The Bead Shop Ltd

The Bead Shop: beads and jewellery-making materials in Manchester since 1993

The Bead Shop Ltd is a British supplier specialising in beads and jewellery-making supplies. The company presents itself as the UK's original bead supplier and has operated from Manchester since 1993, according to its own website. Over those three decades it has served customers worldwide, and its catalogue combines everyday beads with more specialised materials for jewellery projects.

Beads and bead catalogue

The bead range is organised by product families. Glass beads include 4, 6 and 8 mm Czech faceted beads, crackle beads, Czech glass micro spacers, Czech glass shape beads, Super Duo beads, 5x16 mm dagger beads, faceted glass drops, faceted glass rondelle beads, millefiori beads, neon beads and Czech glass pastel beads. The range also includes Preciosa crystal —bicones and 5x7 mm pip beads— and a Swarovski section with bicones, beads, pearls, flat backs, pendants and hearts, plus a last-chance-to-buy section.

The semi-precious stone catalogue brings together mixes, tumble stones and varieties such as agate, amazonite, amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, cubic zirconia, fluorite, freshwater pearls, goldstone, hematite, jasper, labradorite, lava rock, mookaite, obsidian, quartz, rhodonite, ruby zoisite, sodalite, tiger eye, turquoise and unakite. Seed beads include Matubo SuperDuo, Mini GemDuo, Miyuki in 4 mm cube, Delica 11/0, Magatama, seed 11/0, 6/0 and 8/0, Tila, and the Preciosa references bugle, Candy 2-hole, 5x7 mm pip and seed in 10/0, 11/0, 2/0, 6/0 and 8/0 sizes.

The range is completed by plastic beads —gummy bear, letter, mixes, macaroni style, spacer, pony, silicone and single letter bead packs—, metal beads and spacers, charms in various themes (angel wing, animal, bee, birthstone, enamelled, heart, leaf, love, metal, sterling silver, stainless steel, star and moon), and pendants in acrylic, animal, antique bronze, earring, enamelled, glass, metal, semi-precious, stainless steel, tarot and horoscope, tassel and yoga and spiritual styles. There are also sections for Christmas products, Halloween beads and pendants, pearls, mixed beads, wooden beads, polymer clay beads and cabochons.

Jewellery-making and craft supplies

Alongside beads, the shop sells a wide range of materials for jewellery assembly. Findings include bead caps, bolt rings, brooch findings, flat back and pendant cameo mounts, charm bracelets, crimp beads and crimp covers, cufflink blanks, Cymbal metal elements, dividers, butterfly earring backs, earring clasps and connectors, earring findings —including clip on and screw on—, earring hooks, earring posts, jewellery clasps and ready-made jewellery clasps, sterling silver findings, eye pins, extension chains, hairclip blanks, head pins, cord end fasteners, jump rings, necklace chokers, pendant bails, ring bases, spiral pendants, split rings, tiara bands and wire guardians. Findings can be filtered by colour: sterling silver, 14K gold, silver, gold, black, brass, copper, antique silver, antique gold, antique brass, antique copper and rose gold.

Stringing materials include Beadalon beading wire, beading thread, Beadsmith S-Lon Japan, Superlon Tex45 and Tex210, Chinese knotting cord, craft wire, faux suede cord, Fireline thread, Griffin silk bead cord, hemp cord, jewellery chain, jewellery tube, kumihimo, leather cord, memory wire, monofilament, nylon cord, necklace chains and chokers, nylon thread, Nymo beading thread, pleather cord, rattail, stretch elastic, Stretch Magic, suede cord, tiger tail wire, waxed cotton cord, waxed linen and waxed polyester cord.

The other supplies section includes bag and phone accessories, bead mats and bead spinners, bead storage boxes, beading boards and beading looms, beading needles, reamers and files, cleaning and care products, jewellery glue, jewellery-making books, jewellery-making tools and plier sets, kumihimo, jewellery gift bags, shears and scissors, tweezers and threaders, and wire work tools. The shop also offers jewellery kits and a new products section and a sale section.

Featured brands and materials

The catalogue combines recognised brands and manufacturers in the sector, including Swarovski, Preciosa, Miyuki, Matubo, Beadalon, Beadsmith, Fireline, Griffin, Nymo and Stretch Magic. The company presents itself as a bead supplies specialist and states that it sources 'unique and stylish' beads from around the world, with new products constantly added.

Customer service and learning resources

The company describes itself as a family business with three decades of activity and offers free post over £30, according to information on its website. It has a jewellery-making blog with practical guides on common stringing techniques, aimed at beginners and those who want to deepen their hobby. The shop also presents itself as a point of advice for choosing the right findings for each project. The site shows a 30-day money-back guarantee and allows customers to manage withdrawal from the contract.

Corporate and contact details

The Bead Shop Ltd has its registered office at Granmore Building, 186 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LW. Its company registration number is 4402181 and its VAT number is 812506460. The company handles enquiries by phone and email, and its catalogue is sold online with prices in pounds sterling, euros and dollars.

Granmore Building, 186 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LW · Phone: 0161 274 4040 · Email: sales@the-beadshop.co.uk