september-2024

Choker Necklaces, September’s Gemstone & Bead Fair Reports

31st August 2024

Cornish Bead FairSee us today at the Cornish Bead Fair, The The John Betjeman Centre, Wadebridge PL27 7BX. 

Then, the following weekend we’re at the Welsh Bead Fair Sat 7th Sept, and New Forest Bead Fair Sun 8th Sept. All Shows free entry & refreshments! 

MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com. For all bead fairs click Bead Fairs 2024.

Content:
Orders Delayed
Bead Fairs Go South West
Choker Necklaces
September’s Gemstone
September’s Alternate Stone: Chalcedony
Bead Fair Reports
Summer 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 £40. International shipping from £7.99.

Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key CORNWALL at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 6th Sept 2024.  Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.

Delay 30th Aug to 6th SeptOrders Delayed 30th Aug to 6th Sept, while we stay South West between Cornish, Welsh & New Forest Bead Fair. We can’t work 10-hours every day of the week, every week!

Bead Fairs Go South West

South West Bead FairsSee us at one of these three Western shows:

Cornish Bead Fair
Cornish Bead FairSee the latest semi precious by MrBead cabochons by BeadBuyer, & original-designed jewellery by Sheila of Healing Crystals – on Saturday 31st Aug at The John Betjeman Centre, Wadebridge – for the Cornish Bead Fair. Free entry & refreshments. Make a holiday of it (like we do), and stay a few days in Cornwall!

Welsh Bead Fair
Welsh Bead FairThe following weekend, we’re in Wales with Southampton Bead Shop. Saturday 7th September at the Welsh Bead Fair, Redwick Village Hall, Caldicot NP26 3DE. This village may look remote, but it’s actually a great location very close to the M4. 15-min drive from Newport, and just 40-mins from Cardiff or Bristol. Fast wifi for the cards!

New Forest Bead Fair
New Forest Bead FairNext day, Sunday 8th September, we’re back with Southampton Bead Shop at the New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall. Enjoy the animals!

All shows 11am to 4pm with free entry & refreshments.

Versatile Choker Necklaces

Choker NecklacesBeaded choker necklaces are more than just a fashion accessory: they’re a versatile, affordable, and meaningful addition to any wardrobe. Ideal for anyone looking to enhance their fashion sense.

  • Timeless Allure
    Beaded choker necklaces, a staple in fashion for centuries, are making a significant comeback. This resurgence is not surprising, considering the advantages they offer.
  • Versatile Fashion Statement
    The advantage of beaded choker necklaces is their versatility. They can seamlessly transition from casual daywear to sophisticated evening attire. Either with a simple T-shirt and jeans for an everyday look – or an elegant dress with a more intricate, statement piece for a formal event. This adaptability makes beaded chokers an essential for any wardrobe.
  • Rich Historical Significance
    Beaded chokers carry a deep historical significance. Worn by ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, and African tribes – for status, spirituality, and identity. Today, they reflect these traditions and cultures.
  • Unique and Personalized Style
    Unlike mass-produced jewellery, beaded chokers offer a unique and personalized style with unique patterns and colours. This individuality allows wearers to express their personal style and stand out.
  • Comfort and Wearability
    Comfort is another advantage. Typically made from lightweight materials such as glass, wood, or seed beads, these necklaces are comfortable to wear for extended periods. The close fit around the neck provides a secure yet gentle hold, unlike heavier necklaces that may cause discomfort or strain.
  • Affordability, Sustainability and Ethical Fashion
    Beaded chokers stand out as eco-friendly. Using sustainable materials, they’re more affordable than their gemstone counterparts. Allowing experimentation with different styles on a budget.

SEPTEMBER’S GEMSTONE

Septembers GemstoneSapphire 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

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 BeadsChalcedony 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

Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Berwick Upon Tweed Bead FairOur best Berwick show ever! We were busy from opening to close. It’s amazing how everyone finds us in this rural location – although it’s only 15-mins from the A1 and Holy Island of Lindisfarne. A beautiful part of the country – you can actually see the sky change as you go north of Newcastle.

Scottish Bead Fair
Scottish Bead FairScottish Bead FairGlasgow Bead FairOur best Glasgow show ever, too! Very busy, flat-out from 10am to 4pm – many visitors and good sales. Johnny & Joanne from Southampton Bead Shop also done well. Quite a few came from Inverness and over 3-hours away. Usually 2-hours is our catchment limit. I guess Scotland’s like the US and Australia: residents are used to travelling!

Oban 2024Afterwards we stayed the night again in the beautiful village of Oban 2024Inveraray, then to Oban for the seafood. We love staying up Scotland and the Lake District until we setup at Harrogate the follow Friday. Click to see a short video of our trip here.

However, British weather caused a problem. On our way to Oban, torrential overnight rain flooded the road, resulting in something fulling off the bottom of the van after driving through a deep flood. Due to a poor phone signal it took 90-minutes to call the breakdown service to take us to a garage in Oban. Then was told it would take 3-days just to look. In the end they fitting it back on in 15-minutes!

Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair
Harrogate Gem n Bead FairHarrogate Gem n Bead FairWe all love Harrogate and have a great time there. We’ll return in February. However, I don’t think we’ll be at this one next August. Despite 5-hours struggling to setup everything in our tiny £650 space, and 2-full-days selling, we only took about the same in just 3-hours at one of our own fairs. Not many visitors to this once busy show. Shame! Maybe we’ll do our own around this area next summer.

Enjoy a Bead Fair Soon!

Enjoy a Bead Fair Soon!

Bead shows are great fun! Take 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.

Next Bead Fairs 2024

Saturday 31st August: Cornish Bead Fair, The John Betjeman Centre, Southern Way, Wadebridge PL27 7BX
Saturday 7th Sept: Welsh Bead Fair, Redwick Village Hall, Church Row, Redwick, Caldicot NP26 3DE
Sunday 8th Sept: New Forest Bead Fair, Brockenhurst Village Hall, Highwood Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RY
Sunday 15th September: Essex Bead Fair, Marks Tey Village Hall, Old London Road, Marks Tey CO6 1EJ
Sunday 22nd Sept: Beads Up North, Haydock Racecourse, Newton-Le-Willows, Mersyside WA12 0HQ
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

For the shows booked so far next year, click: 2024 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 CORNWALL at checkout now, as offer ends Friday 6th Sept 2024. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.

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