Click here to join or renew your membership

These are the winners of the 2013 Challenge "Underwater World"

• Beginner: Erika Fidler with Bobbing in Bubbles
• Intermediate: Marjorie Ashburner with Octopus's Garden
• Experienced: Jessica Hayman with Friends for the Long Journey
• Group: Priory Beaders with Binding Nymo
• Members' Choice: Jessica Hayman with Friends for the Long Journey

Photos to follow shortly...

The eightbyeight Project is inviting donations of 8x8” sized work (or small 3D creations) to take pride of place in our exhibition in support of Camille’s Appeal (http://www.camillesappeal.co.uk/), the children’s brain tumour charity.

We  are seeking diverse and exciting donations from professional, non-professional and student artists, painters, printmakers, illustrators, photographers, digital artists, papercrafters, those working with yarn and textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery, small sculpture, etc inspired by the exhibition theme, ‘Childhood Explored’.

Through coming together as creatives, we hope to raise the profile of this groundbreaking charity, and raise funds for their vital work in the rehabilitation and care of young children with brain tumours.

Participants will be featured on our website (and may include web links and a small profile to be displayed), and will also be included in our month-long exhibition at Eden Court, Scotland’s largest multi-arts venue, in April 2013.

Final closing date for submissions is 1^st March 2013, however early participation is very much appreciated (early submissions may receive extra publicity for the artist through being featured in our social media and national media marketing campaigns).

For a step by step guide to submissions and full information, please visit our website at www.eightbyeight.org .

You can follow progress of the project via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EightbyEightProject, on Twitter https://twitter.com/8by8project, or join our Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/2111789@N21/ . You might also like to sign up for our newsletter by following this link http://eightbyeight.org/section623806.html .

From the eightbyeight Project, and Camille’s Appeal, thank you!

Call for Applications

Handmade in Britain 13: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

8^th-10^th November 2013

Chelsea Old Town Hall , London

We will be returning to Chelsea Old Town hall for our 7^th year in 2013, showcasing exceptional British craft and design to begin the Christmas season.

We are now accepting applications from designer-makers working in Britain and creating in the following disciplines: Fashion design & accessories, Interior design & accessories, glass, jewellery, furniture, stationary, metalwork, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork, prints and etchings.

For Handmade in Britain 13, we are offering 5 new graduates the chance to exhibit their work in our New Graduate Showcase; Designer makers will display their work in a dedicated gallery area, on the stage of the main hall for the duration of Handmade in Britain 13.  In addition, each designer maker will have the opportunity to attend a specialised workshop with Piyush Suri, aimed at preparing the designer maker for the show and offering invaluable business advice to support their future careers. To qualify, you must have graduated in 2012 or 2013.

For details and to apply visit www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Artists and makers are invited to put their creative imaginations to work and make a button for a vibrant exhibition, The Button Project, in Macclesfield from 14 June – 8 August 2013.

 Launched as part of the Barnaby Festival Art Trail (14-30 June 2013), the buttons will make a stunning display of over 100 highly collectible contemporary buttons, presented by Macclesfield Silk Museums alongside itsinternationally important silk collection, which also includes a fine display of the originalMacclesfield Silk Buttons.

To find out more visit  http://www.barnabyfestival.org.uk/

Ann broke her leg in May and spent 11 weeks in plaster unable to do very much. An e-mail from one of her bead suppliers about a programme to be fimed for the BBC all about crafts ~  Paul Martin's Hanmade Revolution ~ sparked an interest. After much persuasion she applied to the programme and was invited to Guildford for a filmed interview. They had 2500 applications and interviewed 250 from which they needed 50 for the programme. She was invited to Arundel to be filmed for the programme.

The programme will go out on BBC2 from Monday to Friday for two weeks at 15.45. Ann should be on programme 2.

 The BBC have made a new TV series called Paul Martins Handmade Revolution, it is due to be broadcast in October /November 2012. Pam Kirk applied with her Poppys along with 1000’s of other people, from a wide selection of very varied crafts. To her surprise she made it as one of 50 finalists to the programme  ~ filming at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre in Bromsgrove in August.

There will be 10 programmes in all, Pam is on programme 7 showing on Wednesday 10th October at 3:45pm. Pam says the whole experience was amazing. From each programme of 5 craftpersons the judges choose a favourite, the prize is amazing, they weren’t told what it was until minutes before it was announced, you will see the surprise on their faces!

