I hope this thread will be found by other Scots. I seem to be the first.

Hilary - Grampian region 

 Hi Hilary,

 I'm not from Scotland, but I'm planning to take a trip there next March. Are there any must-see jewelry shops or events in your area? I was there in 2001, but stayed in Edinburgh for the Fringe the whole time. This time we're traveling north.
 

What follows is a personal, historical and geographical mini tour of the bead scene in Scotland for any of you that may visit:

Things are exciting in Scotland right now as we are just beginning to bloom into bead fanatics, so we are babes-in-arms compared to the developed bead scene in the USA. We had our first ever Scottish bead Fair in Perth in September 2007 which was a roaring success. It took a dynamic American, Dawn Fuge of Precious Sparkle Beads to get the whole thing organised. Our next fairs are on Sunday 24th February and in September 2008. See www.ScottishBeadFair.co.uk for more information. On the photo gallery page and exhibitors' page you will also find links to various Scottish bead shops, some only online (like myself), but there are a growing number of actual bead shops.

What I believe to be the first bead shop in Scotland, The Bead Shop Haddington  was opened in the picturesque and historic village of Haddington, to the East of Edinburgh, about 5 years ago I guess. That lady has now opened a second shop in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. At 98 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh you will find The Little Bead Shop run by Gil Baird and her daughter who, amongst other things, do excellent classes in silver PMC clay. In Perth you will find Bead Crazy run by another lovely lady whose name escapes me, I think it begins with "D". She has just opened the first ever Aberdeen (my town) bead shop, next to John Lewis department store. It is a gorgeous shop with a big room for beading classes. Strangely I am unaware of any bead shops in Glasgow, but I bet after last year's bead fair there will be someone in the process of opening one soon.

As you would expect, prices in shops are higher than online, but at least you see before you buy, however do keep in mind that it might be worth contacting an online seller if you are in their area, to arrange to see some or all of their stock.

Finally, for anyone in the NE of Scotland in September we have a wonderful event called NEOS (North
East Open Studios) when you can tour round workshops and studios not normally open to the public. You can see an enormous variety of top class art work in all mediums, and get to meet the artists at the same time.

Anyone that wants further info, just contact me. Katie I am away to email you directly.

Hilary

Let me introduce myself. My wife and I are opening a bead shop in Glasgow's West End in June/July 2008. We had hoped to open in April but building delays have pushed it back a couple months.

The Bead Co. (www.thebead.co.uk - under construction) is a limited company and will be a franchise of The Potomac Bead Company (www.potomacbeads.com) from the United States and their first European franchise and hopefully the flagship for future stores. We are currently building a team of creative jewellery designers, sourcing inventory, planning our course schedule, and working through the logistics of opening Glasgow's largest bead shop. It is possibly one of the largest stores in the UK with over 2200sq. ft - sufficient space for a large selection of beads and a mezzanine for classroom space (training and parties). The store will have all the necessary beading supplies, classes, and jewellery as well as sell online. We also hope to provide local artists an opportuntity to showcase their work, offer additional training through artists in residence, and be involved in community arts initiatives through beading.

If you are interested in learning more, have questions or suggestions, please email us. We are particularly interested in sourcing products and supplies locally so if you are a local beader or supplier to the jewellery & retail industry, we welcome your enquiry.

Mike & Carol Kurtyka

mike@thebead.co.uk 

btw - the Scottish Bead Fair was an important marker in our journey as it confirmed the strong interest and need for our store in Glasgow!

Hi guys,

I am a self taught jewellery artist living just outside Glasgow, I started out beading in 2003 when I joined the beadworkers guild. Since then I have taught myself a wide range of beading techniques, experimented with silver art clay and have also ventured into working with sterling silver, I have totally fallen in love with silver work and now focus most of my efforts producing beautiful unique sterling and semi precious gemstone peices.

I attend the bead show in perth this year, it was fantastic, I found so many delicous goodies to add to my stash, it has spurred me on to start developing my own website which I hope to have up and running asap. Its always a joy to meet up with other like minded people.

 

Sally x

Hi, I'm in Scotland too, on the North East coast. I work in polymer clay and acrylic and I also attended the bead fair in Perth.  It was so busy you could hardly get near the beads, so I'm sure that there are going to be lots more bead shops opening here!  I bought some beautiful lampwork from a girl called Annelyse Taylor.

Incidentally, I went to art college in Aberdeen in the late eighties and early nineties and at that time there was a bead shop in Holburn Street called The Bead Machine! 

At the moment, I make very colourful, funky finished pieces of jewellery and clocks, but I'm also keen to work on art beads.  So much I want to do, so little time to do it all...

Tracy x

www.quirkycat.co.uk

Hi Tracy. Really beautiful jewellery in your gallery. I agree with the point you make about so much to do and so little time. I would love to try lampwork and art clay but spend all my time on the accounts, ordering, kids, etc...! But I'd rather be involved in these things that I (still) enjoy full time, than just at the end of a long day.

Hi Tracy. I love your work and picked up your card at a 3D/2D show (still have it), probably 2006, at Glamis or Scone when I was selling my Gem Kist jewellery.

 High time that bead shop of your was opened in Glasgow Mike :)

Corrections to my previous post: Bead Crazy in Aberdeen and Perth is owned by Maxine, next Scottish Bead Fair in Perth is on Sunday 31st August 2008, 11 - 5pm. Well worth a visit for anyone in the area, or even within 200 miles. Come and say Hi to me at my Beadsite stall if you read this.

 

Hello, I'm Scottish! Although I haven't lived in Scotland for twenty years (nae midges:-)! ) 

 Your work is lovely Aileen, particularly the Lady Macbeth piece.

Hello everybody,

I'm thinking about coming to Scotland to study jewellery design. Can anyone suggest a good school to go to? It doesn't need to be a university, even just small community classes or something would be sufficient. I'm really interested in North Glasgow College, but I'm planning on staying near Alloa, and haven't found any schools near there. Any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch in advance!

 Alloa is pretty small as you may know. Stirling (where I was brought up) is much bigger and just 7 miles away. Your best bet might be to contact someone through the site http://www.stirling.co.uk/education/index.htm. There is also Busy Bee crafts in Alloa 01259 720111 Perhaps they can put you in touch with local crafters who could help. Good luck.

not from Scotlans but live in London and I have family way up your side of the world in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

 

Hi,

 I'm from Fife, can see Edinburgh across the Forth from my window, not that I should be looking out the window, I'm supposed to be making bridesmaid's presents and a silver tiara for my niece's wedding,

 I used to go the beading group in Glasgow, maybe I saw some of you there, or at Perth, but I haven't been able to go for a while.  Nowadays I mostly do silver stuff, with occasionally a little gold accent.

I would like to try panning for gold, but I'd need to find out about the necessary permits.  My husband's late uncle panned for the gold for his wife's wedding ring in Leadhills ( I imagine he would have to have started long before they even met)  and he had another little phial of gold he was adding to make something else, so it is possible to get your own gold out of Scottish rivers!

 Margaret

Hilary

Greetings from a fellow Scot... Actually I'm not sure I qualify any more, having lived in London (boo, hiss!) for the last twenty something years. Came down in 1986 for a year to 'see what it's like'.  Still here.  Been a long year.

 I started making jewellery a couple of years ago and fit it in between looking after my 17 month old daughter and the rest of my life, which includes part time work for an education authority, singing and drinking wine.

 Good to meet some fellow Scots and friendly souls on t'internet.  Maybe we can share inspiration.

 All the best.

Wendy

Born and bred in Glasgow but moved down to Hampshire many years ago but still call Glesga hame:)