Smitten Open House Classes

We have two fabulous classes for you this year as well as an opportunity to see how a lampwork artist creates her beads and a chance to craft your own. 

I'm very happy to welcome back talented bead weaver Charlotte Rosser from Wild Strawberry Designs. Charlotte has designed an absolute gem with the BEADED MANDALA  - this versatile piece once learnt can be adapted by using different amounts and sizes of beads; a clever component which can be incorporated into your jewellery making. We also have a great new teacher -  Dawn Gatehouse from Polly Red is a bit of a dab hand with wire work - Dawn will be teaching her beautiful ENDURING LOVE design, this pretty and delicate piece will be a pendant to treasure. 

Sadly we are unable to offer a class from Rebecca Anderson this time, unfortunately Rebecca has had to bow out due to family circumstances, we are sorry she won't be with us, wish her well and hope to see her next time.

..........CLASSES.........

BEADED MANDALA

Class Fee - £15

Teacher - Charlotte Rosser

Friday 29th May- 11 am 

Saturday 30th May- 1.30pm

Classes will start promptly so please make sure you arrive early

Learn the basics of tubular peyote stitch and embellishment netting to create this versatile big hole 'Beaded Mandala' using size 6/0 and 8/0 seed beads. Each student will have their own little pack of coordinating beads to work from and instructions sheets to take home. Once you have learnt the techniques involved you can expand on the design to create stacking bangles. Beading needles, bead mats and thread will be provided.You are welcome to use the skills you have learnt in whatever way you would like but we ask that you do not reproduce the instruction sheets for resale or distribution in any way.

ENDURING LOVE

HEART PENDANT

Class Fee - £15

Teacher - Dawn Gatehouse

Friday 29th May- 1.30pm

Saturday 30th May- 11am

Classes will start promptly so please make sure you arrive early

Join Dawn and learn how to make her "Enduring Love" heart pendant in beautiful Smitten colours. You will learn wire working techniques including shaping, hammering, wrapping and coiling. Each student will receive a pack of beads to make the piece and will be given wire, findings and full colour instructions to take home. Tools and bead mats will be provided. If you prefer to work with your own tools please bring them with you on the day. We ask that that you do not copy, sell or distribute the instructions and the design is for personal use only, however the skills you learn will be yours to take away and use to create your own masterpiece.

GLASS BEAD TASTER SESSIONS

per session - £10

Teacher - Linda Newnham

A fantastic opertunity to learn to make your very own glass beads - Each session will be approximately an hour long with a maximum of two people per session to ensure you get a close up view. Once Linda has walked you through the process you will have a go at making your own bead hopefully completing at least 2-3 beads during the session. All equipment and materials will be provide. 

  

Booking is now open - Please make sure you have read all the information before you contact us to book as we want you to make sure that the classes are right for you. Payment via PayPal is required at the time of booking to ensure your place. We are offering 2 sessions for each class, there will be a maximum of 10 students and the classes will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours long, all the materials are included and any specialist tools will be provided for you to use.

If you would like more information or to book onto either the Beaded Mandala or the Enduring Love heart pendant class please email me at: claire@smittenbeads.co.uk. To book the Taster Sessions please contact Linda directly either through her Earthshine facebook page or via email: earth-shine@hotmail.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Claire

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Smitten Open House 2015

I need to start with an apology as this is my first blog for almost a year! It's been quite a year, Smitten has been busier than ever and with the Bead Fairy (my helper Julie) moving of to a very much warmer climate, so something had to give.... However I'm back with a bang as I have news of this years OPEN HOUSE! Yup that time is upon us again, the sun has been shining and my energy levels are rising so it's time to get out the beads and show them off.

ARTISAN BEADSTERS - We have the usual suspects joining us this year, Bo Hulley, Pips, Earthshine and The Curious Bead Shop but we also have a very special extra guest in Faerystone - Lucy the head honcho and chief metal basher will be joining us with her superb chain and findings. I will be back soon with more info about all these talented ladies.

WHAT'S NEW AT SMITTEN - The Smitten section will have some rather interesting new beads this year, I've just taken delivery of a huge range of FRESH WATER PEARLS just for the show and today found  some rather gorgeous HEMP CORD in 25 stunning shades. As you would expect there will be lots of new and beautiful CZECH GLASS beads including ETCHED FARFALLE, STONE BEADS and the gorgeous ENGLISH CUTS in 3 & 10mm. We will have the new MATTE HAEMATITE range and the SNAKE SKIN FIRE POLISHED beads on display and of course it will be your first chance to see the beautiful GREEK CERAMIC and GREEK CAST METAL beads that were added to the website just before Christmas.

Some of our latest Czech glass beads

A selection of Greek Cast Metal beads

Etched Farfalle (peanuts), some of the new chain from the US and 4mm leather cord.

 SMITTEN DESTASH - Over the last week I have been spring cleaning the bead room and deciding on which beads are going into the Open House destash in order to make way for all the new beads. There will be some serious beady bargains to be had, as ever Mum (The Duchess of Destash) along with my niece Emily will be on hand to help you.

CLASSES - I'm happy to report that Rebecca Anderson and Charlotte Rosser are both back teaching this year along with our new tutor Dawn Gatehouse. I will be posting again at the end of the month with details about all three classes and information on how to book.

LAMP WORK TASTER SESSIONS - Last year Linda Newnham from Earthshine treated us to a fabulous demonstration of how she makes her stunning beads, this year she plans to offer you a chance to sit at the torch and make your own. I will be posting more details and how to book this along with the the class information very soon.


EATING CAKE FOR A GOOD CAUSE! - Guilt free indulgence!...Last year I asked you all to bring a cake or a tray bake to share in aid of a good cause. Your donations for the refreshments along with the raffle raised over £150 for The Born Free Foundation and this year I would love to top that. The Bead Smitten facebook group every year raises money for charities for the two legged but as I'm a bit of a fan of conservation and animal welfare charities I've chosen another close to my heart the WWF. I have discovered that I make a mean chocolate fridge cake so I will be whipping one up for the day, I shall be asking Pauline to do her (and my favourite) mushroom quiche and Auri (Mr Smitten) will be making us a lovely summer punch (non alcoholic!). So if you can please make something scrummy, sweet or savoury to bring with you to share I would be very grateful.

HOW TO GET YOUR INVITATION - If I've tempted you with the above and you would like to come and visit us on the 29th or 30th of May then here's what you need to do - Email me with your name and the names of anyone you would like to bring and your preferred day to visit, I will then reply to let you know that I have added you to the guest list. An email will then be sent out about 10 days before the event with your invitation which will include all the relevant info for finding us and parking.

To be added to the guest list please email me at - claire@smittenbeads.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you in May.