Beadworkers Guild News

Towcester Bead Fair on Sunday 20th April is £4 for entry, children under 12 are admitted free. (The April issue of the Journal states £15 for both days, this is incorrect)

The UK Flame off in Towcester Saturday 19th April is £15. Please click here for details.

We have completed our maintenance work, and online payments are once again available. Thank you for your patience.

Unfortunately we've had to suspend online payments briefly to allow some necessary maintenance to be carried out. We will be back with online payments in a few days, and in the meantime we apologise for the inconvenience.

Don't forget, the deadline for uninterrupted membership is Friday 15th February. If you renew after this date you will still receive the April issue of the Journal but delivery may be delayed.

You can renew online or print a form to post to us here - please remember to fill in your membership number if you have ever been a member of the Beadworkers Guild, even if you let your membership lapse for a while.

If you haven't booked on our Regional Event at Selsdon Park yet, it's not too late, so why not do it now? There are a few places left, so spoil yourself and book today.

If you can't find your booking form contact us for a new one.

The Guild has decided on a new approach for selecting tutors and projects for the 2008 London workshop programme and you are invited to make submissions.

Our selection will be based on photographs of the finished pieces you wish to offer as possible projects (8 projects maximum), a sample of your class handouts, a completed project piece for one of the submissions and your CV. The deadline for these submissions is 12th October 2007. Full details are given below.

General information

• Following the submissions deadline of 12.10.07 the selection process will be carried out in October. All tutors will be advised of their success or otherwise in November and contracts sent to the successful candidates.
• These workshops will all be held at Friends Meeting House and run from 10 am until 4 pm. The actual dates are not yet available, but they will be spread over the year.
• The fee for a workshop is £120 plus travel expenses (2nd class rail travel or 30p per mile car travel).
• Your CV must cover both your teaching and beading experience.
• Class handouts must be detailed, include diagrams or photographs, charts where necessary, and a diagram or photo of the finished item. The Guild will produce the copies for the students for you. (The Guild will also produce the student copies of the requirements list and post these.)
• Examples of the types of things to submit are: wearables, stitch exploration, ornamental items, functional items, projects adaptable for children.
• We only require one photograph per submitted project and the maximum number of submissions is 8.

How and What to submit:

• For each project/stitch workshop you submit please include the following information:
1. general statement of experience required of the student (eg beginner),
2. specific knowledge the student needs pre-workshop (eg odd count peyote),
3. stitches and techniques involved in the project,
4. average time needed to complete the item,
5. how much is likely to be finished in the workshop,
6. likely cost to make.
• Send your submissions to Maureen Lord, Tutor and Workshop Liaison, 8, High Firs Road, Romsey, Hants. SO51 5PZ, enclosing your CV, an example of your class handouts, a finished workshop piece made by you, plus all the items mentioned in the above section. This must all arrive no later than 12th October 2007 for it to be entered for selection.

Please be assured that everything you submit will be kept confidential and will only be seen by the people specifically involved in the selection process. The selection will take place at the address to which your submissions are to be sent and so pieces will not be unnecessarily re-packed or transported.

If you have any questions please contact Maureen Lord at workshops@beadworkersguild.org.uk

GOOD LUCK

An extra date has been added to the 2007 London workshop programme. You can now sign up to make a Pentagonal Beaded Box with Pam Palmer on the 27th October.

For more information please visit our workshops page.

There are currently roadworks on the A45, leading to a road closure. If you're planning to drive to Daventry, then allow an extra 15 minutes for your journey to allow for the diversion. You can find a suggested route for the diversion on the hotel's website.

Textile artists both professional and amateur are invited to participate in Poetry in Stitches 2!

The pictures must be inspired by a poem, and the size for the picture must be 2' x 2' (61cm x 61cm).

Any type of worked textile technique can be used. The pictures and poems will be exhibited at public galleries and venues such as hospitals around the UK.

Bringing these two art forms together creates a tough, provoking and visually stunning exhibition experience.

Further details and a registration form may be obtained by sending a stamped, self addressed envelope to:
The National Needlework Archive,
Boldre House,
5 Boldrewood Road,
Southampton.
Hants.
SO16 7BW

The deadline for registration to the competition is 09/11/07, work to be in by 07/12/07.

