Welcome to EJR Beads!
 Do
you want beads, buttons and craft supplies just that little bit different?
EJR Beads is home to my
lampwork, polymer clay and ceramic art beads plus a host of other jewellery making and craft supplies. I
pride myself on stocking the EJR Beads online store with the unusual.
In the store you will find my latest art beads plus other jewellery
making and craft supplies. I stock masses of vintage, antique and modern beads and buttons
- including freshwater pearls,
copper beads, sterling silver & hypo-allergenic findings, Fimo polymer clay
and Art Clay Silver supplies and tools plus lots more.
To learn more about me and my work
- just browse this site. Scroll down this page for the latest Studio News or
check out the free tutorials, articles & bead galleries.
Click here for the
EJR Beads online store !
We ship
throughout the UK and beyond, have an easy-to-use shopping cart and very reasonable
shipping rates with a quick despatch.
Oh, and you
can use the store to
join to my mailing list too.
Subscribers get
regular emails about new products, bead auctions & competitions. Simply set up an
account in the online store and tick the Newsletter box to subscribe.
In the meantime,
thanks for visiting ejrbeads.co.uk today. I hope you enjoyed your visit - if
so please do spread the word!
Best wishes, Emma Ralph
Studio Update:
Monday 8th February
Haiti
Auction
I want to alert you all to a fantastic
Charity Auction that Mel Poxon is running in aid of the people of Haiti.
There are so many fantastic lots for you to bid on - lampwork
beads by great artists such as Laura Sparling, Bev Hicklin, Julie Fountain and
many more. Plus a range of other fantastic gifts and jewellery. And every penny
raised with go to the people in Haiti who need our help so desperately right
now.
So please visit the auction page and bid generously.
Studio Update:
Saturday 6th February
Psst! Wanna
know a secret?
I have snuck a few more sets of my art beads up
in the
online store
today!
Firstly, a whole slew of my
ceramic beads, such as this lovely set of Troikesque beads.
My Troikesque beads are, as the name probably
tells you, loosely inspired by the Troika pottery from the South West of England
in the 60's and 70s.
As well as the Ceramic beads, I have listed some
of my
polymer clay art beads too.
As always, the beads are all one-off sets sold on
a First Come, First Served basis. So don't delay, click today!
Studio Update:
Monday 25th January
Here we go!
Well, some of you may have noticed me sneaking up some
polymer clay art beads into the
online store
over the last few days.
I am sorry I didn't send out an email about those
- I was waiting for the lampwork beads to be ready to list so I could only send
one email rather than spam you all each time I listed a set of beads this week.
Well, the good news is the lampwork beads
should be up for sale tonight in the online store. I should also have more
polymer clay beads for sale and if that all sounds a bit too easy - there is an
auction up here too!
The auction
is for a mixed lot of my ceramic beads - some older work here that I found when
tidying up. You decide what it is worth - the auction starts at just 99p with no
reserve. Click here to see the beads
and details on how to bid.
Studio Update:
Thursday 14th January
Happy Noo
Year!
Well here we are, another year gone. Another decade even.
Would you believe, this year marks ten full years for me as as
a professional bead maker, selling my
art beads
online. I started out on auction sites, back when they meant something. Some of
you will remember me from ebay and Justbeads. In time, of course, EJR Beads was
born and I started to sell my work exclusively from my
online store
here.
Lot's of things have happened since I left my last "real" job
to pursue all this nonsense. I got old, fat and boring of course. But that is
just how it should be and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I wrote a
couple of polymer clay books, set up EJR Beads. I learned to make passable
lampwork glass beads, ceramic beads and dabbled in the odd bit of art clay
silver.
I learned various computer skills - all out of necessity of
course, I cannot say that side of things interests me. But I cobbled together
this site - and I even kinda like it. Probably in the same way you love a cat
that has lost an eye. A sort of sympathy-love at its crude pathetic-ness. But
it's all good.
There have certainly been challenges behind the scenes that I
won't bore you with, both personal and professional. On the whole though, I am a
happy duck with what I have learned along the way throughout the Noughties.
And if that all sounds a bit "me, me, me" - well, I am getting
to the point now, I promise. It is actually all about you,
you, you. Because without you guys coming here and buying stuff from me,
supporting my art beads and allowing me to be your clay and glitter pusher, well
it would all come tumbling down. So a HUGE big thank you for your support.
It means more than you would ever imagine.
Anyway, I am not drunk. In case you were wondering where this
random bout of sentimentality was coming from. Probably more just a bit stir
crazy from being stuck inside for so long because of the snow!
