The co-owners of a beach-themed jewellery company – sisters and business partners Julie Fountain and Becky Bristow – will have the distinction of being the only British business exhibiting at the Sydney International Jewellery Fair later this month. “We will be travelling over 10,000 miles to connect with our perfect customers,” explains Julie.
The show, which runs from August 25 – 27 at the ICC, Sydney will play host to 154 jewellery businesses, with British-based Beach Art Glass eager to share their innovative glass bead jewellery with an international audience.
As Julie puts it: “We always knew we wanted to expand our business into countries that embrace beach culture, and we were over the moon to be awarded a generous grant by the Department for International Trade which has part-funded our international trip.
“We feel that Australia, with so many miles of coastline, and a welcoming attitude to British brands, is the perfect place to showcase our collections.”
Julie admits that it’s unusual for people to travel so far for a jewellery show, but both she and Becky want to share their unique, sea-inspired jewellery with shop owners and buyers in the beach-loving nation of Australia.
Julie, who admits to being passionate about her craft, heads up a small team of British ‘lampworkers’, the name given to the craft of melting and shaping rods of Italian glass to create individual glass beads. All pieces are handmade, with earrings, bracelets and pendants created using robust, heirloom quality glass beads and fine sterling silver.
Top: British company Beach Art Glass will be exhibiting at the Sydney International Jewellery Fair as the sole UK exhibitor.
