The Alpine Experience
The Alpine Experience - Les Carroz. The view from chalet Calluna. This is one of the views from my room in chalet Calluna, in Les Carroz, France. At 1200m the chalet is above the clouds, and...
The Tsarina’s Jewels – Great Escapes weekend
I am really a very lucky girl. Having just got back from a lengthy holiday break, just the two of us, sailing the seven seas (well mostly a bit of the Atlantic), I've returned to reality,...
Video Tutorial – Techniques: Right Angle Weave (RAW)
Right Angle Weave (abbreviated to RAW) is a superb stitch to get to know and add to your beading artillery. It is so useful for structural pieces as well as being decorative. I love to...
Workshops at York Beads, New York
I could never have dreamed I'd be teaching in New York, let alone two workshops! I have Perry Bookstein of York Beads to thank for having faith in me and booking two classes: 12th June: Tsarina...
Spring Knitting & Stitching Show
This morning as I walked down the garden I remarked on how beautiful the Spring sunshine was, and coupled with the fact that there are wonderful green shoots everywhere, I feel a huge relief from...
The satisfaction of finishing a piece!
I am on a real history trip at the moment, working my way back and forth through different eras as the mood takes me - and it's so much fun!!!!! When I was a child, my...
The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show – Workshop tickets now on sale
Just a quick 'heads up' to let you know that the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show has now made its workshop tickets available online. You can browse through the workshops here and book a session. I'll...
Beadschool Video Tutorial – Techniques: African Helix
Video Tutorial with Melanie de Miguel. In this video tutorial I demonstrate African Helix stitch. It's a fabulous structural stitch, that can be used on its own as a necklace rope or bracelet, or, as you...
Video Beading Tutorial: Tips & Tricks – Protect Your Crystal Cabochons
It can be soul-destroying when you've put so much hard work into making a treasured piece of jewellery, and you notice it has started to deteriorate. Have you ever noticed how older crystals have lost...
Swarovski 4627 Rectangle crystals for Leonora
Instagram is OK for an instant fix but I had to finally get round to blogging about the arrival of these stunning Swarovski crystals. Opening the boxes I felt like a child at Christmas time!...