Lampwork bead lunch hour

So, one lunch hour I took myself out into the streets of Covent Garden on the lookout for a couple of bead shops I'd found on the internet.

Once through the door of the first place on my list, The Bead Shop, I soon experienced the same euphoria so familiar to me when mooching around my favourite fabric shop.

Yes - I'd found yet even more crafty bits and bobs to get excited about!

The shop is filled with small compartments and trays eash containing an exotic collection of varying colours, shapes and sizes. Pretty soon I found myself combining beads, matching and contrasting colours much like I do with fabric. The next thing I realised I had a small plastic bag in my hand and a pen, quickly marking quantities and prices before headfing to the till.

When you realise how little individual beads actually cost, I'm sure that like me, you will never want to pay for produced jewellery again. Why should you when you can make something totally original and have the joy of creating a gorgeous collection of shapes and colours?



After browsing on eBay one evening, I discovered glass lampwork beads and placed an order for a small quantity drawn by the vibrant colours and delicacy of the glass. The was the main reason for heading out around the bead shops - to find some decent spacer beads which would complement my new treasures.

Here are a few images of the first bracelets I have made. I really like the colours and sizes of beads - chunky enough to be noticed, but still pretty and elegant in the positioning of colours.