Bracelet workshops by Beadyjan

Come along to a beading workshop and make your own beadwork bracelet.

Prices include all materials and use of tools, tuition, tea and coffee. They can take place at your home (minimum of 2 students), my home or your choice of venue (for groups clubs etc)

Stunning stripes:

Make this striped bracelet on an embellished ladder stitch base.

Available in a choice of colours.

Skill level intermediate

Time to complete approximately 3 hours.

Price per person including materials £18.

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Caterpillar bracelets

Wide choice of colours

Skill intermediate

time taken approximately 4 hours (can be split into 2x2 hour sessions)

Price including materials

£24 per person

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Peyote waves bracelet

Intermediate skill level

Time to complete approximately 3 hours

Price including materials £20 per person

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Life circle bracelet

Made in Brick stitch around a bead.

Skill level - experienced beader

Full day workshop - approximately 5 -6 hours 

Price including materials:

£48.00

Memory wire bracelet and matching earrings workshop

Workshop number 1 bangle and earrings.

Perfect for beginners - make this pretty memory wire bangle and matching earrings.

Lots of different colourways available.

Workshop cost £12 per person - includes materials and tuition. approximately 2 hours long.

Beading circle

Today was the first meeting of my beading circle at the local Community centre.

I'd advertised it widely and 10 people said they'd be coming. However only 4 turned up (plus one who turned up as we were all packed up and leaving as they'd got the time wrong!)

I think the weather might have put some people off as it was dreadfully windy.

We had a lovely time talking about beading, however only one member had done any beading before the others all fancied giving it a try so I set everyone off making a simple memory wire wrap bracelet and a pair of matching earrings.

Everyone did really well and we all ended up wearing our makes. Heres Julie threading her beads on to the memory wire.

Sue planned her bracelet carefully by sorting out the beads and laying them out in the order she was going to use them.

Aided by a fortifyling cuppa Judy carefully planned her bead arrangement

Heres Sharon modelling her lovely green creation

Judy chose shades of brown

Sue made this pretty pink set

If you'd like to try beading this workshop is available by arrangement for small or larger groups.
Contact me for details by email at Beadyjan@yahoo.co.uk

Bead workshop

Here's a picture of the pink bracelet I made at the first beading workshop I held at home as a trial with one other person, two were supposed to be coming but one was sick and couldn't make it at the last minute, which was a little disappointing as I wanted to study the dynamics of teaching a couple of people at the same time.

Anyway, she seemed to really enjoy herself and as a raw beginner did really well - this is a great style of bracelet to be shown how to make as it looks so lavish and complex yet is really quite easy.

I made this one in pink which is nice and girly and frothy, I used vintage buttons as the clasps.

This picture shows the same style of bracelet in 3 different colourways, I can't really decide which ones my favourite - what's yours?

My favourite necklace

Although one thing which I would say most defines my jewellery is colour, probably my favourite ever necklace I made is this monochromatic beadwoven, freeform, brickstitch creation, which is the one which received the most compliments and comments. It was a bit of a challenge for me to work mainly in neutrals rather than the bright shades I'm used to but I managed to cram in as many shades and textures of black, white, grey, ivory, pearl, gold and bronze that I could find.

It has now gone to a loving new home to an owner who loved it so much she nearly made me cry with her generous praise and I must admit it looked sensational around her neck! It took me ages (and a few pricked fingers) to complete, but I think the end result justified the effort.

To make it, I began by making the first 5 (top row) full circle medallions, by brick stitching around a bead, then I stitched the 5 together, then began to work freeform brick stitch around them until it was the right size and made smaller brick stitch circles each one formed off the one before as the neck chain part. Its a really big bib style collar and a complete conversation piece - a real statement necklace. I am going to make another soon - just trying to decide what colours to use this time - any suggestions welcome.

Teal temptation freeform circular brick stitch bracelet

As I haven't been keeping up to date with my blog much lately I intend to blog about items I've made over the past year or so which got missed out, most of the ones I'll be featuring are still available for purchase if you like anything and want to buy it and its not currently in my Folksy shop leave a comment or email me.

