We recently added a fab range of gorgeous Liberty Ribbons to our website, so we thought it would be a great time to share some Liberty Ribbon Inspiration with you.

Liberty Ribbons are not just for wrap bracelets ( although we do love a wrap bracelet! ).

 

These are our 5 favourite ways to use Liberty Ribbon.

 

Wrap Bracelet

We couldn't not have wrap bracelets in our top 5. There are many different designs and styles of wrap bracelets, we love them all. This one is from MirasBeadBoutique

 

Fabric Covered Lampshade

These are a great idea, simply but effective. We found this one made by Honestly WTF

 

 

 Cotton Reel Decorations

These would look great all year round but extra special at Christmas. I think I'm going to try these for next Christmas.

We found these from Tea Rose Home

 

 Wrapping

Another fab idea from Handmade by Anna Diez,  yet again simply but very effective.

 

 Keyring

These pompom keyrings are a great way to use up scraps and left over bits and bobs and even better no seing is needed.

We found these from Et puis la neige elle est trop molle.

 

These are just a few of the many different ways to use Liberty Ribbons.

Have a go at some and let us know how you get on

 

Best Wishes 

Karen x

 

 

 

Hello,

It's been a while.

I really must try harder.

I just wanted to let you know we have changed our UK Postage Rate to a flat rate, easier, system.

It will mean you will know exactly how much postage you will pay from the moment you land on our website.

I would love to hear what you think

Best wishes 

Karen x

 

Why use copper?

Using copper in your jewellery designs is currently very fashionable and also affordable. Copper makes a great alternative to silver or gold and will give your jewellery an edge.  So if you want a more bohemian look to your jewellery making using copper may well be for you.

Copper is a lovely warm toned metal suitable for all skin types.

If you usually stick to silver or gold, go on give copper a try.

Here are some great ways of incorporating copper into your designs.

 

Copper Beads

 

 

Washer style copper disc spacer beads. Each bead measures approximately 6mm with a 3mm hole in the centre.  These little discs have so many uses,they are excellent to use between semi precious beads or glass beads to add a contemporary twist to your project. 

 

 Pretty copper coloured pumpkin shaped hollow spacer beads. Each bead measures approximately 8mm with a 2mm hole. These are Nickel free

 

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Copper Findings

 

 

These beautiful lily flower copper coloured toggle clasps will add detail and a lovely finish to all your jewellery projects. They are nickel free.

 

 

 

 9mm Tibetan style copper flower bead caps. Bead caps are a great addition to any jewellery project and give a more professional finish.

 

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Copper Charms

 

 

 Antique Copper 3D Pine Cone Charms, charms measure approximately 13mm x 7mm x 5mm with a 2mm loop. They are lead free, nickel free and are sold individually

 

 

Vintage style Copper Flat Heart Charms, charms measure approximately 10mm wide x 12mm long x 2.5mm thick with a 2mm hole. They are cadmium free and lead free and are sold in packs of 10 charms.

 

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These are just a few ways of adding copper to your jewellery designs. Which ones will you choose?

 

Karen x

 

 

7 Signs You're Completely Addicted To Beads

 

How many of these are familiar to you?

 

1. There is no problem new beads can't solve.

They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing! This is a practice you are all too familiar with as you seem to solve every problem by purchasing more beads. 

 

2. Sometimes you forget you have beads coming in the post.

You come home from work to see a package on your doorstep. What is this? I don’t remember ordering anything… and just like that, you’re like a kid on Christmas morning.

 

3. You try to curb your habit but it never works

A total bead buying ban becomes a no beads this week which turns rapidly into I want them - I'm getting them

 

4. You have multiple baskets full of beads on various online bead websites.

You haven’t gotten paid in ages — and you’ve still got another week left to go — but you’ve already stocked up on all the items you will definitely buy as soon as that money hits your bank account.

 

5. You know how to say where is the nearest bead? shop in 10 languages but where is the toilet? in just one.

Finding the bead shop is far more important...right?

 

6. Every single bead shop within a 20 mile radius knows you by your first name

And your credit card number off by heart....