Once the programme has been screened Pam is expecting an upsurge in interest in the Poppy Pattern, but perhaps more importantly it will help to encourage Beadwork in general as the wonderful beautiful craft that it is.

Pam thanks you all for all your on-going support regarding her charitable project. She has so far raised over £13,000 for the Royal British Legion 

What a fab time we had at Daventry. For the first time ever we had classes on Friday all of which were full. They were a huge success, the proof was clear to see on Saturday as many members had gained sufficient confidence to chart their own designs and thoughts on graph paper as well as beading from the patterns available. Everyone enjoyed the Friday Lecture about 78 Derngate which was accompanied by some fabulous pictures of a variety of Mackintosh buildings. We had good attendance at the Bazaar on Sunday too and lots of people went home with lovely goody bags from our various raffles.  The words to The Beadworkers' Song (this year's AGM entertainment) are available for members to download; look in the 'Forms & information' section

I now have to focus on the next Great British Bead Show, hope you're saving up to join us.

Sylvia

Event Organiser 

Bead Bazaar & Exhibition of Beadwork

Sunday 13th May 10am - 4pm

Staverton Park Hotel Daventry NN11 6J

Only a few weeks to wait now until we reveal the winners of  The Beadworkers Guild annual Challenge competion, which will be on exhibition to the public from 10 - 2pm.

Shop 'til you drop at our Bead Bazaar, remember to renew your membership for free entry!

Why not try your luck on our raffle: several fabulous prizes with a combination of goods from the Guild and traders. 

Refreshments available, Free Parking

Don't forget to tell your friends! See you in Daventry!!!

We have added three more sets of Basic Stitch Instructions for members to download:  Herringbone Weave, Circular Brick Stitch and Tubular Peyote Stitch.  Another free pattern has also been added.  This one is the 'Patriotic Butterfly' first published in the Journal of July 2011.  We think it's appropriate for the Diamond Jubilee year.  For those members interessted in photographing their beadwork, we have reproduced an article by the late Valerie Campbell-Harding which she wrote in 2001.  The advice is still relevant today, even though the technology has changed greatly since then. (You'll find it in the section 'Ideas and Techniques' of the Downloads)

We have added two more sets of Basic Stitch Instructions for members to download:  Right Angle Weave (two needles) and Circular Netting.  Another free pattern will also be here in the next couple of days.  It is a variation of the Double Chevron Braid pattern which is in the January Journal (pages 12 and 13).

We've put together some ideas for Christmas projects, all drawn from our 'Introduction to Beadwork' books.  You will find them in the Members' area under Downloads. 

For the first time we offer members free patterns.   Donated by members for other members to enjoy, the first four in the series are now available.  Visit the download section of the Members' area to get your copy.

Two more sets of Basic Stitch Instructions are now available for members to download:  Peyote Stitch and Brick Stitch.  The Peyote Stitch instructions include working with both an even and an odd number of beads across the work.  In the Brick Stitch instructions, we have included two ways of getting started, so do check them out in case one of them is new to you.  Both sets of instructions have a page of useful tips.

Right Angle Weave (single needle) is the lastest set of Basic Stitch Instructions to be added to the Download section of the Members' area.  They cover working the stitch with several beads or just one per unit and include a page of useful tips and suggestions. 

The Beadworkers Guild has decided to put some basic stitch instructions in the Members’ area of the website for members to download whenever they need.

The first set of instructions – Square Stitch - is available now.  Go to the Members’ area, click on ‘Downloads’ and you will find the new instructions under ‘Basic Stitch Instructions’.  If you are a tutor, you are welcome to use them with your students.

Gift Aid is a way of increasing the value of your Beadworkers Guild membership, at no extra cost to yourself, by allowing us to reclaim basic rate tax on your subscription.

The main condition of Gift Aid is that you are a UK taxpayer and have paid enough tax to cover what we will reclaim. This means that you ony need to be paying £7 in income tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in this year to be able to Gift Aid for the Guild.

HMRC require a formal declaration that you meet the Gift Aid conditions.
So if you are a Member, and would like us to claim Gift Aid, then please click here to download more information and a Declaration form.

The Great British Bead Show is fast approaching, and we can now confirm which traders will be attending the Bead Bazaar on Sunday 8th May. 

We have invited traders from around the country with everything a beader could ever need!  Glass beads, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals.  Books, tools and “must have” storage!  You’ll find it all at our Bazaar at The Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry.

Click here to download a list of traders who will be attending the show.

Not booked your place yet?  Classes are filling up fast, but we do still have a few spaces available.  Click here to check the GBBS workshops page and choose your class.

