We've moved our blog to Wordpress!

From today, our lovely Little Bead Shop blog has moved to Wordpress!

Come and visit us at http://thelittlebeadshop.wordpress.com/

Love,

The girls from the Little Bead Shop x

Right-Angle Weave Bangle: Saturday 30th April 11am - 2pm: £15

Our favourite guest instructor Rebecca Anderson is coming back to The Little Bead Shop to teach you how to make these beautiful, colourful bangles!

These stunning bangles are made using right-angle weave, an amazingly versatile jewellery making technique that requires no more than a needle and thread and some beautiful seed beads in the colours of your choice!

This class is suitable for beginners. Some experience of working with seed beads would be helpful, but is not essential as you will be given full support on the day. And don't worry if you don't get your bangle finished in the class - you'll be given full, detailed instructions to take home with you!

This wonderful class costs £15 which includes tuition, all threads, and any findings required but excludes the cost of your seed beads which you can select on the day!

We're expecting this class to fill up fast so pop in to see us, visit our website or give us a ring on 0131 228 5058 to book a place!

Love,

The girls from The Little Bead Shop x

Beautiful Czech Bead Give Away!

Spring has well and truly sprung at The Little Bead Shop and to celebrate, we're going to give away a fantastic bead goody bag worth £5 made up of our favourite, stunning Czech glass beads!

To enter, just tell us what your favourite thing is about spring! The lucky winner will be chosen at random at 5pm on Monday 11 April.

Good luck!

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop x

Easter Holiday fun at The Little Bead Shop - New children's class timetable!

It's almost the Easter Holidays - HURRAH! The schools are off from 4 - 21 April and, if you're looking for something to keep your wee ones occupied, look no further!

The Little Bead Shop will be running a special series of classes just for Easter including this fabulous daisy chain (above), caterpillars, charm bracelets and memory wire bracelets!

All of these classes cost £12 ALL INCLUSIVE.

So, without further ado, here is our fantastic Easter holiday timetable!

Friday 8 April 12pm - 2pm Daisy chains!
£12 all inclusive
Suitable for children 8 years +

Spring really has sprung with these adorable daisy chain necklaces! All the beads you need, as well as loan of tools are included in the price of this class and at the end of your two hours, you'll come away with a finished necklace!

Saturday 9 April 12pm - 2pm Wrapped wire loop charm bracelet
£12 all inclusive!
Suitable for children 8 years +

Learn how to make wrapped wire loops to make this gorgeous charm bracelet using beads from our extra special bead bowl! Tuition, all materials and loan of tools is included in the cost of this class.

Monday 11 April 12pm-2pm CATERPILLARS!
£12 all inclusive
Suitable for children 8 years +

Ok doke, this class gets capital letters because it's one of our favourites! For £12 we'll give you all the beads, materials and loan of tools to make these beautiful beady caterpillars! This class is always popular with little girls and the bigger girls who work here too - and we always have great fun working out if they're boys or girls and what to name them... :D

Saturday 16 April 12pm - 2pm Memory wire bracelet
£12 all inclusive
Suitable for children 8 years +

Another Little Bead Shop favourite class! In this class, we'll show you how to make this lovely colourful bracelet - just perfect for summer :) As with all the others, the cost of this class includes all materials and loan of tools.

If you would like to book your child into any of these fantastic Easter classes, please pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058!

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop xxx

Mother's Day at The Little Bead Shop

It's mother's day next Sunday (3rd April) - did you remember?

We're going to be running some special "make a present for mum" classes next week - we'll keep you posted! But remember, you can pop in to make a special pressie for your mum and use the lovely little craft table at the front of the shop at any time and, the best bit is... it's totally FREE of charge!

We'll also give you a loan of tools, again, totally FREE! All you need to pay for is your beads and materials you use to make your creation!

So make sure you pop in to see us before next Sunday!

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop x

Full Day Bridal Workshop: Saturday 9th April 10:00pm - 4:00 pm £50.00

Are you looking to make the perfect piece of bridal jewellery for your big day? Well, this special bridal workshop could be just for you!

This full day bridal workshop is ideal for brides to-be and bridesmaids.

In the morning you will design and create a tiara using a variety of techniques with the beads and crystals of your choice.

After a break for lunch you will make either a necklace, bracelet or earrings to match your tiara.

Don't worry if you have little experience your tutor will help you at every stage. Class numbers are kept small to give you all the assistance you need!

Refreshments are provided.

