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Are you a Bead Addict? Do you have Bead Fever? Bead shopping in London is a sure cure. London has some fabulous bead shops. Here is your London Bead Shop Guide, compliments of London Black Taxis.

The Bead Shop London

www.beadshop.co.uk
21A Tower Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NS
020 7240 0931
(Off Upper St. Martin’s Lane. Closest Underground Stations are Covent Garden & Leicester Square.)

They say that they have “the finest bead shopping experience in Europe.” Their splendid shop has two floors stocked with everything from Swarovski crystals to semi-precious beads and sterling silver.

With its direct access to the Group’s warehouse and its convenient Central London location, the Bead Shop offers a vast range of beads and ancillary products. For more than thirty years, they have served discerning designers of jewellery and other accessories. They aim to provide quality products at reasonable prices to creative adventurers.

They have online shopping, too, at www.beadworks.co.uk

They also offer classes with Emma at www.insidethejewellerybox.com

What are people saying about The Bead Shop London? Here is a link to: Customer reviews, as listed on Google

London Bead Shop

www.londonbeadshop.co.uk
24 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LN
020 7379 9214
(Closest Underground Station is Covent Garden)

They have a variety of glass, wooden and acrylic beads. However, their website was down at the time of this writing, so I couldn’t get more information. Let’s hope they remedy that situation soon.

I have personally been to the London Bead Shop. I purchased some very nice Venetian style glass hearts. Not sure if they were truly Venetian and the shop attendant didn’t know either but they were very nice and reasonably priced.

What are people saying about The London Bead Shop? Here is a link to: Customer reviews, as listed on Google

Bead Aura Ltd

www.beadaura.co.uk
3 Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DP
020 7836 3002
(Nearest Tube: Covent Garden)

They have beads ranging from glass to metal, enamel to wood, plastic to shells as well as pearls, crystals and semi-precious stones. The beads and other findings are supplied from all over the world, including America, Germany, India, China, and the UK. If you like the idea of making your own jewellery but are not very experienced, they have staff who can give you advice.

I have personally been to Bead Aura. Although it is a smallish shop, they have a good selection. I especially like their stock of gemstone and shell beads, many of which you can buy in singles, rather than an entire string. Being located in quiet and trendy Neals Yard, it has cafes and restaurants nearby where you can have a snack while happily looking over your purchases.

Their online shops is www.beadaura.co.uk/shop

What are people saying about Bead Aura? Here is a link to: Customer reviews, as listed on Google

The London Bead Co.

www.londonbeadco.co.uk
339 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 2TJ
020 7267 9403 or 020 7482 3687
(Opposite Kentish Town Tube and Rail Stations)

From a history of retailing beads and needlecraft for over 25 years, they pride themselves in being the largest needlecraft shop in London with huge thread and bead ranges and offering a comprehensive background knowledge of all the products they stock. They are also one of the foremost suppliers of Swarovski Crystal Beads, Pendants and Stones and maintain an excellent selection and stock of colours, sizes and shapes of these sparkling crystals. They also carry in stock some several hundred colours in size 11/0 Delicas and a selection of the colours are also available in size 8/0 Double Delicas!

They offer classes with Alexandra Kidd, who has 21 years experience and is an author of two books: “Beautiful Beads and Beading on a Loom”.

They also have secure online shopping at www.londonbeadco.co.uk/shopping

Buffy’s Beads

www.buffysbeads.com
2nd Floor, 2.3 Kingly Court, off Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW
020 7494 2323
(Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus)

Buffy’s has gemstone beads, freshwater pearls, Czech crystal beads, Swarovski crystals, Mother of Pearl beads & pendants, sterling silver & gold filled findings, tools, threads and storage–all at great prices.