 

7. You've bought new beads you absolutely know you will never use because you think they will look good in your stash.

And because you didn't want anyone else to have them..

 

Quite a few are familiar to me.

Share and add your signs, I would love to hear them.

 

Karen x

 

 New in stock.....

Semi precious Gemstone Heart Shaped Pendants

 

 

Have you seen our brand new range of semi precious gemstone heart pendants, arriving in perfect time for valentines day.

Hearts have widely been associated with love.....but why?

Ancient Greeks believed the human heart contained the soul

Ancient Egyptians thought the human heart to be a persons moral compass

Later, in the 15th century the heart shape began to appear in Christian Art

In the 17th Century English Gentleman and Ladies began exchanging notes with little hearts on, to Celebrate the latest thing, St Valentines Day. It was at this time the heart shape became synomous with love.

 

Semi precious gemstones have properties and meanings which along side the heart shape make them perfect for Valentines gifts.

Sodalite.

 

Sodaite is all about truth and inner peace.

 

Jasper

 

Jasper is said to be protecting, promoting strength and security.

 

Aventurine

 

Aventurine is thought to be the luckiest of all crystals, perfect for first dates or job interviews

 

Carnelian

 

Carnelian is said to promote creativity and gives the wearer increased courage.

 

Rock Crystal

 

Rock crystal is the "power stone"  it is said to enhance energy and is beneficial for healing,  medication and protection. It also charges other crystals.

Gemstone heart shapded pendants make great gifts all year round but are extra special on Valentines Day

If you love our Heart Shaped  Pendants, checkout our full range of Semi Precious Pendants

We have had lots of new arrivals this month why not have a browse.

Best wishes

Karen x

 

 

Every wondered why you chose the colours you do and what your colour choices say about you. Then read on.

The psychology of color is a study in how the colors we prefer play a hand in our personalities and behavioral traits, yes really!

We are all drawn to some colours more than others. With me its purple, what does that say about me?, I'm almost afraid to look

 

Blue Beads

If blue beads are  your choice then you are calm, cool and reliable. Blue is often linked with the feeling of serenity. People who like blue are said to be the most loveable. 

 

Red Beads

 

If red beads are your choice you are confident and extroverted. You are bold and want to make a lasting impression. Studies have found both Men and Women are more attracted to a person in red!

 

Green Beads

  

If green beads are your first choice you are a social butterfly, you want to be seen as successful and important by others. Financial security is important to you

 

Orange Beads

If you chose orange beads you are easy going, flamboyant and love being the centre of attention but are less likely to marry!

 

Purple Beads

 

People who are drawn to purple beads are usually in a world of their own, hippy like and choose to view the world as they would like it to be rather than it is. They prefer mysticism to reality.

 

Grey Beads

If your choice is grey beads you are afraid of commitment, you lack passion and can usually take or leave most things not loving or hating anything. 

 

Pink Beads

People who love pink beads are child like and chose the colour as an escape from the real grown up world. You are childlike, naive and delicate

 

Black Beads

If black beads are your choice you are independent, strong-willed and determined and like to be in control of yourself and situations. Prestige and power are important to you.

 

White Beads

If you chose white beads you  are well-balanced, sensible, discreet and wise. You are positive with an optimistic nature

Brown Beads

You are simple and comfortable if brown beads are your choice. You have no need for extravagance . You are reliable, frugal, direct and most definitely not spontaneous.

 

Yellow Beads

 

If yellow beads are your choice you are optimistic, idealistic, cheerful and creative. You are spontaneous,  you are able to think very quickly on your feet and make instant decisions.

 

There you have it. You choice of bead colour could say far more about you then you ever thought!

 

Best Wishes 

 

Karen x

 

Pantone Colour Of The Year 2016

Pantone, the authority on colour standards for the design industries, recently announced its colours of the year for 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity, which are soft muted shades of pink and blue. This is the first time they have chosen to blend two shades instead of one. Previous choices have been Marsala, Radiant Orchid and Emerald.