This fantastic bridal workshop is running on Saturday 9 April from 10am until 4pm and costs £50.00 which includes a tiara band, wire and a £5.00 voucher towards your beads.

To book your place, pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058.

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop x

Stunning Czech Dagger Bead Bracelet: Sunday 20 March: 1pm - 4pm

We're very excited to bring you this fantastic new class where you can learn how to make this beautiful Czech dagger bead and swarovski crystal bracelet.

Designed by The Little Bead Shop's taleneted owner, Gil Baird, this class is exclusive to our premises.

The dagger beads give this striking bracelet an amazing texture which allows it to drape softly around your wrist.

The bracelet is made by bead weaving but if you're new to this jewellery making technique, have no fear! We will be there to help you at every step.

You will be given full instructions for you to take home as you may not finish the bracelet in the three hours allotted to the class.

The class is suitable for beginners and costs £40 which includes tuition, all threads, findings AND your beads.

To book your place please pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058!

Love,

The Girls at The Little Bead Shop x

New Class! Feather Necklace: Sunday 26 March, 1pm - 4pm, £15

One of our favourite instructors, Rebecca Anderson, is coming to Edinburgh specially to teach this fantastic class at The Little Bead Shop.

Using Swarovski crystals, Rebecca will teach you how to create this unusual, delicate-looking necklace with sprays of nylon-coated wire feathering off to each side. Using crimps and calottes, you will learn how to attach clasps and extension chains.

It's a stunning piece of jewellery and we guarantee it'll attract compliments whenever it's worn!

This class, which costs £15 is suitable for beginners - no previous experience is necessary.
Price includes tuition, all threads, findings but excludes your beads.

Swarovski and czech dagger bead flower: Saturday 5 March: 1pm - 4pm:

Spring is finally in the air and to celebrate, we thought we'd share this lovely new class with all our favourite customers!

Made from czech glass dagger beads, seed beads, swarvoski crystals and a 22mm rivoli you can make this beautiful, glittering daisy which can then be made into a pendant, brooch or even a pin.

The class uses bead weaving techniques which are suitable for complete beginners and will run on Saturday 5 March from 1pm until 4pm

Price £30 includes tuition, all threads, findings and your beads.

To book your place or for more information, please pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058!

Love,

The girls from The Little Bead Shop x

Full Day Bridal Workshop: Saturday 9 April: 10am - 4pm

Calling all blushing brides and beautiful bridesmaids!

The Little Bead Shop is delighted to be able to tell you that we will be running a full day bridal jewellery workshop on Saturday 9th April from 10am until 4pm.

In the morning we'll show you how to make a beautiful tiara and in the afternoon you can make a stunning piece of jewellery, such as a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings to match.

This amazing class costs £55. This excludes the cost of your beads but includes all tuition and use of tools. Within this cost, you also receive a £5 voucher to put towards the cost of any beads you buy on the day.

Book now to avoid disappointment!

For more information about the class, please pop in to see us or call us on 0131 228 5058.

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Silver Smithing with Jared Sanders Sunday 6 and Saturday 19 March

I'm sure you've heard the buzz online from Emma Baird about the new member of our team- everyone at the Little Bead Shop is delighted to introduce you to the very talented Edinburgh jeweller Jared Sanders.

Jared, who has been making and selling his jewellery for more than 20 years will be running a range of silver smithing classes exclusive to the Little Bead Shop.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn from a professional jeweller - not to be missed!

Jared's first two workshops will be running on Sunday 6th And Saturday 19th March. More details to follow shortly.

Please pop into the shop, visit us online or call us on 0131 228 5058 to register your interest.

Love,

The girls from the Little Bead Shop x

Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

We're all full of the Christmas spirit (not to mention a fair few mince pies....) and, before we get ready to shut the shop for Christmas, we'd like to send an extra special Merry Christmas! to all of our lovely customers.

We'll be be back open from 12pm - 3pm on 28th, 29th and 30th December, before returning to business as usual on 3 January 2011 where we'll be back with a whole load of brand new beading and metal clay classes!

Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas and exciting start to 2011!

Love,

The girls from the Little Bead Shop xxx

One to One Classes at the Little Bead Shop

Is there something you would like to learn how to make but have no idea where to start?

As well as offering a comprehensive range of beading and Art Clay classes, the Little Bead Shop also offers tailored one to one tuition. So whether you want to learn the basics or try your hand at something more advanced, our experienced teachers can show you the ropes!Our one to one beading sessions lessons cost £20 and hour and include the findings required to make your piece. Please note, the cost of your beads is not included.

