Our Silver Jubilee year is full of bold statements, grand gestures and celebration! Vanessa Brooks-Fisher encapsulated all 3 with her winning design.
Vanessa, Geoff and, 'grand unveilers', Dolly Rocket and Boogaloo Stu pose for press pics!
A permanent reminder
We ran our competition when we decided that we wanted a permanent reminder for our retail outlet, The Brighton Bead Shop in it’s 25th year. The plaque had to be ready it’s grand unveiling on our Silver Jubilee day on 5th March 2011. Our worthy winner explained to us how she came up with our favourite entry, celebrating 25 years of beading bliss!
The Idea
I got inspiration for the idea by standing in Sydney street and absorbing the various vibrant artwork that helps create the unque character of the North Laine area of Brighton. I decided something bold and graphic would best work – both contrasting with and complimenting what was around. Something that would relate to the stunning zebra design that smiles back at you from the other end of the street.
Playing around with the number 25 I realised it is practically symmetrical therefore lending itself to becoming something more than a number – perhaps a design on a bead or pendant.It was only when I super-imposed the design on the shop front that it was apparent that ‘something’ was missing. The addition of the central Brighton Bead Shop flower really tied the whole thing together!
Set in stone
Being involved with a mural commission during my Art Foundation course in Epsom sparked my interest in wall art. During my travels I funded a passion for diving by painting signs for a dive shop in Honduras, and the whole frontage of a dive shop in Indonesia. I have also done various private commissions in Bristol. In 2005 I had an idea to take it to ‘another level’ and took a course in plastering in order to trade as a plasterer but also further my practice as an artist and create low relief artwork in plaster. You can view all my work at vanessabf.mosaicglobe.com
Our permanent reminder hangs proudly on the front of The Brighton Bead Shop
It’s not over yet!
Our actual Silver Jubilee day may be over, but we are carrying on our celebrations throughout the year. A large part of our year is our attempt to raise £10,000 for the RNLI with a whole host of events. Sea and Cakes parties are being held all over the country to help us raise money and various members of staff are entering sporting events to help out. Just this weekend, Jake Kennedy, husband of Keri from our creative team ran the Brighton Marathon. We’ll be giving you the full story of Jake’s run on the blog later this month. If you’d like to find out more about our fundraising, how to join in or donate, please visit our fundraising page.
Waxing lyrical
Why not leave your very own permanent reminder of our Silver Jubilee? Please leave your lovely poetry and prose celebrating our 25 years of beading bliss in the comments box (it doesn’t have to be Wordsworth). Our favourite will recieve a £10 online gift voucher. Ends Midnight, Sunday 17th April 2011.
Posted by: JoBlogsIt
Ok, here we go…..
Beads Unlimited, you make me smile, so let me pause a little while.
To tell you what I think of you, and to this shop I will be true.
No other bead shop is so fine, If you were a person, we’d wine and dine.
Your beads and findings are just so right, that’s why you’re simply a beader’s delight!
Nice start Olivia. Any more, anybody?
Beads unlimited what can I say,you light up everday, there is no other company that does this in the same way.
Where else would we go for beads, you fulfil our needs.
With findings, wire and fimo too who else would we go to? Only you make beads an easy feat, you cant get that on the high street.
Good job we have you or else what would we beaders do?
Thanks Amber. We’re blushing!
Beads Unlimited, my aladdins cave
Full of treasures I want, need and crave
With beads of all colours, which ones will I choose
Shall I have pinks, reds, purples or blues?
I could make something sparkly, or maybe just plain
Should I use ribbon, leather, cord or chain?
So many ideas, I just cant decide
Whatever I make I will wear it with pride.
Browsing your website, many hours I spend
For service and quality its on you I depend.
For Jewellery Making you really are the best
Beads Unlimited, a real treasure chest. x
Unlimted has no bounds
there is a need to get to grips with that special bead
to finish your special peice
you just have to shop at beads unlimited
There is a fab shop in the Brighton Lanes
To supply us with beads, it goes to great pains
For 25 years it has kept us in beads
Supplying our dreams, and all of our needs
And when we find that we need even more
There’s also a fully stocked great online store
Beads Unlimited is the true market leader
For all, from the novice to experienced beader!
There was a girl who was a beader
who sold her creations to feed ‘er
The necklaces and chains
And memory wire pains.