 

For jewellery makers these two colours are great choices, both are very wearable colours whether you chose to follow the fashionistas or go your own way.

The most obvious example of the colour Rose Quartz is of course the semi precious gemstone, Rose Quartz  In the jewellery world Rose Quartz is a long standing favourite and there are many examples of soft blue gemstones such as Blue Lace Agate or Blue Chalcedony. but you don't have to stick to using gemstones to use this colour.

Here are some great ways of getting both the colours of 2016 into your jewellery designs.

 

Rose Quartz Plain Round Beads

 

 

   

10mm Cornflower Faceted Glass Beads

 

 

 Czech Glass Flower Cup Beads - Opal Rose

  

  

Cornflower Blue Opaque Crystal Rondelles

 

  

Czech Glass Pressed Puffy Flower Beads

 

 

 

 

6mm Blue Plain Glass Beads

 

Use them individually or use them both together for a look thats bang on trend.

These are just a few examples. You will be seeing a lot more of these two colours in the coming year! 

I would love to know what you think of this year's colour choices.

Best Wishes

Karen x

 

For me the absolute best part of jewellery making is choosing and buying the beads  and supplies. One of my favourite ways of spending  a rainy afternoon is searching or hunting for beads.  Not just to  stock on my website but for my own personal stash.

There are several ways to buy beads, supplies and tools in the UK

Bead Shop.

Perhaps the most obvious is the Bead Shop. If you have a excellent bead shop in your local area make use of it, especially if you are a beginner.  Spending time in your local bead shop is a great way for a beginner to get to know all the different types of beads, findings and stringing materials, all bead supplies in fact!

Some local bead suppliers or shops run beading and jewellery making classes, These are an ideal way to learn new skills, improve the skills you have and meet like minded people.

 

 

 

Online.

Buying beads and supplies online is perhaps the easiest  way and usually the cheapest! You can shop in your PJs in the middle of the night if that's the most convenient for you. You can spend hours browsing and choosing  the perfect bead for your design  and you don't even have to leave the comforts of your sofa.

Some UK based online shops and suppliers such as our website www.somersetbeads.co.uk offer a money back guarantee if your beads are quite what you expected or you simply don't like them.   

 

 

Bead Shows

Bead shows or fairs are another good place to buy your beads.  They can be more expensive when you add on the admission fee most Bead Shows charge.  My advice is, be prepared, Bead Shows can be very tiring  and very hard on your purse.  It's very easy to spent a lot more than you intend.  After all it's so difficult to resist those pretties when they are right under your nose...isn't it!

There are many Bead Shows around the UK.  Ukbeadfairs.com has an excellent events calendar for UK Bead Fairs or Shows.

You will probably find you buy your bead supplies from a mixture of all three. 

Wherever you buy from ...Happy Bead Shopping :)

I would love to know which is your favourite way of buying beads.

 

Karen x

 

You may also be interested in 6 Reasons To Make Your Own Jewellery

I would like to wish everyone a very merry christmas and a happy new year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been a customer of Somerset Beads in 2015, to everyone who has followed our Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter Pages, you have all helped to make 2015 our best year yet.

I really appreciate your support and custom, you will never know just how much it means to me.

I hope you have an enjoyable festive break and look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

2016... Bring it on!

 

Best wishes 

 

Karen 

Find out all about some exciting new features on our website

Firstly

Site Wide SSL Encryption

The whole of our website is secured by SSL encryption, instead of just the checkout area.

The only difference you will see is a little green padlock in front of our web address in your browser search and it will say https instead of http. 
All the wizardry and magic is done in the background.
All you need to know is the whole of our website is safe and secure with any information you enter being protected

Customer Accounts

You can now register for a customer account on our website, your account will hold your address details to save you entering on every order. Your account will also store your order history. Of course you don't have to have an account to shop with us. It just makes life easier for you if you do!

And don't forget any information you enter when registering is totally secure, protected by our side wide SSL Encryption.

If you want to register an account you can when placing your next order or you can pop over to the website and register now. Just click on the person icon in the top right hand corner  

 

and then enter your details where it says register here. It's a simple as that.

