How It All Began - Unveiling My Beadscapade's Story

Four years ago, I embarked on my solopreneur journey, first as a virtual assistant, and now with my latest venture, Beadscapade – a handmade jewellery online shop that blends my creativity with passion.

MY STORY:

At Beadscapade, I weave a story passed down through generations. My journey in crafting handmade beaded jewellery began in childhood - growing up in the sunny Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba 🇦🇼 - with the cherished memories of my dear mother, whose love for her favourite icon, Audrey Hepburn’s timeless grace and elegance, shaped my aesthetic sensibilities from an early age. From a young age, I found solace in collecting the tiny treasures of vintage shops - colourful stones and beads that would later inspire my craft.


MY INSPIRATIONS:

Throughout my teenage years, I kept immersing myself in the art of beadwork, fueled by the encouragement of my parents, especially my dear mother, who nurtured my creative spirit with thoughtful gifts of beautiful beaded kits. Hours would melt away as I lost myself in the intricate patterns of bracelets and necklaces, each creation a testament to the boundless possibilities of imagination. But my inspirations don’t end there. Rooted in history and Chinese culture, bead bracelets hold symbolic significance, promising luck, prosperity, and protection—echoing centuries of tradition and belief.


EXPERIENCES:

As life led me through university and then into the corporate world — despite my innate creativity, there came a time when the spark faded, not only due to the rush of everyday demands but due to facing the loss of my dear grandmother (2008), my beloved mother (2009) and followed by my dear father (2018), as well as a journey of failed IVF and continued infertility struggles. Yet, as many years passed and I ventured into middle adulthood (43), I found myself yearning for the tranquillity, and fulfilment that came from crafting with my own hands, and to reconnect with my artistic soul. I felt my mother's presence beckoning me back to the craft that once brought us together, and to keep the hope. And so, Beadscapade came into existence.💫

Returning to my craft brought a sense of peace and purpose, rekindling a fire that had long lay dormant. With each bead meticulously strung, I found solace and rediscovered a part of myself that had been buried beneath the loss, pain, and the hustle and bustle of life.


MEANINGFUL:

Beadscapade is more than just a small online shop — each piece is meticulously handcrafted by myself with passion and precision, merging my creativity, simplicity, and classic design with modern elegance, embodying sustainable sophistication. At Beadscapade, I focus more on designing and handcrafting dainty and minimalist jewellery pieces which represent simplicity, elegance, and femininity - symbolising a sense of grace and refinement. Behind Beadscapade, I believe that every woman deserves to feel intelligent, beautiful, hopeful, and strong, without compromising on style or budget. My carefully handmade pieces hold not only cultural significance but also hope for women who are dealing with infertility and loss, and of course, for mamas too.

Each of my handmade pieces holds as well a personal value, destined to become cherished heirlooms passed down through generations. Beadscapade is a reflection of empowerment and confidence. With every piece, I aspire to offer not just adornment, but a reminder of inner strength, beauty, and hope — a reminder of the beauty that exists in simplicity.

Through Beadscapade, I aspire to share this journey with women everywhere, offering jewellery that not only adorns but uplifts. From everyday elegance to moments of self-expression, each piece is crafted with intention - to inspire confidence, foster connection, and hope, and spread a little more beauty in the world. Designing and using my creativity again felt so good and planted a seed in my heart.

Driven by a passion for creating, I pour my heart into every aspect of Beadscapade — I'm a one-person operation, which means I run my online shop by myself; I am in charge of designing, creating, merchandising, photography, packaging, mailing and everything else that goes into running an online shop. I put my whole heart into it! I believe in quality over quantity, which is why I don't engage in mass production. Each creation holds a special place in my heart, making it a treasure for those who cherish the beauty of handcrafted artistry.

My customers' support is what fuels my dream and inspires me to continue crafting stories through my bead designs.

I welcome you into my world of Beadscapade and I hope you find some pieces you love here - ones that you can wear time and time again!

If you haven't done so yet, feel free to join me on Instagram and Facebook, where I unveil new creations and collections before they are listed on my Etsy shop.

⚜️ Instagram: @beadscapade

⚜️ Facebook: @beadscapade

⚜️ Etsy Shop: @beadscapade