Yes, this is another post about beads! I have a few announcements to make at the moment, so I thought it was time to write another blog post. Before I send anyone into panic with this blog title, I should just clarify that the farewell isn’t from me. I’m still playing with beads and I have lots of exciting projects coming up, so I’m not planning on going anywhere just yet! If you read on, you will find out that I have just learned that I’m going to be saying a fond farewell to somewhere that has been a big part of my beading career, so it’s going to be a sad time…
More Seed Beads on Jewellery Maker TV
Before I get to that, I just wanted to give you a little bit more Jewellery Maker TV news. I’ve just received my next show date – the morning show on Friday 17th June! This will be very 
exciting…and challenging…it starts bright and early at 8am. I’m still waiting to hear what seed beads will be featured in my kits, but I know that they will include seed beads. The launch at the start of May was really successful and lots of people have been enjoying the potential of seed beads, so I can’t wait to share more ideas with them.
Jewellery Maker have also set me up with my own Guest Designer page on Facebook, so I’ll be using that to give you sneak peeks of the projects, the beads and anything else related. Plus I’ve been discovering just how often Jewellery Maker has special offers on their products, so I’ll be able to share news about that on there too. Apparently there is a special offer on Emeralds for the month of May, so I might be tempted to go and investigate that…Meantime, you can find my new page here.
In Other News
Speaking of Facebook, if you regularly follow the Bead Flowers page, you might have noticed I’ve been a little bit quiet recently. Well, as ever, it’s not lack of beads in my life, but quite the opposite…a big beading project about which I cannot reveal much information just yet. I have been very busy beavering away and I will give you three clues…
1. It involves beading and writing
2. It’s going to be bright, fun and really creative
3. It’s a long overdue project that I mentioned a couple of years ago, but somehow life has kept getting in the way until now, but the time is right at last, so you won’t have to wait too much longer
(Oh, and I’ve realised I’ve just given it away in that last clue…oops!)
That Farewell…
A co
uple of days ago I had an email. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be sharing this with you, but the email didn’t say it was secret, so fingers crossed I’m not about to get into trouble for this… The email was announcing that, due to a number of factors (I won’t bore you with the details – they basically come down to financing), Bucks Adult Learning has taken the decision to stop the courses that have been run at Missenden Abbey for the past thirty years or more. I don’t think it is a decision that has been taken lightly and there have been rumours about this flying around for a while, but it is nonetheless very sad news.
I personally have some very happy memories of Missenden Abbey. It was where I first met up with Jean Power when she invited me to pop in at one of the summer school courses she was teaching there. Through that visit I got to know several beaders who have been and still are good friends and a wonderful part of my beading life. The following year I found myself teaching my first weekend course there. When I took my PTTLS Teaching Qualification through City and Guilds, it led to an invitation to go and interview for the chance to teach beading courses both through Bucks Adult Learning and at Missenden. Now I’ve taught several weekend courses and a summerschool course there. I’ve got to know the staff that run the events and the famous ‘red shirts’ (if you’ve been on a course, you’ll know what I mean, if you haven’t then read on so you don’t miss out on your opportunity to find out!). They have been so friendly and helpful and always made the teaching there a real joy. In addition to that, I’ve had absolutely brilliant students on every course I’ve taught and I’m regularly in touch with lots of them, so it has been a fantastic way to meet lovely people. Then there is the beautiful building and grounds that make up the Abbey facilities and of course the lunches – you certainly get well fed on a Missenden Course!
Aside from my personal memories, I think it is such a shame that this area is going to lose such a wonderful venue for adult learning. I’m not about to launch into a political lecture here, but I will just say that it is sad that we live in a society that values the materialistic things over and above all else. The email did point out that other Bucks Adult Learning courses will remain, but it is such a shame to lose this beautiful venue.
The closure is scheduled to take place at the end of this year’s summer school, so I know the staff and everyone else involved will also be sad to say farewell and they would really like to ‘go out with a bang’ – in the best possible way. I’m going to be teaching two beading courses at the summer school. I know that both already have some students signed up, but there are more places available at the moment. So I’m telling you this nice and early because if you have ever contemplated a course at Missenden, or if you’ve previously enjoyed a course and would like to experience it again, this really is your last chance. So spread the word and make the most of this wonderful venue while you still can. You can find details of my Fuchsia course here and my shaped seed beads course here – both include links to book. The beauty of this venue is that you can choose a residential option, so even if you live far away, you can still enjoy the courses on offer. I hope to see you there!
