I'm so happy to bring you the latest resource to UK Beaders... our brand spanking new forum!
I must say this wouldn't have been possible without the help of my wonderful fiance!
This does mean that over the next few weeks I will be fazing out use of the msn group in favour of the forum as it has so many better features for our members. Rest assured I will email all our members and keep everyone abreast of developments.
So here's to the forum! - See you there.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
New feature for the UK Beaders Shops map.
In response to recent requests I have started adding the details of studios and teachers offering classes/lessons/tuition to the map!
In future I may also be adding beading groups too, but at the moment it is proving difficult to gather the details of any established beading groups around the UK.
If you have any other suggestions for ways to utilise the maps facilities just let me know.
In future I may also be adding beading groups too, but at the moment it is proving difficult to gather the details of any established beading groups around the UK.
If you have any other suggestions for ways to utilise the maps facilities just let me know.
Known problem with site.
I recently noticed (as you may have done) that if you access the site from our lovely new domain name, most of the links when clicked on, will still display the UK Beaders site address in the address bar.
Rest assured I am working on this issue and it will be resolved as soon as I have the funding to do so.
If you want to bookmark/add to favourites any of the sites that are affected I would suggest you open a new window, and copy and paste the website address in.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Rest assured I am working on this issue and it will be resolved as soon as I have the funding to do so.
If you want to bookmark/add to favourites any of the sites that are affected I would suggest you open a new window, and copy and paste the website address in.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
All about beading wire and crimping - article
Hello again,
In response to repeated requests for info about what wire to choose for stringing projects and how to crimp it I have produced this article for you all.
Click here to view the article
I hope you find it useful.
In response to repeated requests for info about what wire to choose for stringing projects and how to crimp it I have produced this article for you all.
Click here to view the article
I hope you find it useful.
UK Beaders site now has it's own URL!
Just a quick update.
Just in case you missed my announcement On Friday 5th (sorry I was too busy to post here on Friday) I finally got the site it's own URL you can now visit directly at www.uk-beaders.co.uk
Dont worry if you have the old address stored in your favourites it will still work. You can also now email directly too!
Just in case you missed my announcement On Friday 5th (sorry I was too busy to post here on Friday) I finally got the site it's own URL you can now visit directly at www.uk-beaders.co.uk
Dont worry if you have the old address stored in your favourites it will still work. You can also now email directly too!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Lampworking lesson with Mike Poole by Caroline Hannon
I have always been fascinated by handmade lampwork beads since I found my first set. I was searching for a teacher for a while when I found out that Mike was starting to teach lessons and these were the nearest I could find.
On the day I arrived at the old mill where Mike’s studio is located in the town of Todmodon, Lancashire. I was greeted by Mike, who after a brew when through a run down of what we would be doing as well as giving me a folder with the course outline in it. He told me about the health and safety aspects, and although this might not be fun, it is very essential.
He then moved onto the equipment, Mike uses a minor torch with an oxycon unit. Most newbie’s to lampwork start on a hot head and then move up to a minor torch. He went through everything from dipping the mandrels in bead realise to kilns and cleaning out the bead release once the bead had been annealed.
Then the real fun begins, Mike starts off showing how to melt the glass rods and building a basic beads. He is happy to tailor the course to suit the type of beads you want to make. After he had shown me a few beads and how to add decoration like dots it was my turn. As soon as I built my first bead, no matter how bad it was I was hooked.
At lunch time Mikes wife Su arrived with a yummy lunch, and I got to browse through a few lampworking book to get ideas, or to ask about how certain beads were made. After Lunch Mike showed me how to make lentil beads, something which I requested, then I got to make more.
He then challenged me to make a set of beads; I got to pick colours from his vast selection. Every now or then Mike or Su would get me to try two colours together to see their reactions.
Once I finished my set I sat down with Su, who showed me her collection of lampwork beads, both from British and American Lampwork Artists. Some of the work is amazing and it really inspires you to improve.
I was on a high all the way home, and 3 days later my beads arrived in the post having been annealed. If anyone wants to try lampworking I would defiantly recommend Mike as a teacher. I can’t wait to get my equipment….
Thanks Mike for starting another bead addiction
On the day I arrived at the old mill where Mike’s studio is located in the town of Todmodon, Lancashire. I was greeted by Mike, who after a brew when through a run down of what we would be doing as well as giving me a folder with the course outline in it. He told me about the health and safety aspects, and although this might not be fun, it is very essential.
He then moved onto the equipment, Mike uses a minor torch with an oxycon unit. Most newbie’s to lampwork start on a hot head and then move up to a minor torch. He went through everything from dipping the mandrels in bead realise to kilns and cleaning out the bead release once the bead had been annealed.
Then the real fun begins, Mike starts off showing how to melt the glass rods and building a basic beads. He is happy to tailor the course to suit the type of beads you want to make. After he had shown me a few beads and how to add decoration like dots it was my turn. As soon as I built my first bead, no matter how bad it was I was hooked.
At lunch time Mikes wife Su arrived with a yummy lunch, and I got to browse through a few lampworking book to get ideas, or to ask about how certain beads were made. After Lunch Mike showed me how to make lentil beads, something which I requested, then I got to make more.
He then challenged me to make a set of beads; I got to pick colours from his vast selection. Every now or then Mike or Su would get me to try two colours together to see their reactions.
Once I finished my set I sat down with Su, who showed me her collection of lampwork beads, both from British and American Lampwork Artists. Some of the work is amazing and it really inspires you to improve.
I was on a high all the way home, and 3 days later my beads arrived in the post having been annealed. If anyone wants to try lampworking I would defiantly recommend Mike as a teacher. I can’t wait to get my equipment….
Thanks Mike for starting another bead addiction
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