Bead & Button Bazaar

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+ The latest off-loom beaded projects... (30/01/2012 - 12:58:08)

The latest off-loom beaded projects...

Anyone who knows me understands I have a passion for brooches.

Every bead I pick up I place on my lapel and look at it in terms of transforming it into a brooch!

Anyway - our most recent newcomers to the Stitching and knotting class on a Wednesday evening made a flying start with these lovely square stitched brooches. Gillian and Doreen, these are just lovely and I wanted to share these pics with are visitors.

Doreen and Gillians Brooches

We also wanted to share with you these lovely pearl bracelets that were made in class 2 weeks ago. Quick and easy and, most importantly, beautiful creations. What we really love is that everyone can make the same bracelet but they all look very different and we had some good combinations of colours selected by the ladies.

Well done ladies

Ruth

Opening times, Xmas 2011

Xmas Greetings

If you need any supplies before Xmas and the New Year please do visit us before 4 p.m. on December 23rd.

We will be reopening the shop on Saturday the 10th of January 2012 and the classes will commence on Tuesday 10th January 2012

You will also find us at Beckett's Farm from December 10th - but we won't be selling beads - join us and see what we have to offer.

We hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy 2012

Joan and Brian.

Right-angle weave bracelets

Pippa's beautiful right-angle weave bracelet

On the 16th of November we started a right-angle weave necklace with a pattern that could also be used for a bracelet or earrings. Different colour choices and combinations resulted in a lovely range of finished items.

These were very popular with the ladies and I know they have gone on to complete more bracelets as they will make lovely seasonal gifts.

On the right you will see Pippa's beautiful bracelet. A column of right-angle weave (3 wide) and an embellishment of a single row of 4 mm crystals. It is finished off with a lovely silver-coloured clasp.

Well done Pippa.

A selection of bracelets produced in class

A second Xmas Workshop

A second Christmas Decoration Workshop was held on Monday 31st October at 7p.m. We had to fight our way through ghosts and ghouls on this dark night but we were rewarded with Christmas Music, hot drinks and mince pies when we arrived. We had a really good time and everyone went home with a completed Christmas decoration.

Wonderful!

Xmas Decoration Workshop

Xmas Decoration Workshop

Didn't we have a lovely time!
Beaders at teh Xmas Workshop
The workshop on Saturday was a lovely event and it was quite strange to be playing Xmas music inside the workshop while everyone else was getting ready for Halloween outside!

Here are the ladies and below you will see their tree decorations - which I am going to add to a ribbon and wear as a necklace!

There is another workshop on Monday 31st at 7 p.m. and after that kits will be available in store.

Well done everyone.

A few Workshop places still remaining

Chaine Maille Workshop

Sunday 23rd October between 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Join Sam in the Chaine Maille Workshop where participants will be producing this lovely pendent. Looks tricky but Sam will show you the easy way of achieving this. There are a few places remaining but book quickly as they are going fast!

Saturday 29th October at 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and
Monday 31st October between 7 and 9 p.m.

This year our Christmas Decoration is a Wreath made from crystals, seed beads and pearls or glass beads. This hangs beautifully from a tree or draw knob and would make a lovely gift inside a Christmas card.

A few places remain on both workshops so contact us know if you want to join us.

Fru-Fru collar by Tracey

Two weeks ago we made a fru-fru collar at the Stitch & Knot class.

This wasn't an easy pattern, made using circular Fru-Fru collar by Tracey

peyote stitch, but it makes quite an impact when wedged between two beads and hung from a chain.

This is one made by Tracey who combined her general jewellery making skills to make this lovely necklace to show the fru-fru collar / pendent off to best effect. She has also created a pair of lovely earrings using wire work.

Well done Tracey

Kumihimo Classes and Worskhops

Kumihimo

"kumihimo, which translates roughly as 'bringing together of threads', is the name given to a number of different methods of Japanese braiding which developed mainly to produce silk cords for use in temples (tying up scrolls, bell ropes) with kimono or for holding together armour/weaponry." www.kumihimo.co.uk,

Last week we launched the first class in Kumihimo, run by Sam Cox, and it was a great success. The ladies, all complete beginners, produced some lovely braided bracelets (see below) and very much enjoyed the experience.

There is a 2 hour workshop on the 27th November (10.30 to 12.20) if you are interested in learning this technique and producing some silk 'delights'. Sam will be facilitating the workshop and we would love to see some of you there. please call to see if there are spaces available.

Well done Ladies!

Best wishes,

Joan and Brian

Wire Wrapping

Last month at the Wire Wrapping workshop some lovely pieces were produced and some excellent skills learned. Participants didn't stop there though and Sam and Maureen have brought back some pieces they have been working on since they came to the workshop.

Look at these lovely wire wrapped pendents produced by Sam. Stunning to say the least and these are just as lovely on the back as the front!

While on holiday Sam found a pebble on the beach and wire wrapped it to produce this lovely wire bezzle (below right) to hold the pebble and turn it into a pendent. I am sure you will agree this is a lovely way to keep a memory alive.

The 'Tree of Life' was one of the pieces participants made in class (above Left). The concept of a tree of life is a many-branched tree illustrating the idea that all life on earth is related. Maureen has produced the Tree of Life as a wall hanging to give to a baby for his Christening (below). She has added several items / colours that are symbolic to the future of a child. It is such a lovely idea for a gift I am sure you will agree.

