Hello November!

2020 is a year that is going to test us all in, in many different ways, so I want to start by sending you all my thoughts and best wishes.

There is so much in the world, and the news, to stress us, exhaust us and make us feel hopeless so I want to remind you that there is love, beauty and hope in the World no matter how dark it seems.
These dark Winter months some of us are heading to can be hard and, as we head back into a serious lockdown here in England (and in many of parts of the World) remembering that there is light in our lives is very important and I have found doing some of these ideas every day has been helping me get through the year.
To also help with all of that I once again bring you (towards the bottom of this newsletter) some nice & interesting things on the Internet which, if nothing else, can serve as a distraction.

I have also been using work as a big distraction and this past month have been making & editing videos, beading, and writing instructions and some of the results of that I can bring you today, and some will come next month when, to celebrate the 2nd birthday of Rivoli Beadwork, I'll have new variations for everyone who has purchased the book...

But this month I'm bringing you a new pattern and video which I've been bursting to launch for a long time as I know this 3-dimensional project is perfect to learn by watching and I'm really looking forward to seeing all the variations those of you who bead it make.

I have had a lot of enquiries & questions about my videos as some of you worry that there is a time-limit on them, or think you can only watch them so many times, or that you don't get written instructions - not at all!
You can watch them as many times as needed (as long as you have internet access) and fast-forward, rewind, replay etc just as much as you want and come back to them days, weeks, months, even years later.
They also all have full English captions if that helps, and you do get the exact written instructions everyone else does so you can bead from those if you prefer.
All the new video patterns I'm launching I have taught many times so I know what questions are most likely to come up, any specific areas of issue etc so I make sure to address all of that in the videos (and of course the written instructions) and they're tested by beaders who work from the videos alone to make sure they're clear and the instructions work.
Plus of course, as many of you know, I'm always available to answer any questions you might have - there is never a time-limit to help from me.
So, read on to see all about my new video pattern, BeJewels.

So, until my next newsletter, when crazily the Winter 2020 Secret Beadalong will have started (and don't forget that anyone who signs-up for either the written instructions or videos & written instructions will get an exclusive 10% discount code from StitchnCraft Beads (more details about this are on my website and full details will be sent to you when you sign-up))...I wish you good health, and, of course, lots of happy beading!

BeJewels

Today I'm launching BeJewels which is one of my most-addictive projects ever!

These are sparkly (or not, you get to choose) balls of wonder which works as beaded beads, or pendants, and are made in 2 different sizes, and in lots of different combinations, so you get to bead the perfect one (or ones...) for you.

BeJewels is available as either a written pattern with a full 42-pages of instructions, diagrams & photos or a video pattern which has all the written instructions plus over 90 minutes of instructions spread over 20+ videos.

Whichever option you choose (and you can preview a video here to see some of the BeJewels in action) then be sure to use the 'pattern discount code' or 'video discount code' to get 20% off

If you like the idea of these then I have just 2 of my very popular (and not to be repeated) Pearl Ball Kits left.

Winter 2020 Secret Beadalong

This is creeping every closer!
The requirements & essentials have gone out to everyone who has signed-up so far and soon the full instructions will be available...

If you fancy having some beading fun over 24 days in December (or whenever you want to bead it) then you can now sign-up for the Winter 2020 Secret Beadalong

This year, just like the Summer one, you can choose either written instructions or videos & written instructions.

Don't forget whichever one you sign-up for that you can use my pattern or video discount code (see the bottom of this newsletter for full details)

Virtual Classes

2020 Virtual Classes

I have just a few spaces left on some classes this year and they are:

12th & 13th November
- 2-Day Stars Masterclass - (more suitable for UK, Europe & North America)
10th December
- Karratu - (more suitable for UK, Europe & North America)

2021 Virtual Classes

I recently added some new dates and brand-new classes for 2021 and excitingly lots have sold-out already!

Just like in 2020 some of my classes are one-day ones, and some are multiple-session ones, and each has different time zone options (just click on any class on my website to see the time it runs) so you can choose a class to suit you.

You can see all my classes here by date or here by venue (scroll to 'virtual' and below to see the different options and venues I'm teaching them through).

