'Fireworks' monthly challenge projects and a winner!!

I can only apologise for the late post of the challenge guys. Unfortunately like most people at winter time I've also had a nasty little bug. 

I was so looking forward to seeing what beautiful, colourful creations you all came up with, so here are the lovely entries from this month's challenge that make us think of everything about beautiful "fireworks". 

Entrants were welcome to interpret the 'Fireworks' theme in any way that they liked. It's now time for us to share our entries and, of course, announce the winner of the £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool. 


Yasmine

Fab little ring in vibrant yellow and black.

Asri

This little pendant is beautiful soutache and bright coloured beads.

Carol

Stunning little coloured stars earrings.

Carolyn

These lovely little earrings look like little rockets with the tails following them.

Sue

Miracle beads and wire work necklace in gorgeous vibrant pink.

Deb

Beautiful netted necklace using seed and bugle beads

Ev

A gorgeous necklace that looks like sparklers.

All the entries are absolutely stunning and we are so happy you all took part. The winner was chosen at random! and, at the top of the list is....

Ev! Congratulations! Ev, please e-mail us at info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk, so that we can send your your voucher code!

Free Star Earring Pattern.

So the time is coming around to Xmas and we're all looking for the perfect little gifts. So here at The Bead Shop we thought we'd make a simple, but eye catching pattern for a little stocking filler.

Materials: (all available from The Bead Shop Liverpool) www.thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk
5g Size 11 Seed Beads
1g of each colour Size 15 Seed Bead
4mm x 3mm Oval Chain
Fireline
Needle
12 Jump Rings
2 Earwires

Step 1: Pick up eight size 11 Seed Beads.

Step 2: Go back through all the size 11/0s (from the tail upwards) picked up in the previous round to form a ring

Step 3: Coming out of a size 11/0, pick up a size 15/0 and go straight into the next size 11/0 along.

 Step 4: Continue adding 15/0s between all the 11/0s.

Step 5: Coming out of a 15/0 that you added in the previous round, pick up two 15/0s and go forward into the next 15/0 along. Repeat this step all the way around

Step 6. Come up through the first 15/0 in one of the sets of 2 that you added in the previous round. Pick up a 15/0 and go straight down through the second 15/0 from the set of two that you added in the previous round. Also go down through the 15/0 from step 4 and up into the first 15/0 from the next set of two added in the previous round. Continue this all the way around.

 Step 7: You star should now look like this. Weave in the threads.

Step 8: Cut lenghs of chain to your desired length. Using a jump ring, go through the centre of the star and a link on the chain to join.

Step 9: Repeat all previous steps to make 5 stars. Attached all 5 lengths of chain to one main jump ring. Also attach the ear wire to this jump ring.

Step 10: Repeat all steps to make the other earring.

Enjoy your earrings whether they are for your or a loved one.

'Fireworks' (The Monthly Challenge)

On the 1st of each month we'll be posting a challenge theme to inspire your jewellery making - whether you're a seed beader, stringer, metal clay worker, kumihimo lover or an all round beadaholic! 

With winter fast approaching and the cold nights drawing in, its easy to get drawn into a darker mood. So we thought with bonfire night on our doorsteps, we'd add a bit of colour to our monthly challenge and make this month 'Fireworks'! So we want to see the bright, vibrant colours of a rocket squealing through the sky, a spinning Catherine wheel or beautiful golden sparklers. We want to see your designs that have been inspired by fireworks. Designs must be made especially for the challenge.

Images taken from google images

Does It Have To Be My Own Design? 

Not at all. We are happy for you to use designs from books, magazines or tutorials - or include elements inspired by other designers. However, we do ask that you remember to credit the designers when sending us your entries. 

Do You Accept Entries From Outside The UK? 

The Bead Shop Liverpool mails internationally so, yes, we are happy to except entries from outside the UK! 

When's The Deadline For Entries? 

The deadline for entries is the 25th of November 2013. Entries received after the 25th November will not be counted. We'll be sharing all entries on the blog - and announcing the winner - on the 28th November 2013. 

And How Do I Enter? 

Please send an e-mail to info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk and include your name, e-mail address, details of your design and, of course, a photograph!

'October'! monthly challenge projects and a winner!!

So what an October we've had. Mile high winds and rain! But on my way in to the Bead Shop today the sun is shining, the leaves are falling in that beautiful browny/red colour and the air is crisp. It's Halloween and i hope you all have your sweets ready for the lovely little trick or treater's that come around dressed as ghouls and goblins. 