There are more Wire Wrapping Workshops planned for the 30th October and 13th November so if you would like a place please contact us as soon as possible.

We often have participants coming back in with examples of pieces made and we would have captured these if we had a camera at the time!! If you have any pieces you have made during or post workshop at the Bead & Button Bazaar please let us have some pictures so we can display them on the site.

Autumn / Winter Diary Dates

The Autumn / Winter Diary dates have just been uploaded to the and you will see there are lots of interesting workshops and courses available to take you through the autumn / winter season. Look on the Diary Dates page where you can view or download a copy of the programme.

Hope you had a good summer

It is difficult to believe that it is still the summer with all the clouds and rain we have been getting but here we are on Bank Holiday Monday already getting ready for the autumn season and the return to our day time and evening courses. Courses start again on the 6th September and will be running on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as well as drop-in sessions on Saturday morning (unless there is a Workshop planned). You will find more info about our courses on the Diary Dates page as well as the Courses & Workshops page.

Some of you will have seen what is involved in the Basic Jewellery Making classes if you came to our BBQ on the 19th August. This was a lovely evening with good company, demonstrations and hearty food and drink. There are some lovely projects in the beginners, intermediary and advanced classes and once you have started it is hard to stop!

'Fru-Fru' pendent collar

Some of the classes are already full so you need to check out with us if any places are available and / or if you wish your name to be out down on the waiting list. The Stitching & Knotting class is now full (Wednesday evening) and we have some lovely new projects planned including a 'fru-fru' collar for a pendent and a wrapped suede bracelet which is currently very popular.

However, if you want to try before you book up for any classes then check out the workshops. We have only a few advertised at the moment but more are coming! And... dare we say it... Christmas is only 116 days away so time to get making some unusual gifts and/or decorations for friends and family!

We look forward to seeing you in the shop and in class.

Joan and Brian

New dates in the diary

Bangles made in the 'Stitching & Knotting' class

We have been a little quiet on-line for a while but that doesn't mean that we haven't been busy with shoppers, classes and workshops!

Our next event is the Polmer Clay workshop on Saturday the 13th August and Wire Wrapping on the 14th August, both by the lovely Debbie Bulford. There are still one or two places available if you would like to come along.

Please also remember that we are having a BBQ on the19th of August at 6 to 9 p.m., to which you are invited. You will be able to chat with like-minded people, peruse the shop at your leisure and watch demonstrations. We do hope to see you there.

The Autumn programme is now out. There will be workshops added over-time but the basic classes are mapped out and please visit the Diary Dates section to view these.

Knotted Jewellery Worskhop 2nd July 2011

Getting into knots!

What a productive session we had on Saturday July 2nd, with a small group of women who had never created jewellery with knots before!

We focused the whole time on the Macramé Square Knot for decorating bracelets and to create a slip knot. Participants created two lovely pieces each and were very confident and speedy in the use of the knot when they left - which is a good job as they had a necklace pattern in their pack as a further challenge!

If you want to try your hand at knotting please give us a call or check out the diary dates page to find out about forthcoming workshops and courses.

Back from Glastonbury!

If you have visited the shop recently you will have seen the Camper Van parked near to the shop - all painted up ready for Glastonbury. What a work of art!

Well Brian and family went to Glastonbury leaving Joan to look after the shop (and with all the mud at the Festival I think that is where I would prefer to be as well!). They arrived back on Monday and had a great time at the Festival.

It is now, however, back to business as usual and the Workshops start this Saturday with a Knotting workshop (a new slant on a traditional technique). Some places are still available so contact us if you want to know more or want to book a place.

New Diary Dates - including a BBQ!

You will find new courses and workshops for the summer in our Diary Dates page You will find we have a range of interesting events from wrapped wire work, to knotting to tiara making.....

If you want to know more, or want to book a place, please call us on 01564703441

You are also welcome to our BBQ on Friday 19th August between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will be a variety of demonstrations, opportunities to buy buttons and beads and, of course, food and drink.

We hope you will join us.

Hair Vine Workshop - 16th April.

What a great day and some beautiful hair vines produced by the ladies! These hair vines are great for A lovely hair vine

weddings and balls or just for a special evenign out - depending on how long you make them and how much colour and sparkle you apply. Today we were working with clear crytals and pearls on silver-coloured wire.
A lovely hair vine

These finished vines were put on in a hurry just before the ladies left - but each one is so different from the others and turned out really lovely. Well done eveyone.

Sew & Knot Class begins again on Wednesday 20th April.

A new set of 5 classes begins again on the 20th April between 7 and 9 p.m. We will be making a stitched

needle case, 2 modern friendship bracelets from c-Lon cord and leather and a knotted heart brooch.

Interested in joining us? The contact us to see if there is a place available.

Price £36.00 for the 5 sessions.

New Dates - Classes and Worskhops

You can find out in the diary dates page what is going on at our shop but if you would like to download a copy of the spring courses and workshops please click here.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you want to reserve a place - all courses and workshop places book up quickly.

We look forward to hearing from you

Tiara Workshop - A great success!

Ladies wearing theri finished tiaras. wonderful! On Sunday the 27th Feb The Bead & Button Bazaar ran a Tiara Workshop, facilitated by Kim. It was a fun and productive day and the ladies all went home with a finished Tiara - which they wore for these photographs.

Well done Ladies!

The next tiara workshop is to be held on the 28th of May between 10.30 and 14.30. Call us know to book a place.

Ladies day at the Bead & Button Bazaar!