28/06/2009 by Beadsage.

A light year is 5,865,696,000,000 miles………………….roughly, the nearest star to us not including Sol - Proxima Centauri - is about 4 light years from us……………….23,462,784,000,000 miles. The edge of the known universe is 15 billion light years away. Think of the air miles.

http://www.physlink.com/Education/askExperts/ae502.cfm

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26/06/2009 by Beadsage.

Due to the bone from hell floating about in my right shoulder, and the elbow from hell getting worse, I am not going to be able to make the Bead Company workshops on 25th/26th July. I’ve talked to Mike, and hopefully we may get something sorted nearer the end of the year, depending on when my impending shoulder op will be. There’s a possibility I’ll be getting a new right knee to match the left one this year as well, so things are going to be a bit up in the air. I’ll keep you posted.

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21/06/2009 by Beadsage.

I am getting a lot of hits to my gallery and blog from Tapuz.co.il - as I am unable to read Hebrew, and Alta Vista Babelfish hasn’t caught up with middle eastern languages, I would like to say a huge thank you to members of that forum who have come to look at my work! I have no idea who mentioned me, or why, but somebody in Israel seems to like me! Thanks again!

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08/06/2009 by Beadsage.

Just a reminder because it feels like an age since we were there! The theme is beading around a Swarovski Navette…………….I’ll go and see if I can remember how it’s done now.

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01/06/2009 by Beadsage.

The amazingly talented Zoya Gutina also produces an online newsletter - in English & Russian - and has featured me in the May edition. http://www.mylovelybeads.com/php/newsletter/en/200905.html

Scroll down to  Natalia Ivanova’s beaded flowers as well - lovely stuff!

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31/05/2009 by Beadsage.

This is a bit different for me - no flashy crystal rivolis to be beaded around, although I didn’t totally forsake Swarovski! Maybe I’ll be reincarnated as a Magpie………………………I remember when I was a kid the neighbour’s son kept a couple of Magpies in a huge outdoor aviary, and at least one of them could talk. He also had a Crow that went everywhere on his shoulder…………………I knew some weird people when I was young! Anyway, here’s Selene………………..

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27/05/2009 by Beadsage.

I’ve put a link in my ‘blogroll’ to the UK Copyright ‘Design & Design Rights’ page. Copyright infringement is such a grey area that nobody really understands whether the piece they have made is original or someone else’s! I teach beadweaving, and, although I try to be original, I am teaching weaves and stitches which have been either published on the net or I have found them and forgotten where they came from. In theory anyone using anything I have taught them should ask my permission first - in practice it would be nice if they acknowledged the fact that I taught them the stitch! I always try to contact the originator of any technique I use, if I can’t then I give them a mention in my instructions. I have started using a new technique for making ‘bails’ for my pendants - the first one is on ‘Zara’ - which a few people have called ‘hearts’ - I like the idea of using hearts for bails, but it will cost me £37 to register it as my work. This brings me back to the link in my ‘blogroll’, I am covered under ‘design rights’, I think, probably, you tell me.

On a lighter note……………………….

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18/05/2009 by Beadsage.

Here she is……………………….a little different, but she’s one of my favourites!

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17/05/2009 by Beadsage.

I am sorry, but I’ve had to close the ‘comments’ bit again. China seems to have more English speaking idiots than we have ourselves if the amount of chinese spam I keep getting is any indication! It used to be comical seeing the ‘Engrish’ names they had invented for themselves - presumably in the vain hope of confusing a passing amoeba with the complexity of the deception - now it’s just irritating. So, if you need to get in touch with me, or feel the need to tell me how you managed to break a rib falling off the table while reading this and laughing, then e mail me - the addy is in a few previous posts (that’ll confuse the buggers!).

Pictures of ‘Zara’ will be uploaded tomorrow hopefully - if my necklace stands find their way home - meanwhile, another funny……………….

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11/05/2009 by Beadsage.

