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The Bead Shop

26/10/2012

Simple 8 Kumihimo Braiding Technique

Learn About Kumihimo Braiding Recently and we’ve been really busy trying out different beading and cord techniques with the new Kumihimo Round boards.  Here are some of the creations we came up with. All the techniques that follow are based around the Simple 8 Warp Braid technique; the instructions for this are included with all of the round Kumihimo Braiding boards that we stock. These fabulous little numbers have had all the girls swooning here at Bead shop HQ and none of us can quite believe how simple this kind of effect is to... Read More

23/10/2012

Embellished jewellery is a must this season

The AW12/13 catwalks were bursting with embellished jewellery and designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs used dramatic beaded earrings, brooches and head bands. Dolce & Gabbana showcased some exquisite head bands and earrings using detailed feminine flowers. Soft pastel colours were used for the flowers and metallic gold to create a show-stopping jewellery collection that every fashionista wants to get their hands on. The impressive jewellery collection created by the famous Italian designers really adds the wow factor to the Dolce & Gabbana AW12/13 clothes... Read More

28/09/2012

Kumihimo braiding has really taken off recently

We recently showed a demonstration of Kumihimo braiding at the craft show in Manchester Central earlier this month and everyone went wild for it! For such a complicated looking design it is surprising how easy it is to make. All you need to complete the braid is a Kumihimo disc, 8 lengths of thread (1 meter each as you are making a necklace, 0.5 meters each if you are making a bracelet), a weight, 8 Bob-eez (bobbins to you and me), end fasteners and away you go. At first the thread set... Read More

21/09/2012

Beautiful Scrunchie Bangles, using a Dutch Spiral Stitch.

Ever since the Miyuki Size 6/0 Seed Bead arrived we have been itching to start creating some new pieces of jewellery.  Our Customer Service Representative and Bead Academy Teacher, Holly, has been using them with the 6mm Swarovski Pearls and managed to make these beautiful Scrunchie Bangles, using a Dutch Spiral Stitch.   Holly has used the 6mm Swarovski Pearls to create a continuous spiral design around the bangle and chosen colours which complement each other well.  Two of these bangles incorporate the Size 6/0 mixes, one is Pebble Stone and the other is... Read More

17/09/2012

How To Make a Ring from Vintaj Natural Brass Components

This really sparkly Vintaj statement ring is a great example of how you can transform flat Vintaj Components and connectors into a standout piece of jewellery. To make this ring Janine has simply taken two of the Vintaj Acorn Leaf connector and bent these around the tubular end of a Ball Pein Jeweller’s Hammer until you end up with two curved pieces (or something with a curved edge for bending the metal). Don’t worry that these won’t look perfectly rounded at first, it all adds to the effect. You can use a pair of pliers to... Read More

10/08/2012
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Alice In Wonderland Cameo Necklace and Bangle’s

This super cool Alice in Wonderland cameo cluster necklace is made using our brand new Beadsmith Collage Sheets. We’ve been really excited about these as we’ve been able to try them out with some of our new glue’s and glazes and we think they’re a really cool addition of any charm bracelet or necklace. The collage sheets come in several designs including, fairies, flowers and art deco but we were the most excited about the Alice in Wonderland designs and our Office Manager, Janine has made up this example. The... Read More

03/08/2012

Our London trip was a fantastic source of inspiration

It’s always useful to see what other people are doing in the world of fashion, beads and jewellery, so earlier this month The Bead Shop hit the road and took a little trip to London.  With such an eclectic mix of people, London is always a fantastic source of inspiration. In true laid back Bead Shop style, we started our day with coffee and cakes in Covent Garden. There was a surprising lack of jewellery stalls in this area so we decided to head towards Marylebone in search of a... Read More

20/07/2012

Violet Opal Necklace based on a design once worn by Grace Kelly

Everyone at the Bead Shop was really excited when we ordered the book Creating Glamorous Jewellery with Swarovski Elements: Classic Hollywood Designs with Crystal Beads and Stones by Jean Campbell, and when it arrived in the office it caused quite a stir. This amazing book contains lots of designs that recreate some of Hollywood’s most famous pieces of Jewellery as worn by the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Mae West, and we just had to have a go. This stunning Violet Opal Necklace is based on... Read More

09/07/2012

My Inspiration for making Swarovski ring mesh kits

I always get excited when we get a new delivery of stock, especially when it is Swarovski crystals, and this then inspires me to make new Swarovski ring mesh kits.  The new colours of Swarovski 4mm bicones, the turquoise, pinks and amethyst AB’s are beautiful.  I decided to make some new ring kits as these are very popular,  I like how the  Swarovski colours look together as they are all in a cluster, for a slightly different look I used the 4mm Swarovski Pearls, we have plenty of new colours,... Read More

22/06/2012

Glam rock style beaded necklace

We have used a mixture of fresh water pearl beads, Swarovski crystal beads and faceted Czech glass beads to create a glam rock style necklace. The beads have been strung onto various lengths of beadalon wire and attached to the two strands of chunky brass chain via calottes. We have then wrapped black ribbon around the joins and wrapped with wire to give a rough finish. The fresh water pearl beads in this piece give a touch of glamour while the matte faceted Czech glass beads and chunky chain add... Read More

21/06/2012

OK, so I’m going to be honest, I’ve had a bit of a wobble!