Buffy’s Beads was started in 2003 by Rosie and Andrew Pollard. A jewellery designer / maker herself, Rosie was always on the lookout for good quality beads at reasonable prices. She found that many shops in the U.K. charged very high prices and most bead websites were not U.K. based (hence big delivery & duty charges) and only offered glass or other less exclusive beads. So Rosie and Andrew decided to fill the gap in the market! After many months of reseach, phone calls, e-mails and visits abroad to suppliers, Buffy’s Beads was created and named after Rosie’s cat.

Best of all, they are open 7 days a week!

Although they don’t have an actual on-line shop, you can order from them via phone or email.

Buffy’s also has another shop in Colchester, Essex.

Creative Bead Craft

www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk
1 Marshall Street, London W1F 9BA
020 7734 1982
(Nearest tubes: Oxford Circus or Picadilly Circus)

Have a Beady Day Out in London!

As we find more bead shops in London, we will be adding them to our list. So stay tuned! Let us know about your favourite shop and we will include them.

Although internet bead shopping is convenient and cost-effective, there is nothing like a good nose around a really fine bead store, and London has some of the finest to offer. So get on the train or tube and come on in!
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• by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
• online – use our booking form
• or send us a message with any questions you might have

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+44 (0)7779 336 612

Book one of our Licensed London Black Taxis Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

London Black Taxis was proud to be invited to be  invloved in Peter Jones’s annual charity event.
This year it was in favour of Colon Cancer Charity.
We were asked to take three lovely ladies from their department store in Sloane Square SW1 to the John Lewis Department store at Bluewater carrying an iconic baton which will be passed onto every John Lewis Partnership store in the country and eventually it will end up in Edinburgh.
It was indeed a pleasure and a privilage to be involved and hope that a considerable amount of money will be raised for the charity.
Naturally, London Black Taxis will be making it’s own donation to the charity.

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• by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
• online – use our booking form and enter “Filming/Production” in the Special Instructions box
• or send us a message with any questions you might have

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Spend your day shopping in style and comfort with London Black Taxis.net.  Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

During London Fashion Week , Burberry (showing in London for the first time in more than ten years) had a perfectly-produced collection. Creative director Christopher Bailey’s talent shone. This was a lovely show including the iconic trench coat in the most gorgeous garden colours as well as the odd flash of silver to acknowledge British fashion’s very own silver jubilee. “Twisted Classics” (shown above) featured coats, dresses and skirts–all cut to no longer than mid-thigh and ruched, pleated and knotted around the body to girlish but never sickly-sweet effect.

The British Fashion Council, with more than half the shows, were gathered in the grand Somerset House on the Strand.

Elsewhere, attendees were treated to collections at the Guildhall (for House of Holland), a deconsecrated Polish church (for Antonio Berardi), the Royal Opera House (for Nicole Farhi) and Whitehall (for Roksanda Ilincic).

The international press attended:  Anna Wintour, Glenda Bailey and Carine Roitfeld all made an appearance.

Marios Schwab’s collection was one of the most accomplished of the week. Schwab, a conceptually–led designer, is newly installed at the New York label Halston and will show his first offering for that label next season.

Louise Goldin patchworked pale and interesting fabrics. Goldin is also now responsible for a capsule collection for Ballantyne.

Christopher Kane is a designer who can change his look each season and his work doesn’t look like anyone else’s. His collection was light, pretty and highly flirtatious in flavour.  Kane has a consultancy with Versus. Donatella Versace, perching front row, must have been pleased with her choice.

Luella Bartley’s collection was the quintessentially London girl in spirit.

See more of the highlights of the week at www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

For your upcoming shopping trip around London, we offer a First Class Taxi Service.  Spend your day shopping in style and comfort with London Black Taxis.net

To Book:

• by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
• online – use our booking form and enter “First Class Service for a shopping trip around London” in the Special Instructions box
• or send us a message with any questions you might have

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Plans to destroy the popular Elephant and Castle landmark have been scrapped after Southwark council decided to rehouse the 6ft figure in the heart of the planned £1.5bn development

One of the most iconic ­statues in London has been saved from the scrap heap.

