Bead Blog

Beading Panic

With Bead going to 8 issues from now on it's panic stations all round as I get used to the new time-table. Instead of my usual 8 weeks between each issue, 6 of them will be just 5 weeks apart. And as you all know 3 weeks is a lot of time to lose in beading!

To cope with this I realised that we needed to bring forward the photoshoot for our next issue to next week. And guess who hasn't finished their projects for it...

So, after my trip to Arundel this week it's back home to work and life and trying to magically finish my two projects.

One of them in a lariat in arrow chain which takes me all of Saturday to bead. Bang goes my Christmas shopping!

The other is a set of bangles using right-angle weave and which I truly underestimated the time they would take.

I reckoned on having 5 made by next Wednesday but seeing as the first one has taken me 10 hours and I still have my usual work etc to do, I suspect I may just manage to squeeze another one in.

The main obvious effect is the panicked state of my beading tray- as you can see I appear to be working on a few things at one. I took a count and there are the bits for 5 different projects going on there- I guess a few minutes to clear it off would help- not just physically help me bead and see what I'm up to, but mentally help to clear the clutter.

Wish me luck!

Project Photos And Outrageous Earrings!

Another visit to Arundel and the main job for this week is to take photos of the last project for issue 19- a lovely set of lariats from Lynn Davy.

This is a great project as there are two different versions. So if you prefer a more advanced and embellished version there's one for you, but if you're maybe more of a beginner or prefer less embellished pieces then there's one for you too!

Whenever we take project photos there's always a lot of experimentation to try and get the right one.

These photos went through quite a few different stages- some of which are shown here:

Trying to choose a backing paper which brings out the shades in the lariat

Choosing which suits the pink version best

Trialling lots of different props!

Another photography job we have today is some items for the gallery and challenge in issue 20.

The challenge theme is "Outrageous Earrings" and already we have had one completely outrageous entry!

Make sure you check out issue 20 to see them in all their glory!

Jean Power

More beading on the train

Off to Arundel again and once again I take advantage of being away from my computer and fit in some beading time on the train.

I’m working on making lots of individual beaded beads for a class I’m teaching soon and think I have also worked out a nice adaptation for a future special issue of Bead. More to come as soon as all the details are finalised…

Bead-TV

Today I did some more filming for Bead-TV.
I have to admit- this is not the favourite part of my job- as soon as I know the camera is on my brain turns to mush and I feel like a rabbit in the headlights.

But I love the fact that so many of you use it to watch techniques and projects and learn from it, so that keeps me going!

Bead-TV is a subscription service offered by the publishers of Bead magazine where you can watch presenters such as myself and other designers from the magazine demonstrate techniques and projects so it's perfect for those of you who learn in a more visual way.

I'm delighted that with every issue of Bead we'll now be offering a few different projects and techniques direct from our pages FREE to readers until the next issue hits the shelves (when of course there will be new free films).

Today I was filming a few different things:
1- A free film to accompany my project in issue 17
2- A project from issue 6 of Bead- Crystal Charm Pendants (this was a 2-part project with the first part in issue 5 and already available on Bead-TV)
3 - A short film about issue 16 of Bead which is out now- and selling out fast!
4- A short film to remind everyone to submit their entries for The British Bead Awards

When I arrive at the studio the first thing is to set up all the background etc so that it looks more "beady".
The same studio is used to film for Cat World TV and Dolls House World TV so it if often laid out for them. Setting it up just involves adding some nice necklaces etc in the background and adjusting the lights- all of which usually ends up taking well over an hour. Then it's on to hair and make-up to make me look somewhat presentable.

I then go over in my head what I'm planning to demonstrate and ensure I have all my beads, tools, diagrams etc handy so I can access them without stopping.

Then a deep breathe and we're off!

Each film is then edited for sound, close-ups etc before it is added to the website

if you're interested in what I was making the crystal charm pendants featured in issue 6 and were a follow-up to a project- crystal charms- which appeared in issue 5. Issue 6 is still available as a back issue but issue 5 can only be bought as part of an iMAG subscription.

Post box and floral delights

Back to Arundel today to the Ashdown offices to work on Bead. My first job of the two days is to open the post- which is always a joy- no bills here- just books, beads and beadwork!

My post today contained:
- 3 books for review
- 3 projects needing photographing for future issues
- 1 set of instructions with hand-drawn diagrams for scanning
- 4 letters from readers
- 1 Ask Bead request
- 5 sets of publicity/ information from advertisers with news and info for the market place pages
- 2 sets of finished pieces for Bead Soup in issue 17
- 1 craft light back from being repaired to be tested to see if it now works
and 100s of entries for our give-aways.

After opening the post and working out my plan of attack for the day it's heads down to answering emails, post and queries on page layouts and projects.

Our next issue goes to print in the next couple of weeks so it's noses to the grindstone checking projects are correct and approved by their designers with all diagrams showing what they need to show and photographs showing the finished pieces to their best- not an easy thing with something so tactile as beadwork.

At lunch time I decided to get out for some air and walked to the Cathedral which is celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi with a carpet of flowers.

 

Sculptural Inspiration

On the way back from Arundel today after a few days working in the office on Bead magazine and on the way back we visited the Cass Sculpture Foundation in Goodwood.

It was a lovely place, well worth a visit and despite the rain I really enjoyed walking around the grounds and seeing all of the lovely sculptures in the natural spaces.

I especially loved Declination by Tony cragg (perfect for a yellow theme I'm currently working on in my personal work) and  Eschaton by Paul Neagu- beads anyone?

 

New bead blog

Welcome to my new blog where you can receive regular updates on what goes on behind the scenes editing Bead- Britain's favourite bead and jewellery magazine.

I usually work from home in London but once a week visit the offices in Arundel to open the post, take photos and generally catch up with everyone in the office. So I can find out the latest news on subscriptions, advertising, The Big Bead Show and our new competition as well as play with the office dog, Lulu.

In September, Bead will have been going 3 years and for a long time all I got to see of Arundel was the walk from the train station to the office, but I've been lucky enough in the last few months to stay over and get to see some more of it.

These photos show the view of the castle as you walk across the river and the view down the river towards the offices.

As well as this new blog you can also follow me on Twitter- just as soon as I figure out how to use it!