Sunday 6 April 2014

April Open House

CLASSES -

We are holding two really interesting classes this year at the Open house, both of which are more than half full already! But if you would like to join us here is a little information.....


We have two fabulous teachers lined up... Charlotte Rosser from Wild Strawberry Designs and Rebecca Anderson from Songbead and The Curious Bead Shop. There has been such a great response to the classes already, even before I had advertised the details customers were asking to be signed up. Thankfully we do have about 4 or 5 spaces left in each class so if you are interested please get in touch asap.........However, please, please do read the information underneath before you contact me to book, we want you to make sure that the classes are right for you. I am asking for payment via PayPal at the time of booking to ensure your place. 

Each class will have a maximum of 12 students and will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours, all the materials are included and the specialist tools will be provided for you to use (you will need to bring flat and round nose pliers for the Deco Rose class).

DECO ROSE CLASP
Class fee - £15
Teacher  - Rebecca Anderson


 Friday 25th - 1.30pm
Saturday 26th - 11am
Classes will start promptly please make sure you arrive half an hour early.

We aim for you to complete at least one clasp maybe two and to learn how they can be embellished with tiny beads. You will be using antique finish copper wire as we are unable to use raw copper and age it during the class (it's a bit too smelly). However Rebecca will be happy to explain the process to you. Wire and small beads for embellishment will be supplied. Bail making pliers, hammers and blocks will be provide but you may need to share with your neighbour (If you have your own please feel free to bring them with you) For this class you will need to bring your own round nose and flat nose pliers (contact me if this is not possible I'm sure we can sort something out). We suggest that you mark your own tools before arrival so that they don't get mixed up with ours.

NB. You are free to remake the deco rose clasps for resale within your own jewellery, but not as a single item ie. you may make one and use it in a bracelet to sell but not the clasp by itself.  We ask that you please give credit to Rebecca Anderson as designer if using this design within your jewellery. The instruction sheets are for your own personal use and we ask that you do not reproduce them for resale or distribution in any way.


RIZO SEA URCHIN (and beaded bead)
Class Fee - £15
Teacher - Charlotte Rosser


Friday 25th - 11 am
Classes will start promptly so please make sure you arrive half an hour early

During this class you will learn to make at least one Sea urchin bead using seed beads and Rizo beads plus another beaded bead design if there is time. Each student will have their own little pack of coordinating beads to work from. Beading needles, bead mats and thread will be provided. Instruction sheets will also be provided for each bead design. 

NB. 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.

If you would like more information or to book onto either of the classes please email me (Claire) at:  

I look forward to hearing from you.
Claire
x

Sunday 23 March 2014

Spring Open House - April 2014

Hear ye, hear ye, calling all bead lovers.....It's time for the Smitten Open House again!


Once or twice a year I like to open my home to all you lovely beaders for a good old session of buying beads, eating cake, getting to know other beaders and hopefully having a giggle or two. We had so much fun at the last show in October that this year I have decided to have a Spring show rather than wait until the end of the year. Well I can't wait and boy do we have an exciting show planned - Apart from the usual Smitten goodness we will have 4 Artisan bead stalls with us, demonstrations in wire work and lamp work, for the first time we are going to be running 2 classes and as if that's not enough we are on for an extra day!

Has that whetted your appetite, would you like to know more about our artisan bead stalls? Then keep reading.......

 BO HULLEY BEADS
I'm happy to say that back with us for another year will be Bo Hulley Beads, some of you may already know about Teresa's lovely ceramics as we sell a range on the Smitten website. Well this will be your chance to have a look at her latest ceramic creations here on the mainland as she will be winging her way over from the Isle of Wight to be with us. Here is a little taster....

 Bo Hulley Beads - Heart Headpins

 Bo Hulley Beads - Ceramic Shards

 
Bo Hulley beads - Owl pendant


 PIPS
Travelling a slightly shorter distance, Pippa from Pips will also be selling her polymer clay components again this year. We will be treated to a stall full of her amazing creations, I can't wait to stock up! Here are a few examples of her latest designs...

Pips - Snow drop pendant

Pips - Bunny pendant

Pips - Bird house beads


EARTHSHINE BEADS
Linda from Earthshine will be having a stall for the the first time this year, she's a wonderful addition to our merry band as she makes the most beautiful lamp work beads, her flower headpins are to die for! She will also be demonstrating lamp work bead making which is a treat not to be missed!

 Earthshine - Flower headpin sets

 Earthshine  - lamp work heart bead 


THE CURIOUS BEAD SHOP
(HANDMADE)
Another new face for this year is Rebecca Anderson from Songbead and The Curious Bead Shop. Flying in! from Belfast, Rebecca will be selling her stunning handmade findings in addition to teaching a class. Here are just a few of her antique copper pieces..

 The Curious Bead Shop - Heart pins

 The Curious Bead Shop - Contemporary earwires 

The Curious Bead shop - Edison Hook Clasps

If you would like to come to the open house on the 25th and or the 26th 
please email me at: claire@smittenbeads.co.uk to be added to the guest list. 
Invitations with details and directions will be emailed about 10 days before the event.
Please note that as the show is in my home the event is by invitation only.

Well that's it for today, 
My next post will have information about our CLASSES and how to book! 

Claire xx











Sunday 23 February 2014

Spring Fever Design Challenge

If you're feeling a little gloomy and fancy the chance to take part in a little challenge to pull you singing and dancing into spring, then pop over to the Gossipping Goddess blog. Lesley of THEA Elements and Caroline from Blueberri Beads have a fabulous challenge afoot with a combination of ceramic beads cheerful enough to lift the darkest day....Oh and you might find a little bit of my sari silk in there too!

http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/spring-fever-design-challenge.html

Saturday 11 January 2014

New Inspiration pack

This is a speedy post just to show off the new inspiration packs that will be added to the Smitten website tomorrow, I hope you like them, most were inspired by my recent visit to Cornwall and the Jewellery I made there :) ..

 Cornish Cream Tea

Dark Heart

Bridesmaids Posy

Somewhere in Time
 

Verdigris

Peach Blossom

Mint Julep

 That's all for today folks 
Claire x