Bead fusion

Situated in a converted turn-of-the-century building in Nolan Street, Bead fusion is Maryborough's (VIC) only specialised bead store. Run by Liesbeth Long – “Call me Inge” – the shop is a glass fronted jewellery box – glowing with dazzling colours from beads, gemstones, Venetian glass and more.

Bead fusion provides everything from basic jewellery making supplies – glass beads, pearls, fun and fashionable – to individual handmade items. But no plastics. Inge explains, “Life’s too short for plastic beads.”

Inge has always loved craft. She was helping her father make bronze sculptures at four. She lives on a farm in the beautiful rolling farmlands between Bendigo and Ballarat. And she has always loved beads.

When the idea to open a shop dedicated to her passion hit her, she spent six months ensuring it would be “set up right”.

“It was always going to be green,” she explains.

Bead fusion uses GreenPower, an LPG heater and energy efficient lights. This included the installation of 7 watt globes and replacing all the fluoros with 36 watt daylight tubes.

An open door in the morning allows the cool fresh air in – so, except for the really hot days, the air conditioner only gets a run for a few hours in the afternoon.

When she shuts up shop for the evening, Inge turns off all the appliances – except the fridge – at the wall. This even includes the phone, with calls diverted to her answering machine.

The set up of the shop reflects Inge’s sense for sustainability. She recycles all the rubbish and – except for small reused zip-lock bags for the findings – uses no plastic bags.

“It’s all paper and green shopping bags – I detest plastic and what it does to the environment.”

Although Bead fusion has been green from the beginning – Inge’s GreenPower sticker is proudly displayed in the window – the routine didn’t automatically happen. “Like any habit, I slipped up a few times at the start, but once you get into it, the green routine is as easy as doing the till or locking the door.”

Her message to other small or medium businesses thinking of going green?

“Do it. Once you get the habit, it’s easy. Go green. And stay away from plastic!”