I have been beading for over fifteen years and my beadwork is bound up with my health. You will know this story if you have followed my blog before.
I started beading after becoming seriously ill and I have found the beadwork consistently therapeutic. Beading has also given me a creative outlet and I think this is a healthy thing for anyone. I have come to know a lot of other beaders and I realise that many of us are suffering from difficult health conditions.
So, although I wanted to write mostly about my beading adventures, I have also talked more personally. I think we can all support each other. Sometimes it is comforting just to know that you’re not the only one who is struggling. So, I’ve shared some of my struggles and doubts on here. Since I believe it’s important to speak out, I thought I had better start by setting an example!
I hope you enjoy reading about my general beading adventures in this part of the blog.
How would you like to win 310g size 11/0 Delica beads? (Yes, that is about 62,000 beads – worth £133.95!) Well, I’ve just published my beaded playing cards pattern. It’s made with Delica beads (working in even count Peyote, so nice and easy!). So, I thought it would be nice to share the fun by…
I’m just embarking upon a truly epic beading project for my personal enjoyment. But it set me wondering, would anyone else like to join me? You’d have to qualify as a true bead addict for this. So, is that you? Just how bead crazy are you? My latest crazy beading project I said that 2020…
Well, the Tucson bead show has just started, which can mean only one thing… I can now reveal what I was making back in November 2019. My Toho Challenge 2020 piece, which I entitled ‘Tropical Fantasy’. Why? And what is the challenge? Read on to find out… Toho Challenge 2020 This is the second time…
Well, here we are at the end of another year. In fact, at the end of another whole decade…how did that happen? So, for me, that means a time to reflect and a time to plan. In other words, time to take a look back through beading in 2019… And maybe a little peek at…
I would love to invite you to share your favourite Festive beading projects with me. So, let me start by sharing two things that are getting me into the Festive spirit this year. How does your Festive beading reflect meaning? For me, Festive beading is very much about finding a way to express the meaning…
I don’t know if I’m the only one who remembers the ‘What Katie Did…’ series of books? Certainly, they were books that I loved as a child. And, not just because the title character shared my name! You might be wondering why I’m talking about books and not beads here. Well, as with all things,…
Yes, that’s right…I’ve been promising you this for a while! Now it’s finally time to officially launch the Katie Dean Christmas Beadalong for 2019. You might already have seen a photo of the project. It’s a beaded box (I had to really, didn’t I?!), as you probably realised. What you may not have realised is,…
I think my Katie Dean beading update is long overdue! If you follow my blog or belong to my mailing list, you’ll know this has been a year of a few changes. So, time for more news… Non-Beading News Likewise, if you know me, you know about my health issues. (If you don’t, then this…
Now, here in the UK, we’re just approaching the time of year when the Royal British Legion launches their annual Poppy appeal. This is to raise money that will be used to help members of the armed forces and their families. The appeal is timed to lead up to Remembrance Day – 11th November -…
I am really excited to announce that my new ebook is now open for pre-order! And, if you are kind enough to do that, you get a FREE bonus beading pattern to say thank you! What is the new ebook? Just in case you missed it in my last blog, my new ebook shows you…
