Beads, beads and beads

I just would like to show some of the beads I have made in the last couple of weeks. Most are destined to the Stourbridge bead fair in August. A few of them have been inspired by my recent class with Andrea Guarino.

Wow...What a week!!! (My yearly escape)

Photo by Sarah Bedwell

I booked my course back in November as soon as I found out that American glass artist Andrea Guarino was teaching in the UK.

I had been coveting this class for a loooong time!

I organised childcare, booked my B&B and plane ticket ...and then a volcano in Iceland erupted...

Andrea had to fly all the way from Seattle and for a few days, I resolved myself to the fact that this course was probably not going to happen but then Heathrow re-opened and Andrea valiantly made it through the ash cloud and customs (but that is another story).

I ,on another hand, renounced my plane ticket (I don't like ash clouds) and travelled down by train to Rochester on Monday.

The course was fantastic! Andrea was a brilliant, funny and generous teacher and her beads are magic. They have got secrets all to do with glass alchemy and reactions and I had a lot of 'Oooh Aaaaah!' moments during the two days course.

The fact that the group of beadmakers (many of whom I had never met before) were a lovely, friendly bunch also contributed to the success of this escape.

I learned a lot, laughed a lot, ate a lot.

I came back home on the train on Thursday, refreshed, buzzing with new ideas wondering how 2 days can pass so quickly.

I cannot wait until my next yearly escape (which might be before next year!)

Photo by Andrea Guarino