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07/05/2009 by Beadsage.

Don’t forget it’s this Saturday! We’ll have a go at Lara, which incidentally, is also the stitch for Larissa……….only lots more silver & sparkles! We’re also planning to have a ‘democratic’ discussion for you to decide what you want to do next! That should be fun!! See you on Saturday………………..here’s ‘Larissa’………….

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03/05/2009 by Beadsage.

This is Sonya………………………..very sparkly, very Russian, and very me!

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01/05/2009 by Beadsage.

I have been a Ferrari supporter since I was a kid, and a Schumacher supporter since he was driving for Benetton, but…………………………….here’s your next winner……………..

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28/04/2009 by Beadsage.

The russian leaves are ‘Olga’………………….obviously……………….and the squary shaped ones are ‘Sophie’……………..not obviously!

Very sparkly and blingy, mainly because they’re made with sterling silver and fire polished beads…………………….

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27/04/2009 by Beadsage.

I’ve uploaded the bronze ‘Zoe’ and the sterling silver bracelet ‘Emma’ onto Etsy tonight - http://petersewell.etsy.com - the price is in dollars but paypal converts it all for you, and I’ve tried to get it as near to my UK price as exchange rates allow.

If you need to ask me anything drop me an e mail - beadsage@googlemail.com

…………….and now for something completely different…………….

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24/04/2009 by Beadsage.

OK……………….I’ve decided what I’m doing now - here’s the list……………click on the image to blow it up.

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22/04/2009 by Beadsage.

Well, I got home. Glasgow went well - once we mastered the original idea of 2 needle right angle weave, and made a few Russian Leaves! Haddington went well…………………..the ‘Zoe’ had no chance of getting finished on the day, but we managed to get all the components and stitches done, and the ladies combined some lovely colours using the Swaro bicones of their choice rather than mine! Edinburgh went well, mainly due to having my past students attending! This meant they could already do Russian leaves, so we could go straight into the spiral - which sounds easier than it is to start off!

Huge thanks to Mike at Glasgow and Jo at Haddington for looking after me, and thanks to Andy for getting me through Edinburgh on a Monday morning!

Watch this space for the next Scotland workshop!

The next workshop at Ossett is on the 9th May, and we’ll be making the ‘Lara’ bracelet using a Russian ‘rhombus’ weave - it’s like 2 needle RAW with a bit stuck on!

I shall now continue to get some kits made up……………………..I’ve promised a few by the end of April, so it’s a labour of necessity now! Time for another funny……………….

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16/04/2009 by Beadsage.

………………it must be Glasgow! Haddington on Sunday, and Edinburgh on Monday. Then home. Then make up the new Beadsage range of kits! I hope to have half a dozen kits put together for early May, and will put them on sale through my Etsy shop - watch this space! I also have a new design which will be shown after Scotland - she’s called Sonja, and she’s sparkly, very sparkly, and moonlighty, and champagney, and pretty! See you after the weekend!

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10/04/2009 by Beadsage.

Workshop this Saturday at C & J Armitage as usual! We’re doing ‘Double Diamond’ weave, and a quick foray into Brick Stitch!

9.30 to 12.30 - £15 with all beads.

Next Saturday I’m at The Bead Company in Glasgow teaching the 2 needle RAW  ‘Catherine’ choker, and Sunday and Monday I’m teaching the ‘Zoe’ workshop at The Bead Shop Haddington and Edinburgh.

The next Ossett workshop will be the 9th of May, when we will be making the ‘Lara’ bracelet……………

LARA

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05/04/2009 by Beadsage.

I have fingers like pincushions, I had to wear surgical gloves to hold the needle, my eyes wish they were in someone else’s head, but, I made an amulet! I should really be getting ready for workshops coming up, but I really wanted to do something different! That’s it out of my system for a while now.

……………….and the needle after I finished! 

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26/03/2009 by Beadsage.