I haven't had any chance to get out into the shed to melt
glass, so have been inside over the last couple of weeks working on my polymer
clay art beads. I have been using the new range of
Cernit clay for all these beads and just loving it! Those of
you who have been claying a long while will understand this - it reminds me of
old skool
Fimo so much. And the colours..... swoon.
I hope to have these beads up for sale over the next few
weeks. So please do keep an eye on the online store. I am still playing catch-up
trying to get the images all done, so it will be a few days yet before the first
ones are listed, but they's a'comin!
Studio Update:
Thursday 24th December
Merry
Christmas Everyone!
So, another year almost over eh? Hardly seems possible
does it?
Lots
of cool crafty and beady things have flown in and out of the doors here at EJR
Beads over the last year and it doesn't end yet. No, to take us out of 2009 with
a bang, EJR Beads has a new range of polymer clay to introduce to you all -
Cernit
Cernit is an oven-bake
polymer clay that has been around for many years. Made in Europe, it was
favoured by dollmakers and modellers especially because many of the colours have
a porcelain-like finish and a slight translucency. The range also has a superb
range of fleshtone colours. I think UK and US beadmakers and polymer clay
jewellery artists were probably a little slower in realising Cernit's incredible
potential - I know I was! Possibly due to the fact that it was hard to come by
in the UK. Although that has changed now EJR Beads is carrying
Cernit !
Over the last couple of years, ALL the
polymer clay brands have been reformulated, to remove plasticizers called
Phthalates and meet new EU regulations. And many users of clay - whatever
the brand - found slight differences in how their new clay handled to the old.
Sometimes these differences were good. In the case of
Fimo, for instance, I think the handling vastly improved in many ways.
Sometimes the differences were not so good though. We found little niggles here
and there and had to adjust to the new formulations, learning new ways to do
some things
I think with
Cernit clay, the transition has gone very smoothly. The phthalate-free
Cernit handles beautifully for me and I have found myself using it pretty much
equally to
Fimo in my own art beads over the last few months. In many ways it reminds
me of how polymer clays used to be in the 80s and 90s. So, a little firm and
crumbly to get going - but conditions easily and can even be prone to getting
too soft if you over-handle it. But the more I use it, the more I like it - so
it seemed very natural to offer up Cernit at EJR Beads alongside our existing
Fimo range.
There are 5 ranges of
Cernit currently available at EJR Beads.
Number One is their standard range of colours - these all have a
semi-translucent quality, what they call their Porcellaneous finish (although
the term reminds me of pigs for some reason). There is an opaque white in
this range too.
The
Glamour range contains metallic and pearlescent clays. It seems much like
the pearlescent
Fimo clays back in the 80s. Subtle shimmers in the clay come from metal and
pearl nacre particles. So these are not heavily laden with Mica like the Fimo
metallics, and not suitable for Mica shift techniques. For that you will need to
use Fimo Silver, copper or gold mica clays. But they are just perfect if you
want a softly metallic clay that doesn't bruise and exhibit mica-shift qualities
where you don't want them!
The
Nature range is just fab! I was really impressed with these clays, all stone
/ earth effect colours that prove surprisingly effective. Try them for pebble
beads, faux jade etc. The faux jade pendant I made has been indented and
accented with
Adirondack Alcohol inks. Such a simple project - I just shaped the clay
pendant and indented some patterns. Baked and covered the patterns in ink.
Sanded back slightly to remove the surplus ink. Finally a quick dab of
Renaissance wax polish was wiped over the clay and quickly buffed off by
hand. Absolutely yummy and very, very easy!
The
Translucents range is pretty self-explanatory. A range of six different
translucent clays, including a white translucent and glow-in-the-dark too. The
white is snowy-white, rather like the Fimo soft translucent. Almost see-through
in very thin layers. The coloured translucents are very saturated and best
diluted with the transparent white I think.
The
Neon Light range contains the fluorescent, day-glo colours. Great for
clubbing or rave jewellery, these colours do actually fluoresce under UV light.
Very cool and funky!
So, now you have met the
Cernit family! Larger blocks of some colours will also be available
soon - so if there are any colours you would like to see in larger bricks,
please do ask me about it and I will see what I can do!
Studio Update:
Tuesday 15th December
Getting
Closer!
Well, Christmas is fast approaching, so I hope
you have all your pressies bought, wrapped and sitting under the tree?
If not - well, why not pick up a few last minute
gifts at the EJR Beads
online store?
