Current News & Site Updates
21st November 2007
Added a new page about seed beads.
7th September 2007
Added a little bit to the lampwork section.
25th May 2007
Added new section to the site: Jewellery Making Tools. This is about pliers, cutter, tumblers, the Koil Kutter and the Jump Ringer.
3rd May 2007
Added another website to the UK bead retailer section.
I made a my own light tent/box type thing for photo taking of small items (jewellery). It's basically a cardboard box with big chunks cut out of three of the sides and the bottom. Tracing paper is taped over the holes. To take photos, the box is put on it's side (the side which was left intact) with two/three lamps directed through the tracing paper bits. It works about the same as a bought light tent, but doesn't look as good and also is hard to store (shop bought light tents fold up and have their own little bag). Avantages of making your own: saves you about £10. Disadvantages: is hard to store and looks ugly, though it is probably possible to make it look nice. Conclusion: buying one is better.
27th April 2007
New websites added to the UK bead (and findings) retailer section of the site.
I am having a very hard time trying not to buy more beads and findings. This week I brought some gemstones from www.theearthbazaar.com and also some Karen Hill tribe findings from an ebay seller. I can't wait for them to arrive! The list of beads and findings that I want is getting longer by the day.
17th April 2007
I am currently working on a UK lampwork artist section, any suggestions (e.g. artists to include) would be most welcome.
On my blog ilovejewellery.blogspot.com there is a post on "buying beads in Hong Kong", which may be of interest to beady people. Actually, that was posted in January 07, but I only just remembered it. The birth of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines means that it now only costs £270 for a return ticket to HK (non-peak times, including all extra costs).
US website, theearthbazaar.com has a new deal of the week on sterling silver, vermeil and gold filled items (findings, chain, beads). Offer ends 20th April.
16th April 2007
New stuff added to the tips and tricks section.
20th February 2007
I have added new sites to the tips and tricks section and the worldwide bead retailers section.
I have my light tent now, but haven't taken any pictures using it yet (been busy changing the look of my jewellery site charmchic.com). Will do so soon hopefully.
25th January 2007
New page added to the website about creating your own online shop. Hope this is useful to someone out there. My light tent has yet to arrive :(
22nd January 2007
There hasn't really been any proper news (is there ever?), but I have just purchased a light tent from ebay for £9.50 (to help me take nice pictures of my jewellery). It has yet to arrive, but I will let you know how good it is. I may also make my own photo box-type thing, which will/may also help in taking good photos of small items (sorry for my bad grammar!). Then I can compare the two and tell you which is best.
I have updated some other pages on the site and am currently working on revamping the bead retailer pages to make it easier to view. If you have any suggestions on how I would be able to make this site better, please feel free to contact me. I have also joined the UK beaders forum under the name madhatter (because I love Alice in Wonderland!) so you can contact me there if you wish to.
P.S. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and a fabulous New Year!
5th December 2006
I have just purchase the UK's first ever beading magazine for £3.95 from W.H.Smith. It is more expensive than the US magazines (Bead & Button, Beadwork, etc.) and not quite as good, but it is only the first issue and it is great to have a UK beading magazine at long last. I would say that the tutorials are aimed more at beginners, but hopefully they will be printing more advanced tutorials in later issues. I am already looking forward to the next issue!