Yep, ok, I know what I said about them, but it’s still nice to find out I can access my pages! Got to go and play now……………………..yay for friendface!

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24/03/2009 by Beadsage.

The are still places left for the workshops at Haddington on the 19th April, and Edinburgh on the 20th April! Let me know if you want one of these places as soon as possible by e mailing me at beadsage@googlemail.com

This is one of my best designs, and thanks to Nina’s input, the pendant is removable for daywear!

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22/03/2009 by Beadsage.

Well………………..she’s no longer with us physically, but she’s certainly still around! Happy Mother’s day Tina!

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17/03/2009 by Beadsage.

Just a reminder that we’re doing St Petersburg weave on Saturday! All welcome - and this will be the last workshop at £10…………………..and the last one until I get back from Scotland in April! If you want any info drop me an e mail at beadsage@googlemail.com or contact:

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11/03/2009 by Beadsage.

To concentrate on my workshops and kits I’ve decided to close the online shop at Beadsage.com. I’ll be putting a new range of kits onto my Etsy site as soon as I get them done, but I won’t be selling the little bits there - I’ll be using them!

If anyone wants anything specific just drop me an e mail at beadsage@googlemail.com and I’ll try and help!

The gallery at beadsage.co.uk, and of course this blog, remain untouched! I’ve just re-vamped the gallery…………….it looks quite posh now!

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06/03/2009 by Beadsage.

 …………………and this is Catherine. A larger version - and a lot more girlie - than one I did ages ago, but I think the rosaline swaro pearls really add to the…………………..

tactility?…………………tactileness?………………..touchy feely bit anyway!

The finished piece is winging her way to Glasgow as I write…………………..I’m relying quite a lot on her being welcomed.

Addition to this bit…………………….the cross is optional, and the crystal colours are also optional, as long as I get the techniques across - 2 needle right angle weave, ‘hana-ami’ motif stitch, and Gwen Fisher’s beaded bead - the rest is up to choice!

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04/03/2009 by Beadsage.

OK, it’s not a great picture, but she’s finished - although I think I’ll do another two colours and see what she looks like! I’ll be doing the workshop at The Bead Shop Haddington and Edinburgh in April with her, so if you want a place get in touch with them, as the last workshops in February were booked up a lot faster than I expected! Link is in my ‘blogroll’ in the left hand column.

Say hello to Zoe………………………btw, she can either have the leaves on or not - your choice……………..

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03/03/2009 by Beadsage.

I had to put a bit about my little sister’s forte here, mainly because I was told to. I am really a little in awe of Lesley’s signworks, all have been designed and made by her, the thought of getting a chunk of slate and making it into a work of art is beyond me. That’s the clever bit…………………it’s done on slate! When I was painting I used to think I was avante garde using plywood, and along comes a proper artist and uses slate as a medium! It’s effective though, have a look at a few examples here, and don’t be shy about giving her a phone call if you want to commission her…………….she needs the money, there are also ’stock’ pieces as well, house numbers and all that. Here we are……………….it will enlarge if you click it a couple of times. I’m going back to the land of little beadies.

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01/03/2009 by Beadsage.

That’s it. I am no longer playing with facebook. I have tried numerous times to contact them because, although everyone else can get on my page - I can’t! I’ve now given up and deactivated my account, so if you put anything on it I won’t be able to see it! They seem to be like most internet gurus…………………fine if it’s going ok, but rubbish if it goes wrong. So no more Facebook.

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27/02/2009 by Beadsage.

At last! The squivolis have arrived…………………..along with the Swaro pearls for the Glasgow workshop……………..and more Navettes…………………and some other stuff!

I am going to be very busy now making Zoe in a couple of different colours for The Bead Shop Scotland, the Catherine in ‘Rosaline pink’ pearls for The Bead Company in Glasgow, and a design still going round my head using a very cool crystal indeed - but I don’t know what to do with it yet, watch this space!