Visit the National Needlework Archive website

We are pleased to be able to announce that the workbook series 'How To Be A Beader' has a new stitch module ready for you to download and use. The Peyote Stitch Module is now on the Guild website for you to access. The module will show you how to work the various forms of flat peyote stitch including odd and even count, shaping, circular and tubular. There are also a number of projects for you to work through that have been desinged to help you practice the new techniques you have learnt. Once completed this module can be sent in for assessment in the same way as the Ladder Stitch Module.

Those of you who are familiar with the Ladder Stitch Module will notice that this new one does not have any of the background information that the ladder stitch one contained. This is because all of the background information is now in a separate module – The General Notes Module.

The new General Notes Modules covers all of the general, background information that new beaders need, whether working thorugh the stitch modules, or if you are working on your own. We felt that having this as a separate module would be better as you will only have to download this information once, rather than as part of every stitch module. The module is on the website ready for you to download and gives information about bead types, threads, needles, clasps and findings, knots, and how to finish off pieces of beadwork, plus lots of other tips. It also explains the assessment process in full and includes the form you should use when sending your work in to be assessed.

We have revised the Ladder Stitch Module by removing the background information it contained, as this is now available separately. If you are in the process of working through the old version o f this module there is no need for you to switch over to the new one. What is covered and what you will learn is the same in both versions. Work based on either version can be sent in for assessment.

To access any of these modules, first go into the Guild website and log-in to the Members Area. Once there, move your cursor over to the left of the screen where the menu is and hold it over 'Members Area'. Another menu will then appear and you need to click on 'BWG Workbooks'. The page that appears will list the modules that are available. Just click on the title of the one that you want to download. Downloading and printing these modules can take a little while.

The Education Sub-Committee, who are responsible for producing these modules, are now working on the next module which will cover brick stitch. if you need any help or information concerning any of the modules, the members of this group will be pleased to assist you. You can contact us: Pam, Isobelle, Maureen and Carole by sending an e-mail addressed to educationgroup@beadworkersguild.org.uk. If you need a more urgent response, our phone numbers are given in the General Notes Module. We can also be reached by post at:br/> The Education Sub-Committee,
The Beadworkers Guild,
C/o Langdales,
Oddford Vale,
Tisbury,
Salisbury.
SP3 6NJ

If you are unable to print copies of these modules for yourself, paper copies are available, either by contacting the Guild office or from the Guild stand at shows.
The Peyote Stitch Module, which is 19 pages long, costs £6.20 plus post and packing.
The General Notes Module, which is 17 pages long, costs £5.60 plus post and packing.
The Ladder Stitch Module, which is 10 pages long, costs £3.50 plus post and packing.
These charges are simply to cover the Guild's costs.

It's been a slow process, but we're happy to announce that you can now join the Guild or renew your membership online!

If you've missed the 28th February deadline to renew your membership, don't panic! We're still happy to receive your membership form, however there will be a delay of approximately 10 days before you receive your April issue of the Journal.

The Dairy Barn Arts Centre invites you to enter Bead International 2008, the 6th biennial, international juried exhibition of contemporary artwork in which beads are a significant aspect.

Any pierced object will be considered a Bead.

Entry Deadline: 5 pm Friday, September 7, 2007

Show dates: May 23 - September 1, 2008

Accepted works will be shown in a full colour catalog, printed by Ohio University Press. Selected works will tour the country through December 2010.

Jurors Connie Lehman, Elizabeth Whyte Schulze, and Cindy Wrobel will select 75 top artworks based on originality and innovation, design, technique, and craftsmanship.

Entry requirements:

• Artist must be 18 years or older.
• All work should be the result of an independent effort but can be a collaborative effort of no more than 3 persons.
• Work must have been completed after September 2006

Please contact Amy Doeringer via e-mail: amy@dairybarn.org if you would like to receive the complete rules and an official entry form (which will be available in February).

or visit the website.

Hand & Lock Chairman, Alastair Macleod who is currently conducting a world tour of universities and colleges, is offering visitors the unique opportunity to hear him speak at Creative Stitches SECC, Glasgow at 2pm on Thursday 8th March 2007.

Attention to ALL members of the Beadworkers Guild, Embroiderer's Guild and course tutors of Fashion, Accessories, Soft Furnishings, Textile Design, and of course, Embroidery and related Arts and Crafts.

Aims: His aim is to inspire the next generation, with a passion for decorative textiles, and to inform of the relevance and importance of embroidery and surface embellishment in industry - today - in the future.

The Lecture is accompanied by a full power point presentation, with 84-colour images, followed by a question and answer session.