There's always lots of great gift ideas in store for anyone crafty. Also, I have
added some new earrings to the
Emma's Jewellery section!
If you are buying for Christmas, please be aware
that the last posting date for packet post has now passed, so you MUST visit the
Insurance for Orders section of the store and upgrade your shipping to
Special Delivery if you wish it to arrive in time.
Other new items in store include the full Lights
and Brights ranges of the wonderful
Adirondack alcohol inks are now available individually.
These inks are fantastic to use over paper, card
and also all glossy surfaces too from ceramic and glass to leather, metal and
more. And of course, they are fantastic to use with
polymer clay too. Use them over baked or unbaked polymer clay, to tint
translucent, liquid clays or varnishes or to pep up metal leaf and foils. There
really are just so many different ways to use these cool inks.
Studio Update:
Monday 30th November
Here we go!
Well, here we go again - headlong into the
Silly Season. It seems to me Christmas comes around quicker and quicker
each year. Maybe I am just getting old!
Still it does mean we get to go Christmas
shopping doesn't it. And that doesn't just mean pressies for our loved ones, as
far as I am concerned it also means the odd treat for ourselves just for
surviving it all!
If your loved ones are into beads and crafts, you
will find loads they will enjoy in the EJR Beads
online store.
Maybe the
polymer clay fans will enjoy one of our
claying kits,
glitter kits or
Perfect Pearls powder kits in their stocking this year?
Maybe you just need to escape into your own
little world for a bit while the Christmas turkey is cooking away.
If so, now is the time to visit the
magazines section of the store and pick yourself up a few issues of your
favourite beady reads. Perfect for sitting down to enjoy with a glass of mulled
wine!
We have the latest issues in stock for Bead,
Beads & Beyond, Ornament and many more. Plus, loads of back issues too!
Whatever your crafting needs this Christmas, I am
sure you will find something at
EJR Beads to
satisfy them!
Studio Update:
Tuesday 24th November
Check out my Hooters!
 I have listed lots of of new
art beads
in the online store this week,
including both ceramic and lampwork glass beads.
There are oodles of
ceramic beads up for sale. Lots of sets and also a range of collectable
focal beads - my Hooter's!
These beads are probably the first beads I have designed
very much with collectors in mind as much as jewellery designers. A lot of work
went into them - with many "back to the drawing board" moments, but I am so
happy with how they have come out finally! I only wish the photo could do them
justice.
So, being collectable beads, of course
you can make jewellery with them and I think they would be a marvellous focal
for some elaborate piece. But shift the emphasis to "collectable" if you wish,
as they would be just as happy on display with your other
can't-bear-to-part-with beads.
Studio Update:
Thursday 19th November
Getting back to normal!
So the annoying strikes are out of the way, my cold is almost gone - and finally EJR Beads is getting back to some sort of normality!
New in the online store this week - latest issues of Making Jewellery and Ornament magazine to name but a few of the new issues arrived lately. Just check out the books and Magazines section of the online store.
New ceramic clay and lampwork art beads will be up in a day or two also!
Studio Update: Monday 9th November
Well, it has been an age since I had some
lampwork beads ready to show you, hasn't it?
And now, here we are, like buses - they all
come along at once. Beadies for sale in the online store AND a fantastic set of
orphans for auction on this website.
So, firstly the auction beads.
As you can see, quite a substantial number of
beads there! All of these are orphan beads, slight seconds or left-overs from
other sets. There is well over a metre of beads on that there strand and I am
starting the auction at just £65. To see more details about the beads and
how to place your bid - please click here
on the auction page link!
Meanwhile, if you prefer to buy rather than bid
- new beads are also up for sale at the online store.
This set of my Byzantine tabs is probably my
favourite this week.
I just love the honey ambers and warn pinks in
these beads, together with the odd flash of metallic and iridescence thanks to
the wonders of silver-rich glass.
To see all the available lampwork beads in the store, just
visit the Emma's Art Beads section. And remember - all my beads are sold on a
first come, first served basis. So don't leave it too long if you see something
you like!
Studio Update: Monday 2nd November
Long time no
speak!
Well, hello everyone!
It seems like a lifetime since I updated this page last,
although obviously not - only a week or two! Just seems longer because we had a
lovely short break away in Winchester, which was delightful. I will have to get
some photos up soon.
Meanwhile, just a quickie to remind you all I am back, and
postal strike delays withstanding, it's business as usual at the EJR Beads online store!
Studio Update:
Wednesday 30th September
Going
once....going twice....
