Spring To Summer & Moonstone Beads
7th May 2022
See us today, Saturday 7th May at Luton Bead Fair. only 1/2-hour up the M1 from London – just off J10, down London Road into Castle St, LU1 3SS.
Or Tomorrow at Essex Bead Fair, Great Bromley Village Hall, CO7 7JA.
Both shows 11am to 4pm – Free Entry & Free Refreshments!
For the full list booked so far click 2022 Bead Fairs. New MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com
Content:
Spring To Summer Beads
Cambridge Bead Fair Report
Magical Moonstone For May
Beads Up North
2022 Bead Fairs
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15% Off All From MrBead
Enjoy the new shop with 15% off anything with no minimum order. This is £15 off £100 worth of beads – the more you spend: the more you save! Only once per customer.
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 OPALITE at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 13th May 2022. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.
Spring To Summer Beads
On the calendar, spring is March to May – then summer’s June to August. So, with summer just a few weeks away, now’s the time to make summer jewellery to sell.
While spring jewellery is pastel greens and yellows, summer needs cooling blue, vibrant reds and yellows like the setting sun. Aquamarine and citrine is ideal.
Calsilica beads are also good with their vivid colours that attracts attention. Some say calsilica is from Mexico – however, it’s pulverized carbonate rock, coloured and stabilized with a polymer. No two of these dramatic stones are alike.
Ethnic necklaces and bracelets are also popular this time of year. And for bright yellow beads, see our synthetic amber beads.
For Our Calsilica Beads Click: Calsilica Beads
See Our Summer Beads
Luton & Essex Bead Fairs
Luton Bead Fair
Most visitors to our Luton show come from outside Luton – many from North London.
Some say that it’s faster to get to us in Luton, then when we’re in London itself! Because the venue is just 5-minutes from M1 junction 10, which is less than half-an-hour up the M1 from London.
Click For Full Details: Luton Bead Fair
Essex Bead Fair
We love this village hall: so easy to setup with lots of space. Beautiful village close to Colchester and the East Coast – combine with a day out. A laid-back show without the problems of the city.
Click For Full Details: Essex Bead Fair
Cambridge Bead Fair Report
This was our second show in Cambridge, and as busy as the first – with a constant stream of keen new arrivals. So many, that in the first three-hours, we sold more beads than two-days at Newark Gem n Bead Fair!
Johnny from Southampton Bead Shop joined us, along with Nico of AK Bijoux Minerals. A great show in a beautiful village close to Cambridge and the M11. We’ll be back Saturday 23rd September.
Magical Moonstone: May’s Gemstone
Moonstone is nature’s treasure with a sensuous and seductive charm. Its characteristic feature is its magical play of light. The stone is translucent, and softens the light shining through it to give a pearly moon-like glow which appears different whenever the stone changes position.
Years ago, it was thought to be brought upon by the moon’s phases. This shimmering affect is caused by light being refracted inside the stone.
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
Beads Up North
It’s just two-weeks to the popular longstanding bead fair – now with lace and everything for other crafters. Many exhibitors in two halls, plus refreshments. Beautiful venue at Haydock Racecourse, close to the M6, Manchester and Liverpool.
It’s not all about buying! The show also have free beading workshops where anyone can learn to bead and make a fantastic Jubilee bracelet and pendant. Then you can relax, chat in our food hall, and show your creations off!
For Full Details Click Beads Up North
Buy tickets at a discount NOW online – click Beads Up North Tickets
We’ve booked 29 fairs so far this year – with at least 2 more yet to plan.
This year we’ll be holding more of our own shows, at new locations requested by customers. If you feel there isn’t any bead fairs near you, let me know and I’ll consider your request.
Next Bead Fairs:
Saturday 7th May: Luton Bead Fair, Stockwood Hotel, Castle Street, Luton LU1 3SS – just 1/2-hour up the M1 & only 5-mins from M1 J10.
Sunday 8th May: Essex MrBead Bead Fair, Great Bromley Village Hall, Gt Bromley CO7 7JA
Sunday 22nd May: Beads Up North, Haydock Racecourse, Newton-Le-Willow WA12 0HQ
Sunday 12th June: Cheshire Bead Fair, Nantwich Village Hall, Nantwich CW5 5DG
Sunday 26th June: New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall, SO42 7RY
Sunday 3rd July: Cornish Bead Fair, Probus Village Hall, TR2 4NB
For the full list click 2022 Bead Fairs
15% Off All From MrBead
Enjoy the new shop with 15% off anything with no minimum order. This is £15 off £100 worth of beads – the more you spend: the more you save! Only once per customer.
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 OPALITE at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 13th May 2022. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.