BEad Creative History

BEad CREATIVE was started in 2001 by Chris Clarke, and since then it has developed into a thriving party-plan business! In the beginning, apart from supporting Chris Clarke in her charity work with Saltmine Trust in Bulgaria, BEad CREATIVE was also responsible for beginning several "fair trade" style jewellery projects, helping needy Bulgarians earn an income rather than just receiving aid.

Initially, BEad CREATIVE helped to support those initiatives by supplying beads and findings, but since 2005 the projects have become self-sustaining and are now united under the name "KRASIF Bulgarian Craft."

In Bulgarian, krasif means beautiful. We encourage BEad CREATIVE workers to take a box of KRASIF charity jewellery to events as an additional line for sale. Now that KRASIF project is independent, BEad CREATIVE donates part of its profits to help support the Blue House Day Hospice and Care Centre in Sliven, Bulgaria, of which Chris Clarke, and her husband Brian, are both trustees.

This is one of the first hospice projects in the country. Although Bulgaria is not as such a "third world" country, it still has great needs. After breaking free from communism in 1990, as a nation they have struggled to get back on their feet.

Chris says…"I have found an amazing excitement at being able to merge three things that I have great passion for: First, being with people, for a fun and enjoyable time to get together; second, an avenue for my own creativity; and third an opportunity to help people in another nation that does not benefit from the wealth and opportunities that a country like England has!"