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

Sparkling Swarovski Bracelet: Saturday 19th February 1:00pm - 4:00 pm

Designed by Gil Baird and unique to the Little Bead Shop, this gorgeous, glittering, spiral weave bracelet will certainly make a statement.

Made with seed beads and swarovski crystals, this stunning bracelet drapes beautifully on the wrist and is a really rewarding piece of jewellery to make.

Previously Gil had taught this design as a necklace, which students are more than welcome to come and make instead, but please be aware that a necklace would take much longer than the duration of the class, would certainly need to be finished off at home, and extra beads would be required. We would anticipate that most students choosing to make the bracelet will complete or be close to completing the bracelet in class.

The class is suitable for beginners and will be held on Staurday 19th February from 1pm - 4pm. Price includes tuition, all threads, findings but excludes your beads.

For more information or 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

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

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! 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

NEW CLASS! Dichroic Glass Fusing: Sunday 1 August: 11am-4pm

We are thrilled to offer you this new course in dichroic glass fusing - but beware.... it's addictive! In this class you will learn how to make beautiful pendants and cabochons. The colours are wonderful and the results fantastic!

You'll learn how to cut the glass as well as how to execute "full" and "tack" fusing. We promise you won't be disappointed.

This class is suitable for complete beginners and you'll take home three finished pendants.

Fee: £85 which includes tuition, all materials and loan of tools.

For more information or 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

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

Children's classes: Fimo Food Making: Thursday 24th June and Thursday 22 July!

Yum yum! Delicious looking treats made into charms? This is your chance to let our very own Zoe show you how to make gorgeous cupcakes like the ones above and turn them into jewellery!

This class lasts for two hours and is suitable for ages 10 and above. Places are limited so book soon!

The classes are on:

Thursday 24 June 11am-1pm

Thursday 22 July 2pm-4pm


The class costs £12.50. The price includes all materials, but bring an apron or old T-shirt as it might get messy!


Give us a ring on 0131 228 5058, visit our website or pop in to see us for 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

Parties at the Little Bead Shop

We love a good party at the Little Bead Shop. Yesterday we had a little girl's beading party in the shop and I thought I'd share some of the pictures with you!

This is one of several beautiful pieces made by the birthday girl herself!

Parties can be held in our shop, where they are fully supervised, or in your on home. We hold parties for children ages six and up and each party project is decided on after discussion with you and your child. We're also happy to advise you on the most appropriate projects for your child's age if you're unsure.

As well as leaving with a piece of jewellery that they made at the party, everyone also gets a complimentary beady goody bag!

Please call in to see us, give us a ring on 0131 228 5058, or visit our website for more information.

Love,

the girls at the Little Bead Shop x

An update on our lovely new shop

Well, what a week it's been. We've moved, we're merrily unpacking and are all totally in love with our fantastic new shop!

We've still got a fair bit of reorganising to do (and shelves to put up!) but we're all feeling rather impressed by how much we've got done in such a short space of time.

If you would like to see some pics of how the decorating is going, have a look at our pictures on Facebook

We've been running our classes as normal throughout (you may have seen us sitting at our lovely new beading table in the shop window if you've been strolling through Bruntsfield lately), and I just had to share this beautiful tiara that one of our students made at the weekend!

New dates for our tiara workshops will soon be on our website so we'll keep you posted!

Love,

the girls from the Little Bead Shop x

PS. As alway happens during any move, something has to go wrong, and unfortunately we've been having some problems with our phone line this week. We're hoping to get this sorted out asap, but if you would like to speak to us, you can reach us in the mean time on 07593768127 or email us via our website.

Big news update: New shop opening 21 April!

Hello everyone!

We can now confirm that as of 21 April, the Little Bead Shop will have moved a few doors along the street to 120 Bruntsfield Place, currently the premises of Cafe Crepe!

Those of you who have popped in to see us already know that we're already packing up and getting things organised for the move. Although we are possibly just a little bit messier than normal (ahem), everything is business as usual.

We'll keep you all posted on how the move is going :)

Love,

the girls at the Little Bead Shop x

Big News!

We are moving! :)
Some of you may have seen the 'To Let' sign on the front of our wee shop, but don't worry, we're only going down the road! Our new shop has a lovely back room, which we are going to turn into a little dedicated classroom. Our classes are now so popular, this will let us run them during the day as well as in the evening!
The front will display all of our lovely beads, tools and Art Clay. We have some awesome ideas up our sleeve too and we are so excited about it! The official opening date is still to be announced, but expect it around the 20th of April!
We will still be on beautiful Bruntsfield Place so come and visit us! We will be back with more details soon, happy Easter!
Love from the Little Bead Shop girls x

New Class! Comprehensive Beginners Beading on Saturday 8 May 10:30 - 3:30pm

As you've probably guessed from the title of this post, we have yet another fantastic new class running at the Little Bead Shop.

Our very own lovely Helen Chalmers will be running a comprehensive, five hour introduction to the the basics of beading. This great class will teach you all the basics and more including crimping, stringing and wrapped wire loops - the techniques needed to make gorgeous pieces such as the beautiful czech glass necklace and swarovski crystal wrapped loop bracelet above!

We will also give you lots of inspiration for your pieces as well as colour matching, an essential for any beading newbie!

The class costs £45 and includes all wire and findings. Beads are not included so why not come along a bit earlier before the class or pop in a few days before hand to pick your beads?

Just pop into see us, visit our website www.thelittlebeadshop.co.uk or call us on 0131 228 5058 to book your place!

Love,

the girls at the Little Bead Shop x