Willowby & Thread

Colour, thoughtfully strung by hand

We make beaded jewellery in a small English studio. Each piece is strung at the bench, put in a box and posted to wherever in the world it needs to go.

Browse the collection
01 — Our storyNottingham studio

Handwork, from the first bead to the clasp

Everything we make is done by hand, start to finish. We choose the beads, string them, finish each piece off, fit the clasp and then look closely at how it all sits together. Working slowly and deliberately like this is the difference between handcrafted jewellery and something churned out by a machine.

We make pieces to last. The colour matters, the fit matters and the clasp matters. Our aim is to make something that suits you and the occasion you have in mind, keep it simple, and send it to you wherever you live.

Strands of coloured beads laid out at the studio bench
Plate 1Beads sorted and ready for stringing at the bench.

We judge how we are doing by something simple. It is when a customer comes back for their next piece, and when our jewellery gets worn to the days that matter and is still being kept years later. To us, that is what handmade is really worth.

02 — The piecesWhat we make

What comes off the bench

Most of what we make falls into a handful of familiar shapes. Each one is strung by hand, and nearly all of them can be made in colours and lengths you choose.

Necklaces

Strung one at a time

Every beaded necklace is threaded by hand at the studio. They start from £38, and you can ask for your own colours or length.

Bracelets

For every day

Made to be put on in the morning and forgotten about. Bracelets start from £22, with custom options if you want them.

Earrings

Light and fine

Small beaded earrings, carefully made and light enough to wear all day.

Anklets

Made as a pair

Our anklets are designed to be worn together, one on each side.

Gift sets

Necklace and bracelet, boxed together

A matching pair, put together in one box and ready to hand over.

To order

Strung just for you

Tell us the colours and length you have in mind and we will make the piece individually. Pricing is on request.

A selection of handmade beaded necklaces and bracelets
Plate 2Necklaces and bracelets from recent work.

People come to us for all sorts of reasons. Some want something for a wedding or a milestone birthday. Some are buying a gift. Others just like colour that has been chosen with some thought. All of it is finished carefully so it sits properly and holds up to being worn.

The best test of a handmade piece is whether it is still being worn years after the day it was bought for.
— At the studio bench
03 — At the benchPictures & process

How a piece is made and sent

The work starts with choosing beads. We pick the colours that suit the piece, or the ones you have asked for, and lay them out before anything is threaded.

Close view of beads being threaded by hand
Plate 3Threading.
A finished beaded bracelet with its clasp
Plate 4Clasp fitted.

Stringing comes next, then finishing. We fit the clasp, check the length and look at how the piece lies when it is worn. If something doesn't sit right, we fix it before it goes any further.

Nothing is left out. Every piece goes into a box, so it arrives ready to wear or to give away.

Beaded earrings in soft colours
Plate 5Earrings.
A pair of beaded anklets
Plate 6Anklets.
A boxed necklace and bracelet gift set
Plate 7Gift set.

Then we pack it. Each parcel is wrapped by hand here in England and posted to customers all over the world. If you are not sure whether we deliver to you, ask and we will tell you.

Packed jewellery boxes ready for posting
Plate 8Boxed, wrapped and ready to post.

What it costs

Prices depend on the piece and on how much custom work it needs. These are the starting points.

Bracelet

from £22

Handcrafted, boxed and ready to give. Shipped worldwide, with custom options available.

Necklace

from £38

Handcrafted, boxed and ready to give. Shipped worldwide, with custom options available.

Made to order

on request

Your colours and length, made by hand, boxed for giving and shipped worldwide.

04 — QuestionsBefore you order

Things people tend to ask

How do I order?

Get in touch and tell us what you would like. We will confirm the piece, the price and how it will be delivered.

Can you use my colours?

Yes. We string pieces in the colours and length you pick, whether it's a gift or a keepsake. Tell us what you like and we will help you settle on it.

Loose beads grouped by colour in small dishes
Plate 9Choosing colours for a custom order.

Do you make wedding sets?

Yes. We make matching pieces for wedding parties. Tell us what you need and we will suggest a few options and send you a quote.

How long does it take?

Everything is strung by hand and custom orders are made one at a time, so there is a lead time. We will tell you what to expect when you order.

Does it come boxed?

Yes. Every piece arrives in a box, ready to wear or give as a present.

Do you ship abroad?

Yes. We post from our studio in England to customers worldwide, and every parcel is packed by hand. Tell us where you are and we will confirm delivery.

05 — Get in touchEnquiries

Ask about a piece

Want beaded jewellery made properly? Tell us what you have in mind: a colour, an occasion or a piece from the collection. Leave your name and number and we will call you back to talk it through.

Studio
High Street 17, B5 2BD Nottingham
Shipping
Worldwide

We will talk through the details and agree the piece and price with you before anything is made.

Ask about a pieceMessage us