A few changes

Hello, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year etc!

I'm just doing a quick post to let you know about a couple of bead tweaks I'm making. In February I am starting a full-time distance learning degree in Archaeology with the University of Leicester. This means I will have to make a couple of Beads By Laura changes. (I will explain this archaeology development in a separate blog post.)

Firstly, I am not offering tuition for the foreseeable future. I am teaching at MangoBeads at the end of this month (and there are a couple of places left) but after that, I am taking zero tuition bookings.

Secondly, I am cutting back on the amount of bead 'sets' I make. There will still be sets but I am going to sell some beads as singles. That way I can make a bunch of beads in one design and you can buy one, a pair, or several of them. And if you're thinking "No way am I paying a couple of quid for one bead and then £1.99 postage on top!" then panic not; I am now offering FREE Royal Mail 2nd Class postage to UK addresses.

It's going to take me a while to get into a routine; I have an idea in my head of how studying for a degree alongside running a business might work, but until I actually start doing it, I shan't know for certain. The best way to keep updated with beads is to regularly check this here website, or to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also sign up to my mailing list for sort-of-monthly updates and discount codes.

The photo at the top of this post is of some 'Stormcloud' beads which are currently available as singles. There are a few other beads for sale too. All of them can be found in my shop.

Boo!

I've only got a couple of these Halloweenish ghosts left now but I thought I'd show you them anyway.

The ghosts are blown hollows made in translucent white glass.

They're weighted nicely so they hang really well on a chain.

I have just two ghost necklaces left in the shop as I type this. Those are £15.00 each and are available here.

Little Somethings

I'm calling these my 'Little Something' necklaces as they are just that – a little something extra to complement an outfit, or a little something as a gift, either to yourself or someone else.

Each one consists of three of my lampwork beads—one decorated and two plain spacers—threaded onto a sterling silver rolo link chain.

The beads slide up and down the chain, which is great for jewellery twiddler-fondlers, but whilst the necklace is being worn the beads naturally sit in their little trio.

My Little Something necklaces are £13.00 each and I'll be adding them to my website on a fairly regular basis, so do check there often for new styles.

I've also got some Luminobeads in the shop. I was feeling mighty autumnal when I made these so that's why they're made in rich copper and amber shades.

The CiM testing continues

I'm still trying out the new Creation is Messy colours and I'm writing about them. Recent additions to the Tumblr are Painted Hills, which is pictured above, and there's also:

Denim

Quetzal

and Class M Planet

I've still got a few more colours to test yet. I hope people find the posts useful.

CiM Testing

I'm working my way through a bundle of new Creation is Messy glass colours, writing up my findings and thoughts as I do so. The first four testing posts are over on my Tumblr. The colours I've twiddled with so far are:

Bashful

Mockingbird

Envy

and Aloha.

All of the test findings can be found on my Tumblr blog, which is also where I keep a record of the glasses I use for all my beads.