 Yes,
it's auction time again, here EJR Beads.
I have a set of my
lampwork beads up for auction this week - a set inspired by the Art Nouveau period, with lots of ethereal
colours (thanks to the beauty of silver-rich glass) and metallic flowing lines.
The auction is live until Monday 5th October - to bid or see more details about
the beads, just click here.
This set is called
"Belle Époque". Beautiful age, I guess, would be a close translation - as that
point in history was sometimes known when later looked back upon. And I was
thinking about it today - it must really have been just that, a totally
beautiful age. At least if you had a bob or two. I am sure if you didn't have
two pennies to rub together, life wouldn't be all that beautiful.
But imagine a time
before World War I or II were ever heard of. When the technological advances of
the Victorian era and industrial revolution must have made it seem nothing were
impossible. A new century had dawned and it must have felt like a brave new
world.
We know now of
course how quickly bubbles can burst. The Russian revolution and World War I
were just around the corner and the world wouldn't really know lasting peace for
decades to come (some might argue if at all). But for those few years at the
turn of the last century, for some at least, it must have been a grand old time.
Indeed a beautiful era.
I think these
auction beads would probably have a similar outlook on life if they could think
- to me, they seem happy little beads, gay and carefree wanting to dance the
night away. They are a bit girly. They probably haven't got a great handle on
politics. They just want to be pretty and be loved for being so....
Studio Update:
Friday 18th September
Day off, innit.
Well, sort of.
I don't think its
possible to have a true day off here. I am always busy doing something or other,
not to mention there are always orders to pack. But lets just say some days I do
take a bit of time for myself and today I intend to make one of those days.
And what am I going
to do? Put myself back to bed and watch Angels and Demons again. Yes - its a PJ
day at EJR Beads. Try saying that when you have had a few.
I tried to watch
the film the other night but it was late and I was so tired, I just fell asleep.
I know its not very good and I have seen it before and read the book. And I know
that Dan Brown is in no danger of winning any prizes for literature anytime too
soon. I found his books a marginally easier read than Spot Goes Fishing... BUT I
love them none the less.
Secret societies,
organised religious conspiracies, masons and Illuminati. Secret scrolls and
codes to break. Large explosions, helicopters and chasing down clues in old
churches etc?
That is soooooo my
bag baby yeah. Must trot out this weekend and pick up his new book.
Studio Update:
Monday 14th September
Stuff, lovely
stuff.
 Lots of cool things keep coming through the doors at EJR Towers and I just don't
have time to get them all up in the online store yet!
But over the next
few days, keep your eyes peeled for more useful copper findings and sterling silver findings.
The Flex-rite beading wire has been restocked in the Jewellery Making category and I also have a new sub-section there - for
these lovely silk strings.
I shall also be
adding some mixes of the gorgeous Miyuki cube beads to the Seed Beads section - just because they are such gorgeous and versatile
beads, as at home on stringing and wirework designs as they are on bead weaving.
Other useful things
including Renaissance wax polish (great for protecting your brass stampings,
copper wirework and so on). Useful bead cushions, all sorts of colourful choker
necklaces for you to hang your focal beads from and much more.
Just as soon as I
am able to get everything listed, I will.
Meanwhile some new
items are already up and available to buy. My new lampwork beads went up this afternoon (don't forget my lampwork bead auction also ends tonight!)
Studio Update:
Monday 7th September
Pugs and
Auctions.... but not together.
No, I am not
auctioning the pugs I am afraid.
They are far too
cute to part with. Although, sometimes Daisy-No! is so naughty that I think we
are sorely tempted. Why do you think we are calling her Daisy-No! these days?
But some of you
have been asking for updates and your wish is my command.
Many of you will
remember that I refused to put the smaller, black pug Pepsi up on the website
because he was just too ugly and such a little runt when we got him. I was
afraid he would put you off buying your beads frankly. Many a family member
thought I was cruel for this elitist censorship, but what can I say, business is
business.
 Well,
he is still a complete Moog to look at as you can see. But credit where credit's
due, he is coming along brilliantly. He is eating all his dinner up and almost
catching Daisy-No! up weight-wise.
He does seem to be
turning into quite a little poppet personality-wise too. He is still convinced
that our older collie-cross, Trixie is him mum. He adores her. He worships the
ground on which she walks. She, however, feels nothing for him. At best she will
ignore him, at worst she will snarl at him. This has no effect, he just licks
her teeth as she bares them.
The other day, he
plucked a prize root from a big pile of mud in the garden. He ran straight over
to Trixie, dropped it at her feet and then rolled on to his back submissively.
