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Well what could be better than beads galore?! I confess I ‘may’ have taken advantage of a few of the many 2015 January sales that my favourite bead shops are currently offering. As with everything else at this time of year, it feels like a great excuse to make a fresh start.
So, my favourite beading shop, GJ Beads is clearing out its warehouse to make room for some new stock. In support of this venture I have indulged in a few sale items, but couldn’t resist some of the new beads as well.
Well, no sooner had I got my hands on the new Dome beads, than I turned them into some flowers. I’ve just published the pattern here and it’s great fun to make!
Dagger beads galore – what to do with them?
Speaking of fun…and not a little quirky…I
have also been playing with Dagger beads. These certainly fall under the category of beads galore in my stash.
It’s probably a few years ago now, but I had a bit of a spending spree on dagger beads, without really thinking about how to use them. I mean, how can you resist that shape and colour? The problem is, I’ve been a bit short on inspiration. So, they have largely just sat in my stash, other than for a few bits of embellishment.
There’s nothing wrong with dagger bead embellishment, but I felt sure they ought to be good for something a little more adventurous…
So, I’ve just stumbled upon the perfect project…my newly designed ‘hedgehog beads‘. These spiky little balls are a little tricky to make, but they look and feel stunning, so I can’t wait to see them in some different colour combinations too!
Beading Resolutions
So, having confessed my beading sins, time for a little atonement I think! I’ve also managed to keep to my resolution of writing up some beading patterns that have been sitting around for a while (it’s a dangerous thing making resolutions in a public blog!
I had a long break from teaching over Christmas. So, it was lovely to get back to my regular classes on Tuesday and I had promised myself that I would have a netting pattern ready to teach. It was a bit of a last-minute write-up, but I did make it on time! So, my Tuesday ladies spent a very happy two hours making these netted bracelets.
I’ve just added the pattern to my website – click the link to grab your copy now.
National Beading Week 2015
In the spirit of beads galore, I also promised you a big announcement in my last blog. So, here it comes…in 2015 we are going to have a National Beading Week!
This is the brainchild of the Beadworkers Guild and the idea is to have some fun and raise the profile of beading in the UK. You can read all about the plans on their dedicated website. I’m very honoured to have been asked to act as a NBW ambassador. So, that is just what I intend to do.
My Tuesday beading group and I have been starting to cook up plans for a Britain in bloom theme… Still ironing out the details of that, but it sounds like a great idea. So, when we have things finalised, I will let you know.
I also have plans for a free beading pattern for the occasion, but again, more on that in my next blog. I’m also playing with ideas for a beaded tea party… I mean, I do seem to have become known for beaded cakes and food, so I thought I should put it to good use!
As editor of Bead Magazine, I am also working with the team there to cook up a few plans. So, you can expect more announcements and look forward to a week of beading fun from 25th July-2nd August 2015…don’t miss it and do get involved and get others involved as well!
