Bead Blog

Friday Fun!

Well! It’s been an exciting day at the office today, as Apple have approved the first of our brand new ebooks. This dazzling treat is a real multimedia experience as it includes two movies, plus projects, galleries and articles. Designed especially for iPads the pinch features allow you to expand the picture galleries and swipe effortlessly through all the beautiful pictures! The Bead Collection: Volume 1 features a selection of projects and articles from Issue 37 of Bead, plus accompanying videos, un-published photos and much more! Download it today from the iBookstore and take it anywhere on your portable device!

 

Bringing beading even more into the digital age you can now download complete back issues of Bead as a digital iMag from our Hobbyworld store. Available for just £4.50 you can purchase the digital editions of Bead and save them directly to your computer, where you can then read them at your leisure, wherever you like, regardless of an Internet connection. We’ve currently got a taster selection of issues available and are working hard to get the full back issue library online soon.

On top of all that we have also joined the pinning revolution and you can now find us on Pinterest, and like and share our pictures and pinboards.

 As well as all these exciting things keeping the Bead office a-buzzing, I’ve also been working hard to get the next Issue of Bead – number 39 finished. I’m almost there now, and thought I would share with you a quick pic I took when testing two of the projects appearing! These strawberries by Katie Dean are just delightful and the circular piece is part of a toggle clasp, from a stunning necklace by Jennifer Airs. Keep your eyes peeled for those coming soon to Bead! 

Amongst all of this madness I did find time to do some creating of my own. I shared some pictures a while ago of some experiments I’d done with Epoxy Clay, and I have to say I think I have been bitten by the bug! Since then I’ve been desperate to make myself a big sparkly pendant using the clay, and I found this lovely chunky Lisa Pavelka pendant bezel from Palmer Metals – perfect! I used pink Epoxy Clay and studded it liberally with Swarovski diamantes and chatons from my stash. It’s quite sticky stuff but I was given a good tip by Amanda at Palmer Metals – so a quick swipe with a baby wipe and I was done. Not only was I nice and clean, but wiping the surface of the clay also helped to remove pesky finger marks. The whole thing took me less than half an hour – how about that for a bit of Fast Fashion!

 Happy Beading!

x Chloe x

 

Around the World

This issue we're going around the world in beads! We've got 13 fabulous projects brought to you from far  flung corners of the Earth (and some not so far-flung). Whether it's Nelli' Rees' adorable Matrioshka lampwork beads from her home country of Russia, or Wendy Edwards' Morroccan Tea Party charm bracelet, inspired by her travels to Marrakech. There's bound to be something to inspire you.

Charm bracelets are a great way to bring themes together. We show you how with three unique charm bracelets - each one using a completely different technique. We show you how to take inspiration from your own holidays too. Use your happy memories to create dazzling jewellery and preserve those good times to wear on your wrist on a dreary day! 

See what our readers have created from their holidays too in the Readers' Challenge and read all about the intricate and colourful work of the Masai tribe of Kenya - discover more about their traditions and how they make their stunning beadwork.

Read about more inspiring designers and makers, as this issue we meet Bead designers Erin Simonetti and Joanna Barchet. If you're planning a trip this summer make sure you check out our designers' top travel tips. Mine has got to be invest in a thread Cutter Pendant. These handy little tools are great for cutting most types of thread and yarn, and are even allowed on airplanes!

We've had a lot of fun putting this issue together, and hope you have just as much fun reading it, whether you try your hand at one of the worldy projects, or just take inspiration from the colours, patterns and themes of this global collection.

Happy Beading!

x Chloe x

Not already a subscriber? Get Bead delivered to your door each issue plus get your hands on a fabulous free gift. Visit www.hobbyworld.tv for more information.

Katie's Appeal

Last year the staff at The Spellbound Bead Co. sadly lost a member of their team, Katie Bryson, to a brain tumour. Aged just 27 she'd faced a lot of difficulties in her life, after recovering from her first brain tumour aged 10. Katie was a talented and valued member of staff, now Spellbound are determined to raise £10,000 for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Manager Christine said: "This money will help QEHB in becoming a centre of excellence for cancer care, in memory of an amazingly spirited and creative person with a strong personal faith. She touched all our lives."

This includes the launch of Katie's Brooch Kits. Designed by Katie, the floral pin kit costs £2.50. £2 from each kit will go to the appeal. If you came to The Big Bead Show, you may have spotted them for sale there. I bought one of the lovely pink brooches! 

The team have had special aprons made (you can see them modelling them below) and will be running lots of events over the next year.

To see all the fundrasing activities planned visit their website www.spellboundbead.co.uk

To donate visit www.justgiving.comKatiesSpellboundAppeal or text KBSA99 and the amount (e.g. KBSA99 £5) to 70070.

And I'd personally like to wish all the staff lots of luck with the Lichfield 10k, which several of them are hard in training for at the moment. You can sponsor them through the Just Giving link above.

x Chloe x