Special combo clasps

If you use thread rather than wire for your beading and want to attach a lobster clasp to your necklace or bracelet, you may find it difficult to keep a jump ring on the thread at the other end. Worse still, a split ring can often fray your thread. So, what's the answer?

I've been using closed rings for some time now and I find that they are the most effective partner for lobster clasps, especially on necklaces where a fancy clasp might be hidden under hair.

A pack of 5 x medium lobster clasps with 5 x 6mm closed rings, is the perfect partnership. Available in either gold colour or silver colour, they are just £1.20 per pack.

It's been a while .... new delica colours

We've had a busy summer but we've still found space for some new Delica colours and they are all now available on the website.  

 

HD1765 Sparkling Celery Lined Opal AB
£3.75 for 10g

HD056 Lined Magenta AB
£3.50 for 10g

HD067 Lined Flesh AB
£3.50 for 10g

HD256 Lined Crystal / Taupe
£3.75 for 10g

HD149 Silver Lined Aquamarine
£4.25 for 10g

HD251 Galvanised Grey Lustre
£6.50 for 10g

HD234 Lined Crystal / Pale Salmon
£3.50 for 10g

HD215 Opaque Sky Blue Lustre
£3.50 for 10g

HD725 Opaque Light Blue
£3.50 for 10g

HD741 Matte Transparent Crystal
£3.25 for 10g

HD916 Sparkling Light Green Lined Chartreuse
£3.75 for 10g

HD1202 Silver Lined Dark Cranberry
£4.25 for 10g













Bead a tassel using tubular peyote stitch

Our bead groups had a great time during National Beading Week making all sorts of tassels, so I thought I would share one method of beading tassels, using tubular peyote stitch. Small tassels are quick to make and make ideal stocking fillers. Go to The (Virtual) Beading Room - www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk and find it under Free Stuff.

Happy tasselling!

Tracker solution

Do you want to wear your Fitbit Flex when you go out at night but the standard bands just don't look right, and so you take it off and wear a bracelet? Well, you're not alone. To solve this dilemma I have designed this holder that can be attached to a bracelet and voila! You're fit to flex for those extra steps.

For more details about the pattern (priced at £3.50) go to the Bracelet page at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk.

Free stuff - new addition

Whether tubular peyote is something new, or you just want a refresher, then this free technique sheet is just what you need. I've used 2 colours of beads to help, and you can practice with any size of seed bead. Download your free instructions now at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk (under the Free stuff section). This is the even count version; odd count will be added soon.

Workshop update - 1st October

Manda has made another colour available for this double-sided bead embroidered medallion / key fob.
You can now choose from the original blue and gold beads or the new red and silver beads.
For more information, or to book your place and choice of colour go to the Book a Workshop page at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk.

New downloadable patterns added

2 more patterns have been added to our downloadable range in The (Virtual) Beading Room. They are the pattern for Chequerboard Bracelet and a new design for a Christmas Bauble - Delicate Daisy. Enjoy x

Crystal necklace pattern now available

I have had a crystal necklace on display in The Beading Room for many months now and it is often admired. Whenever asked how I made it, I always had to look closely to remember just how many core beads were used for each stitch! Problem now solved.

The full pattern, with diagrams is now available in The (Virtual) Beading Room for £4.50 and is an instant download. You can find it at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk under the necklace section.

There are no plans to make it into a full kit at the moment, but you only have to ask!

Festive workshop with Marlene

The date is now confirmed for this workshop - Sunday 13th November 2016, and places are being snapped up fast. Book a place on the workshop and you can bring your own beads or order a bead pack. For all the information, go to the Book A Workshop page at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk.

Ripple Bracelet pattern is now available

Previously only available as a kit, the pattern for my Ripple Bracelet is now available at www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk. It's just £3.50 and you can find it under the bracelet section.

Free pattern for National Beading Week

I designed this little charm as an introduction to Right Angle Weave and to celebrate National Beading Week there is a free workshop  on Sunday 31st July at Haydock Park Bead Festival. Beads have been kindly donated by several of our exhibitors.

The charms make great little scissor fobs, key rings, bag rings, and I even put a few together and made a nice little napkin ring for the Christmas table - no, it's never too early to bead for Christmas.

If you can't make it to the festival, then you can still take part. Just download the free pattern from The (Virtual) Beading Room under Free Stuff. www.virtual.halfpenney.co.uk

Clematis Lariat workshops

Marlene's workshop - Clematis Lariat - on 3rd September is now full. But, fear not, due to popular demand we have added an extra date.... Sunday 23rd October. So if you've missed out, then be quick off the mark and ensure your place now, before they all go. If you're going to Haydock Park Bead Festival on Sunday you can see the lariat in all its true colour glory.

 

New drops, superduos, rivolis, tools and clasps

And just a few other bits and pieces ......

Miyuki Drop bead - 3.4mm
HDP9528 Ceylon White
£3.50 for 30g

Swarowski 14mm Rivoli
HS-RIV14-SIA  Siam
£1.30 each

Swarowski 14mm Rivoli
HS-RIV14-SIALT  Light Siam
£1.30 each

Magnetic Barbel Clasp
MC116AS
95p each




 

New to our online shop this tool is a must if,
like me, you can't turn loops (1.5mm)
£29.95

Czech Superduo beads
SD523980-28771
Jet AB Matte £2.50 for 12g

And that's all for now folks!!!

New Miyuki seed beads

We are also slowly extending the range of Miyuki seed beads - 8s, 11s and 15s. I don't know where we are going to put them - need a new set of storage drawers somewhere! The charteuse colours are fantastic with deep purple.

8HM14 Silver Lined Chartreuse
£2.50 for 25g

8HM143FR Matte Transparent Chartreuse AB
£2.95 for 25g

8HM1016 Silver Lined Green AB
£2.95 for 25g

11HM14 Silver Lined Chartreuse
£2.75 for 25g

11HM257 Transparent Topaz AB
£2.50 for 25g

11HM577 Buttercream Colour Lined
£2.95 for 25g

11HM1016 Silver Lined Green AB
£2.95 for 25g

15H9151FR Matte Cobalt AB
£2.95 for 15g



 

New Delica beads

Yes, we've done it again! Here are the new Delica (size 11) colours that we've added to the range and are now available online. The colours are really superb and some are a special request for a workshop .... next year.

HD113 Transparent Blue Lustre
£3.95 for 10g

HD775 Matte transparent Fuchsia Dyed
£3.95 for 10g

HD792 Dyed Matte Grey/Blue
£3.95 for 10g

HD796 Dyed Matte Opaque Maroon
£3.95 for 10g


 

HD1016 Metallic Rhubarb Lustre
£6.25 for 10
(PS the photo really does not do this bead justice!)

HD1204 Silver Lined Mauve
£3.95 for 10g

HD1210 Silver Lined Azure
£3.95 for 10g

HD1452 Silver Lined Pale Peach Opal
£4.95 for 10g

HD1454 Silver Lined Light Moss Opal
£4.95 for 10g