The Winter Sparkle Special is currently on sale. Enjoy a preview of the editorial to find out what is inside.
Welcome to the 2016 Winter Sparkle special! For me, the dark dull days of winter are always brightened by the prospect of Christmas. Although the build up to the festivities seems to get earlier and earlier, and a little more excessive each year, it takes nothing away from that special opportunity to get together with friends and family. Whether you’re partying your way through the season, or wanting to show loved ones how much you value them, I hope you will find something in this issue to help. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to spend those winter evenings all cosy and warm inside with a pile of beads!
Projects to Inspire
I have tried to pull together a selection of projects that will make great Christmas decorations or stunning jewellery for the party season. In some cases, they could be used either way. Nealay Patel’s gorgeous Vintage Poinsettia Pendant looks lovely on your favourite chain, but could be used as a stunning tree decoration as well. Kleshna has designed a clever, but simple five-pointed star that you can run up in no time for jewellery or decorations. If you enjoy the tradition of an Advent Candle, then you will certainly need Anna Lindell’s beautiful candle ornament. I have been struggling to translate a snowflake idea into beads for a couple of years now: finally, I think I have succeeded with a design that works, so prepare yourself for some stunning snowflake decorations! If you want to celebrate someone very special in your life, then Rachel Hyde’s beautiful Christmas Card design is the perfect way to show them how much you care. The Winter Sparkle special wouldn’t be complete without a fabulous bauble from Spellbound beads, so we have a brand new design for you.
If parties are more your thing, then we have some fabulous crystal jewellery on offer. Donna Sanders has beaded a beautiful necklace. Erika Sandor brings you a bracelet that could also be turned into a pair of earrings, and Hortense Thompson has a wonderful sparkling bangle design.
Bead News
We also have our regular book reviews, a special design corner that will help you make your beaded Christmas wish list, and interviews with a beading group and the wonderful Spoilt Rotten Beads. If you follow beading competitions, then we are celebrating the efforts of our regular designers in the Battle of the Beadsmith – I get to work with such a talented and dedicated team of people here! If you want to try a new beading skill, then Tips, Tricks and Techniques this issue is all about bead crochet. So I hope you find plenty to enjoy in the Winter Sparkle Special – happy beading!
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