Made in Scotland: How Glamorous by Bea Is Beading Her Way into Hearts and History

There’s something quietly powerful about turning ordinary moments into beauty. About sitting at a table, threading beads together, and somehow creating a piece that makes someone else feel seen, elegant, and proud. That’s the magic behind Glamorous by Bea, a handcrafted accessories brand founded by Edinburgh-based creative, Beatrice, who has built a business that’s as purposeful as it is beautiful.

Born in Ghana, Beatrice’s story begins in 2016, at a point when life demanded a pause. She had just had two girls barely a year apart and the demands of childcare forced her to leave her nine-to-five job. “I got extremely bored,” she recalls with a laugh. “Then one day, I went to the market and saw a woman beading. It fascinated me. I thought, “I can actually do this from home while taking care of my kids.”

What started as a hobby, making beaded bags for family and friends, soon became something bigger. The compliments came first, “This is lovely, this is colourful”, then the orders. When she moved to Scotland in 2019 as a student, she carried the dream along with her.

Today, that quiet passion has grown into Glamorous by Bea, a brand crafting elegant, high-quality beaded bags and accessories, each piece made by hand, with precision, colour and care.

From Kitchen Table to Creative Enterprise

Beatrice never imagined her pastime would evolve into a full-fledged brand. “To be honest, no. It was just something to keep me busy,” she says. But purpose has a way of finding you, even when you’re not looking.

Her daughters, now 12 and 13, help her with the designs. “They’re my business partners now,” she smiles. The family touch isn’t just sentimental; it’s the foundation of a legacy being built bead by bead.

Being based in Edinburgh has also shaped her creative vision. “It’s opened me up to new markets,” she explains. “I’ve met other creatives, learnt how to manage things better, and it’s helped me think bigger, new partnerships, new designs.”

Building with Purpose

Beyond beauty, Beatrice is intentional about impact. “Every purchase from me, 1% goes toward empowering men and women who want to acquire creative skills, not just beading,” she shares. “We started last year in Ghana and have helped about 12 people so far. Next year, we plan to start a pilot in Scotland too.”

Her business, she says, is built on teamwork and gratitude. “I used to do everything alone, but now I have a team helping with strategy, branding and growth.”

The Creative Process

Ask her what inspires her, and she’ll tell you, everything. “Colours, shapes, nature, people. I once saw a Polish woman with a vintage bag from her granny and recreated something similar. Even autumn leaves inspire me, the browns, the textures. Inspiration is everywhere.”

Each design begins with a spark, an idea from a pattern or moment and turns into an elegant, hand-beaded masterpiece. “Sometimes clients ask for custom pieces depending on their occasion, so I tailor each one uniquely.”

And no, these aren’t just for parties. “You can wear them anywhere! I make office-appropriate ones with smaller beads so they look subtle and classy. My Scottish colleagues carry them to work all the time,” she laughs.

Faith, Resilience, and Audacity

For Beatrice, her craft is more than art, it’s worship. “I relate it to the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. God gave me this talent, and when people see it and glorify Him, that’s worship.”

But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. “Sometimes people don’t understand the craft they see it as foreign. And then there’s access: getting into festivals or fairs can be tough. I’ve had so many ‘no’s’ from councils.”

Still, she presses on. “No doesn’t mean never it means next opportunity,” she says with conviction. “If God says yes, no one can say no.”

What’s Next

The future of Glamorous by B looks radiant. Beatrice plans to expand globally, host creative workshops, and continue supporting other artisans through training and mentorship. “Beading is relaxing, it helps with mental health. When I’m beading, I’m in my own world,” she says.

Her message to other creatives? “Show off what your Father in heaven has given you. Be audacious. Don’t care about negativity. Just get on with it.”

And that’s the spirit of Made in Scotland, bold, rooted, and beautifully unshakeable.

Want to feature or connect with more inspiring Black-owned brands across Scotland?

Send us an email at info@heartsonglive.co.uk.  We’d love to hear from you.

“Adapted by Praise Afolabi based on an interview by Eloho Efemuai, host of Arise with Eloho”