Beading in public
Every year the Beadworkers Guild put on a bit of a ‘do’. In alternate years we have a day of classes, a bead in, which is day being inspired to bead on a theme, and a day of shopping at the bazaar. Before I go further, the Beadworkers Guild is run entirely by a committee of dedicated volunteers, with a back up team of Guild members to help with the shows and events. They have supported many fledgling designers and watch their careers flourish; offer workbooks and publications to help the beginner grow to confident beader, travel the country to craft shows and events, and generally work hard to keep our beautiful craft alive and thriving.
Back to the Bead in, our them was Japan and the committee lined the room with display boards and tables full of textiles, beadwork, books and souvenirs to inspire us. I very rarely get the chance to just sit and bead with people, and even rarer with a group of friends, so it was a day of pure pleasure. I decided, when I booked my place, that I would choose just one thing and actually bead… in other years I’ve spent the day touring the tables chatting and catching up.
The fabric that inspired me, might not be a treasured vintage, but the pattern itself may be very old. I found it for sale by the yard on nomura-tailor.com, who say, ‘Kinran (gold brocade) has been woven mainly in Nishijin, Kyoto. Kinran is a type of weaving in which gold and silver threads are mixed with coloured threads as weft, and woven in such a way that a pattern emerges. Brocade has been widely used for Japanese products in the past as a purely Japanese style, but nowadays it is used in a variety of scenes, including interior decoration, transcending both Japan and the West’.
A quick sketch and I got started. Out of my comfort zone, using colours I don’t usually use, Delica and Bugle beads, also not my ‘go to’ materials.
I finished off my sample piece with some fringes and a beaded rope. It didn’t quite stop there, and, once home, I made a bracelet to match.
Next year I’ll be teaching new classes or the Guild at the Great British Bead Show (whoot!) The event with multiple tutors and classes to choose from over three days, and, of course, the bazaar on Sunday. It is the UK’s only beading festival and a lovely way to immerse yourself in the beading world.
Save the date May 6th-9th 2027
If you’re not familiar the Beadworkers Guild, take a look at the website and consider becoming a member. Membership brings the quarterly Journal to your door, (digital version available for the many overseas members) with projects, interviews and articles, plus beading news for a good read.
There are online activities, and the Guild are the founders of International Beading Week, (July 25th - August 6th 2026) with free projects created by designers from all over the world, plus a series of on-line talks and events.
Join the party here: