This weekend thousands of people are making their way across the Solent to the Isle of Wight festival – many planning to catch rock legend Bruce Springsteen live on stage. There’s been massive delays on the ferries, and cars have had to be towed on to the site with tractors due to epic flooding, and it’s June they tell us!
Not too far away from this legendary festival is situated a slightly smaller, but no less wonderful place… a shop called Purple Moon Beads. Based in Ventnor on the south side of the Island, owners Geoff and Pauline have just returned from their own exciting travels – thankfully arriving home safely before all the traffic chaos hit. The intrepid travellers went on what could be described as a Bead Pilgrimmage, to the far-off land of Wisconsin, USA. They went seeking knowledge and beads, which they found aplenty! Of course what I’m talking about is the renowned Bead & Button Show, which takes place every year in Milwaukee, WI. The pair had a fabulous trip and you can read all about their experience in Issue 40 of Bead, which goes on sale July 18. But for now here’s a few sneaky pics…
The festival season is now properly underway, with Download taking place two weeks ago – another wet and muddy one apparently! Bead reader Sandi Stephenson created this rockin’ tribute to her favourite band and wore it proudly when they hit the main stage at Donington Park...
If you're looking for festival friendly jewellery, macramé and stacker bracelets are the perfect festival accessories, particularly if you don’t include metal beads in your design. The cord, knotted clasps and lack of metal findings mean they can be worn for days on end, much more comfortably than most jewellery, and if you do decide to brave the shower blocks then they can get wet too…which also makes them perfect beach wear if you decide to forego the festivals and escape the British ‘summer’.
Check out my Macrame and Ghanaian Glass Bead stacker bracelet on Bead.TV for an easy to make bracelet. You can find this and more summery projects on my Nautical Wonders DVD too - which is now also available as a digital stream for just £3.99!
Happy Beading!
x Chloe x
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