First to be featured is this lovely freeform bracelet in shades of teal, turquoise, aqua, bronze and gold, stitched in circular brickstitch around larger beads it is perfect for anyone who doesn't like to wear any metal next to their delicate skin as it is created entirely from glass and acrylic beads and even the easy to fasten clasp is handwoven from beads.

Please leave me some feedback by adding a comment - I love to feel I'm not talking to myself!!

Fantasia necklace

I've finished my latest creation - the Fantasia necklace. I really enjoyed making it and I think some of that joy shines through.

I collected a whole medley of toning and complementary beads and cabochons in a froth of citrus green and sherbert pink, luscious lavender and foamy lilac. the centrepieces are shell, collectable vintage buttons and a pretty gemstone.

I then mounted each large cabochon onto stiffener and hand embroidered around it in peyote stitch, bead by tiny bead, each one surrounded by a slightly different but matching selection of glass seed beads and pearls.

Once all the components were completed to my satisfaction I backed them with soft coffee colour faux suede, then joined them together to create this stunning neckpiece.

Suspended from a chain of matching beads and fastening at the back of your neck with a silver plated push in flower clasp decorated with a tiny sparkling crystal.
It looks amazing worn over a simple black high necked sweater.

You can buy this necklace now in my Etsy shop 

I've been drooling over all the stunning beadwoven jewellery on the Etsy beadweavers blog  I've been a member of Etsy for quite a while but felt a bit shy to list any of my work there. However I've taken the plunge and opened an Etsy shop and put just a few items in it. My favourite Marie Antoinette bracelet and the River Lune pendant necklace are two of them.

Just been looking out some of my freeform peyote work which I made a while ago as I'm making a few new pieces which I'll be adding here soon.

Coriandr / Beadyjan / Nebula earrings

Coriandr / Beadyjan / Nebula earrings

I've just listed some new earrings to my Coriandr shop.

The Nebula Earrings are a little more elaborate than my usual simple earrings and take a little more time to create.

They are made by taking a facetted crystal bead and brickstitching around it with toning and contrasting beads, then adding a pretty dangling fringe.

They are suspended from 100% surgical steel ear wires as are all my handmade earrings as these are really the ONLY wires I can wear in my own sensitive ears apart from gold and whats good enough for me is good enough for my customers.

At a recession busting price of just £5.00 a pair they are available in a wide choice of different colours just email your preference and I'll make a pair just for you.

Oh and as someone so nicely asked me the other day if I will ship items abroad - yes I'll send them to USA, Canada, Australia and anywhere in the EU - in fact if you'd like to buy any item I've made I'll be happy to quote you shipping costs to your country, wherever you live as long as you pay by Paypal, just contact me by email Beadyjan@yahoo.co.uk

Happy Weekend everyone

What are you doing this weekend? I hope you have a good one whatever you're up to and the weathers a bit kinder than it was here last weekend.

I've been making some new earrings - I decided to name every pair I make even though they sell for as little as £3.50 a pair because each pair is one of a kind and individually handcrafted so I thought they deserve names rather than just reference numbers.

This pairs called Tenderness.

This pair is Tranquille

These are Serenity

This pair is called Enchantment - you can't see terribly well in the photo the absolutely stunning Czech crystal cluster beads at the top but they are gorgeous.

I bet these would be about £20 if you got them in a shop!

And this pair is Cherish because they are so precious looking

If you're a Facebook user I've started a new page for my jewellery, you can become a fan of my page on Facebook with a chance to WIN FREE EARRINGS by visiting it HERE as once I have 100 facebook fans I will be giving away a pair of unique bespoke Earrings absolutely free - please pass it on!

Earlier this week I went to the doctor and found I've trapped a nerve in my neck, probably with all the sneezing. At least I have some strong painkillers and some new arthritis medication, which seem to be helping.

Today I'm meeting up with an old friend Sue, we usually manage to have a good laugh so I'm looking forward to a catch up with her.

Have a great weekend everyone.

New necklace

I haven't blogged anything for ages so just thought I'd share my latest creation. This necklace is a beadworked peyote spiral embellished with a myriad of lovely beads in shades of bronze, copper and turquoise.

Approximately 18" long it fastens with an ornate Tibetan silver flower t-bar clasp.

Its a one of a kind item and is available for sale at just £24.

If you're interested just let me know.