 

 

 

 

 

Why not do it now, while its fresh in your mind. 

Best wishes

Karen x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever considered making your own jewellery or do you already?  

Here are 6 reasons why it's a great idea.

 

 1. It's relaxing.

As many crafters will tell you, the secret to a happy healthy life is crafting. This applies to making jewellery too. Creating is relaxing and reduces stress. Next time you're feeling frazzled reach for those pliers and get making. You'll feel better in no time.

 

  2. It's cheap.

Yes, you can spend a small or even large fortune on tools and expensive beads but you don't have to, to make your own jewellery. It can be as cheap as you want, especially at first. There's no harm in buying cheap and fun stuff to start off with. You can always invest in more expensive supplies as you progress. Check out our great range of jewellery making supplies.

    

3. You will never be short of gift ideas.

Handmade jewellery makes great gifts, and who doesn't like receiving handmade gifts. You can create the perfect gifts in no time.

 

 

4 You'll always have the perfect accessories

Need something to match your wedding outfit or other special occasions outfit?. Can't find it in the shops? No problem just design and make your own. You can guarantee no one else will be wearing the same.

  

5 It's great receiving compliments

When someone compliments you on your jewellery it feels amazing to say thanks I made it myself. Few things feel better than that. We all like receiving compliments don't we!

   

6  Be unique

Most of us craft or make jewellery to create something unique, something no one else has, to stand out from the crowd. Imagine, design and create your perfect piece of jewellery and you can be sure no one else will have the exact same piece

 

So, why not give it a go.....what have you go to lose?

 

You may also be interested in  A Beginners Guide To Buying Beads and Bead Supplies UK

 

Best wishes

 

Karen x

Buying and indeed selling beads online is not the most natural way to buy and sell beads. Even the best photograph can struggle to capture the striking beauty or sparkle of a bead. 

Selling beads online, as I have been for several years now, it has become more clear that great photographs are a must. It is sometimes easy to forget that the buyer can't see how beautiful the bead in your hand is. 

We are in the process of refreshing and updating all the photos on our website, with over 1000 photos you can image what a big job this is going to be.

Add to this a complete novice with a fancy DSLR camera ( that will be me! ), no idea how to compose a photo (me again) you realise that it is a mammoth task.

Luckily for me the wonderful and ever supportive Mr Somerset Beads is a whizz with the camera ( his old one, he's not brave enough to let me loose with his new one!) and is kindly giving me lessons.

So with great trepidation and just between us, a little fear, I have started.

Here are some before and after shots. I would love to know what you think.

Before

After

Before

After

 

Hopefully you think I'm on the right track, even if I have a very long way to go.

If you have any great photography tips you would like to share I would love to hear them

 

Best Wishes

 

Karen

Amethyst

 

 

Amethyst is perhaps most well known for being the birthstone of the month of February and star sign Pisces, perhaps less well know is the fact that it is also the gemstone for the 6th wedding anniversary.

Amethyst was once as valuable as diamonds and rubies until it was discovered in large quantities in South America and elsewhere. As its rarity decreased so did its price and its popularity. Today Amethyst is one of the most affordable gemstones and because of this its popularity has soared again.

Amethyst is found in many royal collections all over the world including our own British Crown Jewels . Amethyst was rumoured to be the favourite gemstone of Catherine The Great of Russia. It was also worn in the rings of Christian Bishops and Saint Valentine was thought to wear a ring set with an Amethyst carved with an image of cupid.

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family and gets it colour from iron impurities. It occurs in shades from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple.

The word Amethyst comes from the ancient Greek word amethustes meaning not intoxicated. Amethyst was thought to prevent drunkenness and it was believed that a person drinking from a vessel made from Amethyst would not get drunk. Interesting idea!

Amethyst is a meditative and calming stone which is said to provide balance, calm, patience and peace. Physically it is said to heal the symptoms of withdrawal from addiction, help with headaches, insomnia, arthritis, diabetes, PMS menopause and general healing

Amethyst is associated with the third eye and crown chakras but can also open the heart chakra

More Amethyst facts and figures  

Amethyst is one of my favourite gemstones I just love it!

