
About
My name is Diva and I am the designer, maker, and owner of Bede. I am an artist, business owner, parent, and autistic human. When I was diagnosed as autistic at age 38, I made myself some fidget jewelry to celebrate. I enjoyed making it for myself and friends and family and decided to start my own business.
The word Bede is the old english spelling of Bead. It also means prayer. I found the connection between bead and prayer to be a relevant one. I am interested in the way humans have used jewelry for mental health throughout history. Both as a means of regulation (through prayer and worry beads and just general jingly dangly things to play with), a physical symbol of an intention like a protection amulet, as well as connecting people with their identity and culture.
Materials and Sourcing
Bede jewelry is handmade using a variety of materials including sterling silver, stainless steel, gemstones, glass, and mother of pearl. Materials used will be indicated on the product page. We are aware of the potential harm that mining and manufacturing these materials can cause toward workers and the environment. That is why we strive to use recycled, fair trade and/or low-impact materials. This designation will also be indicated on the product page. The supply chain of these materials is complex and often not transparent, but we will try our best for clear transparency and a low impact of harm with our products.