Still no Facebook, I’m too old for Myspace and too straight for Bebo…………………so it looks like I’ll have to see what they do to fix it.

I shall now see if I’ve got a desk under all the beads.

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26/02/2009 by Beadsage.

What a wonderful place Benton & Johnson was, not so much ‘archaic’ as ‘quaintly English’! We were entertained by a lovely fella called Neil Halford, who is obviously something to do with sales or management, but I’ve never thought  to ask!

The shop floor is full of weaving, spinning, and other things I totally missed, machines………………….made of wood and metal - although there was a computerised loom which, although cool, didn’t quite have the character of the rest of the family! I won’t pretend I understood anything Neil and Nina were talking about, I spent most of the time wondering if I could do 2 needle RAW with gold thread, but the whole experience of being in a place which was staffed by craftsmen and women, who took a fierce pride in how the work was finished - and how they are seen as a company - was refreshing in this age of quick turnover and lowest price!

I didn’t take photos, I wish I had now, but if you are into Goldwork, then, as Neil told me as we were leaving, you are more than welcome to arrange a visit and get the guided tour.

There is a ‘goodie cupboard’ where you get to buy stuff after seeing it first hand, such a difference from seeing it on the internet, and you come away from the place feeling as if you have learned a lot today.

Thanks for your time Neil, and we look forward to the next visit, hopefully when the roadworks have finished on the M1!

You can see their website at http://www.bentonandjohnson.com/

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26/02/2009 by Beadsage.

I’m going to look at Benton & Johnson this morning, they supply just about everyone in the world who does Goldwork, and it’s Nina’s thing! If I’m lucky, I might be able to afford the petrol home after she’s seen what they have……………if I’m not, I shall post my next blog from Leicester Forest East motorway services. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how they make these fine gold threads, so it’s not all one way.

I will, however, miss the postman, who arrives around noon. Which means I won’t get any beads until tomorrow. Which means all I can do is look at my sketch of ‘Zoe’…………………yes - she is designed, as they say.  I’m pleased with it, I hope Jo at The Bead Shop is when I send her the photo!

Oh, and Facebook is not playing at all, so any friends I may have had have all disappeared………………………….story of my life actually. I’m going to the goldie place now, I’ll let you know what it was like.

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24/02/2009 by Beadsage.

OK, so Googlemail went down this morning. I can cope with that, even though I thought - along with everyone else - that it was me. In addition to that I couldn’t make this computer do a thing I wanted it to, so I assumed they were caused by the same problem - so I did two ’system restores’, did that help? No. AVG wouldn’t anti virus like it’s supposed to, de frag wouldn’t de frag like it’s supposed to, and all my passwords and cookies disappeared into the ethernet. I deleted just about everything, reloaded most of it, and it works. All except for Facebook. Facebook informed me that I had ‘reactivated my account’, but it still treats me like a stranger - I have no friends, it says, but if I try to add friends it tells me they are already there, presumably with the passwords and cookies at the restaurant at the end of the ethernet.

I did get a lot of beading done though…………………………right up to the bit where I ran out of beads and they won’t be here until the postman finally accepts the fact that we have a letterbox, and he doesn’t have to use next door’s at all really.

I also had a funny set of e mails on Sunday…………………..by a rather strange but obviously English inquirer who purported to be a French customer with a penchant for using Northern English terminology - ‘ecky thump!

It’s been a strange few days.

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22/02/2009 by Beadsage.

Have you noticed that now we shop through the internet we all want our stuff within days? Order it 10-15 years ago and it was ‘please allow 28 days for delivery’……………….and that’s how long it took! I put a wholesale order in about 8 days ago, and I am tearing my hair out wondering what’s happened to it. Everything has stopped. No sparklies. It hasn’t even been dispatched. I have a head full of design and no designy stuff with which to design it! I do, however, have lots of drawings and diagrams, and lots of small bugle beads that I keep ordering just to keep in practice. You will know when the aforementioned sparklies arrive - I will have made something. I just hope nobody else makes one first.

