Product Reviews - The Bead Shop Nottingham Ltd

Microwave Kiln Review for Glass Fusing

January 5, 2024 by Hana

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

100% recycled plastic beads – fun & quick jewellery examples

October 22, 2023October 19, 2023 by Steph

100% recycled plastic beads - Jewellery Examples

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

Why I am updating one of our most popular patterns after 12 years

May 25, 2023 by Steph

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

How we made Felt Anemone Flowers with The Crafty Kit Co’s kit

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022 by Hana

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

New Preciosa crystal bead range; our first impressions ahead of our launch

April 29, 2021 by Steph

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

My Trials & Errors experimenting with Glow in the Dark Polymer Clay

November 10, 2022April 22, 2021 by Eloise

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!?)

My first beaded Gerbera Daisy with Lesley Belton

November 10, 2022August 21, 2020 by Steph Gibbs

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.

How to find the perfect intermediate bead weaving project

October 20, 2022March 12, 2019 by Steph

sabine lipperts beaded fantasies - sweet eighteen earrings and pendant

Hi Steffie here!

One of the things I love about my job here at The Bead Shop is when new books come into the shop. I get a chance to review them before putting them online and on the shelves for sale. I love flicking through our book collection and finding inspiration.