welcome to bellamy hill designs
Our range of handcrafted bead jewellery are stunning original pieces with fascinating historical interest.

Every Bellamy Hill Designs creation is handcrafted by renowned artist Margaret Bellamy, using exquisite Historical and Vintage glass and crystal beads collected on her extensive travels throughout the world.

Margaret is based on the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales and travels each year to Europe, the Americas and other parts choosing the rarest and most desirable Historic and Vintage beads, to incorporate into her unique designs.

historical trade beads

The most important chapter in the story of beads from the 16th to 20th Century belongs to the European Glass bead industry. During this period, most explorers, traders and missionaries carried glass beads with them as gifts or objects of barter.

So when you purchase a piece of jewellery made from these beads, you are purchasing a small piece of history. As these beads are old, their imperfections are indicative of their uniqueness and thus enhance their value.

vintage glass beads

The earliest and most renowned European Glass Beadmaking centre was in Venice. Although glass factories existed in Bohemia, France, Switzerland, Belgium, England and Germany, Venetian glass makers dominated the world market in volume, quality and diversity until the 20th Century.

When you purchase a piece from Bellamy Hill Designs, the history of the beads that create the piece is included in the package.