Trixie just blanked him and walked away. As you can see from the photo, these
roots are top currency to a pug dog. They will play with them all day. A root as
fine as the one he gave Trixie was indeed a precious discovery.
Still,
persistence wears resistance and I think Trixie will come around eventually! At
least I do hope so.
But I promised you
more than pug dogs didn't I? I promised you an auction as well and by Jove an auction is what you are going to get.
Yes - another EJR
Beads auction is in progress
this week, running here on my website for the next 7 days.
This auction is for
a set of lentils, with a crazy - no, beyond crazy, an utterly bonkers 99p
starting price and no reserve.
Check out the auction page for details on how to
place your bids! Oh, and in case you missed the link - here it is again - auction auction auction
Studio Update:
Saturday 15th August
More lampies!
It may seem, from the lack of updates, that I am not doing a great deal. All I
can say is pah and tish to that because plenty is going on behind the scenes at
EJR Beads, let me assure you.
I have a new auction running here on the website.
Also, I have added
a new set of lampwork glass beads to the online store -
this set of textured tabs, all ready for the crisp autumn days ahead!
These textural tabs
are worked in all my favourite colours. I just love how they came out. I love
the itty spacer beads too (all worked from a single rod of R. Magic for any
fellow lampworkers who were wondering.) There is something about oranges and
greens together, in any shape or form really I think, that gets my pulse racing.
What can I say, I am easily pleased maybe?
Oh, and I think
there are still some of the ceramic beads left too!
Studio Update:
Sunday 9th August
Ok, who pressed
FF on 2009 then?
Where is this year
going? How are we at August already? How is that possible. Seemed only two
minutes ago there was snow up to our knees and now Summer is almost over.
I have been snowed
under metaphorically though, with plenty of work to catch up on. Hence why I
have been so quiet here. But I do have a little news to share.
Firstly, a new
lampwork bead auction is running on my
site this week. Actually, we are half-way through the auction already (as those
of you on my mailing list probably know already). The auction is for a gorgeous
set of my Flamenco nuggets, worked with silver-rich glass. I just adore how
these beads came out and hope you will to. The picture really does not do justic
and capture all the lovely blue and cyan shades to the beads.
The auction is live until 7pm Wednesday
12th August (UK time). There is no reserve on this set, and no extra shipping to
pay either! So don't forget to get your bids emailed to me in plenty of time.
If you prefer to
just go shopping for your beads instead of bidding....well, keep an eye on the online store. I
have a few new lampies to list over the next couple of days.
Some of the ceramic beads I listed the other day are still available too, including this
lil' cutiepie!
Studio Update:
Wednesday 15th July
Ok, it's still like
this....
I have managed to
put the puppies down for a few minutes this week and got some lampwork beads
made.
This set was
unusual for me - for the first time I made a limited edition design, with two
identical sets up for sale.
One set has sold
already, but at the time of writing the other is still available! To see the
beads just visit the Emma's Lampwork section of the online store .
IMPORTANT NEWS:
Due to postal strikes on Friday 17th July, no orders will ship out on that day
or the following one. Please note that some delays to delivery times are likely
for a couple of days before and after the industrial action and your patience is
appreciated. Thank you!
Studio Update:
Wednesday 8th July
Ok, it's like
this....
There is no two
ways about it. It's like this you see. You get absolutely NO work done when
there is a puppy in the house.
And when there are
two puppies? Yup. Even less work.
We have two sweet
little pugletts chez nous. Here is Daisy Dog, enjoying the garden.
Pepsi, the other
pug puppy is a black pug. I don't have a photograph of him yet as he has been
quite poorly. We have really just been focused on feeding him up and getting him
well. But he is coming on in leaps and bounds, so watch this space!
The only problem is
I am getting NOTHING done. Not even nothing. Less than nothing. But hey, can you
blame me?
So now you know why
it has taken me literally weeks to finish my latest batch of polymer clay beads.
But I managed to put the puppies down for five minutes and get it done. This pod
pendant and a couple of other sets will be listed in the online store later
on this evening.
Oh and in case you
are interested - I have also set up an Etsy
store. I haven't the foggiest what I am doing yet. TBH I just wanted to jump
on the bandwagon and was sick of feeling left out the Etsy party. Right now, my
only plan to use the Etsy store to showcase bits and bobs to a different
audience and learn the ropes.
So I may take items
out of the EJR Beads online store from time to time and list them in Etsy. If you ever see anything in one place
but would prefer to purchase from the other, just let me know.