The Great British Bead Show class allocation has been carried out, members who got their forms in for the draw will be notified of the selection within the next few weeks.

All applications have been acknowledged by email, if you haven’t had an acknowledgment, it’s likely that I haven’t received your booking form. If you don’t have an email address or simply didn’t put it on your form, please call :

Sylvia on 01908 311243 to ensure your booking has been received.

All remaining places are now on a first come first served basis, so if you haven’t yet selected your options, don’t delay. If you need help choosing, please call Sylvia for assistance.

It’s going to be a brilliant event, do join us if you can.

Herringbone Module

The new Herringbone Module is now available to download from the Members Area.  Once again, our apologies for the delay.

Summer Special Discounts

We're pleased to announce some very special discounts this summer, so get those beads out!  We're offering special prices on the Celebrations book, Journal binders, the BWG tote bag and back issues of the Journal.  To download the order form, which gives details of the prices, click here.

Summer Special Discounts

We're pleased to announce some very special discounts this summer, so get those beads out!  We're offering special prices on the Celebrations book, Journal binders, the BWG tote bag and back issues of the Journal.  To download the order form, which gives details of the prices, click here.

Herringbone Module

If you're visiting the site looking for the new Herringbone Module - sorry!  We've encountered an unexpected hitch, and haven't been able to upload the module yet.  We're working hard to resolve the problem though and we're hoping to upload the new module in the next few days, so keep checking our site for announcements.

We're pleased to announce that you can now place orders for our books online.  Please visit the books page to see our new shopping cart.  If you are a member you are entitled to a discount on many of our books, visit the Members Area to obtain your discount code.

We hope to add online ordering for other products (such as patterns from previous Cascade Days, and our BWG bag) in the near future.

If you are driving to our Regional Day in Cumbernauld?  If so, we've heard there are roadworks on the dual carriageway into Cumbernauld which are causing delays.

If you want to check the traffic news before you leave home, then you can use a site such as Traffic England (and its sister site, Traffic Scotland), which offer up-to-date information from the Highways Agency.  Alternatively, Google Maps also offer traffic information.

Are you available to teach beadwork in the London area?

London South Bank University are running a summer school for 150 Year 10's which will include two beading workshops, from 2-4pm, during the week of 5th-9th July.  Each class would have up to 20 students.  If you are interested in teaching these workshops then please contact the Outreach Projects Officer Emma Vandersteen (email: evandersteen@lsbu.ac.uk) to discuss the project further.

A new 'How To Be A Beader' Module covering Brick Stitch is now available for Members to download free in our Members Area under Workbooks.

We understand that people are sometimes reluctant to send their beadwork through the  post, particularly their entries for the Challenge.  Therefore, and in response to  concerns expressed by members, we have decided to revoke the Challenge rule that 'entries must be posted'.  Members may deliver 'fragile' pieces to our stand at a show or via a committee member, providing they confirm before hand that they will reach the office by the April deadline.  Entries may also be delivered directly to the office.  However, to avoid disappointment, please contact Samantha in the office before traveling.

To be fair to all, it remains an absolute condition of the Challenge that all entries must reach the office by 16 April.

If you know of any members who are concerned about this issue and who may not access the web site on a regular basis, please pass this information on to them.  It will be incorporated into the rules for next year's Challenge.

If you you normally help at one day bead fairs and are willing and able to help again this year, demonstrating and talking to the public, pease email your contact details to: chair@beadworkersguild.org.uk
These are the venues we need to cover for spring/summer :

• Sun 7th Feb -  Kempton 
• Sun 18th April - Towcester
• Sun 2nd May -  Haydock
• Sun 13th June - Wincanton
• Sun 1st Aug - Haydock

Our beadwork exhibition is now open! Saturday 29th was our first day and three of us, Sue Maguire, Liz Thornton and myself Sylvia Fairhurst, were in attendance demonstrating and answering questions from the public.

Some visitors came as a direct result of the advertising flyers, some came for the artist exhibition downstairs and thought they’d take a look at our exhibition while they were there, others came in by chance as they’d seen the notice board outside the museum.

All were suitably impressed, here are just a few of the comments from those who signed our visitors book. Our very first visitor was Noel York from Duston, Northampton, he came for the artist exhibition and dropped in on us too, he said “First rate stuff, enjoyed it all”.

Mr B Clarke - Nice to see such excellent craftsmanship alive!

Frances Worlley - Bedford
Unbelievable, beautiful work, exhuberant, exciting and inspirational.

