You do need to bring your own tools

							                                                                    February 2011

                                                                      Newsletter


Firstly we would like to apologise as we have been made aware that many of you did not receive the
January newsletter. Unfortunately there was a technical hiccup in our ‘IT’ department. Please be
aware that if this should happen again the newsletter will always be available on the website and
there will always be paper copies in the shop.

14 Days of Love

It's '14 Days of Love' again at www.thebestof.co.uk, where you, the shopper get to vote/recommend
your favourite store/business.
Last year The Bead Base came 2nd in the Craft Shop category. This year we're trying for 1st place! By
logging onto the website and leaving a recommendation, or filling out a card in the shop you can
help us. If you do this between the 1st and 14th February you will be entered into a draw for some
fabulous daily prizes too.

Website
We are currently in the process of redesigning and updating our website. If you would like your
jewellery or craft business linked on The Bead Base website, please let us know and we will add you
to our links page. Email Sue gordons5@sky.com, or call on 0774 902 7634.

Delicas and seed beads
Our Delica and seed bead range is increasing every week. Why not pop in and see the new exciting
colours? We now have a small range of Mill Hill size 15s too.
Don’t forget, if you return empty Bead Base seed bead tubes, undamaged, we will refund 5p per
tube.

Bead and Banter
Wednesday 23rd February, 6pm-8.30pm.
Come and join us for an evening of beading and jewellery making at The Bead Base. Meet with other
beading enthusiasts to exchange tips and ideas. Bring projects to finish or maybe start something
new!
This is a beading social and not a class, so you don’t have to reserve space ahead of time. You do
need to bring your own tools, supplies and probably a lap tray as space at the table is limited!
Please be aware that the electronic gates close sometime around 7pm. If you should arrive and the
gates are closed just give us a call and we’ll come running with the key!
Competition
Our first competition of the year is ‘Valentine’ and due to the mishap with January’s newsletter, we
are extending the deadline for the completion of entries until February 12th.
As always, we would like you to produce an original beaded project, no larger than (as a guideline)
A4 in size. This gives scope for jewellery, cards, textile projects, and much more. Beads can be used
in any way i.e. strung, stuck, sewn, etc.
Finished projects can be given in to the shop by Saturday 12th February. Entries will be displayed in
the shop for two weeks. During this time visitors to the shop will be able to vote for their favourite.
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third. Winners will be notified by Tuesday 1st March.
Prizes will be awarded as follows.
1st prize: A bead loom
2nd prize: A bead board
3rd prize: A ‘born to bead’ baseball cap
To avoid any mix-ups, please can you label your entry with a name and a contact number.

Advertising and charity
We will be happy to display your business cards on our board for a duration of 3 months and for a
50p ‘donation’ to one of our charities. If you would like to advertise your craft business on our board
please let us know.

Classes
Spring Flowers - Saturday 5th February 1-3pm
£12
Suitable for intermediate to experienced beaders.
During this class you will be making a spring flower. You will need Delicas, nymo and a needle for
this class.


Byzantine Chainmail - Wednesday 9th February 2-3pm
£15
During this class you will learn how to make Byzantine chain (an example is displayed in the shop)
from jump rings, and also be shown how you can make your own jump rings from wire. The chain
you make can either become a bracelet, a link, or a full necklace! All materials are supplied for this
class.


Beginners Earrings - Friday 18th February 2-3pm
£12
A good one for beginners, in this class you will be taught the beaded “dangle”; a useful technique
that can be applied to many forms of jewellery making. To practice, the class will make three pairs of
earrings; a simple drop pair, a chandelier pair, and a funky triple drop pair. All materials are supplied
for this class.


Beginners End Findings and Crystal Bracelet - Friday 25th February 2-3pm
£15
This class deals with different end findings and teaches you how to finish off your necklaces and
bracelets using calottes, crimps, wire guardians and any other end finding we can think of. The first
half of the class will be a mini tutorial and practice session; the second half will be a project where
you will put the practice to use and make a crystal bracelet. All materials are supplied for this class.


Peyote Stitch Bracelet - Saturday 19th February 1-3pm
£12.
Suitable for beginners.
For this class you will need to supply Delicas, nymo and a needle.


Albion Stitch Bracelet - Saturday 5th March 1-3pm
£12
Suitable for beginners.
For this class you will need to supply seed beads in size 11 and/or 8, a needle, nymo and a clasp.


Beginners Earrings - Wednesday 16th March 2-3pm
£12
As above.


Dutch Spiral - Saturday 19th March 1-3pm
£12
Intermediate beaders.
For this class you will need to supply Delicas, nymo, a needle and a clasp.


Beginners End Findings and Crystal Bracelet - Wednesday 23rd March 2-3pm
£15
As above.


A list of classes arranged beyond this date is available in the shop. Please ask Sue or Holly for more
information.
Please note that although we advertise most classes as bracelets you can continue working on your
projects to extend the length to necklace size.
If you are booked on a class and the weather is bad please phone The Bead Base to confirm that the
class will still take place. If a class has to be cancelled we will always refund your class fee or rebook
the class for a later date.


Precious metals and bulk quantities
We have had many queries regarding Sterling Silver and 9ct gold. Due to the volatile metals market
we do not stock 9ct gold and very little sterling silver. If you require either of these products please
let us know and we will then source them, let you know the price and order accordingly. We can
also do this for anything we stock if you require larger quantities. Please allow up to two weeks for
this service.