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)

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  • Blue beaded necklace with chunky African glass and handmade clay beads

    Blue beaded necklace with c...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £38.00

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  • Beaded necklace with blue and white beads

    Beaded necklace with blue a...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

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  • Chunky black, red and yellow African glass bead necklace

    Chunky black, red and yello...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

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  • 27" Bead Collection Necklace with global antique, vintage and modern beads

    27" Bead Collection Necklac...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £55.00

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  • Venetian African trade bead earrings in green, white and red

    Venetian African trade bead...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

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  • 9 pink and yellow African tube beads of recycled glass approx 1.75 - 2cm long

    9 pink and yellow African t...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £2.50

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  • Walking Boots card, print of a mixed media collage

    Walking Boots card, print o...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £2.85

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  • Unisex chunky cord necklace with African brass lizard pendant

    Unisex chunky cord necklace...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00 £28.00 (20% off)

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  • African recycled glass disc beads, golden yellow, 10mm

    African recycled glass disc...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £12.00

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  • 50 opaque African recycled glass tube beads,

    50 opaque African recycled ...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £3.50

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  • 22" Ghana bead necklace, beads of recycled glass and brass with handmade clasp

    22" Ghana bead necklace, be...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £55.00

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  • Red and black bracelet with a rare Venetian African glass trade bead

    Red and black bracelet with...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

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  • millefiori bead necklace with vintage and modern beads

    millefiori bead necklace wi...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £38.00 £30.40 (20% off)

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  • Necklace with vintage agate and blue lustre beads

    Necklace with vintage agate...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £38.00 £19.00 (50% off)

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  • Necklace with vintage white agate and pale green beads

    Necklace with vintage white...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £38.00 £27.50 (28% off)

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  • Necklace with a large blue millefiori African trade beads

    Necklace with a large blue ...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £38.00 £25.00 (34% off)

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  • Black and yellow necklace with African trade beads

    Black and yellow necklace w...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £45.00 £30.00 (33% off)

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  • Green and silver necklace with West African recycled glass beads.

    Green and silver necklace w...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00 £25.00 (29% off)

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  • Man's adjustable bead bracelet with new and old African beads, blue and opaque

    Man's adjustable bead brace...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £25.00

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  • Mans bracelet with rare Venetian African trade beads and beads from West Africa

    Mans bracelet with rare Ven...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £48.00

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  • Man's or large bracelet with rare antique trade beads, vintage face beads

    Man's or large bracelet wit...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £46.00

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  • Antique Venetian trade beads necklace with bone and red marl beads Extendable

    Antique Venetian trade bead...

    The Curious Bead Company

    £35.00

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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!

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