Studio Update:
Friday 3rd July
Dr Emma-stone I
presume?
Did you think I had
got lost in some deep distant rainforest? Well so did I - the weather here sure
feels that way. I don't do heat well, I get even more hissy and snarly than
usual.
Also, lost in an
abyss technologically speaking. Our internet service has been dreadful for
months now - recently we are losing internet regularly all day, every day from
about 10 -11 am until the evening. Making me Sooooo mad and they just won't do a
think about it. So if I have been slow to respond to emails, you know why!
Anyway, enough of
my moans and groans. Just a quick note to let you all know that I am still here,
and as soon as the weather is a little cooler there will be new art beads.
Meanwhile if you
take a visit to the online store, you
will find we have had a new Niobium and Titanium delivery in. More wire, more earwires, more jumprings.
Oh its just more of everything really! Why not team your hypo-allergenic niobium
findings with our range of colourful craft wires too?
Studio Update:
Saturday 20th June
Reading Specs On!
 Get
your reading specs on girls.
The latest Art Jewelry and Polymer Cafe magazines are now in stock in the EJR Beads online store.
I could bore you
with details on how good each issue is - because that would be so true.
Especially the Art Jewelry mag, some fab projects in there this time around. But
I seriously need to get some breakfast and the dog needs a walk and a hundred
other things too. So I won't go on. Just check out the Magazines section of the store for more details on each.
Also - don't forget
my auction ends on Monday - so still a
couple of days to get your bids to me. Remember, if your bid reaches me even a
minute after the auction end time, it won't count. So please get your bids to me
sooner rather than later - you snooze, you lose!
Have a lovely
weekend all....
Studio Update:
Friday 19th June
Oh not again!
The post office
workers are on strike in some parts of London today and in Scotland tomorrow.
For that reason, I won't be despatching any orders today or tomorrow I am
afraid.
This may seem a bit
of an over-reaction but I can only say that I would rather be safe than sorry. I
have no idea how big a postal backlog these strikes could create but I am
betting there will be one. I remember from the last strikes, Royal Mail
certainly did NOT deal with the post in the order which it was received -
as they had promised. In fact the opposite was true. Their continued denial that
there was a problem made sellers such as myself up and down the country look
like liars and cheats. And yes - as you can tell I am still angry about that ;-)
So, for that reason
I feel its better to allow a couple of days leeway. In any event, I think it
quite possible that orders might take a little longer than usual to reach you. I
can only apologize for that and ask you to be patient.
More details on the
strikes and the Royal Mail's official response to any possible
repercussions can be found on their website. The pinch of salt that you will
undoubtedly need can be found in your kitchen cupboard. Which, coincidently, is
where I shall be hiding until its all over.
Studio Update:
Monday 15th June
Another New Auction!
I have another new auction running here on the website this week. This auction is for a set of my
Astrotomical tab beads. Is that even a word? I have no idea, it just seemed to
suit them for some reason.
I really enjoyed
making these beads, something about the colours and the funky retro design
really transported me to another place, like the world of the Jetsons or
something.
I think I fell in
love with all those 50's designs as a kid, growing up eating endless Christmas
dinners at my Great-Grandmother's house off wonderful plates by Conran or the
fabulous Homemaker range by Enid Seeney. Remember those? Its funny how even half
a century later, those designs still seem fresh and current.
If bidding isn't
quite your style though, fear not. I should hopefully be listing some new lampwork glass beads in the online store later
today. Internet allowing that is.
Our internet
service has been up and down like a yo-yo lately and I am about ready to blow -
its driving me so potty. But assuming all goes well and I don't end up running
amok through town due to internet-withdrawal, you can expect to see more lampies
later today.
Studio Update:
Monday 8th June
New Auction!
 I have a new auction running here on the website this week. This auction is for a set of my Lovebug beads.
These beads are worked in deep, rich shades of berry purples and browns - I
think the beads are a tad richer in colour than my aging camera could capture
actually. They also have a lovely blue/purple subtle iridescence to them
courtesy of glorious silver-rich glass. What did we do before silver-rich glass
came along?
The best news? The beads up are up
for auction with a 99p start and NO reserve!
If you want to bid,
just email me the highest amount you are prepared to go to and I will bid up to
that amount on your behalf. The auction ends at 7pm British time on Sunday 14th
June. All bids must be in GBP (British Pounds)
Overseas bidders
are very welcome - and remember the final price of this auction will include
free worldwide shipping. However, please bear in mind that I cannot do
currency conversions for you! If you live outside the UK and wish to bid,
please check with a currency converter site such as www.xe.com to get a ballpark
figure on
exchange rates. But do remember that will be just a ballpark. It is PayPal's own
exchange rates on the day of payment that ultimately governs the conversion.
