MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com. For 2024 bead fairs, click Bead Fairs 2024.
Online Orders Delayed 28th Sept to 5th Oct. While we take a break between Cambridge & Norwich Fairs. Then see us at Norwich Bead Fair on Sun 13th Oct at The George Best Western Hotel.
Content:
Taylor Swift’s Friendship Bracelets
Bead Fair Reports
Opal Beads For October
Autumn Bead Fairs
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Can only be used at the MrBead shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key CAMBRIDGE at checkout now, as offer ends Sunday 6th October 2024. Use at: https://mrbeadshop.com.
The Origins of the Friendship Bracelets
The inspiration for these ‘Swift Bracelets’ can be traced back to the lyrics of her song “You’re On Your Own, Kid” from her 2022 album, Midnights. Swift sings, “Make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.” These lyrics captured the imaginations of fans – prompting them to create and share bracelets with fellow concertgoers as a way to celebrate their shared love of her music.
How It Works: The Crafting and Exchange
Fans spend hours crafting colourful beaded bracelets, with words and phrases related to her music. Often featuring lyrics and other Swift terms like “All Too Well,” “Lover,” or “Fearless”. At concerts, fans randomly swap these bracelets with strangers, friends, and parents – spontaneously, with smiles and hugs. Often thousands of fans wear a wristful of bracelets by the end of the show – each one representing a unique connection made during the show.
The Symbolism of the Bracelets
The friendship bracelets’ symbolize a sense of community and belonging. In an era where social media creates virtual connections, the act of physically creating and exchanging a bracelet brings a tangible, personal touch to fandom. It’s also a way to feel seen and connected. The bracelets serve as reminders that Swifties are never alone — they’re part of a larger, supportive community bound by their love for music.
Swift’s Own Participation
Taylor Swift herself has embraced the bracelet trend. While she hasn’t been seen exchanging them, she wears friendship bracelets given to her by fans.
Friendship Bracelets Help Everyone
It’s not just trading bracelets – it’s about sharing a piece of yourself and linking in a sea of people. Helping break down barriers between generations and cultures, bonding over the experience. It reminds us of the joy of shared moments and the lasting impact of genuine connections. The bracelet-making culture also taps into the nostalgia of childhood summer camps, sleepovers, and the simple joy of making something for a friend.
Click For Our Charm Beads
Click For Our Alphabet Beads
Beads Up North
Go to the online newsletter for many pictures. As always, a busy show, with 17 exhibitors. Plus good attendance, but our own bead sales were down on the last show. Everyone had a great time, despite Haydock Racecourse caterers serving weak tea & coffee. unfortunately, they won’t let us bring our own caterers. We’ll be back Sunday 13th April 2025.
For the video of the show click Beads Up North Sept 2024.
Types of Opal
Fine opals shine and sparkle in a continually changing play of colours called Opalising. Depending on the location they have names like Harlequin, Peacock, and Fire Opal. Most opal has this play of colours except Common Opal, a name give to all others, like Pink Opal.
As demand outstrips supply, fine opalizing opal is very expensive – sometimes costing hundreds of pounds each bead. Therefore, the most popular for jewellery is non-opalizing opal – usually pink opal from Peru. Opals play of colour is caused by small spheres of silica creating interference and refraction. The spheres, which are arranged in compact structures, dissect light through the gemstone, turning it into the rainbow effect, always new and different.
Peruvian Opal
Peruvian Opal comes in faint pink, light blue and light mint-green tones. From the Andes Mountains near San Patricio, Peru. Although native South Americans have been using the stone for thousands of years, it only became widely available recently. It’s usually translucent to opaque with no play of colour and often has lots of black and tan dendrites.
Most Peruvian Opal beads are semi-opaque to opaque. Peruvian opals metaphysical properties are similar to other opals. Helping to intensify your traits and characteristics. Peruvian Opal can activate the heart charka and assist during spiritual journeys.
How to Value Opal
Price of fine opal depends on its play of colour, the colours, their pattern and location. If red appears when looking through the stone, so will all the other colours.
Black Opal has the most play of colour. Especially from Lightning Ridge or Mexican Fire Opal. Crystal opal is the next best, being more transparent with a deep play of colour. White or milky opals with diffuse colour and are the cheapest.
To bring out the play of colour in a fine opal, the stones are cut and polished to round or oval cabochons. Only the best qualities of Fire Opal is faceted.
How does Opal Effect You?
Opal is thought to remove depression and to help find true love.
Looking after Opal
Due to containing 5% water, opals easily become brittle. If stored too dry, the play of colour will fade. Therefore, Opal jewellery should be worn as often as possible, giving gemstone the humidity from the air and skin of its wearer.
See our Peruvian Opal Nugget Beads: Opal Beads
Sunday 29th Sept: Cambridge Bead Fair, Harston Village Hall, 20 High Street, Harston CB22 7PX
Sunday 13th Oct: Norwich Bead Fair, Best Western George Hotel, Arlington Lane, Norwich NR2 2DA
Saturday 19th Oct: London Luton Bead Fair, Stockwood Hotel, Luton LU1 3SS
Sunday 20th Oct: Oxfordshire Bead Fair, Hornton Pavilion, Hornton, Banbury, OX15 6DB
Weekend 9th-10th Nov: London Gem n Bead Fair, Kempton Park, London TW16 5AQ
We've booked 30 shows this year - click: 2024 Bead Fairs.
Can only be used at the MrBead shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key CAMBRIDGE at checkout now, as offer ends Sunday 6th October 2024. Use at: https://mrbeadshop.com.
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