Summer To Autumn Beads, Sapphire & Chalcedony, Bead Fair Reports
31st August 2025
See us next Sunday 7th Sept, at our new Windsor Bead Fair, Old Windsor Memorial Hall, SL4 2RN. The latest semi-precious beads by MrBead, large semi-precious carvings by Avida Brazil Gemstones, seed beads & findings by Southampton Bead Shop & others.
MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com. For all shows this year, click Bead Fairs 2025
Content:
Latest Bead Fairs
New Beads
Changing Beaded Jewellery Styles from Summer to Autumn
Bead Fair Reports
Sapphire & Chalcedony For September
Next Bead Fairs
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Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £40. International shipping from US$12.50.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key WINDSOR at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 5th September 2025. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
Latest Bead Fairs
Next Sunday we’re in Old Windsor at the Windsor Bead Fair, Old Windsor Memorial Hall, Straight Road, Old Windsor SL4 2RN. Beautiful location, not far from the castle! The very-latest semi precious beads just brought into the UK 4-days previous by MrBead, large semi precious carved gemstones by Avida Gemstones from Brazil, seed beads & findings by Southampton Bead Shop, and more.
New Beads!
We arrive back from China just a few days before Windsor, so will display loads of new beads. Most are shipped to Felixstowe, but we also carry quite a few for immediate sale.
We only had a few days in China between Glasgow and Windsor bead fairs, but we managed to ship 239kms back, 14 boxes. All the latest styles! New beads sell fast for us – so jewellery from them should sell fast for you too!
Transport from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is fast these days – 53-mins, compared to 4-hours 30 years ago! Picture eating: Johnny from Southampton Bead Shop. with MiMi & Nigel from MrBead – and high-speed train.
The following Sunday we’re back in Brockenhurst at the New Forest Bead Fair, Brokenhurst Village Hall, SO42 7RY. And Sunday 21st September at Haydock Racecourse for Beads Up North. The largest gathering of beaders in the UK, with jewellery-making workshops and full refreshments. Order discounted tickets online now at: Beads Up North Tickets.
Changing Beaded Jewellery Styles from Summer to Autumn
From Sun to Spice
Just as the air turns crisp and leaves gold, beaded jewellery transforms too. Offering makers a new seasonal palette. The vibrant warmth of summer changes to the cozy richness of autumn, reflecting nature’s transformation. Whether you’re crafting or collecting, autumn is perfect to add a little warmth, texture, and storytelling to your jewellery box.
Colour Transition
Summer beads feature bright, playful hues like turquoise, coral, and sunny yellows. As autumn approaches, colour schemes evolve into deeper, earthier tones – think burnt orange, olive green, burgundy, amber, and gold. Matching the seasonal wardrobe, adding warmth and depth to layered outfits.
Material and Texture Shifts
While summer favours lightweight beads and shells – autumn designs lean toward natural stones, matte finishes, wood, and metal accents. The tactile richness of these materials mirrors the layered textures of fall fashion – hunky knits, leather boots, and wool coats.
Design Adaptations
Delicate anklets and dainty bracelets give way to statement necklaces, layered strands, and bold earrings. As temperatures drop, jewellery becomes more of a visual statement against heavier fabrics. Like designs to peek out from beneath scarves, or complement a cozy neckline.
Inspiration from Nature
Autumn beading draws inspiration from nature: leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and celestial themes like moons and stars. These motifs can be subtly incorporated using charms or shaped beads to add a touch of seasonal charm.
Semi-Precious Beads from Summer to Autumn
These natural stones not only add elegance and texture but also carry seasonal energy and colour, echoing the changing landscape.
Autumn Palette: Deep, Earthy, and Rich
The shift in semi-precious stones includes:
• Carnelian – A fiery orange-red that mirrors fall foliage and adds warmth.
• Garnet – Deep crimson tones that bring richness and depth to designs.
• Smoky Quartz – A translucent brown-grey that pairs beautifully with neutral outfits.