Studio Update:
Thursday 28th May
Hot Copper!
What a busy week I
have had here. I seem to have been rushing around like a you-know-what all week,
but not getting a huge lot done.
For a start though,
it was a Bank Holiday and then there was my birthday to celebrate on the Monday
(thank you all so much for your kind wishes by the way. I was amazed and touched
that so many of you on Facebook and the various beady forums remembered little
ole me.)
 However, I did manage one or two new and exciting things. For instance, the
long-awaited second Ultrafine Glitter Collection is now available in the EJR Beads online store.
This kit is called
"Hot
Copper" and emulates the look of heat-treated copper on polymer clay or paper. The kit is so easy to use - I have put together all
the best colours of Ultrafine Glitter to emulate heated metal. All you need to
do is splodge them around a bit on a sheet of black polymer clay and you are ready to make amazing jewellery. For those of you
who sell your jewellery, let me tell you - earrings made using these colours
practically sell themselves!
The earrings in the
photo use the Hot Copper kit in conjunction with our Base Metal Kit to create polymer clay laminate jewellery that is as light as
a feather but still strong and versatile
Also, in the online store, you
can find a couple of new shades of our Microfine Glitters too - Dark Rose and Lavender Ice. These colours are also
available in great value wholesale bags.
And of course, if
you prefer your beads to go clink rather than clunk, there is still some time
left to bid on my lampwork bead auction! This set of slight seconds is up for
auction ending tomorrow evening. Please visit the auction page to see a larger photo and
details on how to bid.
If you want to be
in with a chance of winning the beads, just email me the
highest price you are prepared to go to and I will do the rest and bid on your
behalf against any other bids on my book.
Studio Update:
Friday 22nd May
Honk if you think
I'm Beady!
We had
another lovely day out today at Claremont, a National Trust garden. I say
another day out because we also went there a couple of weeks ago.
Claremont is a
large estate garden with a big lake at the centre. At this time of year it is
filled with all manner of baby birds (which of course is my main reason to go).
These photos are actually from a fortnight ago, since the lighting was better
then. But the goslings were just as cute today let me tell you and a lot bigger!
The National Trust
supply free bags of bird seed to feed all the wild birds there, consequently
they are all very tame. All in all, a lovely way to spend a morning.
This is a couple of
nice Greylag geese we met (at least I think they are greylags, not pinkies. I am
not too good on my gooses...)
But the real
stars of the show, of course, were the babies.
Here are a couple
of gorgeous baby Canada Geese. These guys were in a brood of 9 goslings. I have
no idea if the parents actually parented all of them or just stole someone
else's kids to add to their own. There seemed to be a heck of a lot of baby
geese with these particular parents anyway and not that many with any other
goose. So I am wondering.... ;-)
They seemed to be
doing a fine job of raising the babies though. All were plump little things with
ferocious appetites. They were already trying to be like their dad too, putting
their little heads down low and hissing at any other birds coming by. Bless.
Mr Man forbade me
to put one in my rucksack and bring it home. I would have though given half the
chance.
All too soon back to work though. And to my computer to list this week's auction beads.
This week's auction
is for a set of beads I absolutely adore. Although, technically I think it only
fair to call them Slight Seconds since the bead holes are a little flared on one
or two of them.
Either way, you
guys get to decide if that is a problem or not since they are up for auction
with a 99p start and no reserve. So just visit the auction page to see a larger photo and
details on how to bid.
I did also list a
few sets of lampies in the online store last night. A couple have now gone, but
this set is still up for grabs. My funky Nemo beads in shades of salmon pink and
purples.
They are etched
too, for a matte finish. I forgot to add that to the item description. Better go
do that in a mo.
You can find them
in the EJR Beads online store in the lampwork glass beads section.
Studio Update:
Monday 18th May
Read up!
Lots of new magazines keep arriving at EJR Towers and I never quite seem to get it together enough to
update this page and let you know.
So I will try to
get better at that.
We have the latest
issues in stock for the new-look Beads and Beyond magazine, CRAFTS, Step-by-Step Beads to name but a few. Also in this week, the latest issues
of Making Jewellery and Bead.
