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

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

The Little Bead Shop at the Scottish Bead Fair Sunday 13 March!

It's all go down at the Little Bead Shop today as we continue preparing for our stand at the Scottish Bead Fair this Sunday 13 March!

Our very own Emma Baird will be doing a demonstration on the basics of using Precious Metal Clay at 3pm - a must see!

Not only that but we'll be bringing along all of our most special beads, including our favourite Czech glass, a good supply of magazines for inspiration as well as precious metal clay and metal clay tools and goodies!

And, as if that wasn't enough, we'll also be running special offers for our lovely customers on the big day!

We're all really excited and looking forward to seeing you all there!

Love,

The girls at The Little Bead Shop x

The Little Bead Shop at Perth Bead Fair Sunday 13 March!

Our lovely Little Bead Shop is on the move again!

On Sunday 13 March (just over a week away!) we'll be taking our gorgeous selection of beads (not to mention the lovely ladies of the Little Bead Shop) over to Perth for a fun-filled day at the Scottish Bead Fair.

Not only that, but our very own Emma Baird will be doing a demonstration on the basics of using Precious Metal Clay!

We'll be bringing all our beautiful beads and precious metal clay and will also have some special offers for those who come along to see us! More details to follow - we'll keep you all posted!

Love,

The girls at 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

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

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

Beady Stocking Fillers!

Christmas is fast approaching and if you're looking for a crafty stocking filler for someone special, we might just have the answer!

We've got a lovely range of beady goodie bags in the shop just for Christmas - perfect for keeping big kids and wee kids alike occupied for an hour or two.

We've also got a whole range of craft kits coming soon, so we'll keep you posted!

Love,

The girls at 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! 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

New Class: Funky Wire Work Necklace: Tuesday 2 November 6.30 - 8.30pm

We've all gone a bit wire crazy over at the Little Bead Shop these days, so we thought we'd share the love with this brand new wire work class!

In this lesson you will learn to combine wire loops with beads to create this fun and striking necklace.

The class runs from 6.30 - 8.30pm and is suitable for beginners.

Cost: £15 excluding beads.

Please 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

New Class! Wire Crochet Necklace: Saturday 23 October 1pm-3pm

Have you always wanted to know how to make beautiful crochet necklaces but weren't sure where to start? Well, this could be the class for you!

In this brand new class we will teach you how to make this gorgeous beaded wire crochet necklace. Suitable for beginners, no experience in crocheting is necessary.

The class is on Saturday 23 October and will run from 1pm-3pm.

Cost: £15 and includes findings and loan of tools.

Please note, beads are not included.

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

Scottish Bead Fair - Sunday 22 August!

It's that time of year again and we're all looking forward to taking the Little Bead Shop down to the Scottish Bead Fair in Perth on Sunday 22 August!

We'll have our usual fine array of sparkly goodies on offer as well as some brand new jewellery kits and, for all those of you who follow us on Facebook, twitter or on this blog, you'll get a fantastic 10% off any beads you buy* - just tell us which site you follow us on when you come to make your purchase!

This year our very own award winning metal clay and lamp work artist Emma Baird will be doing a free demonstration on art clay. This year, she'll be showing you how to make one of her famous lamp work bead rings as featured in Making Jewellery magazine.

So remember to pop over and say hello to Deanne, Emma, Gil and Helen (who will no doubt be bedecked in their traditional glittery Bead Fair finery!)

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

Love,

the girls from the Little Bead Shop x


*Please note that this lovely special discount applies only to our beautiful beads. Metal clay, tools, products and findings are not included.

NEW CLASS! Polymer Clay Cane Making - Saturday 7 August 11am - 4pm

We've done it again! The girls at the Little Bead Shop are delighted to introduce yet another fantastic new class!

In this class, suitable for beginners, you'll learn how to design and create your own unique, colourful polymer canes with your own intricate designs which you will then be shown how to form into beads to make your very own jewellery.

At the end of the day you will leave with several made up polymer clay canes for your future jewellery creations and one finished bracelet.

The class is being held on Saturday 7 August from 11am-4pm.

Cost: £65 which includes four packets of polymer clay and loan of tools.

For more information and to book your place, pop in to see us at the shop, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058.

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Children's Classes: Beautiful Beaded Ribbon Necklace: Saturday 10 July and Saturday 31st July

This amazing class will show budding young jewellery designers how to make beautiful necklaces using organza ribbon and sparkly beads.

Helen will take you through this three strand necklace project and show you how to use ribbon crimps for a professional finish and how to knot ribbon to suspend beads!

The classes cost £10 and are running:


Saturday 10 July 11am-12.30pm
Saturday 31st July 11am-12.30pm


This class is suitable for children ages 10 and above and all materials are provided. There are only six places per class so book soon to avoid disappointment!

Remember to pop in to see us, visit our website or give us a call on 0131 228 5058 if you would like any more information.

Love,


The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Children's Charm Bracelet Class: Tuesday 6th July and Tuesday 27th July

In this brilliant class, Helen will show you how to turn any beads you like into lovely charms, which you will then turn into a beautiful spangly gold or silver plated charm bracelet!

You will be shown how to use pliers properly, and the correct way to do a wrapped loop, an indispensable technique for any budding jewellery designer.

This class is suitable for ages 8 and above, with a maximum of 6 places and costs £12.50, inclusive of all materials.

These great classes are running:

Tuesday 6th July 11am-12.30pm

Tuesday 27th July 11am-12.30pm

Book now as places are limited!

Remember to pop in to see us, visit our website or call us on 0131 228 5058 if you would like more information.

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Beginners Bead Stringing - Monday 31 May

At the Little Bead Shop, we know that there's nothing more satisfying than the first time you make a piece of jewellery, apart from of course having someone compliment you on something you've made yourself!

The easiest way to learn how to make jewellery is to start making it - and once you've mastered a few basic techniques, the sky's the limit!

We're pleased to be able to tell you that we are running a Beginners Bead Stringing Class on Monday 31 May 6.30-8.30 pm. Perfect for beginners, this class will teach you the basics from how to use crimps and tigertail, different types of threads and when to use them as well as teaching you about the different types of finishes available.

By the end of the class you will have made a beautiful necklace or bracelet of your own design and leave with the techniques to make the kind of jewellery you've always wanted to!

The class runs from 6.30-8.30pm and costs £15 which includes findings, excludes beads.

For more information, please pop in to see us, give us a call on 0131 228 5058 or visit our website .

Love,

The girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Dazzling czech glass dagger beads: some design ideas

We've been having a bit of a love affair with czech glass dagger beads as of late and thought we'd share some of our designs with you to get you inspired!

So, why do we love dagger beads so much? Well, not only are they beautiful (the colours really are amazing so pop in and see our displays to get the full idea!) their unusual shape adds a really interesting dimension to your jewellery designs which you just don't get with round beads.

Not only that, but they can also add a lot of movement to your jewellery, which is particularly eye-catching in necklaces and bracelets. So, what's not to love?

We hope this post has given you some ideas about how to use dagger beads and we'd love to see some of your designs so send them to us!

Love,

the girls at the Little Bead Shop x