romantic feminine allure to your jewellery, always looking refreshingly cool – ideal for summer. Its pastel glow is soft and captivating, complimenting other light-coloured stones like lilac amethyst, blue chalcedony, and rose quartz. It also loves to compete with wild bright colours like reds and turquoise. This flamboyance makes opalite ideal to wear during a night out on the town.
Looking after moonstone
All moonstone is fragile and should be handled carefully. However, a jeweller can polish a dulled moonstone back to its original glory.
We have over 45 different opalite moonstones – to see at Moonstone Beads
Some frames look like baby bangles, but all are drilled ready to thread, and most are very large, ideal for a modern design.
Click To See Our Frame Beads
Shipping is free too on UK orders over £30 – under this UK P&P is just £2.50. International shipping from £5.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key SHOWS at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 30th April 2021.Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
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