Here’s a plug for the most theatrical band in the world………………………..

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20/02/2009 by Beadsage.

Back to the seedbeads for this one - Russian Spiral to be precise. I’ve got some 1.5 bugles in Diamond Black to go with size 15 black seeds, Metallic purple bugles and seeds, and some very small size 0.5 bugles in bronze, olive, and black iris to go with anyone wearing new glasses!

Anyone is welcome at the workshops, no matter what level of experience! Everything is supplied, just let me know if you want to come before the day and I’ll print enough instruction sheets off!

I can’t find a beady picture so…………………………

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18/02/2009 by Beadsage.

This is 2.5″ x 2″ and took 134 delicas for the first row! I am quite pleased with it, even though it took four strong men and a tyre lever to get it into the bezel!  This is supposed to be relaxing………………..Ha!

Back View

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14/02/2009 by Beadsage.

So far………………..Ossett on 28th February - Russian Spiral necklace, if and when I find some beads to do it with.

The Bead Company Glasgow on the 18th April - which will be the ‘Catherine’ in Swarovski rosaline pearls, The Bead Shop Haddington on the 19th April - design still in my head, but very sparkly………and The Bead Shop Edinburgh on the 20th April - design as before!

Here’s a Squivoli……………………….

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11/02/2009 by Beadsage.

Piccies of the Haddington ‘Sasha’ workshop………………………and thanks to Jo and Louise and their staff for making me feel as if I belonged there, and of course the ‘ladies who bead’ for being gentle with me - you did good ladies! I’m looking forward to going back in April for  ‘Beadsage 2 - the return of the Squivoli’ !

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05/02/2009 by Beadsage.

I’m packed with enough stuff to a. Live for three weeks, and b. Open a fair sized bead shop. I have my shovel in the back of the car………………..to assist less fortunate motorists along the road, I have my tartan blanket………………….to wave once I get past the speed cameras of Northumberland, and I have a carrier bag full of cans of Coke……………………….to throw at the attacking Picts.

If I live, I shall tell all and sundry that my darling wife is from further up Scotland than most have travelled, and the last time I was in Edinburgh was with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in 1976 - Amazing Grace and all that. I wasn’t one of them - I just drove the transporter for their little tank.

I shall be without my pink laptop for the duration……………………….now that’s devotion to duty. I will rekindle my love affair with the Rav though. I shall go and pack some more stuff.

Here’s some sparklies……………….

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31/01/2009 by Beadsage.

So……………it wasn’t as traumatic as I thought it would be. The move from Ossett library to the Art Shop was worth the wait, and the ladies settled in as if we’d always been there!

Anyway, I finally managed to get a photo - just to prove that you can photograph seedbeaders, and we show up in mirrors as well………………here’s the piccy.

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26/01/2009 by Beadsage.

The workshops at The Bead Shop Scotland are now down to 3 places left for the ‘Sasha’ necklace at Haddington on Sunday 8th Feb. The ‘Nina’ workshops at both Haddington and Edinburgh are fully booked…………………….and yes………………I am ecstatic! I will be taking the Swarovski 4227 (32×17mm) Jet navettes up with me for anyone on the Sasha course who needs to buy one, and I’ll try to get hold of some crystal navettes before I leave!

If anyone is interested in one of the remaining places, the information is on The Bead Shop’s website

http://www.beadshopscotland.co.uk/

or you can e mail me for details beadsage@googlemail.com

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24/01/2009 by Beadsage.

I would like to thank the forum members of this Dutch beading forum for the lovely comments made about my work! I checked my web stats to find that I had a lot of traffic from The Netherlands, and after backtracking, discovered that one of their forum members had found Beadsage.co.uk! The translation - good old babelfish - wasn’t so good, but I got the feeling that somebody in The Netherlands likes my stuff! Thank you!

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19/01/2009 by Beadsage.