So here are the lovely entries from this month's challenge that make us think of everything that October encompases. Entrants were welcome to interpret the 'October' theme in any way that they liked. It's now time for us to share our entries and, of course, announce the winner of the £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool. 

Ana

"I associate the month of October with leaves changing colours and falling from trees, so I chose a pattern by Viktoria Szabo (VikisBeadingTutorial) called Leaf of Olwen for beading a pair of elegant earrings."

Sue

Poppy Brooch in beautiful reds and greens.

Deb

Beaded bead earrings using Swarovski pearls and crystal in Autumn colours.

Asri

Fun Polymer clay pumpkin earrings. Tutorial by http://www.cookonstrike.com/

Ev

"My necklace of blue an gold tiger's eye with frosted yellow and dark maroon top drilled flowers and gold seed beads is 18" long and has hoop earrings to go with it...to me, these colors represent the fading gold of autumn leaves and the blue gray of the sky, with the few bright an sunny days that we sometimes see before winter arrives represented by the bright gold of the seed beads

All the entries are absolutely stunning and we are so happy you all took part. The winner was chosen at random! and, at the top of the list is....

Deb! Congratulations! Deb, please e-mail us at info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk, so that we can send your your voucher code!

'October' (The Monthly Challenge)

On the 1st of each month we'll be posting a challenge theme to inspire your jewellery making - whether you're a seed beader, stringer, metal clay worker, kumihimo lover or an all round beadaholic! 

With so much going on in October we decided to let the challenge be just that, 'October'. So whether you're inspired by the scary but fun Halloween, kicking the beautiful brown/red leaves falling from the trees in welly boots or the clocks going back and giving us that extra hour in bed, we want to see your designs that have been inspired by October. Designs must be made especially for the challenge.

Pictures taken from Google images

Does It Have To Be My Own Design? 

Not at all. We are happy for you to use designs from books, magazines or tutorials - or include elements inspired by other designers. However, we do ask that you remember to credit the designers when sending us your entries. 

Do You Accept Entries From Outside The UK? 

The Bead Shop Liverpool mails internationally so, yes, we are happy to except entries from outside the UK! 

When's The Deadline For Entries? 

The deadline for entries is the 25th of October 2013. Entries received after the 25th October will not be counted. We'll be sharing all entries on the blog - and announcing the winner - on the 28th October 2013. 

And How Do I Enter? 

Please send an e-mail to info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk and include your name, e-mail address, details of your design and, of course, a photograph!

Indian Summer monthly challenge projects and a winner!!

So we nearly had an Indian Summer after the 2 days sunshine, but now it seems to be drizzly and grey. So here are the lovely entries from this month's challenge to make you think of warm summer nights, bright colours and golden rays. Entrants were welcome to interpret the 'Indian Summer' theme in any way that they liked. It's now time for us to share our entries and, of course, announce the winner of the £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool. 

Vicki

A combination of crystal clay and gems to make this beautiful brooch to be worn on a sarong on a hot summers day.

Clair

it's inspired by the bright, rich colours of Indian Jewellery and is made with a Fuschia 14mm Rivoli, Galv. Gold Seeds and Gold Chain.

Carolyn

I used a metal elephant pendant along with acrylic yellow beads with red spots. I also used red beads as accents with gold daisy spacers.

Ev

I used a very colorful pendant that consists of a orange flower with stylized leaves and small blue beads. Accented with some glass rounds and e beads in similar colors to match the pendant, silver flowers and butterflies  I like to think that this represents all the colors of summer...going into fall.

Yasmine

A jewelled hair accessory made in glittering gold seed beads and accented with green and red beads. Finished with a stunning red crystal.

Asri

I used red Gudo lampwork beads, Red and orange natural stone beads and some gemstone chips 

Ana

It is a multistrand bracelet made with Rayher wooden beads connected with flower chain I have made myself. Its colours are warm: red, orange and pale salmon, the rings are copperish looking and the toggle clasp is definitely copper.

All the entries are absolutely stunning and we are so happy you all took part. The winner was chosen at random! and, at the top of the list is....

Vicki! Congratulations! Vicki, please e-mail us at info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk, so that we can send your your voucher code!

Indian Summer {The Monthly Challenge}

On the 1st of each month we'll be posting a challenge theme to inspire your jewellery making - whether you're a seed beader, stringer, metal clay worker, kumihimo lover or an all round beadaholic! 

