Giveaway

I cannot recall the last time I did a giveaway so I reckon that means one is long overdue.

The prize is this strand of lonelies. They're just leftovers and colour experiments; all are first quality beads.

If you'd like a shot at winning the beads all you have to do is comment on this post. I know, I know – leaving blog comments is long and arduous compared to liking and tagging on Instagram but it's only a few more clicks/taps and key strokes.

Please read the following before commenting:

• You'll need to give me a name in your blog comment for me to add you to the draw. If you're using a Google account to comment your name will show up but if your comment is anonymous I won't include it in the draw unless you've given me a name as part of your comment. You can use a real name, initials or something made up. Comments along the lines of "Would love to win, Jane B" or "Please enter my name in the draw - Mrs Tiggywinkle" are great. 

• I manually approve comments so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't show up for a little while.

• Anyone anywhere can enter.

• I'll draw a winner on 22nd September and I'll announce who that winner is here on my blog so you'll need to check back to see if it's you. I'll then ask you to email me so I can get a delivery address from you.

Good luck!

I'm thoroughly enjoying blogging again in this quiet corner of the internet – I feel like Ruth Goodman going back in time to live in a Stuart era farmhouse or something – and I really appreciate you joining me here. That's kind of why I'm doing this giveaway – it's a thank you for taking the time to come over here and partake in olden days technology all because I'm a moaning, contrary grump who is eschewing the noisy world of Instagram. I'm guessing about four people will enter this draw so your chances of winning the beads will be pretty high. 

If you're new to my blog, or if you've not been here for a while, hello! If you're viewing this on a desktop or a tablet you will see a sidebar on the right. (If you're looking at my blog on a smartphone, scroll right down to the bottom and tap 'view web version' to see the sidebar.) In that sidebar is a list of of my 'how to' blog posts, a link to all my Creation is Messy testing posts, my blog archive, and a very small list of blogs that I follow. Are you a blogger too? If so, give me a shout.

There are beads to be won

Hello! I hope you enjoyed the long weekend?

We had quite a quiet one. We popped to town on Saturday and amongst other things I bought some hideously pink sock yarn.

The wool shop in town seems to be discontinuing Regia and it was reduced to £2.90 a ball. What sock knitter could resist that?

Dad visited us on Sunday and yesterday afternoon I headed shedwards.

See? Quiet.

And not a single chocolate egg was consumed.

I'm currently running two bead giveaways. The strand of Lonelies at the top of this post is up for grabs on my Facebook page and the one above can be won over on Instagram. To be in with a chance of winning I'll need your entry by tomorrow night. I'm drawing the winners on Thursday morning.

I would do a giveaway here but as I've only recently restarted blogging, and not many people seem to be blogging or commenting, I don't know if there's much point. We'll see how it goes.

Have a lovely Tuesday,

'Acorn & Oak Leaf' Necklaces

I'm fully aware that I'm neglecting this blog.

Since I made a page for my beads on Facebook I've found it so much quicker and easier to use that for updates. However, I know that not everybody uses Facebook so I must make more of an effort to update here more often.

So what have I been up to?

Making acorns and oak leaves, mostly. These aren't strictly beads; they're headpins. The oak leaves are hand-shaped and the acorns are finished off with a little brass bead cap.

These necklaces are available in a variety of autumnal shades and if you fancy you can mix and match acorns and leaves.

Each Acorn & Oak Leaf necklace costs £18.00 and they're available to order right here.

Going back to Facebook ... if you do have a Facebook account then you might be interested to know that I am giving one of these necklaces away over there. This one, in fact:

Please visit my Facebook page for all the giveaway details.

Have a fab Friday!

Summery Beads & Facebook Giveaway

Good morning to you! I hope you had a lovely weekend?

I'm starting the week off with these ever-so-summery 'Turquoise & Mango' beads which just remind me of orange juice and blue skies. The set is available for purchase in my shop.

I'm also doing my first Facebook only giveaway. I've already had a couple of "But I'm not on Facebook!"s after I tweeted about the prize draw but I'm doing this giveaway specifically to increase my Facebook page likes. (There's honesty for you.) So if you're not a Facebook user I apologise but I do hold the occasional giveaway on my blog so yeah, I try and keep everyone happy.