The Elephant and Castle figure has stood guard over the dated south London shopping ­centre of the same name since the 1960s.

Now Southwark council has pledged to preserve the 6ft red elephant, despite having given the go-ahead to an ambitious £1.5bn regeneration scheme that would see the centre demolished.

The statue will be rehoused at the heart of the new development, which will include 5,200 homes and a new shopping area.

A council spokesman said: “The statue was due to be ­removed and broken up. But it is such an iconic piece of street furniture that we know holds a special place in local ­residents’ hearts.”

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There are still some corners of London where quirky fashion, contemporary art, & cultural food thrives.

Go East to find areas that thrive with items crafted by young British designers. Brick Lane is one of those areas.

An old building that used to be the Truman Brewery stands out from the rest of the street and is packed with independent shops. The Truman Brewery has been an important creative and cultural hub.

One shop at the old brewery sells clothing made out recycled material. You can make a one-of-a-kind item from one of your old garments; just bring it to the shop and the designer will make it into a new item for you. Other shops sell vintage clothing. You can get an East London Quirky Shopping guide from visitlondon.com

Many shops in the area encourage young designers to display their collections by offering affordable rental rates, allowing talent scouts from major chains to find budding designers.

Besides Brick Lane and the Truman Brewery, East London has several neighborhoods boasting dozens of independent shops. Socially aware shoppers can buy a wedge card from www.wedgecard.co.uk for 10 pounds, of which 5 goes to a local charity. The card allows you to support local shops while obtaining special offers and discounts from over 150 businesses in the East End.

Apart from shopping, East London is also increasingly known for contemporary art, with many galleries, museums and shops. With more than 80 art galleries, there’s something for everyone’s taste in the East End. Don’t miss the famous WhiteCube and Whitechapel Art Gallery, but also look out for hidden gems scattered all around this area waiting to be discovered. Dozens of the area’s galleries host cultural events and contemporary art exhibitions.

And talk about food! If you’re after comfort food, Brick Lane is THE place for bagels and baltis. If you are craving a curry or just need a quick bite, head for the famous Brick Lane Beigel Bake, which is ALWAYS open–24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (You are sure to see one or two London Black Taxi drivers in there at any time of the day or night!)

At visitlondon.com, you can download a guide called DIY East that will show you where to find East London’s quirky fashion, comtemporary art, and posh (and not so posh) nosh.

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Prior to the makeover, Liberty’s layout felt cluttered and slightly claustrophobic. Without losing retail space the shop has been transformed by the use of big mirrors, revealing windows and removing doors. The space is dotted with comfy sofas, creating calm zones for shoppers and their companions to take a breather and relax. Original design features of the six-floor store, like the wood paneling taken from two former Royal Navy ships and a central atrium, remain.

Liberty, located in Central London’s Regent Street, was founded by Arthur Lazenby in 1875 as an oriental-import emporium. Over the years, fabrics, furnishings and decoration departments were introduced as well as jewelry, arts and crafts, and cosmetics, with a particular emphasis on eccentricity. No less an trendsetter than Oscar Wilde once described it as “the chosen resort of the artistic shopper.”

Liberty has a history of collaborating with influential artists. Soon after it opened artists and designers like Aubrey Beardsley, Paul Poiret and Dante Gabriel Rossetti helped produce its first range of floral prints. That relationship between store and artist has continued: The Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry — whose public alter ego, Claire, is a proud devotee of the store — is one of six contemporary artists working on the current range of fabrics. One of his designs is made up of a tangle of bicycles, another is inspired by the recent BBC costume drama “Cranford.”

For anyone who wants to create their own designs there is a fabric, knitting wool and haberdashery section. Knitting, crochet, patchwork, sewing and ragdoll-making lessons are bookable.

A respite from retail therapy can be taken in any of the 3 eateries within the store: a champagne and oyster bar; a tea room; and Café Liberty.

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