Georgina Carrings – Bristol
Brilliant, amazing what you can do with beads, time and imagination!

Jean Power – London
Wonderful, thank you for putting in the time and effort for us to enjoy the display.

Samantha Valentine – Northampton
Absolutely amazing, totally fascinated by what you have achieved.

Counciller Paul Varnsverty
A very impressive display of skills.

When asked what their favourite piece was, most people just couldn’t say as there are so many to choose from, some did mention particular pieces but they were all different. However some artists names are coming up numerous times and our very own Claire Crouchley had the most mentions on opening day. Congratulations Claire.

The exhibition is open Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm and on Sunday 2 – 5pm
When you visit please remember to sign our visitors book.

Our next day of attendance and demonstration is Saturday the 5th September.

Best wishes
Sylvia
Chairman

The exhibition includes more than 150 items of beadwork lent to the Guild by 60 members and groups. They range in size and complexity from a tiny beaded perfume bottle to a complete garden in beads. There is jewellery galore, lots of 3D sculptural work and several wall hangings and mounted pieces. This is the first major exhibition of contemporary beadwork in the UK - don't miss it!

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP

Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Click here to download a flyer.

Study Day in Milton Keynes

Study Days are a brilliant opportunity for members to see - and even handle - items from our Collection of beadwork. You can take inspiration from the techniques, the colour schemes, the patterns or just be amazed at some of the wonderful workmanship. You can get out your beads to stitch some samples or you can spend the day making notes and taking photographs, for beading later at your leisure. If that sounds daunting, then please do not be worried. At least two of us will be on hand to help and encourage you, though there is no set teaching as such.

The next Study Day will be held on Friday 18 September in Milton Keynes. We need to receive bookings by Friday 14 August at the absolute latest to be sure of running it. But it will help with our planning to receive bookings earlier, so please get your application in as soon as possible. Click here to find out more and download a booking form or call the office to be sent a form through the post.

Copyright Guidelines

The rules on copyright exist to protect those who produce original work for sale or publication. However, even though the principles are simple, the rules are often misunderstood or ignored. We have therefore drawn up some common sense guidelines about them which you can download here. If you run a beading group, sell beading instructions or kits, or are a beadwork tutor, you are welcome to copy the guidelines and pass them on to your members, customers or students.

A link to download these guidelines has been added to the Books and Journal sections of the site, or click here to download a copy as a PDF. To view you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader – click here to download for free.

Are you interested in teaching for the Beadworkers Guild?

The Beadworkers Guild invite submissions from tutors willing to teach workshops in the north ie: Liverpool area on the west and Sheffield area to the east. Workshops will run from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on dates and places to be arranged. The fee for a workshop is £120 plus travel expenses.
Examples of the type of subject to submit are: wearables; stitch exploration; ornamental items; functional items and projects adaptable for children.
There will be a selection by photograph process and all tutors will be advised of their success or otherwise. Contracts will be sent to the successful candidates.

How and what to submit

• Your CV must cover your both your teaching and beading experience.
Photographs of finished pieces, one per item, and you may send a maximum of 8.
• One completed example from your selection.
• A sample of your class instructions / handouts, which must be detailed, include diagrams or photographs, charts were necessary and a diagram or a photograph of the finished item.

• General statement of experience required (beginner etc.)
• Specific knowledge required pre workshop
• Stitches and techniques involved
• Average time required to complete the item
• How much is likely to be finished in the workshop
• Likely cost to make

Update to Takako Sako Master Class

The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday 20th March. To find out more and to download a booking form please click here.

Call for entries for Handmade 09

Applications are now invited from designer–makers of contemporary craft who produce their work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and wish to exhibit in Handmade 2009. Events are being held 19th-21st June at the Assembly Rooms, Bath, and 11th-14th October at Chelsea Old Town Hall, London. For further information and application details please visit the organisers website

Update to Takako Sako Master Class

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms Sako is unable to run classes on Wednesday 25th March and Thursday 26th March. We are assured that the Master Classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will still run and places are available for each of these days. To find out more and to download a booking form please click here.