If you are on Facebook and you'd like a shot at winning these beads ...

... then head on over to my Beads By Laura Facebook page for all the entry information.

Whilst I'm on the subject of social media, Beads By Laura also has a Twitter account. I tweet bead updates there whenever I have them. I do have a personal Twitter account  which you are welcome to follow too but be warned, there is language and the like. If tweets containing effing-and-jeffing, EastEnders commentary, rants about annoying stuff and adoration for the wonders of Cherry Vimto aren't your thing then it's probably best to stick with the Beads By Laura account.

And now to the shed ... 

Have a good day now bye bye!

Prize Draw

Time for a prize draw, I think ...

Up for grabs this time is this little set of flowery beads in coffee and mauve. Some of the beads are shiny and some have been etched to a velvety finish.

To be in with a chance of winning the beads all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. Please leave a full name, a Twitter username or a website link in your comment so that I can easily contact you if you're the winner.

The giveaway is open to anyone anywhere in the world but it's only one entry per person.

On Sunday 2nd June I'll draw a name at random from the comments and that person will be the winner of the beads.

(You might also want to sign up to my mailing list to be informed of any future giveaways, along with bead news, special offers and the like.)

Good luck!

Bead Giveaway

I've made lots and lots of flowery beads this past couple of weeks and as such I have quite a few spares floating about. I thought I'd give some of them away in a little prize draw.

If you fancy having a go at winning this strand of six 13mm flower beads in turquoise and yellow, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. Please leave a full name, a Twitter username or a website link in your comment so that I can easily contact you if you're the winner.

The giveaway is open to anyone anywhere in the whole entire universe but it's only one entry per person.

On Wednesday 22nd May I'll draw a name at random from the comments and that person will be the winner of the beads.

(You might also want to sign up to my mailing list to be informed of any future giveaways, along with bead news, special offers and the like.)

Good luck!

Owl Winner

I've just used Random.org to pick a number betwixt one and fifty-three and it gave me number forty-two. Counting down the list of fifty-three comments over on the Owl Giveaway post, that makes NC the winner. Woo! NC, please contact me with your postal address.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I'll be doing another giveaway very soon

Owl Giveaway

I'm overrun with these little fellas. The owls are sitting in the kitchen window sill and whenever I walk in there it's like they're staring at me.

How do you fancy a shot at winning one of my owls? (Of course, if you want a guaranteed way of owning an owl bead, there are some for sale over in my bead shop ...)

This little owl - Rufus, I'm calling him - is made in dark grey-brown and he comes with a strand of a dozen 7mm spacer beads that match him.

To be in with a chance of winning him, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. If you've not got a Blogger profile, please leave your full name or a Twitter username or something that I can use to notify you if you're the winner.

On the evening of Friday 10th May I'll draw a winner at random.

The prize draw is open to anyone anywhere but it's only one entry per person.

Good luck!

PS: You might want to sign up to my mailing list to receive news of future giveaways and special offers, as well as general bead news.

Giveaway

I'm offering this set of encased blue frit beads as a giveaway prize. WOO!

There are seven 11mm beads here and to have a chance at winning them all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. Please leave a full name, a Twitter username or a website link in your comment so that I can easily contact you if you're the winner.

The giveaway is open to anyone anywhere in the universe.

You might also want to sign up to my mailing list to be informed of any future giveaways, along with bead news, special offers and the like.

On Friday 3rd May at 7:00pm (UK time) I'll draw a name at random from the comments and that person will be the winner of the beads.

Good luck!

Prize Draw: Bead-On-A-Key

I can't believe how quickly this year is whooshing by - it's been ages since I last did a prize draw so I thought I'd better arrange a giveaway.

The prize is this bead-on-a-key.  It would look great threaded on a long chain or length of ribbon or if you don't fancy wearing it you could just keep it as a twiddly ornament thing.  

The bead is periwinkle blue dusted with purple enamel and decorated with white spots.  It moves up and down and spins round and round the antique Victorian key.

The key is 60mm long.

If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning this key bead all you need to do is enter my prize draw. The rules of the giveaway are as follows :

♦ The draw is open to anyone anywhere in the world.

♦ It's one entry per person.

♦ To enter the draw you need to leave a comment on this blog post.  No email entries this time, I'm afraid, but please bear in mind that you do not need a Blogger account to comment on this here blog.

