Beads, Beads and More Beads!

One of the trends I’ve loved seeing blossom in the past few years is renewed enthusiasm we’ve all found for crafting. My mum is a crafter extraordinaire, with a room stuffed so full of card-making materials we’re always threatening to call QVC and get her her own programme! Kirstie Alsop bounced onto our screens, with her jolly hockey sticks chat and gorgeous smile and made us all sit up and realise that there was an artisan inside each and every one of us.

You only have to look at the markets, galleries and indie shops to see that there’s an avenue for amateurs to explore and learn and a marketplace for the truly talented to sell.  I love it; I love the simple honesty of sitting down and making something with your own hands. I love that you need to step away from technology and electronics and just sit with your materials and an endless imagination.  It’s amazingly relaxing for grown-ups and a fantastic way to keep the kids amused and happy.

So when Dawn Cotton-Fuge called me up to tell me all about The Scottish Bead Fair I was all over writing a story and finding out more (I am shameless in my bid to be the favourite auntie and I knew my nieces would LOVE this!).  This stunning event was started by Dawn – who many of you will know from her GORGEOUS shop, Precious Sparkle on Charlotte Street – and has been running at Perth Concert Hall since 2007. It is quite simply, one of the biggest and best events of its kind in the whole of Scotland and attracts some of the UKs leading suppliers of beads and jewellery making supplies.

“We’re actually really lucky in Perth because as well as my shop, we also have Bead Crazy on George Street so there’s great choice here. But The Bead Show is something else altogether! There are so many unusual items and beads that you just won’t find anywhere else. We also have some terrific demos throughout the day and these are great for inspiring people who are new to the craft or who’ve been doing it for a while and need some new ideas.”

Dawn talks to me about sari silks and gems, lampwork beads and semi-precious stones. The enthusiasm for her craft pours out of her and you just know that the event comes from a place of passion and real love.

“Oh I love it! I used to be a lawyer and I much prefer this! It did start as a hobby but a bit like everyone I know in the trade, the more you do it, the more you get into it. The Bead Fair started because I knew that people, like me, wanted to find a place that they could chat to experts, find new ideas and pick up patterns.  It was so, so busy the first few years but we’ve gradually honed it so that only the best suppliers are exhibiting and giving people a wide range of price points and choice. 

I wanted it be great value for money but never nasty-cheap! I’m really happy with what we have now – kids can pick up pocket money items for under a pound and the professionals will find exclusive, quality stones and materials.”

This ‘value for money’ runs through the entire ethos with entry set at £2.50 for adults and free for kids under 16.  The demos are all free and take place throughout the day at various stalls. Dawn herself will be demonstrating jewellery making that incorporates both gemstones and sari silks and Martin Tuffnell of Tuffnell Glass will be showing you how to get into lampwork bead making, a truly special technique resulting in beautifully unique beads. And as if that wasn’t fabbie enough, Award-winning author/designer Dorothy Wood will be teaching classes on how to make a Soutache Pendant and a Square Rivoli Bezel and Carol Cowie will be teaching the Switchback Bracelet technique.

I ask Dawn what someone who is just starting out should buy and it feels as though I’ve asked her to choose her favourite child!

“I couldn’t answer that! My advice would be to buy what you love. If you see some gems or beads that catch your eye then pick them up and ask around for advice on what you could do. You will always find inspiration and by starting your item with something you genuinely like there is more chance you will enjoy working with it and wearing it. 

This isn’t just about buying and selling, its about finding inspiration. I’ve been doing this a long, long time and I always find myself picking up new ideas. People come from all over because it’s a great day out. I sell a lot online now, but lots of my customers like to come to this for a close up look so that they can then plan their next few orders.  You can spend a day wandering around and chatting to the stall holders and experts – and other crafters!”

Taking place on Sunday 1^st March, it’s a great idea for kids to pick up supplies for making mother’s day gifts (pay attention dads!) and lets be honest, where else can you take them for a free day out!?

I’m feeling inspired, my creative juices are flowing and I’m thinking a little gem or two in red or turquoise would make for a perfect #SCBP company bracelet! See you there!

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EVENT Times and Info - Click for more details

Find out more about Dawn's Shop - Precious Sparkle - on our directory.

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THE SCOTTISH BEAD FAIR EXHIBITORS

Bead Chic - Beads, pendants & cords.

Bead Shop Scotland - Czech, lampwork and indian glass, glass and freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, findings, tools, books and thread from Haddington's Specialist Bead Shop.

Beadservice - Semi-precious gemstones, czech glass beads, sterling silver & plated jewellery findings and tools.

Beadsisters - Large range of jump rings and chainmaille kits, czech glass beads, quality findings, wire and tools.

CeCe Designs - Gemstone bead strands, wire, thread & packaging, accessories and clay

Dobeadoo - Electroformed leaves, semi-precious gemstones, polymer clay focals and raw canes, lampwork beads, Toho seed beads, Czech glass buttons and beads & much more.

Gemstone Boutique - Peacock beads, Swarovski crystal, Czech seed beads, Kumihimo & Soutache supplies & kits, tools and findings

Jencel - Preciosa and Swarovski crystals, Toho seed beads, Czech glass beads, Gemstones, threads and findings, plus an exclusive range of beadweaving kits.

Mzuri Beads - Handmade ethical Ugandan beads

Oak Tree Crafts Ltd - Beads, kits, thread, findings, cabochons, tools and accessories.

Precious Sparkle Beads - Extensive range of semi-precious gemstone beads, briolettes, faceted beads, round, rectangular and unusal shapes, focals, all in unusual stones, freshwater pearls, gemstone cabochons, and Indian Copper & Sterling Silver Findings and beads from Perth's Specialist Gemstone Bead Shop.

Silver Moon Beads - Freshwater pearls, semi-precious beads, Thai Hill Tribe Silver, Sterling & Plated beads and findings, glass, acrylic, & shell beads, stringing & packaging materials.

Silver Orchid Beads - Beads, tools, jewellery making equipment, findings and kits.

Soul Silver - Unique and unusual handmade lampwork beads by Sally Sutherland.

Southampton Bead Shop - Swarovski crystal, miyuki seed beads, chinese crystal and glass beads, findings & stringing materials.

Totally Beads Ltd - Glass and crystal beads, metal beads and hematite beads.

Tuffnell Glass - Glass lampwork kits & lampwork beads. Tuffnell will also be demonstrating on the day.