Beads and Jewellery Making

So you’re enjoying making your own jewellery, and hey – you’ve gotten pretty good at it too! So chances are you’re thinking, can I make my hobby into a profitable side-gig, or maybe even a full time job? Well, starting a jewellery business can be an exciting and rewarding venture but as with any business, there’s a lot to consider, a lot that can go wrong, and a lot of hard work involved. But in this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key steps to successfully launch and grow your... Read More

When is a bead more than a bead? Can something pretty be good for you too? Semi-precious stones and beads have been used for centuries, both for their supposed healing properties and aesthetic appeal. Chakra stones, rose quartz, morganite, aventurine, aquamarine, howlite, amazonite, crackle quartz, turquoise, blue goldstone, Indian agate, and carnelian are supposed to be some of the most popular and powerful stones out there. Due to the healing properties many people believe the stones to possess, wearing them close to your skin is believed to be the best... Read More

Here at The Bead Shop, you can find a wide range of gemstones and semi-precious beads that can be used to customise or create your own jewellery. The use of semi-precious beads as an ornament dates back thousands of years. Most famed were the Ancient Egyptians who embelished jewellery for noble men and women with lapiz Lazuli, Obsidian, Garnet & Carnelian to name a few. Craftmen working with semi-precious could be located across the globe; Turkey, Greece, France all favoured these exotic natural materials. Semi-Precious Stones have remained popular and... Read More

        When it comes to doing your Christmas shopping, there’s always that one person who is impossible to buy for. Sometimes it can be a real struggle to find the perfect gift for them. The good news is that you may be able to tackle this problem by making your own gifts instead. If you’re new to the world of beading, making jewellery yourself may seem like a real challenge, so we’ve created this step-by-step guide to get you started. You’re welcome! Let’s start by making these gorgeous... Read More

If you’re new to the world of Kumihimo braiding, it can be tricky to know where to start. Here are the most important tools you’ll need: Kumihimo Braiding Disk A braiding disk is an essential part of the Kumihimo process. There are three different types to choose from, including 6” round braiding discs, 4.25” round braiding discs and 6” square braiding plates.  Kumihimo thread Although there are a wide variety of cords to choose from, Superlon Bead Cords are one of the most popular options amongst enthusiastic Kumihimo bracelet makers. It’s easy... Read More

For many people, the Christmas tree is a vital part of the festive season and the tree-decorating process itself can be a really exciting activity. However, if you’re trying to save money, be kinder to the environment, or you simply fancy getting creative, why not make your own? Here are just a few handmade alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree we know and love.     Necklace Tree What better way to showcase all your handmade jewellery than to display them in the shape of a tree? We’ve fallen in... Read More

If you like your jewellery to be stylish and sophisticated, Swarovski beads could be the perfect addition to your jewellery making toolkit. These high quality beads are durable and attractive, allowing you to create stylish and high quality pieces that will stand the test of time. There are a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours to choose from. If anything, you might struggle to decide which ones to use! Necklace For that world famous Swarovski quality and shine, Swarovski crystals can be the perfect statement-making addition to a necklace.... Read More

Whether you’re a jewellery addict looking to make your own personalised creations or someone hoping to make money by selling handmade bracelets, there are plenty of things to take into account when venturing into the world of beading for the first time. Here are just a few of the key things to consider:  Learn some basic skills Whether you’re planning on working with traditional beads or crystal-like pendants, most projects require a few basic skills. For example, you’re likely to need to know how to open and close a jump ring and... Read More

  To me, lace has always oozed elegance and grace, it brings with it visions of fantasy, fairy tales and for some reason Beatrix Potter.   Whether it’s the trimming on an exquisite garment or the tiniest detail on handcrafted soft furnishing, it brings with it a touch of classical beauty not reserved exclusively for period dramas and grandma’s doilies.  With this in mind, I was inspired to create a lace necklace using traditional elements but with a slightly more modern overall finish. Making The Lace Necklace We stock a wide range... Read More

Cameos have so many wonderful uses, we just can’t get enough of them here at The Bead Shop. They provide the ideal vintage inspired touch to create beautiful pieces with an heirloom feel. Of course, seasoned experts can always challenge themselves with intricately weaved seed beads and multi-strand necklaces: there is a project waiting for all skill sets and beading niches! But, with so many cameos and mounts to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. I find the easiest way to begin is to pick... Read More

Today I want to show you a few different ideas of how to use jewellery findings when making jewellery. I decided to use the small hoop earring component and S Hook with our new glitter faux suede, as I’ve been itching to use it ever since I saw it! Using three lengths of the glitter faux suede. To start, I folded the suede ends over to create a loop. Then, with the 0.6mm (22 gauge) non tarnish craft wire, I made a few wraps to seal the loops and repeated this on the... Read More

Inspired By Czech Glass Beads Depth of Colour It’s getting warmer and the nights are getting lighter, our long awaited summer is on its way. We are starting to change our wardrobes, ditching the jeans and jumpers in favour of vest tops and flowing skirts. This calls for a change is accessories also! So it’s time to put your fabulous jewellery ideas into fruition. I wanted to create a necklace that is bold in style but had a fairly neutral pallet that would complement shorts and a t-shirt as well... Read More