Just like the perfect piece of jewellery, festivals are a natural fit for us! They’re about meeting new people, basking in nature, and soaking up the sun…perfect for our wanderlust-seeking, boho jewellery vibes.
We’ve found that festival-goers who love adventure and travel also connect deeply with handmade jewellery crafted from recycled metals; pieces designed to last, not just follow trends. For many, it’s not just about style, but also choosing sustainable jewellery that carries meaning and supports conscious living.
So, this summer we decided to hit the road with a mini version of our shop! We had the pleasure of trading at some incredible festivals; Glastonbury, Rock Oyster, Wilderness, Boardmasters, and Big Feastival and each stop brought new adventures, connections, great learnings and a bunch of new and very happy customers!
Glastonbury: The Iconic Kick-Off
Nothing quite compares to Glastonbury, a festival steeped in music history and sprawling over acres of lush Somerset countryside.
Setting up our stall here felt like a ritual in itself: staking out our spot, carefully arranging displays so gold and sterling silver pieces catch the light, and welcoming the first early risers with smiles!
Not to forget the beautiful sunsets and chatting with fellow traders and festival-goers, it’s incredible to see how much we share in common. People drawn to Glastonbury often love handmade jewellery with intention and story, friends couldn’t resist grabbing matching pendants, like our Hammered Gold Pendant Necklace. Or gifts for a loved one, especially for those who were luck enough to be celebrating a birthday or anniversary at Glasto!
We also found people loved the glittery subtleness of the cubic zirconia in our Hella Dainty Silver Star Bracelet. It’s a joy watching friends choose pieces they can treasure together, a little festival keepsake to take home.
We also noticed that our dainty triangle pendants quickly became a keepsake, resembling Glastonbury’s infamous Pyramid stage!
People seem to really appreciate our sustainable jewellery ethos, which is a big part of Glastonbury’s spirit. Festival-goers here are conscious about the impact of what they buy, from eco-friendly products to supporting independent brands that care about the planet.
Many visitors appreciated that our jewellery is made from recycled metals, and knowing each piece is designed to last, not just follow fleeting trends. It sparked great conversations about conscious fashion, slow living, and choosing items with meaning—values that align perfectly with our philosophy.
Recommended Read: What is Cubic Zirconia Jewellery?
Rock Oyster: Coastal Sunshine and Connections
Next up was Rock Oyster, a smaller coastal festival with that intimate, laid-back feel we adore and festival-goers who, like us, appreciate sustainable, thoughtful design!
Trialling some of our beaded designs worked beautifully here, and it was exciting to see how easily people gravitated toward matching rings or stacking bracelets..
It’s moments like these that remind us why festivals are the perfect space for Aquila: the shared love of travel, nature, and pieces that carry meaning.
People were loving the Gold Textured Square Hoop Earrings, as pictured below. They neatly hug the earlobe for a no-fuss festival look that still brings boho (and more).
Wilderness: Nature, Music and Handmade Magic
Wilderness is all about immersing yourself in the arts and outdoors, and it quickly became a favourite. Setting up the stall felt like creating a small boutique in the middle of a forest clearing, and chatting with neighbouring traders who share our ethos, made the experience even richer. The highlight was meeting some repeat customers from the year before who were already wearing our jewellery!
Festival-goers at Wilderness seemed to love the simplicity of some of our pieces,
Seeing people fall in love with our Tarutao Polished Gold ring, pairing it with their own rings was a highlight! They also loved the sentiment and story behind the ring.
There’s something magical about sharing Aquila’s story in a space where everyone is so connected to creativity and intentional living.
Recommended Read: Gold Vermeil vs Gold Plated Jewellery: Why Quality Matters
Boardmasters: Surf, Sun and Sea Breeze
Boardmasters in Cornwall is a mix of surfing, music, and coastal adventure, which makes it a natural fit for Aquila. Setting up a stall by the sea has its own challenges, sand, wind and the occasional curious seagull!
The vibe was relaxed yet vibrant, with festival-goers genuinely curious about our handmade jewellery collection and eager to hear the stories behind each design.
The coastal energy made our boho jewellery feel even more connected to nature, with many people drawn to our stall for its organic designs, neutral tones, and natural materials.
Our sterling silver pieces in particular shimmered against the backdrop of the ocean, catching the sunlight in a way that felt truly special. And because so many festival-goers care about conscious choices, it was inspiring to share Aquila’s commitment to sustainable jewellery, sparking conversations about slow fashion and buying with intention.
Boardmasters was the only festival where silver was the preferred metal, it seems gold is the favourite for many areas of the UK, I wonder if this trend is here to stay?!
Big Feastival: Wrapping Up the Tour
Finally, Big Feastival offered a slightly larger crowd but the same festival spirit we love. Setting up, arranging the pieces, and welcoming festival-goers felt like second nature after so many festivals before it!
We trialled beaded chokers this summer and the festivals were the perfect place to do this! Giving us ideas for future collections. By the end of the festival, it was clear: these spaces are perfect for Aquila because they attract people who care about intentional design, sustainability, and shared experiences.
They also appreciate quality, stories, and unique handmade jewellery that isn’t just rolled out of a factory. For many, sustainable jewellery is more than a trend, it’s a way to align style with values.
All in all…
As free spirits, we love escaping the shop to travel around the UK, especially in the warmer months.
These journeys remind us of Aquila’s beginnings, when we stumbled upon a village in Indonesia where artisans practiced the art of silversmithing with simple tools and age-old skills passed down through generations. That moment sparked a marriage of wanderlust and a passion for handmade jewellery, a feeling echoed at festivals, where exploration and adventure meet genuine connection.
Festivals are also a way to share our passion, meet new friends, and see how deeply our values resonate with others. There’s a unique joy in watching friends choose matching pieces, their reactions to the sentimental value clear to see because, at its heart, jewellery is all about connection.
This year’s festivals were a huge success, and we can’t wait for an even bigger tour next year!
Which festivals would you like to see us visit next year? Drop a comment below!
