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
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
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.
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
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
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
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!
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
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.