Author: Kathryn Halfpenney

Where a kit (or bead pack) is available in different colours, they are now shown separately on the website.

This will make it easier for you to see all the colour choices available and for me to keep up-to-date with stock levels. It will also be easier and quicker for you to find out if the one you want is in stock.

At least, that’s the plan!

If the kit (or bead pack) you want is out of stock – or you want it in different colours – please email kathryn@halfpenney.co.uk and I’ll make it up for you if we have the beads available.

We have just had a delivery and reduced the price for this Superduo bead.

Was £3.25 for 12g and is now £2.50.

These 2 new variegated colours of Gutermann Rayon 40 are now available. They are great for embroidery, and ideal for tassel making.

When you order these threads from us and you will also receive 1 x 2m card of a thicker thread to bind your tassels.

The thicker thread is typically Perle 8 and will be in a matching colour.

Gaia, Hydra and Zephyr have new homes. The white frames I bought from Ikea have been transformed by hydro dipping, courtesy of Baz, Rik and Josh at Hydro Style UK, and I am so thrilled with them.

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I picked the frames up last Friday and mounted the beadwork just in time to take them to the bead fair at Haydock Park on Sunday, where they joined Pyra for the first time.

Now these 4 designs by Chris Manes are ready for display on the wall in The Beading Room. I have an idea where I want them to go but they may have to wait a little while longer while we organise more display space for the Delicas!

After a very busy show at Haydock Park on Sunday, I’m working to get all our kits back in stock.

The Festive Tea Light Kits in Silver & White and Cream & Gold are available once again, along with the Ice Blue and Red & White.

BREAKING NEWS – we’ve been persuaded to have a stand at Haydock Park on 3rd October and will be in our usual position.

For more information go to https://www.beadsupnorth.co.uk/index.php

Just to recap – Nigel (Mr Bead) took over Beads Up North back in 2019 and after the unavoidable break, the Haydock Park Bead Fair makes a welcome return on Sunday 3rd October. There will be a variety of suppliers this year, including some for lace-making, so it will definitely make for an interesting show.

Our followers will know that as well as handing over the reins of Beads Up North, we also made the decision not to take a stand to any more shows. However, ….. drum roll please ……

I have ‘encouraged/cajoled/persuaded’ my son Rik to load up his van with our stock, set the tables up with me, and run the stand for the day. Rik has helped us with the stand at Haydock before so he knows what’s what. My daughter Trish will be on the door with me to welcome you, and I will be helping with the workshops too. Gordon will pop up at some point to lend a hand, and you’re right, he never will fully retire!

I hope to see you at Haydock,

Kathryn

 

 

 

 

 

I have
‘encouraged/cajoled/persuaded’ my son Rik to load up his van with our stock,
set the tables up with me, and run the stand for the day. Rik has helped us
with the stand at Haydock before so he knows what’s what. My daughter Trish
will be on the door with me to welcome you, and I will be helping with the
workshops too. Gordon will pop up at some point to lend a hand.

Did you know that you can buy our card gift vouchers online? Well, you do now, and what’s more there are now 4 new designs to choose from.

You can choose from £10, £15, £20, £25 and £30. We will send the card voucher to you with an envelope so that you can write your greeting inside and then post it on to the lucky beader. Short on time? Enter a different delivery address, give us details of the greeting required in the notes box at checkout , and we can send it direct on your behalf.

Each design has a different greeting so you can choose from A GIFT FOR YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MERRY CHRISTMAS and THANK YOU. I am happy to customise the greeting – just tell me what you want instead and I can do that for you.

Card Gift Vouchers can be used here at The Beading Room, for telephone orders and online.

We also have E-Gift Vouchers available where I will email a unique code to you that you can then send on to your beading friend with your best wishes. This is not an automatic service and we do say to allow 2 working days for your Voucher to arrive, but it rarely takes that long.

All gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Plastic, and single-use plastic in particular, is a massive topic right now and I’m sure you will agree that when we buy beads we need to see them clearly and keep them safe. As your bead supplier, we have the option to buy beads in individual tubes, or in larger plastic bags that we re-package in smaller amounts for you. Tubes would be easier for us to handle and certainly have their place, but do make your beads more expensive. Since not everyone re-uses them anyway, we try and avoid them if we can.

Our use of packaging is always on our minds and we re-use any clean plastic bags, paper and boxes that we do get.

Our kits are the first recipients of a review, so here’s what you will notice.

1. We know that you really need to see the design and beads clearly with kits, and if it’s a gift – either for yourself or someone else – you want it to look exciting with a great visual impact. The self-seal bags that we use for our kits are really clear and now have the sealing strip on the bag instead of the flap. This is a small change really, but for me it’s great step. You can keep reusing the bag without the risk of damaging the pattern and the tape will stay stickier for longer. Double-win!
2. Glossy card cannot always be recycled, so the cover sheet is now printed onto plain card instead, and as an extra bonus it uses less ink. Another double-win!
3. You all know what a needle and card of thread look like, so why use a plastic bag? All my new kits will have the needle and thread supplied in a small paper envelope that will be so much easier for you to recycle and I think it looks pretty as well. Is that another double-win!

Next time you receive one of our kits, please look at the packaging. If it’s one of the new style why not tell us what you think. You can email your comments to kathryn@halfpenney.co.uk.

We may never eradicate the use of plastic in our packaging, but we will do what we can. Our next review will be about the bubble wrap envelopes we use to post your orders to you and whether we move to using more PIP boxes instead. I’ll keep you posted!

Happy beading,

Kathryn

This charming kit (sorry, couldn’t resist!) is now available and is perfect for new beaders, as well as those with more experience.

The kit contains full instructions, with diagrams, and all the beads, wires, needle and thread that you need to make this charm in 6 different colours. They are ideal to identify those party glasses, cups or mugs. Each charm measures approximately 3.8cm (1.5 inches), excluding the wire.

If you have your own Superduos, size 11 seed beads and 6mm bicones, or you want to make different colours, then the pattern is available to download or you can order a printed copy. Patterns are priced at just £3.00.

Yes, it’s that time again, the last Bank Holiday weekend before Christmas. We have an extra reason to celebrate this year as it’s also Kathy’s grandson’s 18th birthday, so we have decided to give you an extra bonus on ALL your orders with us until Monday night.

Enter coupon code CONNORS18 at checkout to receive an 18% discount on absolutely EVERYTHING you order! Cannot be used with any other coupon code. P&P applies to order value after discount. Coupon code is valid until midnight on Monday 30th August.

As it is a bank holiday, orders will be posted out on Tuesday 31st August.

Happy weekend!