I love having splashes of floral colour in my garden. But I can’t really have flowers in my home as it sends my hay fever induced sneezing into overdrive. However this is where Floral décor and jewellery come into their own. I have collected a few ideas, products, kits and free projects together for you … Read more
It’s so easy to accumulate beads as a beader or jewellery maker. So we thought we’d collate a few ideas together to help use some of your beads – or if you really need an excuse to buy a bead mix – then this is it! Here’s 3 great projects for stash busting – beaders … Read more
I know for many AI immediately brings up thoughts of robots taking over our lives. However we’ve decided to see how helpful AI can be in aiding us with some of our website Category descriptions – it can become a tedious task especially when you stock so many different (and sometimes very similar) items. You … Read more
This is a reworking of a blog I originally wrote in 2010 on how to make a dichroic glass pendant using a microwave kiln. It has been updated to add everything I have learnt about fusing glass over the last 14 years. Using both a microwave and electric kiln. I initially wrote this whilst testing … Read more
We’re really excited to start stocking these beautiful 100% recycled plastic beads. Available both in our Nottingham Bead Shop and online on our website. We really love them, not only do they make use of otherwise discarded plastic (they’re all made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic). But also the use of different plastics together have … Read more
I few weeks ago when having a tidy in our stationary cupboard, where we also store our shrink plastic stock. I came across a few sheets that had been damaged. Ordinarily we make these available in our small sale area down stairs in the basement. However this time I decided to ask Helen and Angela … Read more
Last week one of our customers Leila joined me for a 1-2-1 session to start re-creating a favourite necklace. Leila’s already a keen beader and makes stunning brick stitch and fringed earrings (a technique learnt in another 1-2-1 session last year). She also has a keen eye for beadwork and has picked up some gorgeous … Read more
When you work in a bead shop you can’t help but get excited about new products & the endless possibilities with them. It was no different when our new Rubberised Acrylic bead range arrived last week. So as everyone’s creative cogs whirred into action I thought I’d share our creative inspiration on using our Rubberised … Read more
I have been spending some time revisiting one of our popular kits recently. It all started when we needed to make another kit example, unfortunately our Night Owl Bracelet example went missing. Sadly we believe it was pinched, one day it was there the next it wasn’t. It’s very frustrating when these things happen, however … Read more
Thank you for your interest after I mentioned my beaded phone strap in last weeks newsletter. I’ve tried all sorts of handles attached to my phone before and not got on with any. However the way I’ve been cradling my phone in my hand was becoming uncomfortable so I decided to make my own. I … Read more
Zoe Frater is joining us here at The Bead Shop as a Guest tutor to teach an introduction to wire weaving workshop.
It might seem like an odd or silly question to those of us who’ve made many bracelets before. However “How many beads do you need to make a bracelet?” is something we get asked a lot in the shop.
You may well have heard of Paracord, without really knowing what it is and what you can do with it. As the name suggests, it is used to make parachutes. Made from Nylon, it is very strong and durable. It is created from several fine cords, with a woven cover, it gives it extra strength … Read more
Believe it or not, our Christmas Czech glass mix is popular ALL year round. It is often used in our introduction to jewellery making workshop, to create earrings and bracelets. Collectively all the beads make a lovely festive mix with greens, reds, golds, creamy pearls and silver shades. When you pick out the individual beads … Read more
September signifies so much for me. Back to school vibes, Autumn (my favourite season) cosy evenings on the sofa crafting. Decorating my house with autumnal foliage. Planning my hand made gifts for Christmas and of course Halloween. There’s something so fun about crafting and decorating your home for Halloween and Autumn. I’m no expert but … Read more
As it is International Beading Week, which is designed to share the joy of beading with others. As well as hopefully encourage more people to try this creative art form. We wanted to help complete beginners to discover the love of beading. As it can sometimes be overwhelming. There’s often different opinions of where to … Read more
Back in April 2011, just before the big Royal Wedding of Wills & Kate, I created a beaded Union Jack. I wrote a pattern for it in a blog post (you can read the original here). It was an exciting time for a year or so in Britain with the wedding, Jubilee and London Olympics. … Read more
I thought I’d share my experiments working with polymer clay. I’ve always enjoyed trying my hand at different crafts of all kinds. An inclination has only been encouraged since working at The Bead Shop. Being surrounded by tools and materials all day. As well as interacting with our inspiring customers and staff certainly helps me … Read more