Topics

1. The origins of embroidery, and it's development.
2. Gold and silver wire and military embroidery, and how lace and cords are made.
3. An outline of techniques in hand embroidery, and Irish and Cornely machines.
4. A presentation of seminal embroideries e.g. The Bayeux Tapestry.
5. A brief history of Hand & Lock est. 1767.
6. Aims and details of the 'Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery'.
7. Contempory embroidery and its future.

Duration: In all Alastair's lecture takes about 1 1/2 hours. This allows for the opportunity to deliver the 1-hour lecture and 30 minutes interface with visitors afterwards.

Testimonials:

'Excellent presentaion, obviously very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Inspiring samples, gorgeous embroidery and some good stories!' Diploma Fashion student Massey University New Zealand.

'The whole presentation was visual - not just talk, and very entertaining.' Design for Interior Textiles student Wolverhampton University England.

'Very interesting historical connections and perspectives.' Fibres student Savannah College of Art & Design USA.

'Fresh innovative knowledge.' Hi-Tech Fashion Group student Texas Tech University USA.

For details of Creative Stitches, SECC, Glasgow, visit the ICHF website or call the ticket hotline on 01425 277988.

Visit the Hand & Lock website to find out more about Hand & Lock and view previous years 'Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery' finalist, and winners work.

'Make-It' at Thorpe Park has been rescheduled for the 2nd - 3rd February. For more information, including opening times please visit the organiser's website.

Due to prior commitments we're afraid the Beadworkers Guild will be unable to attend these new dates, but you can still see us at Creative Stitches in Brighton on 9th-11th February and The London Bead Fair in Sunbury on 11th February.

The initial draw has been made, and if you applied for places on the GBBS Workshops you should now have received your information pack. But if you missed the deadline and are still interested in attending, there are limited places available on a number of classes. Visit the GBBS Workshops page to see which classes still have spaces available.

We celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2009 and we are planning a book of Challenge entries to include all entries since 2000. If you entered the Challenge in 2000, 2001 or 2002 and wish to be included, please contact us. If you entered between 2003 and 2006, we have your details and will be writing to you.

The Cascade Days are proving a great success, with four dates coming up over the next two months. To find out more about what a Cascade Day is please click here

Thursday 10th August - Suffolk

Saturday 19th August - Glasgow

Saturday 2nd September - Milton Keynes

Saturday 30th September - Fareham

To obtain contact details for the organisers, or to find out more about organising a Cascade Day in your area, please contact us

The BWG will be attending, some bead traders known to us are also attending. Demonstrators are required, if any member is willing and able to help please contact:

Jane Sadgrove on 0870 200 1250

The BWG will be holding Free Mini Workshops at the stand for beginners to make a spiral staircase bracelet.

These workshops will be held at 11.30 a.m. each day, and at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

A new workshop date has been added to our programme. On 2nd September in Glasgow you can join tutor Gillian Lamb and learn how to make her beautiful Lozenges bracelet.

Click here to view the workshop.

The competition was intense, but this years winners are:

Beginners: Lynn Davy 'Untitled'
Intermediate: Margaret Heath 'Inspired by Sparklers'
Experienced: Jenny Pratt 'The Fire Works'
Group: SuffEx Beaders 'Oriental Fireworks'
Members Choice: Jenny Pratt 'The Fire Works'

The title for Challenge 2007 will be 'Architectural Aspects'

We are sorry to have to announce that Quarto Magazines, who were to publish the beading magazine advertised in the April issue of the Journal, have decided not to go ahead with the project. This is a disappointment to all of us, but Ashdown Ltd have expressed an interest in producing this title and we hope to see it on the shelves September 2006. The special offer advertised in the Journal for tickets to the Artists and Illustrators Exhibition will still be honoured by Quarto Magazines.

We have had some queries from members that have not yet received their April issue. The first thing to do is check that you have actually renewed your membership, if not then the January issue was your last entitlement. The relevant form was included with your January issue as specified on the carrier/name and address sheet.

If you are certain that you have renewed, then you need to contact us to ensure we have received your payment.

If your renewal was received after March 10th you would be too late for the direct distribution from the printers. If this is the case your renewal will be among the 100 renewals and new memberships we are currently receiving per day, these are being dealt with in strict rotation. Please do not despair, we are processing payments as quickly as the technology will allow and your journal will reach you as soon as we can physically deal with the paperwork.

The phone number for the Leeds and District beading group in Yorkshire was incorrectly printed in the April 2006 issue of the Journal. For the correct phone number please visit the Groups page in the Members Area.