We are very excited to announce that issue 69 is about to launch. This issue is a big one for various reasons: the magazine has a fantastic new look, so your projects are going to be even easier to follow with larger, clearer step-by-step diagrams, fantastic photos and a clean look. The issue still has all your favourites: fabulous projects, a fascinating interview with US designer Beth Stone, an insight into the Starman Trendsetters, book reviews and your letters. Read on to see what our editor, Katie Dean has to say about this issue...
Hopefully Spring is starting to feel as though it’s around the corner and with that comes the Spring Big Bead Show here in the UK. It is a chance to get your bead fix if you don’t happen to live near a bead shop. So I wanted to whet your appetite in this issue. Spring is also a time of new beginnings, so what better time than to welcome some new readers to Bead and Jewellery Magazine. This issue will be the first to appear on newsstands in the USA and we are very excited to be sharing our take on the beading world with all you lovely new readers. To celebrate this milestone for the magazine, we have been busy giving the pages a new look to better showcase the beautiful work of our designers and contributors. I also want to introduce Brita Moore. You may know her name as she has previously worked as editor of our sister magazine, BeadMe. Brita is now working alongside me as the USA editor, so hopefully you will enjoy her stories about the US beading scene. For me, the great thing about beading is being part of a worldwide community, so I am very pleased that this magazine is spreading its wings to reach out to even more beaders around the world and I am looking forward to getting to know you all. So, after that welcome, I think it is time to get back to the delights that await you in this issue!
I don’t know about you, but when I want a quick bead fix, I like to turn to a project that is made from components as it is something I can pick up and put down, so I can still get a bit of beading done even when life is busy. So, in this issue I’m bringing you two more projects from our Great British Bead Off winners: the ‘Zing and Sparkle’ beaded bead from Sian Nolan and Sylvia Fairhurst’s beautiful Crystal bead with its unusual pear drop shape. I thought I would also join the party with a beaded bead built in three dimensions that will really tax your beading skills – it’s worth the effort though! I also have some more component-based jewellery from Starman Trendsetters designer Akiko Nomura, with her beautiful Primrose bracelet.
If you want to find out more about the Trendsetters team, then I am continuing my little series on designer groups in the beading industry with a look at the Trendsetters. We are also travelling across to the Continent to hear about the beading scene in Sweden, and in the other direction to meet talented US designer Beth Stone. I also have Kumihimo from Pru Mcrae, Soutache from Dorothy Wood and plenty more inspiration for using all the beads and materials that will be on offer at the show. So, whether you bead big or bead small, like needle and thread or other tools, I hope you will find plenty to inspire your beadwork in this issue.
You can subscribe to the magazine here, or download individual issues here.
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