Bead Barmy

All across the land beaders are having a ball, so here is the first of our occasional series on Britain’s Finest Bead Groups.

Bead groups are springing up all over the country. Pooling ideas, perfecting their craft, entering competitions, drinking tea and meeting friends – you name it, they are doing it!

No two groups are the same

When we started this feature on beading groups it was primarily so that eager beaders could find out about their local circles and be inspired to participate. We hadn’t realised what a diverse bunch you are! No two groups are the same – the range goes from full-on structured classes to stringing pearls with one hand whilst holding a cup of coffee in the other.

We have now decided that this should be a regular feature, as new bead groups are popping up all the time and their stories are fascinating. The reasons for starting, the wonderful creations and the activities that go on are all worthy of at least a paragraph or two!

Prizes to be had…

So impressed are we by the beading groups we’ve encountered, that we have decided to give Beads Unlimited Gift Vouchers to the ones who really catch our eye. If you’d like to see your group’s name up in lights and be in with a chance of acquiring some goodies, please contact jo@beadsunlimited.co.uk and blow your own trumpet. Full details are at the end of this blog.

This month a £50 Beads Unlimited online gift voucher will be given to Horsham U3A Beading Group for their enthusiasm in all things bead-related! We would love to see what the group makes with their spoils.

Horsham U3A Beading Group

Some of the Horsham U3A beaders

The first in our series is the Horsham U3A Beading Group run by Jennifer Airs.

Jennifer is an avid beader who has regular projects in both national and international beading magazines such as Bead, Bead and Button and the Beadworkers Guild Journal.

She also has slots on Bead TV, a great internet subscription channel crammed to the gills with beading video tutorials, where you may also have seen our very own resident tutor Jane Leivens.

Jennifer has expert technique and a charming style. When we first spoke to her we were unaware of U3A and what is does and were eager to find out more.

The University Of The 3rd Age

This is a worldwide organisation that started in France.

U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun – The University of The 3rd Age UK website

Jennifer told us:

You don’t have to be over 60. I joined in my mid 50s after a severe illness resulting in my early retirement on medical grounds. There are about 750 U3As in the UK with a total of about 230,000 members. My local one in Horsham has over 800 members and a very wide range of “groups” covering 58 areas including art, computing, languages, music, games etc.

We think this is a fabulous idea and much needed in an age when communities can be less social.

Group goings-on

Embellished bracelet by group leader, Jennifer Airs, from an exhibition at The Capitol in Horsham

Along with Anne Davies, Jennifer runs various beading groups for U3A members. The group members follow Jennifer’s designs to avoid any copyright issues.

People come to her as beginners for a year and then move on to more advanced classes that work on more complex projects. So it is quite a structured circle with something for everyone.

Recently Jennifer has taught both of her current beginner groups their second ladder stitch project, an embellished bracelet that originally appeared in issue 9 of Bead magazine. The picture insert opposite shows a close up detail of a version made for an exhibition she had at The Capitol in Horsham last Summer.

When you look at the apparent complexity of the design, it just goes to show what relative novices can achieve with expert teaching. She has also been teaching her advanced group a garter bracelet she originally had published in The Beadworkers Guild Journal. It involves no less than three different stitches – ladder, herringbone and ogalala.

Shrewd operators

Jennifer’s advanced beaders have been trying their hands at this lovely garter bracelet

Group costs are kept to a minimum by meeting in each other’s homes and by informal bead swaps. This is another great reason for having like-minded beady friends. More often than not, when you reach the end of  a project, you will have beads surplus to your requirements. What a great way to put them to use by passing them on, rather than let them languish at the bottom of your beading box until your next clear out!

Jennifer’s enthusiasm for her beading certainly rubs off, as most members make additional pieces at home, both for themselves and for friends. Jennifer says:

Beading improves dexterity, concentration and spatial awareness. Members find the class mentally stretching and enjoyable.

How do I join?

If you would like more information on  the Horsham U3A Bead Group, please contact Jennifer Airs on 01403 790830 or jenniferairs@aol.com

Blow your own trumpet!

If you run or belong to a bead group and would like to appear on our blog please contact jo@beadsunlimited.co.uk

We would like a bit of background info – how the group began, what you do, any competitions you enter, plus two or three pictures including one of your group in action! Pictures should be good quality jpegs and no bigger than 5mb.

We welcome any entries – whether you’re a team of two chatting about your latest purchases or a well-oiled beading machine with a cast of thousands! A Beads Unlimited Gift Voucher could be winging its way to you for your efforts.