♦ When you comment please leave a name of some kind, be it your actual one, a nickname or your blog user name - just something rather than an anonymous comment. If you have a popular name please leave some kind of initials. Last time I had lots of Kates and Helens enter and that got a bit confusing! Something like 'Laura S' would be great.

♦ Entries need to be in by 7.00pm (UK time) on Friday 8th July when I will pick the winner using a random number generator.

♦ I'd really appreciate it if you could mention and link to this prize draw on Twitter, Facebook or your blog.  You don't have to and you don't get an extra entry BUT you will receive a virtual handshake or hug from me (or both if you like) if you're kind enough to do so.  (Tell you what, I'll even throw in a cyber-kiss-on-the-cheek if you want one!)

I hope that all makes sense.

Good luck!

'Candy Cupcake' Bracelet Winner

Apologies for my lateness with this.  I went to London to see my little sister yesterday and I got in at about ten o'clock last night, had some dinner and basically forgot to do the draw.

But I'm here now! I've just used Random.org to pick a commenter between 1 and 132 and the winner is .....

..... who, by my reckoning, is Alison AKA theotheralig.  Hurrah for Alison! Please email me your address and I'll get the 'Candy Cupcake' bracelet in the post to you.

Thank you to everybody who entered the draw.  I'll do another one soon so do stay tuned.

Have a great weekend!

Winter Prize Draw Winners

I've just drawn the winners of my Winter Prize Draw.  I assigned each of the comments a number between 1 and 115 and I used Random.Org to choose the numbers :

Comment number 75 and the winner of the first prize is Frau Putz.

Comment number 39 and second place is Sue.

Comment number 7 and third place is Laura B from Blue Eyed Night Owl.

Congratulations you three!  Please email me with your addresses, and Sue and Laura please let me know if you'd like 'Sugar' or 'Snow' beads.

A big thank you to everyone who entered the draw!  I shall do another one in the New Year.

Have a great Saturday night!

Winter Prize Draw

Well, hello!  I do hope you're keeping well and warm wherever you may be.

I think a prize draw is long overdue.

How do you fancy winning some wintry beads?  I've got three prizes up for grabs.

First prize is at the top of this post - a set of my 'Winter Mix' beads.  This is a strand of four 'Snow', four 'Sugar' and ten 'White Shimmer' beads.

And whoever wins second and third prize can choose between a strand of six 'Snow' or six 'Sugar' beads :


'Snow' Beads



'Sugar' Beads

If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning these beads all you need to do is enter my prize draw. The rules of the giveaway are are as follows :

♦ The draw is open to anyone anywhere in the world.

♦ It's one entry per person.

♦ To enter the draw you need to leave a comment on this blog post.  No email entries this time, I'm afraid but please bear in mind that you do not need a Blogger account to comment on this here blog.

♦ When you comment please leave a name of some kind, be it your actual one, a nickname or your blog user name - just something rather than an anonymous comment. If you have a popular name please leave some kind of initials. Last time I had lots of Loris and Kellys enter and that got a bit confusing! Something like 'Laura S' would be great.

♦ Entries need to be in by 7.00pm (UK time) on Saturday 11th December when I will pick the winners using a random number generator.

I hope that all makes sense.

If you're new to my blog, hello and welcome! I do bead giveaways both large and small quite regularly so please add yourself as a follower or subscribe to my blog using the links over on the right hand side - that way you won't miss out on any future free bead opportunities!

Good luck everybody!

Lonelies Winner

Cor blimey!  That was one huge marathon name-writing, paper-cutting and folding-up-paper session!  There were a whopping two hundred and twenty names in the drawing for the Lonelies beads.

Chris has just drawn a winner from the salad bowl (yes, salad bowl) and that lucky person is Sarah Barnett of PrestoBeads!

Well done, Sarah.  I shall get your beads in the post on Monday.

Big thanks to everyone who entered, tweeted and blogged about the draw.  I shall do another one next month when there will be second and third prizes up for grabs too. 

Bead Giveaway

Time for a prize draw, methinks!

Up for grabs this time is a bunch of my Lonelies.  There are twenty seven beads here - thirteen decorated ones and fourteen spacers.  The beads range from 9mm to 13mm diameter.