Here at The Bead Shop Liverpool we're hoping that we'll have a bit of an autumnal heat-wave! Who doesn't want the sunshine to continue? So, with that in mind, this month we'd like you to create something inspired by the idea of The Indian Summer. You're welcome to interpret the theme in any way that you choose, but your creations must be made especially for the challenge.

At the end of the month, we'll be sharing everyone's entries here on the blog and choosing one winner at random to receive a £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool's new website.

Image SYPhotography via Maharani Weddings.

Does It Have To Be My Own Design? 

Not at all. We are happy for you to use designs from books, magazines or tutorials - or include elements inspired by other designers. However, we do ask that you remember to credit the designers when sending us your entries. 

Do You Accept Entries From Outside The UK? 

The Bead Shop Liverpool mails internationally so, yes, we are happy to except entries from outside the UK! 

When's The Deadline For Entries? 

The deadline for entries is the 25th of September 2013. Entries received after the 25th September will not be counted. We'll be sharing all entries on the blog - and announcing the winner - on the 28th September 2013. 

And How Do I Enter? 

Please send an e-mail to info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk and include your name, e-mail address, details of your design and, of course, a photograph!

Fairy Tale Inspired Projects And A Winner! {Monthly Challenge Entries}

For our first Monthly Challenge we asked you to create something inspired by Janie Grohman's beautiful, fairy tale illustration. Entrants were welcome to interpret the Fairy Tale Theme in any way that they liked - and they did! It's now time for us to share our entries and, of course, announce the winner of the £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool. 

Carolyn

Carolyn has used some beautiful Swarovski Bicones and Swarovski Cosmic Rings, as well as Tri-Cut Crystals used a spacers. Aren't the colours lovely?

Deb

Deb created her lovely 'Snow Queen' netted necklace using Miyuki 11s in Pearl Ivory Ceylon and a decorative clasp.

Mel

Mel has used a combination of stitches to make her beautiful 'Fairy Tale Vines' Necklace. Inspired by tales of her childhood, Mel immediately thought of the vines that hid princesses away in their towers!

 

Sharon

Sharon's 'Pixie Dust' Pendant has been made with polymer clay, which she has coloured and decorated with acrylics, inks and mica powders. Pretty enough for a princess!

Vicki

Last, but not least, Vicki's 'Fairy Bride Bracelet' was inspired by the iridescent colours of fairy wings and she has combined rich tones of emerald, purple and gold. The bridge itself, leads the fairies to their secret garden. Isn't that such a lovely thought?

We were absolutely thrilled to receive such beautiful entries for our very first challenge and we're very thankful that we had already decided to choose a winner at random! We popped everyone's names into the Random Generator and, at the top of the list is....

Sharon! Congratulations! Sharon, please e-mail us at info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk, so that we can send your your voucher code!

A Little Reminder {The Monthly Challenge}

Just a little reminder that the deadline for our Monthly Challenge. Make sure that you send your entries to us by the 25th August! We'll be sharing all entries on the blog - on the 28th August and choosing one winner at random to receive a £15 voucher code for The Bead Shop Liverpool's new website.

By Janie Grohman on Polyvore

This month, we'd like you to create something inspired by Janie Grohman's beautiful fairy tale illustration. You're welcome to interpret the Fairy Tale Theme in any way that you like so, whether you choose to create something worthy of the wicked queen or a sparkling Swarovski encrusted tiara - we want to see it!

Please send an e-mail to info@thebeadshopliverpool.co.uk and include your name, e-mail address, details of your design and, of course, a photograph!

Saturday Showcase: Beautiful Ceramic Beads & Cabachons

The lovely Caroline Dewison of Blueberri Beads, who supplies The Bead Shop Liverpool with our exclusive range of beautiful ceramic beads and cabachons, may be featured in Lark Books' Showcase: 1000 Beads.

Scheduled for publication in January 2014, the book will feature the work of artisans from across the world who create unique, handmade beads from a variety of materials - including ceramics, metals, metal clays, paper, fibers, wood and stone.

Hedgehog Porcelain Cabachon, £12.

Ceramic Windmill Charm, £8.

Ceramic Birdhouse & Birds Set, £8.

Even though places in the book are highly sought, two of Caroline's submissions will soon be before the jury! We aren't really that surprised - each and every one of her ceramic beads is handmade and hand glazed - but we are proud! Congratulations Caroline! x