As you may know Ange, one of our newest Bead Shop recruits is a trained florist. So when we started stocking The Crafty Kit Co felt flowers it seemed only right to give Ange a kit to test! Here is how Ange made felt Anemone flowers with one of The Crafty Kit Co’s kits. We … Read more
Why brick stitch is better than peyote stitch might seem controversial statement. Especially since I would say that Peyote stitch is my favourite stitch. It’s easier to teach, and satisfyingly quick to bead, once you’ve got going. However there are some things that brick stitch is just better suited to. For example when you’re making … Read more
I love an excuse to give and receive gifts, particularly if it involves trying a new craft or discovering a new independent maker. I have a couple of special women in my life that I like to gift items on Mother’s Day. My daughter Leah is always looking for ideas for me too! This has … Read more
I have filmed a small tutorial showing you how you can learn to make a pretty floral hairband. I wanted to use these lovely little white flowers to make a hair piece and attaching them to an Alice band seemed like the prefect direction to go. When I started playing around with a flowers I … Read more
We have a guest tutor, Claire, joining us at the end of February to teach a 2 part copper clay workshop. So I took the opportunity to find out all about Claire and her work; “Often, I’m introduced as my business name ‘CRZyBest’ and that’s great, because I am Claire R. Zwozny–Bestwick I’m an eco-friendly Silversmith & Sculptor, … Read more
We often get asked in the shop for help choosing gifts so we thought we’d put together a Christmas gift guide for the bead and craft lovers in your life. We’ve each chosen a product we think would make a great gift or we’d love ourselves. Hana’s gift suggestion My gift suggestion would be the Around … Read more
I find the history of beading and beadwork fascinating, in particular the story behind glass seed beads in African Beadwork. I’ve been planning to write more blog posts about the history of beads and beading for a while. After being asked if The Bead Shop was doing anything for Black History Month I thought I’d … Read more
When we arrived at the shop on Monday morning we were confronted by our large window having been smashed. We believe it happened on Saturday night and unfortunately having a shop in the middle of a busy city centre this is something we have to contend with. We are fortunate that it has only happened … Read more
We have several Guest tutors joining us over the next few months. First is Sandrine Bramley from The Frog in the Craft who is teaching a Dorset Button workshop with us on Saturday 25th September. I took the opportunity to find our more about Sandrine for our Meet the Maker blog post series. Meet Sandrine … Read more
For those of you that have visited The bead shop café you may have spotted that we’re working with our favourite suppliers. Hi it’s Hana, in our previous blog post announcing our new café I talked about how this has long been a dream of mine. Today I want to explain how we’ve chosen our … Read more
Steph here, I thought I’d share my inspiration for my latest creation as well as my top tips for painting wooden beads. When our new wooden beads mix arrived I had to buy some myself so I could play around. I recently finished a top (I also love to sew). The top is made from … Read more
Have you ever wondered what the best thing to string beads on is? Or which thread to start bead-weaving with? We will go through the different types of stringing materials and beading threads and what jewellery making techniques they can be used for. Beading Wires for Jewellery Making Beadalon, Soft Flex, and Soft Touch are … Read more
I’m often asked, particularly when I’m teaching workshops “How do you come up with your designs”. So I thought you may find it interesting to find out how I approach designing with 2 hole beads. Which is exactly what I’ve been doing recently. We have just added the lovely 2 hole Ginko beads and 2 … Read more
We have some big changes coming soon to The Bead Shop so I wanted to talk through what’s happening and why. It’s a bit of a long post but a really important one. As a lot of you know we’ve been going as The Bead Shop in Nottingham for over 21 years now. Whilst the … Read more
Beading on a loom is a great place to start beadwork. It’s how I first played with beads, with a bead loom kit I was given as a child. A familiar story with many I have spoken to in workshops too. I thought it would be useful to collect together all our resources to help … Read more
Obviously we were quite shocked and upset by the seemly abrupt decision by Swarovski last year, to stop producing loose crystals for the DIY market. There was lots of initial panicking, from both us, having many kits which use Swarovski components. As well as customers who use a lot of Swarovski in their own businesses, … Read more
I was so excited when I discovered that Sculpey make a glow in the dark polymer clay, and in Premo too! Premo is my personal favourite as it’s stronger and more durable than Sculpey III. After a quick google image search, I was sold. It looked like it really did glow in the dark, and brightly too! I just had to see for myself. So, I had a go at making a few bits and bobs; a Halloween ghost (of course), some sweet charms to test out some adorable new cutters, and a simple octopus (why not!?)