Call for entries for Handmade 09 @ Chelsea Old Town Hall

Applications are now invited from designer–makers of contemporary craft who produce their work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and wish to exhibit in Handmade 2009 @ Chelsea Old Town Hall, London. Click on the links to download application guidelines, terms and conditions, and an application form. To find out more please visit the organisers website

Call for entries for The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair launched in October 2008 to great critical acclaim from both exhibitors and visitors. The inaugural show attracted 3500 visitors and the exhibitors reported collective sales in excess of £100,000. The event will be held between 22nd-25th October 2009 at The Manchester Grammar School. The event will provide an excellent opportunity to sell and promote your work to a new audience of buyers and collectors. Exhibition stands from £330 ( 2mx1.5m); shared applications welcome. Further information and application packs will be available from the 1st of March and can be downloaded from the organisers website or can be obtained by emailing info@greatnorthernevents.co.uk detailing your name and contact details ( e.mail and address), or by sending a large SAE to: Great Northern Events, 23 Belfield Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6BJ. The deadline for applications is the 1st of May 2009.

Ms. Takako Sako, whose stunning beaded kimono was featured in the current issue of the Beadworkers Guild Journal, will be teaching a master class during her visit to London in March. She has designed an elegant, loom beaded brooch for this Master Class and will be teaching the techniques involved in setting up a bead loom, working through a design chart and finishing the brooch.

The class lasts for one day, and there is a choice of five different dates. To find out more and to download a booking form please click here.

The dates for Study Days in 2009 have been announced and the booking frm is now available to download from this website. Click here for more information.

Beadworkers Guild membership makes a fabulous gift.
Please help us to help you give the gift of membership by providing us with clear and correct information.

We have recently had number of people completing the membership form for a third party as a gift intended for Christmas. Lovely thought, but how disappointing for you if the gift is not fulfilled.

The Guild need your details as the giver of the gift in case of any query aswell as the receivers details for membership.

We have had someone providing a hypothetical telephone number, via the website form, this means the intended recipient is unlikely to get their gift as we are unable to contact the giver to clarify the gift intended.

Also if you would like your ‘friend’ to receive a Christmas package you should join for the current year, this means that they will receive a package of three full colour Journals in time for Christmas and the fourth issue in January which will carry a renewal form for April 09.

However if you stipulate memberships from April they will receive nothing from us until April when our membership year begins.

I hope this will help to guide you to make the perfect gift.

Many thanks and Happy Christmas

Sylvia Fairhurst
Chairman

Study Days

You may have seen information in the Journal about our new Beadwork Study Days. These offer the opportunity for you to get up close and personal with some of our beautiful collection. The next Study Day will be held on Friday 3rd October in Milton Keynes. To find out more about Study Days, how to book your place, and how to arrange one in your area, click here.

Beadwork Exhibition Opens

Beadworkers Guild members were invited to participate in an exhibition of beadwork inspired by the Warner Textile Archive in Braintree, Essex. Some of our members attended a study day at the Archive in January and we all had great fun poking around in drawers and cabinets and shelf after shelf of fabric samples, wallpapers and even printing blocks. Another visit has been booked for later in the year. One member from Wales was unable to travel to the archive, and so took part by asking for a few photographs, selecting one and working from that alone. Below is an example of beadwork by Clair Madder, inspired by the items she saw at the study day.

At a later date we thought it would be an interesting challenge to ask everyone to work from the same sample of paper which had several different design panels on it. We all had to use the same colour scheme as the sample, terracotta, cream and black.The resulting choices of design and intepretation proved to be diverse and interesting.

The exhibition is being held at Braintree District Museum, Manor Street, Braintree, Essex.
September 13th –November 8th 2008
Opening times Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm

Both the WTA and The Guild would like to hear members views from anyone who attends this small but interesting exhibition.

A new Cascade Day has been organised in Milton Keynes for Saturday 19th July, 2008. For more information call Sylvia Fairhurst on 01908 311243

Forthcoming Cascade Days are:

• Saturday 5th July 2008, Worcester.
• Sue Castle 01527 821384.

• Saturday 19th July 2008, Milton Keynes.
• Sylvia Fairhurst 01908 311243.

• Saturday 2nd August 2008, Cumbria.
• Margaret Hall 01900 821128.

• Pending, Southampton.
• Mary Davis 02380 666296

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.

There are still a few rooms available at the hotel on a first come, first served basis, for either BWG members, or traders at the Bead Bazaar. If you’re interested, contact Sylvia Fairhurst on 01908 311 243.

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.

We’re sorry to announce that the ‘Make It’ event at Thorpe Park, due to take place this weekend, has had to be cancelled due to the bad weather conditions.

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 deadline for the selection process for the GBBS workshops is approaching fast. If you're thinking of attending, don’t forget to check out the classes and send us your choices so we receive them before the 6th December. Following this date we will announce which classes (if any!) still have places available.

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.