My 'Lonelies' are experiments, one-offs and leftovers from sets. All of the beads are first quality and I know a lot of you like to use them for pendants, charms, bookmarks, phone dangles and the like.

If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning these beads all you need to do is enter my prize draw. The rules of the giveaway are are as follows :

♦ The draw is open to anyone anywhere in the world.

♦ It's one entry per person BUT if you have a blog and/or Twitter account and you blog/tweet about and link to this prize draw post I will enter your name twice. Bonus! If you'd like to mention me in any tweets my Twitter ID is beadsbylaura.

♦ To enter the draw you need to leave a comment on this blog post or email me at prizedraw@beadsbylaura.co.uk

♦ If you've blogged/tweeted about this draw please say that you've done so in your comment or email and I will do the two name thing.

♦ If you're entering with a blog comment please leave a name of some kind, be it your actual one, a nickname or your blog user name - just something rather than an anonymous comment.  If you have a popular name please leave some kind of initials.  Last time I had lots of Lynnes and Sues enter and that got a bit confusing!  Something like 'Laura S' would be great.

♦ Entries need to be in by 7.00pm (UK time) on Saturday 18th September.

Phew!  I hope that all makes sense.

If you're new to my blog, hello and welcome!  I do bead giveaways both large and small on an almost monthly basis so please add yourself as a follower or subscribe to my blog using the links over on the right hand side - that way you won't miss out on any future free bead opportunities!

Good luck everybody!

Lonelies Prize Draw

I haven't done a prize draw for yonks! While I was washing up yesterday my eyes fell upon my Lonelies Jar and I thought that it was about time all the beads inside it got a new home.

My 'Lonelies' beads are all first quality. They are experiments, one-offs and leftovers from sets. This particular strand is 300mm long (12") and contains 41 beads - 20 patterned and decorated ones and 21 spacers. That's a lot of jewellery-making potential right there!

If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning this strand all you need to do is enter my prize draw. Regular prize draw entrants do read on as I've changed the prize draw rules ever-so-slightly. They are are as follows :

~ The draw is open to anyone anywhere in the world.

~ It's one entry per person BUT if you have a blog and you blog about and link to this prize draw post I will enter your name twice. Bonus!

~ To enter you need to leave a comment on this blog post. If you've blogged about this draw please say that you've done so in your comment and I will do the two name thing.

~ Please leave a name of some kind, be it your actual one, a nickname or your blog username - just something rather than an anonymous comment.

~ Entries need to be in by 7.00pm (UK time) on Friday 4th June.

~ All entries need to be made by commenting as opposed to emailing me. Commenting is really simple and you don't need a Blogger account to do so. Just leave your name in your comment and check back on 4th June to see if you've won!

I hope that all makes sense. Good luck everybody!

Prize Draw Winner

I've just done the whole Lego tombola thing. It took ages as this draw was the biggest I've done (with regard to the number of entrants) and writing all the names was a long job. I don't have a photo as my camera batteries are flat but the winner is ..... Summer! Well done you! Please email me with your address and I'll get your Lonelies in the post.

Thank you to all who took part. Make sure you check back next month for the final bead giveaway of 2009. I promise it'll be a good'un ......

November Prize Draw

It's giveaway time again and the prize is this bunch of twelve of my Lonelies beads. These are all one-offs, experiments and leftovers from sets. All of the beads are first quality - no seconds.

The beads include a gorgeous chunky heart focal, a big hollow aquamarine nugget and an assortment of interesting rounds.

If you fancy a chance of winning this little lot all you need to do is leave me a comment or send me an email telling me to enter your name in the draw and on Sunday 15th November I shall draw a winner at random from my Lego tombola.

The draw is open to anyone anywhere in the entire known universe but it's only one entry per person please.

Good luck!

Winner

I've just given the Lego tombola a good old whirl and the winner of the Lonelies beads is Blue Box Studio. Well done! Please email me with your address and I'll get the beads in the post to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered - there were loads of you!

I'll do another draw soon so keep checking back or follow my blog to find out when that'll be.

Quick Reminder

This is just a quick post to say that there are only a few hours left to get your name in the draw for the Lonelies beads. Please click here for all the details.

I'll do the draw tonight and I'll post the winner's name here on my blog.