Please note that classes are different prices through different venues and I encourage you to support your local or favourite bead shop if they are hosting one as they can give you added support in buying beads, putting together colour palettes etc and doing this also helps to ensure they are there for us to visit them again in the future.

I will be adding extra classes soon so do check back regularly or contact me if there is something in particular you would like to do

Launched Recently

In October I launched Crashing Waves which is inspired by crashing waves & sea foam, whilst the rope is beaded in sand colours and its shape is inspired by the sand dunes I walk on in Cornwall.

This project uses Peyote Stitch for the Star and Cubic Right-Angle Weave (CRAW - full stitch instructions are included) for the optional rope and beaded clasp.

You can buy this 30-page pattern here and don't forget to use the 'Pattern Discount Code' to get 20% off (see the bottom of this newsletter for details)

Back in July I launched my Ochrana kit and now have less than 10% of the stock left with half of the options completely sold-out.

This is an intermediate-advanced necklace project that combines some of my unique geometric beadwork techniques with plenty of sparkle for a versatile and adaptable piece of jewellery.

The instructions cover bezelling the central Swarovski crystal (adding extra crystals as you do so) and then turning the centrepiece into a pendant which can be strung onto the specially designed beaded chain and further accessorised with extra adornment.

You can read more about the kit and purchase one here

Once again the Summer beadalong was a huge success and even though the 'beading-along-together' part has finished the project never stops and you can always sign-in and get beading at any time.
This year for the first time the project was available as written instructions or videos & written instructions and the feedback from the videos has been wonderful and I know they meant many more of you were able to join in and bead along with everyone else

If you're the sort of person who wants to see what you're beading before you begin then you can check-out the Secret Beadalong Facebook page or my blog to see beautiful examples of the finished project to tempt you.

Links of Interest

Fun Things
Need an escape from the real world? Here are something I hope you might enjoy.
As always you can access all of my previous newsletters here and in particular my March bonus one had lots of links for physical & mental health during this difficult time and April had links which may help you with your domestic or food situation:

At the end of every year it can be interesting to think about the year and answer these 40 questions. I know the end of the year is still some way off but these can get you thinking
As 2020 has been so eventful for us all it may also be interesting for you to sit and think about the year, and what it has taught you about what you want for 2021, and this form, from a talented designer who makes great planners, will help you do that
If you need some colour in your life then this Instagram page from a company in France who have been making pastels since 1880 will definitely supply that
A fascinating video showing the making of a brooch by Emily Justin
and a mesmerising one of a goldsmith hand-raising a bowl
An online interview with bead maker/ jeweller Robert Morris and one with Nikkee Couppee (whose work I love and who I got to spend a strange week with back in 2015) talking to Emiko Oye. You can find more here
The Beaded Universe: Strands of Culture from The Mingei International Museum can be watched here
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada have just launched a new exhibition 'The Spirit of Beads: Sharing our Stories' and you can see it virtually here and watch their live online launch video here
If you love the work of Lee Child and his Jack Reacher books you may be interested in some recent interviews he did here and here
London Craft Week had a mix of physical and online events this year and you can see their exhibition '300 Objects' online here
If you're interested in fonts, and the changing nature of an area, then you might enjoy this talk from Sarah Hyland (which coincidentally shows the area I grew up in) as much as I did. Sarah runs lots of other virtual talks & tours and you can see more here
Want to take advantage of lockdown to learn more about gems? This YouTube playlist has a fabulous collection of videos to watch

Pattern Discount Code

Simply enter 'newsletter' into the promo code box on my shopping cart (on my website and also now on Etsy) to receive 20% off all individual patterns (not valid on any other kits, books or pattern sets or on any other websites).
You will also get 50% off Summer Beadalongs and 33% off Winter Beadalongs.
Please make sure the discount is applied to your basket total BEFORE you finish checking out. Also ensure you type the code without the quote marks.

Video Discount Code

Simply enter 'newsletter' or 'videos' into the coupon code box on my Teachable site to get £5 off the Summer or Winter 2020 Secret Beadalong.
Please make sure the discount is applied to your basket total BEFORE you finish checking out. Also ensure you type the code without the quote marks

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