I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Best Wishes

 

Karen x

 

 

 Hello 2015....

It's here, its 2015 already. Can you believe it? Christmas is done and dusted, the decorations have been packed away and the New Year hangovers have long gone.

We are looking forward to 2015 and hope on a personal note it will be much better that 2014 which was the year from hell.

On the business front 2014 was a great year for Somerset Beads and we hope to continue to grow and supply more jewellery makers and beaders than ever before.

This is where you come in...we need your help in spreading the word. Are you a customer?, have you shopped on our website? If you have bought from us, it would be a great help if you could leave us a review on the website and tell your friends about us. Nothing tops word of mouth.

Plans for 2015

2015 will be an exciting year for Somerset Beads, we will be adding new ranges to our website as well as expanding our popular Inspiration and Beading Packs. We will be adding more tutorials and help & advice pages. We have a few other things in the pipeline we can't discuss yet...we will share them as soon as we can!

2015 will be the best year yet for Somerset Beads and we hope you will be there to share it with us.

As always we couldn't do it without you...so thank you for your support.

We would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year

 

Best wishes

 

Karen x

 

 

 

What is it with buttons? Everyone has memories of playing with Grandma's, Auntie's or Mum's button tin when they were young. I do and I'm sure you do.  My Nan had a tin of buttons hidden at the back of the sideboard  cupboard which my Sister and I regularly tipped all over the floor and played with for hours at a time. Happy memories!

But my most treasured button memories are far more recent than that.  Back in January I spent many afternoons with my Dad, he had had Parkinson's for many years and wasn't able to do very much at all. He was quite poorly at that stage. Before he was ill Dad was a very active man, he never sat still. I can only image how difficult it was for him.

I was Daddy's girl from the second I was born. I know how lucky I am, my Dad had supported me, helped me and generally been there for me through thick and thin throughout my life. I realise not everyone is lucky enough to have a Dad like mine.

When I decided Somerset Beads would stock buttons I had no idea how much joy that decision would give me.  One afternoon I mentioned to my Dad that I had a very large bag of buttons to sort into colours. Dad offered to help. We decided he could probably manage the large buttons and I would sort the smaller ones.

I can't tell you the amount of pleasure and sense of purpose my Dad got from sorting a few buttons for me.  He told me over and over it felt good to be able to help me with my business and to do something useful again.

We sat and sorted and talked, we talked about the old days before I was born. We talked about his childhood, how he met my Mum, when my sister and I were born. Just me and My Dad.

I won't ever forget those afternoons, sadly Dad passed away in June. I miss him dreadfully and think about him every day.

But we'll always have buttons...

I would love to hear about your buttons memories.

Best wishes

Karen x

 

 

 

 

Why should you choose Somerset Beads..

Well that's a very good question, there are so many bead shops to choose from, both on-line shops and bricks and mortar shops, how do you choose?

For starters we have VERY high standards, Somerset Beads only stocks high quality items. If when we are unpacking our deliveries we find anything that is not of a high enough quality, you never see it. It will not make it on to our stock list.

We order all of our Czech Glass Beads direct from the factory, this ensures we are happy with the quality plus we can also offer you a better price.

We want each and every one of my customers to love our beads as much as we do, which is why Somerset Beads offers a money back guarantee on all of our beads. If you don't like them just send them back.

When you order from Somerset Beads we will dispatch your beads as soon as humanly possible. Once your order is posted, although your package is now in the hands of the Royal Mail, it is still our responsibility to make sure you receive what you have paid us for.

We will happily search for and order items you are struggling to find...We can't guarantee we will find them but we will certainly have a good look.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. Why would any business not want happy satisfied customers...we certainly do!

So why not give us a try!

Karen x

 

My friend Kay knits, she has knitted for as long as I can remember. She has also had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. She has had a lot thrown at her lately, more than some people have to cope with in a whole lifetime. She is an amazing woman, not only does she keep going but she spends most of her free time helping others. She recently became involved with a group of wonderful women who knit prostheses for ladies who have had a mastectomy. They knit knockers!