I made a page for Beadsage

All on a winter’s eve,

Have a look - it’s all the rage,

But if you don’t like it - leave.

Sorry……………………..that didn’t start life as an awful poem - it just finished up as one. Anyway, link is on my blogroll, enjoy!

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11/01/2009 by Beadsage.

My Ossett workshops are moving to more relaxed climes! The workshops will now be held at:

The Ossett library powers-that-be seemed to have taken exception to us, and decided to make it difficult for us to stay there. Wakefield council has a history of apathy towards small businesses, but I thought as this was a teaching class we were safe. Right up until I received a phone call telling me I was ‘abusing the times of booking’ by staying 20 minutes to clear up after a class, and asking to be allowed in 10 minutes before class to set up. Me, bitter? Nah!

However! We are moving to a friendly art & craft shop, with a tea and coffee machine, and car parking, and sensible opening hours on Saturday!

The classes are now getting a little more advanced, and we are going to use the past lessons on stitches to make a few designs and projects, so this year should be very interesting and exciting!

The first class at the art shop will be on the 31st of January from 9.30 to 12.30, and we will be making a tubular herringbone necklace - hopefully I can incorporate a quick ‘toggle & loop’ lesson in with this. This one is only £10, so e mail me if you’re interested!  beadsage@googlemail.com

Thanks to the ladies who turned up for the last class on Saturday - there’s another 8 beaders who can bezel a Swarovski Rivoli! Kay was missed because of the winter lurgy, so hope she’s better for the next one.

I shall now go and continue my instructions for the Edinburgh workshops - 4 weeks isn’t a long way away is it? Eeek!

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08/01/2009 by Beadsage.

I like this template - it concentrates more on the images and less on my wittering. See if I still like it in a week.

It’s been a while since we had a cat picture…………………

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05/01/2009 by Beadsage.

OK…………………I’m sorry………………..it’s only a reminder, and I know nobody needs it!

Sparkly Swarovski Rivoli bezelling this time - and then I’ve got a few surprises lined up. Anyone interested is welcome to join in - it’s 9.30 to 12.30 on Saturday morning at Ossett library, and will cost £15 this time, to include all beads and Rivoli. Drop me an e mail if you want to come…. beadsage@googlemail.com

I’m going to take this chance - it’s a new year! - to plug my shop http://beadsage.com

and my gallery http://beadsage.co.uk …………………..have a look if you haven’t already!

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27/12/2008 by Beadsage.

This took a bit of getting right - and I finally settled on the ‘one piece’ look! The pendant is a Swarovski Navette, the round beads are Swarovski pearls, and the rest are Miyuki seeds with Swarovski bicone edging. This is intended to be a workshop project, with the possibility of making it into a kit - but I’ll have to make another with instructions first!

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24/12/2008 by Beadsage.

Looking forward to next year - the workshops are going to be my main thing in 2009, I have Scotland booked in February, and the monthly Saturday workshops at Ossett may be increased to fortnightly, possibly in a more ‘arty’ venue!

I’m making designs now with a view to putting them up for sale as kits, the selling point being that most of my pieces have 3 or 4 different beading techniques in them, hopefully this will keep them interesting and challenging!

I’m going to have a meaningful discussion with a turkey crown now.

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20/12/2008 by Beadsage.

I have just found out that one of the workshops is fully booked, and the other only has four places left………………..so I’m going to do another day! Saturday & Sunday are at Haddington, and I will be at the Edinburgh shop on Monday, unless that gets booked up early, in which case I might move up to Edinburgh! Details on the Bead Shop website http://www.beadshopscotland.co.uk/

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15/12/2008 by Beadsage.

I have two new ideas in the pipeline, but I won’t get the beads to make them with until at least Saturday………………..so, after trying flat herringbone and not being very struck on it, I think I’ll give my fingers a rest for a week. It’ll be the New Year before I have anything made though - it looks good on paper! Happy Yuletide everybody!

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