Get all beady eyed at the new 'do it yourself' jewellery outlet in Dubai

Bead Palace and Accessories opened its doors this week to offer a wealth of ideas to UAE residents, ever on the lookout for novelty. A 'do it yourself' jewellery design and teaching centre, Bead Palace and Accessories, is a sprawling shop on the Beach Road in Jumeirah 3, where one can choose from a wide selection of beads and accessories to create personalised designs.

The dazzling spread of beads - smooth rounds and ovals, irregularly shaped or cylindrical, single or multi-coloured - from Canada, USA, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Turkey, Thailand, Mauritius, Iran, India, China and Oman is enough to keep one spoilt for choice.

Bead prices range from Dh1 to Dh1,000 and varieties include handmade as well as machine-made glass beads, Murano beads, polyester, plastic, silver and gold leaf and ceramic beads, and even bead of pearl and coral. Tools, threads and clasps are on sale.

Linda E. Mann, owner of Bead Palace, is a certified educational advisor and franchise specialist. She saw potential in the Canadian concept of a comprehensive bead outlet. "I felt that it was an important niche market since many people in the UAE use beads for accessories. Bead Palace offers latest techniques in bead designing and with thousands of beads, our customers will be able to create personalised pieces," says Linda.

Professionals with degrees in textile and jewellery design will conduct classes in beading and glass sculpture and bead-making techniques using Murano glass tubes from Italy. "We will also be bringing in guest artists throughout the year to give special workshopsfor concentrated periods, beginning next month," says Linda.

The age-old art of beading has the advantage of combining tradition with innovation. "The possibilities with beads are endless ‚ earrings, bracelets, pendants anklets and armbands to hair accessories to home decor, prayer beads or purses - beads can beautify everything," says Linda.

Another important aspect of beading is its therapeutic use for special-needs persons and Bead Palace has allowed for this element. "It assists with dexterity, eye-hand co-ordination as also in hand and finger movements in arthritis," explains Linda.