Winter To Spring Beads, Mother’s Day & Aquamarine
1st March 2026
See us at the East Sussex Bead Fair, Alfriston Village Hall, The Tye, Alfriston BN26 5TL. One of the most-beautiful villages in the UK!
MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com. For all shows this year, click Bead Fairs 2026
Content:
Spring Has Arrived at MrBead!
From Winter Sparkle To Spring Brightness
Harrogate Gem n Bead Bead Fair Report
Mother’s Day
Aquamarine For March
Aquamarine Substitute
2026 Bead Fairs
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15% Off All From MrBead
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £45. International shipping from US$13.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key MOTHER at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 6th March 2026. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
Spring Has Arrived at MrBead!
Why spring may be sooner than you think! The start of spring is defined in two different ways: meteorologically or astronomically. Meteorological spring begins on 1st March – where the year is divided into equal quarters. Astronomical spring is determined by the earth’s tilt to the sun – starts 20th March 2026.
Refresh your beads for the new season’s jewellery. Think rose quartz, aquamarine, amazonite, citrine, amethyst and moonstone.
Click our: Spring Beads
From Winter Sparcle To Spring Brightnness
Refreshing Your Beaded Jewellery
As the days grow longer and the air warms, give your jewellery a seasonal refresh. Beaded pieces, with their versatility and colour variety – are ideal for transitioning your collection from the cozy hues of winter to the bright, lively tones of spring.
❄️ Winter’s Warmth
During winter, jewellery leans on deep, rich colours — think garnet reds, smoky quartz greys, and amethyst purples. These pair with chunky knits, scarves, and textured fabrics.
🌸 Spring’s Light & Colour
As spring arrives, it’s time to shift toward lighter, airier designs. Pastel gemstones, translucent beads, and bright semiprecious stones. Like rose quartz, aquamarine, and peridot bring an uplifting, fresh energy.
💡 Styling Tips
1. Layer Lightly: Swap heavy winter chokers for delicate layered necklaces or bracelets.
2. Mix Textures: Combine smooth beads with frosted or faceted ones to add subtle sparkle without overwhelming spring outfits.
3. Play with Colour: Don’t be afraid to mix contrasting pastels or pair complementary shades for a fresh, modern look.
4. Focus on Statement Pieces: A bold, colourful bracelet or pendant can instantly transform a simple spring dress or blouse.
🌿 Seasonal Mindset
Transitioning your jewellery isn’t just about colour — it’s about energy too. Spring-inspired pieces should feel airy, cheerful, and light. The perfect time to explore new bead combinations, experiment with patterns, and refresh your creativity.
Click To See Our Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, or Peridot Beads
Or All Our Semi Precious Beads
Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair Report
Harrogate was a little better than expected, with a steady footfall both days. However, we won’t be doing the summer Gem n Bead there. We love it there, and it’s nice to see all our old friends – but unless we pay thousands, we can only display a little.
After the show we visited Harlow Carr Gardens with Michael & Sarah from BeadBuyer – then we stayed a few days in a cottage in Flamborough. It took BeadBuyer over 12-hours to get back to London, because their van broke down. However, I’m sure they will find a way to get their beads to the London Gem n Bead Fair this weekend!
MOTHER’S DAY
When Is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day 2026 in the UK is Sunday 15th March – always three-weeks after Easter. In the US it’s Sunday 14th May.
British History
During the 1600’s, England celebrated “Mothering Sunday” on the 4th Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter).
Then, many of the England’s poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most were employed far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants had the day off and encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers.
Mothering Sunday Around the World
In the United States, Ana Jarvis and the church, persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to make the second Sunday of May a national holiday in honor of the anniversary of her mother’s death.
However, many countries celebrate Mother’s Day at different times throughout the year – except Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium who also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May.
Jewellery Is The Best Present for Mum, Daughters & the Ladies in Your Life
What do you give to Mother? She longs for something special, but already has everything.
The gifts that mean the most, are the ones that have memories attached to them.
Mother’s say that every time they receive something special from their children, they remember the exact circumstances for the gift. One of the most cherished gifts has got to be a charm bracelet.
Make a special necklace or bracelet as a gift for your mother and mother-in-law this year – or purchase one already made. Matching earrings or bracelet is even better!
Jewellery is always appreciated, and gains sentimental value with age, allowing Mother to always remember who it came from. Pearls are great – as are any pink or warm-coloured stone jewellery.
Picture is Nigel’s late mum, 86 years young, at Luton Bead Show.
See Our Ready Made Jewellery
Aquamarine – March’s Gemstone
Aquamarine is March’s stone – a blue-green gemstone from South America, meaning Water of the Sea.
Aquamarine lifts spirit, and excellent for meditation, bringing peace and serenity. Use it for your spring jewellery designs.
Folklore says it protects sailors’ and is the treasure of mermaids. The gemstone is also supposed to have powers that reach to land too, helping married couples solve their problems and drive off evil.
Aquamarine is associated with the thymus gland and is soothing worn as a necklace. Also thought to help coughs and calm the nerves. Aquamarine brings courage, aids quick intellectual response, and protecting the aura.
Colour ranges from a light turquoise blue to a bluish green. Darker blue is the best, greener less valuable. Check the clarity of the stone. Because aquamarine has a light pastel colour, it’s important to be free of flaws or inclusions.
Examine the cut from different angles checking light reflects evenly off the surface of the gem. Aquamarine is usually heat treated and will become paler if left in the sun.
Clean aquamarine in with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush. As with all gemstones, protect from scratches and sharp blows.
Click To See Our Aquamarine Beads
Affordable Beads For March Jewellery – aquamarine substitute
March jewellery is traditionally made with aquamarine gemstones. Aquamarine is said to symbolize courage and hope, making it an ideal choice for jewellery to celebrate the month of March.
However, aquamarine is relatively expensive, so if you’re on a budget, you may be looking for other stones and materials that can be substituted to make beautiful March jewellery.
One option is to use glass beads. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours – so you can find beads that are similar to aquamarine. Glass is also much cheaper. To see our many glass, click Glass Beads.
Another option is to use plastic beads. Plastic’s not all bad! Acrylic beads are also available in many sizes and colours that look similar to aquamarine. Plus, they’re extremely affordable, a great choice for budget-conscious jewellery makers. To see our acrylics, click Plastic Beads.
If you’re looking for a more natural alternative to aquamarine, try using other semi-precious stones to save money. Such as agate, amethyst, and quartz that match the colour of aquamarine, but cost less.
Overall, aquamarine is great for March jewellery, but there’s plenty of other stones and materials that can be substituted. So, if you’re on a budget, you can still make stunning March jewellery without breaking the bank.
Click To See Our Semi Precious Beads
For Our Glass Beads
For Our Plastic Beads
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.
2026 Bead Fairs
We have booked 30 shows so far for 2026:
Sun 22nd March: East Sussex Bead Fair, Alfriston
Sun 29th March: Norwich Bead Fair, George Hotel
Sun 12th April: Cambridge Bead Fair, Harston Village Hall
Sun 19th April: Beads Up North, Haydock Racecourse
Sun 26th April: Windsor Bead Fair, Old Windsor Memorial Hall
Sun 10th May: Essex Bead Fair, Great Bromley Village Hall
Sat 16th May: New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall
Sun 17th May: Devon Bead Fair, Stockland Village Hall EX14 9EF
Sat 23rd May: Cornish Bead Fair, Probus Village Hall
Click For All Bookings: 2026 Bead Fairs
15% Off All From MrBead
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £45. International shipping from US$13.
Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key MOTHER at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 6th March 2026. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
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