They knit knockers because silicon prostheses are uncomfortable and heavy and can rub against scars left after surgery. The ladies provide an alternative, these are breathable, soft , 100% cotton light and most of all comfortable. They are free to any woman who needs them. The cost is covered by the ladies who knit them. They call it a gift from one woman to another and say the knockers are made with love and filled with hope.

What a fantastic thing for one woman to do for another. This sounds so wrong but having held her knockers both silicon and cotton, I know which I would prefer to wear.

Kay's ambition was to get her knockers on page 3...and guess what she did it. Here is her story.

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Knockers-good-cause/story-22754742-detail/story.html

Knitted Knockers Uk have a website where you can make a donation to help the knocker knitters help more ladies who need them.

http://www.knittedknockersuk.com

They also have a Facebook page

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knitted-Knockers-UK-Information-Page/207990342731759?sk=info

There are some lovely comments on their website from ladies who have received their knitted knockers, well worth a read!

If you know anyone who may need their services, direct them to the website.

Karen x

Am I invisible?  That's a question I keep asking myself at the moment. The reason for wondering this is Facebook or more specifically Facebook interaction and the lack of it. I'm quite used to talking to myself ( its ok I haven't started answering myself yet) but this is getting ridiculous.

 

After yet another change I am beginning to think that only one man and his dog are seeing my posts and to be honest the dog doesn't really count as he can't read.

 

So what to do about it?  I know...Google it, isn't that the answer to everything these days. So  that's what I did, to find to my utter dismay that the answer is "engaging content". What is engaging content? It's one of those fluffy woolly sort of terms that no-one really knows the answer to.

 

I  know you all love beads, everyone loves beads right? So, I think beads are "engaging", especially photos of beads and when I talk to you, you all love photos of beads and want to see them. Sadly Facebook thinks they are not engaging content and very kindly decides for you that you don't want to see them and don't think they are engaging content either

 

So the search for the ever elusive "engaging content" goes on. In the mean time lets show Facebook how much we love beads....please like, comment and share my posts, in fact like comment and share anything that catches your eye. We all need our daily beady fix despite what mean old Facebook think.

 

 

Thank you for reading my ramblings.

 

Karen x

We have lots of lovely new beads and findings in stock this week. Here are a few of our favourites....

 

 

Vine Leaf Toggle Clasp

Toggle measures about 22mm wide, 37.5mm long, T bar measures  about 25mm. The hole measures 1.5mm. Sold in packs of 5.

 - http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3267438-Silver-Vine-Leaf-Toggle-Clasps.html

 

 

 

Magnetic Butterfly Clasps

 

Measures approx 22mm x 23mm x 8mm. Sold individually -

 http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3269939-Silver-Butterfly-Shaped-Magnetic-Clasp.html

 

 

 

Small Heart Shaped Magnetic Clasps

Measures approx 11mm across the heart and approx 19mm for thread hole to thread hole. Sold in packs of 10

- http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3289019-Silver-Heart-Shaped-Magnetic-Jewellery-Clasps.html

 

 

 

 Button Clasps For Wrap Bracelets

 

 

 

Buttons measure approx 14mm x 10mm. Sold in packs of 10 mixed buttons

 http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3282083-Mixed-Colour-Button-Clasps-For-Wrap-Bracelets.html

 

 

 

Cats Eye Glass Hearts

 

10mm. Approx 40 beads per strand

. - http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3267394-10mm-Multi-Coloured-Glass-Cats-Eye-Heart-Shaped-Beads.html

 

 

 

Tibetan Silver Style Patterned Curved Tube Beads

                

Approx 37mm x 3mm with a 1mm hole. Sold in packs of 5

- http://www.somersetbeads.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3269855-Tibetan-Silver-Style-Curved-Tube-Beads.html

 

These are just a few of the gorgeous beads and findings we have added to our range in the last week. There are more arriving this week.

Check out our website for the full range

www.somersetbeads.co.uk