Working for yourself can be lonely at times, and trying to come up with new things every day can become exhausting, along with promotions, meetings, bookings and everything that goes with being a self-employed jewellery maker and photographer. Although I’ve recently had some fabulous luck with the photography side of the business, I’ve come to a bit of a dead end with my jewellery. It seems that when it’s up close, and people can see it, touch it and feel it, it sells incredibly well – but online is a... Read More

19/06/2012

4 ways to tap into the festival market this summer

Festival season is upon us, and, being from the Isle of Wight, I couldn’t possibly continue without mentioning the fabulous Isle of Wight Festival (in a week’s time) or Bestival (held in September). I’ve spent some years working on festivals in some shape or form – and, of course we’ve already established I’m not the trendiest 30-something on the block, but I’ve always secretly desired to be one of the beautiful festival people! Alas, I would try and emulate the tousled hippie-chick Janis Joplin look, only to end up looking a... Read More

12/06/2012

Art work from old masters works magic for me

We all get those moments don’t we? We’ve got every bead of every colour, every tool for every job, and a few hours spare to create the next mind-blowing work of art; yet…your brain has different ideas! It’s packed its bags, and is off to Magaluf without a kiss goodbye, or even a hint to tell us when it’ll be back home! At these times I find that looking at art from old masters works magic for me. I am a huge art-of-any-genre fan, but the most appealing and inspirational... Read More

12/06/2012

Statement Wirework Collar Necklace By Kim

What have you made and why do you like it?A stunning wirework collar necklace that really does add a glamoroustouch to that little black dress. I wanted to make something thatstands out from the crowd but that still has an air of sophistication. What inspired you?I wanted to create a stand out piece that nods to the trend of thisstyle of necklace but with a handmade personalised touch. I loveworking with wire due to the fantastic shapes that can be created andits versatility. Which type of beads you have used... Read More

11/06/2012

Steampunk Fimo Rose Earrings

The earrings are steampunk inspired and the roses are glued onto a steampunk cog wheel pendant and then that is glued onto a flat back connector so that a ear wire is easy to attach. Then we glued some faceted flat backs, which we had spare, just to give that extra sparkle.

09/06/2012

Autumn mix charm bracelet by Claire Woodward

What have you made and why do you like it?I made a charm barcelet, i love it cause its dainty, vintage lookingand the colours are autum which i love What inspired you?I saw the 6mm swarovski xillion bicone vintage gold mix on thebeadshop website and i loved them i wanted to do a charm bracelet andi liked the idea of the butterflys on my charm bracelet and the leafcharm also. Which type of beads you have used and why?6mm Swarovski Xillion Bicone Mix – Vintage Gold Mix12mm Vintaj Natural Brass... Read More

08/06/2012

Resin flat back flower bracelet with glass pearls

Our resin flat back flowers come in a wide variety of colours, sizes and flowers. They can give jewellery an antique feel. With this bracelet we have glued the flowers to flat back connectors using epoxy and then they have been linked together along with pearls. Glass pearls compliment the flowers really well and come in a variety of sizes and colours to match your flowers.

05/06/2012

Styles are changing and jewellery makers are mixing it up

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Jubilee weekend? Mine was interesting! I attended what was meant to be a three day event selling both my jewellery and my photography…by Sunday the gale-force winds had made the marquee shrivel into a crumpled pile in the corner of the show area, and rain threatened to ruin all the stock! I, along with other traders decided to call it a day by Sunday afternoon for fear of being blown into the sea! Today I’ve stayed at home suffering a little from too much... Read More

31/05/2012

Wire wrap pearl bracelet by Tina

What have you made and why do you like it?Wire wrap pearl bracelet.I love the classic yet modern feel of this piece as well as the splash of color added to the toggle. What inspired you?The look and feel of the large grey pearls I purchased recently. I wanted something that would appeal to a variety of people and also something that can be incorporated in any wardrobe. I am all about the longevity and versatility of every piece I create. Which type of beads you have used and why?I used pearls, pewter and chain.