The pitiful life of a beader
But then she ran out of beads
whilst drinking a tankard of mead.
Into despair she did fall
until Beads Unlimited did call
and offered her nice pretty beads.
So the beader sat with a smile
as she stared at the beads in a pile
That came in a hurry
And a whiz and a flurry
With the best customer service by a mile.
So Beads Unlimited are always the best
Especially for beaders who are stressed
With their website online
And their telephone line
You really can be a beady pest!
Yeah, probably shouldn’t quit my day job. XD
We love it Samantha! ‘beady pest’ really made us laugh!
Beads unlimited have really great beads
they can fulfill every beaders needs.
From Glass beads, Fimo, Shell and Acrylic
Pewter, and the Crystal beads are just idyllic
They have Chains, Findings and Swarovski too
And run classes if your completely new.
Over 4000 lines, what shall I buy?
Charms, Pendants or something new shall I try?
The fabulous choice is just amazing
And to be running 25 years needs some praising.
Well done to all the team for your great site
We know it didn’t happen overnight!
Id like to say to your hardworking staff
On all your happy customers behalf …….
THANK YOU
Kathy that’s fantastic! x
Beads Unlimited
The name says it all!
If you like beading,
Then you’ll have a ball!
Just go on the website
Or pop in the shop.
Whatever your needing,
Their stock is just tops!
Tools and threads
Beads and pendants galore.
Jewellery findings,
Come closer ,there’s more!
Fimo,ceramic
Glass, metal and seeds.
Whatever you want
They have all you needs.
And now, it’s their birthday
A silver one too!
So I think we should sing,
Happy Birthday to you!!
These are brilliant everyone! We’re on a roll, keep em coming!
The sparkle, the shine,
Stopping by from time to time,
Catch your breathe,
Look around,
See what others you have found,
They are oh so pretty,
Oh so bright,
Your bank Manager will get a fright,
Look at their wonder,
Feel the awwwwww….
Hypnotized, Sparkle, Brightness, Precious,
Feel the excitement build,
Rings, Necklace, Bracelet, Charms,
Oh the wonders you could create,
Beads unlimited, choice supreme,
5 bags, no 10 bag,
Red, pink and Green,
25 years, oh what a joy,
filling lives with happiness,
for every Girl and Boy,
Who enters your doorway,
To see your magical wonders which lie in wait…
Well done to you all,
For such a wonderful Job,
Through two recessions you lasted so well,
25 more years to you, of wonder and happiness,
filling our lives with excitement and pleasure,
and many more after that I am sure you will have,
A great Job you have done and may you continue to do.
Nice one Orla!
Needing beads? Where to shop?
Beads Unlimited are the cream of the crop!
Their selection is great and their prices are good.
Buy more beads and eat less food.
It’ll keep you busy and you’ll be on a diet.
Haven’t you beaded? Try it! Try it! Try it!
It’s a silly little rhyme that I’ve only just written.
BUT … Beads Unlimited are the best in Britain!
I’m certainly no poet, and don’t I know it!! However, congratulations to all of you and wishing you another 25 years of success as you deserve it! xx
Tee hee! This is great Karen. Remember everyone you have until midnight this Sunday (17th April 2011) to post and be in with a chance of winning a £10 gift voucher.
Thanks so much to everyone who joined in the fun and took part in this competition. After much deliberation, fisticuffs in the board room and sleepless nights, we have decied that Samantha will be the winner of our £10 online gift voucher. The last line clinched it for us!
There was a girl who was a beader
who sold her creations to feed ‘er
The necklaces and chains
And memory wire pains.
The pitiful life of a beader
But then she ran out of beads
whilst drinking a tankard of mead.
Into despair she did fall
until Beads Unlimited did call
and offered her nice pretty beads.
So the beader sat with a smile
as she stared at the beads in a pile
That came in a hurry
And a whiz and a flurry
With the best customer service by a mile.
So Beads Unlimited are always the best
Especially for beaders who are stressed
With their website online
And their telephone line
You really can be a beady pest!
Thank you so much!!
You’re very welcome Samantha! It gave us a giggle. I hope you enjoy your £10 gift token. Please do let us know what you buy and make with it!
I will! The beads have been ordered, after a bit of umming and ahhing about projects I had in mind but had never started. I’m hoping it’ll work and look/hang right, but if not, I’ll have a hoard of pretty pendants to use for something else.