Something Special

I'm so lucky to work in a bead shop and every so often something very special and unique comes my way. These beautiful art beads are made in the Czech republic by AleAle and my photo really doesn't do them justice (time to upgrade my camera I think). I've just checked out their website, amazing work!

Perfect Bead Weather

Its raining tonight and anyone who knows me well will know that I will be fuelling my other passion, stormy weather.

My beads are being hastily packed away and kids bundled into the car, not entirely happy but bribed with the promise of fish and chips and we're heading for the coast.

Wind, rain and rough sea, I love it!

I recently had a client who commissioned me for two big, chunky and funky charm bracelets, one for herself, the other for her sister. One is in Autumn tones of golds, greens and browns, beautiful Czech glass beads, shell, freshwater pearls and charms from Menoni, Italy. The other is similar but using the more earthy tones of turquoise and brown. I must admit to being somewhat pleased with the results as were my ladies.

Commissioned

A commission for Italy. I have a collection of beautiful lampwork beads, some handmade and I love them. When they were picked by an Italian client I had a moment of panic at parting with them, but I was brave and here is the result. Combined with Sterling Silver, pearls and the finest Czech beads, a pretty bracelet, a Christmas present for a young Italian girl.

Fluorite Hearts

Most of my work is commissions but every now and then I get some spare time (in between working full time, being a mother and housework) and I get to play with my beads. This is yesterdays play. Fluorite is one of my most favourite semi precious stones, I love all the different shades and its such a versatile stone to work with. I've used Sterling Silver wire and findings, the Rose Quartz, Pearl and Shell compliment the Fluorite perfectly. It sold today! :-)

Talent Overload

Dawn Small started Bijoux Beads in her cottage in Dorset, making jewellery for her friends and family in 1994, a skilled and inspiring designer, word spread and she soon opened her first small shop in the historic market town of Shaftesbury. Two more shops and a state of the art website later, Bijoux Beads is now well established as one of the UK's leading bead retailers.

Each of the three shops are beautifully designed, no stuffy craft image here, along with hundreds of beads to choose from are the beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery to buy or inspire the novice beader. Each shop regularly holds classes for both the beginner and intermediate beader, staff, carefully chosen for their knowledge, they are talented and experienced designers with skills ranging from Wire work, Knotting and Silversmithing and are happy to advise on design, colour and techniques.

Dawn sources her stock from all corners of the globe and insists on a very high standard of quality, some of her beads and findings are made exclusively for her. She regularly travels overseas to buy direct from reputable companies with the very latest fashions in mind.

My Bijoux Beads journey started in 2005, when as a regular customer I was honoured and thrilled to be offered a job as manager of the Shaftesbury branch and two years on I'm still honoured to be a part of this amazing business.

Please have a look yourselves, hundreds of beautiful beads, a treasure trove and a bead jewellery makers delight, you won't be disappointed!

http://www.bijouxbeads.co.uk/