Beading and jewellery-making supplies

For beads, findings, and glass, no one is faster to the post office than Sooz at The Bead Shed http://www.thebeadshed.co.uk/

Sooz also runs the friendliest bead-related forum in town: Bead Buddies http://www.beadbuddies.co.uk/forum

I could spend all day on Frit Happens, the forum for glass artists, just drooling over the wonderful creations of its talented lampworkers. www.frithappens.co.uk/forum

I buy sterling silver wire, findings and spacers, and Softflex Softtouch beading cable from Palmer Metals. http://www.palmermetals.co.uk/

 

I buy copper findings and beads, and some glass and plated beads from the ever-friendly and helpful Martin at the Coral Stone and Bead Co. http://www.coralstone.co.uk/

 

Lampwork glass artists

Tania Grey

http://www.tanofcourse.co.uk/ 

Go to Tan for hand-made glass beads inspired by the sea and coast.  Little worlds and oceans in themselves, they will draw you in and hold you dreaming for hours. Also drop in to Tan's corner of the web  if you are need of cheering up. She's a ray of Cornish sunshine.

 

Annelyse Taylor at Au Clair de la Lune

http://www.annelysetaylor.co.uk/

 

 

I love Annelyse's work, especially the beads inspired by her Scottish home and the sets that look like galaxies of planets, stars, and swirling mists. Annelyse's flickr pages can hold me spell-bound for hours.

 

Kaz at Cheeky Cherub designs

http://www.cheekycherubdesigns.co.uk/ 

I specially like Kaz's lentils, her Japenese-y flower beads, and her use of silvered glass. When your designing mo-jo is low, get some Cheeky Cherub beads to revitalise it.

 

Sabine at Little Castle Designs

http://www.littlecastledesigns.co.uk/ 

Sabine makes incredible flowers and butterflies in glass, which are definitely glass Art, as well as focals and sets of lampwork beads. She is famous for her 'lace' sets.

 

 

Caroline Hannon at Crafted Gems

http://www.craftedgems.co.uk/index.htm 

One of my most favourite sets of beads ever was Caroline's diamond-shaped, encased lampwork beads sets in shades of green.

 

Billie Jean Little

billiejeanlittle.etsy.com

Billie's beads are sophisticated, unusual, and accomplished. I proudly display one of her tree beads on the wall above my workspace.

Other designers

http://www.designedbygeorge.co.uk/

George Harper at Designed by George 

I admire the work of George Harper more than I can say. She is a real craftsman and perfectionist, which shows in her wirework and maille, and her combination of shapes and colours in her designs always seem so inevitable, attractive and - right!