• Tiger’s Eye – With its golden shimmer and earthy banding, it adds texture and visual interest.
• Labradorite – Subtle grey with flashes of blue and green, evoking the mystery of autumn skies.
• Moss Agate – A natural green stone with organic patterns that reflect fallen leaves and forest floors.
These stones lend themselves to chunkier, layered pieces—bracelets, statement earrings, and bold pendants – that stand out against the season’s heavier fabrics.
For All Our Semi Precious Click Semi Precious Beads
Also See Our Wooden Beads
Our Gold Beads
Our Amber Beads
Our Leaf Beads
SEPTEMBER’S GEMSTONE
Sapphire is the birthstone for September, and is chemically and structurally the same as ruby, an aluminum oxide. However, where rubies are only red, sapphires come in every color but red: blue, golden yellow, reddish-orange, or violet.
Generally sapphire is too expensive for most crafters, so a great alternative for September is blue chalcedony – which can look similar at a fraction of the cost. Chalcedony is a very fine-grained variety of quartz with a waxy luster with a compact fibrous structure.
ALTERNATE GEMSTONE FOR SEPTEMBER: CHALCEDONY
Natural chalcedony is usually grayish blue and sometimes with hints of pink, however it can be colour enhanced to light blue. It’s said chalcedony was used as a sacred stone by the Native Americas, promoting stability within the ceremonial activities of the tribe.
Chalcedony is thought to balance emotions, and bring vitality, stamina, endurance, kindness, charity and friendliness. It also supposedly alleviates hostilities, irritability and melancholy.
Click For Our Chalcedony Beads
Bead Fair Reports
North Yorkshire Bead Fair
This show had a very busy start, but overall, a lot quieter than expected. We will be back in this area next year, but not at this hall. The hall itself was fine, our problem is many steps to carry a tonne of beads in and out! So, we need a new hall close to Harrogate – any suggestions?
Penrith Bead Fair
Extremely busy! An amazing show, busy from start to finish, and all good spenders. Plus a beautiful 3-year-old hall on the edge of Penrith – with air-con, fast wifi and adjustable lighting.
Penrith Beaders & North Cumbria Beadworkers
As well as MrBead, Southampton Bead Shop & Two Gram Turtles – Penrith Beaders & North Cumbria Beadworkers were also at the Cumbia Bead Fair. We all done well.
Berwick-Upon-Tweed Bead Fair
Busier than expected up to 2pm – and as usual it was great to see our ‘top customers’ Karen & Rod. Our best ever Berwick show, with very good sales all round.
Scottish Bead Fair
Our best Scottish show yet. Busy all the time with very good sales. We love this spacious, carpeted hall close to Glasgow Airport – and everyone loved our beads and had a great time.
Enjoy a Bead Fair Soon!
Bead shows are great fun. You’ll love them! Bring a trolley, as beads get heavy. Take some cash, as a few venues have a weak signal for card payments. Talk to the vendors and other visitors to inspire new design ideas. Make a note of what you paid for beads, and keep exhibitors’ business cards and leaflets.
future Bead Fairs Of 2025
Sunday 7th September: Windsor Bead Fair, Old Windsor Memorial Hall, Old Windsor SL4 2RN
Sunday 14th September: New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall, Brockenhurst SO42 7RY
Sunday 21st September: Beads Up North, Haydock Racecourse, Newton-Le-Willows WA12 0HG
Sunday 28th September: Essex Bead Fair, Marks Tey Village Hall, Old London Road, Marks Tey CO6 1EJ.
Sun 5th October: Cambridge Bead Fair, Harston Village Hall, Harston CB22 7PX
Sun 12th October: Norwich Bead Fair, The George Best Western Hotel, Arlington Lane, Norwich NR2 2DA
New venues at Windsor, Swindon and Forest Row. For this years full list, click: 2025 Bead Fairs.
15% Off All From MrBead
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £40. International shipping from £7.99.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key WINDSOR at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 5th September 2025. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
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