I’m sure we’ve all been feeling a bit down and frustrated recently as we’ve hit one year since the start of the first lockdown. It’s been a long, tough year for us all. So we’ve been wracking our brains to think of some ideas to spread a bit of colour and joy. We’re lucky enough … Read more
I often describe findings to complete beginners as the nuts and bolts of jewellery making. They connect and join pieces together, finish items and fundamentally complete jewellery and makes it functional. There are lots of types of findings, but we wanted this beginners guide to findings to give you an outline of the basics to get you started!
I have been surrounded by embroidery in one way of another my whole life. My Grandma was a keen sewer, embroiderer and textile artist. She was part of the Embroiderer’s Guild in Blaby near Leicester where her and my Granddad lived. The work she produced was amazing and the older I’ve got, the greater my … Read more
I’m not someone who sets themselves new years resolutions, it just starts with optimism and leads to disappointment! However I do like to make a list of creative projects I want to try (or finish) or new techniques to learn. This often includes workshops, so while we’re waiting to be able to run and attend … Read more
I’ve had my eye on the mandala pendant kit for a while but I always thought it looked too tricky. Though I am generally a crafty and creative person, I do lots of paper craft, polymer clay and digital art. I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to beading (aside from a … Read more
You may well have heard the rumours in beading circles about Swarovski ending production of their crystals, Or watched Steph’s video on our social media on the impact of this for beaders & jewellery designers. I spoke to Swarovski earlier this week to clarify the situation and wanted to share this with you.
I love snowflakes, they’re a natural phenomenon, each one unique and sparkly and their shape lends themselves so well to loads recreating it lots of different crafts. You can see our Swarovski snowflake kits here. One simple and effective way to create a reusable snowflake decorations is to use a snowflake wire form.Produced by Beadsmith, … Read more
With plans disrupted this half term and many of us spending yet more time at home, we have gathered together some kids craft ideas for the school holidays! With Halloween parties and trick or treating off the cards, it doesn’t mean you can’t make some spooky Halloween decorations. This pre-printed Halloween Shrink Plastic sheet comes … Read more
Hi, I’m Eloise! The newbie here at The Bead Shop. You may have seen me on our Instagram or in store recently. I’ve recently really got into making items from Sculpey clay. So I thought I’d share some top tips from my first time using polymer clay.
When my partner first found The Bead Shop, coming home with a pile of leaflets on workshops and crafty info along with my first pack of polymer clay, I couldn’t have guessed that only months later I would be a member of the lovely team here!
Hi it’s Steph here. It’s not often that I get to attend a workshop here at The Bead Shop – as I’m more often than not, teaching them. So it was lovely to be able to join Lesley Belton on her virtual Mini French Beaded Gerbera class that we hosted back in July.
We are currently half way through International Beading week. This is a great initiative from the Beadworkers guild to help encourage people to take up beading. Which always makes me think about the advice we give to new beaders who visit us in our shop or at bead shows. Kits provide a great way of … Read more
As I write this it’s only a week until we will be re-opening our doors to welcome you back to The Bead Shop! In some ways it’s been a very long 4 months since we shut our doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In other ways it feels like the time has flown by! Back in March it felt like everything was falling apart both from a business and personal point of view. We had no idea how we would manage to keep paying everyone, mixed with worry about higher risk friends & family.
Hi Alex here! If you’re anything like us at the bead shop you might have a collection of odd lengths of chain that you have no idea what to do with! I’ve created this blog post to show you how to create jewellery with leftover chain to hopefully inspire you to use utilise the chain you would otherwise throw away. Not only can you help reduce your waste but create beautiful things too.
Sometimes being faced with a blank canvas, whether it’s an actual canvas or a bead, can feel a little daunting. So I thought I’d share some inspiration for how to decorate natural wooden beads. Sometimes wanting to find the right colour to go with a particular garment can be enough to spark your inspiration. I have been known to paint my own beads for that very reason.
It’s a small thing, but being able to stop your beads sliding off your thread as you are working makes a big difference! That’s where bead stoppers come in very handy. These little springs temporarily grip onto the end of your thread or beading wire. You just squeeze the ‘ears’ at either side to open up the spring, put the thread in between the coils and let go. The stopper grips onto the thread, preventing your beads from falling off. When you are ready to put ends onto your jewellery, just squeeze the ‘ears’ again to open up the spring and take your thread out.