Our own Emma Baird will take the one to one sessions in Art Clay. Qualified as a Senior instructor, Emma is the only provider of the Art Clay Certification in Scotland. Her work has been recognised internationally and she is a featured artist on the prestigious Metal Clay Guru website and is regularly featured in national magazines such as Bead and Making Jewellery with over 30 publications so far. And in 2011 her work will be published in several books!
One to one sessions with Emma cost £25 an hour and exclude metal clay.

These classes would make a perfect Christmas present. To book a session or arrange for us to make up a voucher, please pop in to the shop, contact us via our website or call us on 0131 228 5058.

If you would like to be taught a specific beading or Art Clay project, please let us know - if not we are happy to advise you on suitable projects according to your needs and experience.

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Stuck for ideas for Christmas pressies?

Are you stuck for ideas for Christmas pressies for your nearest and dearest? Well, the Little Bead Shop might be able to help you out!

We offer gift vouchers, for any amount, which are redeemable against everything in our lovely little shop, as well as all our classes, including metal clay!

A perfect present for the handmade craft enthusiasts in your life. And, even better, there's no expiry date so the vouchers can be used at the most suitable time for you!

For more information. pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058 :)

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Get ready for Christmas with The Little Bead Shop: Christmas Present Making Class: Sunday 12 December

The season to be jolly is coming ever closer, so to get you into the festive spirit, The Little Bead Shop is running a special Christmas present making class on Sunday 12 December.

Come along and sit by our roaring log fire for some mulled wine, mince pies and make some pressies. The class costs £45 and will run from 11am - 4pm. Findings are included but beads will need to be purchased separately.

To book your place pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058.

Love,

The girls from The Little Bead Shop x

Festive Frolics at the Little Bead Shop: Monday 8 November

We've all got festive fever down at the Little bead shop and, with that in mind, would like to invite you to our extra special Christmas present making classes!

Come along for mulled wine, mince pies and some festive frolics where we'll show you how to make earrings, necklaces and bracelets as Christmas presents for your nearest and dearest.

Our Christmas classes will be on Monday 8 November 6pm-9pm (cost £25) and Sunday 12 December 1pm-4pm (cost £45). Both classes exclude the cost of your beads.

We look forward to seeing you for some festive cheer!

Love,

The girls from the Little Bead Shop x

Exclusive to the Little Bead Shop: Flowery Bag Charms by Jeanette Sloan

The Little Bead Shop is delighted to announce that we are now stocking Flowery Bag Charm Kits custom designed by our favourite textile artist Jeanette Sloan.


Each kit contains all the materials you need to make these beautiful knitted handbag charms* and make a fantastic crafty and creative present for any occassion - and at £12 per kit, would be just perfect for Christmas!

We have a limited supply of these wonderful kits in stock, so please pop in to see us or phone us on 0131 228 5058 if you would like to reserve one!

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop x





*Please note, knitting needles are not included.

New Class! Stunning Swarovski Crystal Bracelet: Thursday 16 September 1pm - 3pm

Being a bead shop, there's nothing we like more than a being able to bring a bit of sparkle to our customers, and you don't get much sparklier than this stunning swarovski crystal bracelet.

Here we will teach you the bead weaving techniques to make this beautiful bracelet. Once you know this technique, the sky's the limit!

The class runs from 1pm-3pm on Thursday 16 September and is suitable for beginners.

Cost £15 excluding cost of beads.

Pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 50508 to book your place!

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop

New Class! Embellished Peyote Stitch Bracelet: Saturday 20 November 10am-12.30pm

We're all big fans of bead weaving at the Little Bead Shop and we're delighted to be able to bring you this brand new embellished peyote stitch bracelet class!

In the class, suitable for beginners, we'll teach you how to make this gorgeous peyote stitch bracelet and how to add embellishments to make it truly unique.

The class runs from 10am-12.30pm on Saturday 20 November.

Cost: £25 including beads.

Pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 50508 to book your place!

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

New Class! Sparkling Swarovski Christmas Ring: Saturday 20th November 1pm - 3pm

The nights are getting longer and it's definitely getting to the time of year when we all feel the need for a little bit of sparkle. And what better way to add a bit of bling to any occasion than with this stunning sparkly swarovski crystal ring?

In this brand new class, suitable for beginners, we will teach you the bead weaving techniques to make this beautiful glittering Christmas ring.

The class runs on Saturday 20 November 1-3pm. Cost: £25 including your crystals.

Pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058 to book your place!

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x