The Curious Bead Company

“Wearable collections of beads from Africa and beyond”

Shop Announcement:

I'm selling off some of my collection of unusual beads to make some space in my workshop, so if you love beads, please take a look

Shop collections

All items by The Curious Bead Company

  • Necklace with antique Venetian trade and new African glass beads

    Necklace with antique Venet...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £55.00 £44.00 (20% off)

    Love this item
  • Chunky black, red and yellow African glass bead necklace

    Chunky black, red and yello...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

    Love this item
  • 12 antique Venetian African trade beads

    12 antique Venetian African...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £13.50

    Love this item
  • Large millefiori trade beads

    Large millefiori trade beads

    The Curious Bead Company

    £7.00

    Love this item
  • 9 Giant blue African recycled glass beads

    9 Giant blue African recycl...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £8.50

    Love this item
  • 14 Giant aqua African recycled glass beads

    14 Giant aqua African recyc...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £12.50

    Love this item
  • a string of 34 large vintage Venetian glass beads

    a string of 34 large vintag...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £15.00

    Love this item
  • 14 red recycled glass beads from Africa

    14 red recycled glass beads...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £12.00

    Love this item
  • 10 African round beads of recycled bottle glass 13 - 15 mm, in blue green

    10 African round beads of r...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £2.50

    Love this item
  • 10 African round beads of recycled glass 13 - 15 mm, clear with golden brown

    10 African round beads of r...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £2.50

    Love this item
  • 5 extra large millefiori tube beads

    5 extra large millefiori tu...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £6.50

    Love this item
  • 15 Mexican bird beads

    15 Mexican bird beads

    The Curious Bead Company

    £7.50

    Love this item
  • 15 African round beads of recycled glass 13 - 15 mm, clear mottled with brown

    15 African round beads of r...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £3.50

    Love this item
  • Two giant end of day barrel shaped splatter beads

    Two giant end of day barrel...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £3.00

    Love this item
  • 8 VINTAGE Himalayan face beads

    8 VINTAGE Himalayan face beads

    The Curious Bead Company

    £6.00

    Love this item
  • 39 green powder glass beads with yellow stripe from Ghana

    39 green powder glass beads...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £7.00

    Love this item
  • A strand of chunky beads, mostly from Africa, for reuse

    A strand of chunky beads, m...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £7.00

    Love this item
  • Necklace with an African brass charm and prayer beads from Tibet

    Necklace with an African br...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00

    Love this item
  • Unisex chunky cord necklace with African brass lizard pendant

    Unisex chunky cord necklace...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00 £28.00 (20% off)

    Love this item
  • African recycled glass disc beads, golden yellow, 10mm

    African recycled glass disc...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £12.00

    Love this item
  • 50 opaque African recycled glass tube beads,

    50 opaque African recycled ...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £3.50

    Love this item
  • Cord necklace with rare old trade beads and African beads

    Cord necklace with rare old...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00 £25.00 (29% off)

    Love this item
  • 19" necklace with Himalayan chevron, teal glass and bronze tone beads

    19" necklace with Himalayan...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £28.00

    Love this item
  • Multicoloured necklace with African beads made from recycled glass

    Multicoloured necklace with...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00

    Love this item

About The Curious Bead Company

The Curious Bead Company

I make jewellery using vintage and antique beads from around the world, especially Africa.

I began collecting beads on my travels through Africa many years ago. I was fascinated by the unusual colours and textures of the local beads and wanted to know more. Then I discovered the Venetian trade beads that were sent out to Africa from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and used as currency. These beads are becoming increasingly rare and usually bear the scars of their age and extensive travels. I don't mind that. I see it as a part of their history and like to wonder how many times they have changed hands and where they have spent time before they came to me. One of the joys of putting the jewellery together is in knowing that these beautiful little treasures are being recylced and starting a new chapter in their lives. Where will they go next?
When you choose a piece of jewellery from the Curious Bead Company, you are buying little pieces of history and they are yours to enjoy until you pass them on. Take good care of them - they are precious!

Reviews

Average review score:
(100% positive from 10 reviews)
Show all →