Making Jewellery (current issue is issue 3) is a newly-published UK magazine
that tries to bridge the gap between a jewellery magazine and fashion glossy. It
contains articles and profiles of interest mainly to those who like to fabricate
their own jewellery. So lots of lampwork glass projects, art clay silver
projects and so on. Even how to make your own beautiful ceramic earrings are
covered in the latest issue.
Bead magazine, (also a UK publication) tends to aim more towards seed-bead
work.
Although it does
also contain a lot of other general interest jewellery projects - chain maille,
wirework and so on. There is also even a basic lampwork bead making project in
this current issue (issue 16)
You can find all
the different titles, including many back issues, for sale in the EJR Beads online store,
in the Magazines section
Do also keep an eye
on the online store over the next few days, and indeed this website. I should be
adding some new lampwork beads for sale shortly and running a new auction too!
Studio Update:
Sunday 17th May
Dichro Crazy!
I have added
another glitter kit to the online store this week.
This time a
Microfine Glitter kit called "Faux
Dichro". You can find it in the "Glitters
& Perfect Pearls" area of the shop.
As you can probably guess, this kit allows you to imitate the gorgeous sparkles
of dichroic glass on polymer clay (and of course, paper crafts) using beautiful
holographic Microfine Glitters.
These glitters have
a very fine particle size, but are just large enough to give sparkle rather than
shimmer to your projects. The colours work beautifully over black polymer clay
to recreate the look of dichroic glass. Or use them in liquid clays such as Fimo
Gel to emulate opals and more. You can also mix them into or use underneath
translucent clay or suitable varnishes.
The glitters are
tested compatible with polymer clay and related products and will withstand the baking process.
The kits contain a
generous 10 grams each of six different fantastic colours, which can all be
blended together to create countless more shades. The kits come beautifully
packaged in a gift pouch with my tips sheet for ideas on how to use them. So
they also make the perfect crafty gift for anyone into polymer clay or
papercrafts.
Studio Update:
Wednesday 13th May
Deco Crazy!
 Well
I am slowly getting the new glitter stocks listed in the online store.
Yey!
So far, I have
managed to photograph and list my new range of Deco Beads. You can find these in their own little category in the "Glitters
& Perfect Pearls" area of the shop.
These Deco beads
are wonderful - little tiny hole-less glass beads you can use in just the same
way as glitter. So sprinkle them over glue or double-sided sticky tape in
papercraft projects, or roll them into unbaked polymer clay for cool effects.
Unlike some deco
beads on the market, our range are tested compatible for use with polymer clay
and can withstand the baking temperatures involved. The clear beads work well
under Perfect Pearls powders for unusual effects. Used alone rolled into different
polymer clay colours, they can create beads that exhibit a cat's-eye quality in
low light conditions, reflecting the light back beautifully.
The Deco Beads all
come in super-value 20 gram bags. They are currently available in three
colourways and in two different sizes.
Do keep an eye on
the glitter section of the store also for some new Microfine and Ultrafine glitter kits.
Studio Update:
Friday 8th May
Hello again!
Hello everyone. I
am shockingly bad at keeping this page updated lately aren't I? No excuses I am
afraid, I have just been so busy here.
Aside from my art beads keeping me occupied (and I have been having a lot of fun
playing with the ceramic clay again lately), there has also been lots of new
stock needing my attention. I haven't even started on the new glitter stock that
arrived yesterday, but trust me there are some drool-inducing new colours,
both of the Microfine and Ultrafine glitters and a new range of holeless deco
beads. All of those should be making their way to the EJR Beads online store shortly.
 You will find some other new bits and pieces already up in the store though.
Firstly a range of fantastic quality bead-stringing wire - Flex-rite 49 has been added to the Jewellery Making
section.
This premium
quality tigertail type beading wire from Beadsmith is designed for ultimate
flexibility, drape and kink resistance. There are a range of diameters available
and two colours - Clear and Copper although I hope to increase the range further
still.
This wire ideally
needs to be finished with crimps (although thinner diameters are knottable). So,
in the Copper Findings and the Sterling Silver findings sections of the store, you will see I have added a
slew of crimp tubes, crimp covers and Wire protectors.
Studio Update:
Wednesday 29th April
Here I am!
Wow, where IS the
time disappearing to at the moment? It seemed like an age since I last updated
this page. When I came to check, I found it was an age!
So sorry about
that. I really will try to keep you more up to date with the latest news from
the EJR Beads online store.
The first thing to
mention is I have a new auction up and
running here on this website. This auction is for a set of my Lovebug beads. I
just cannot make up my mind about the colours on these beads, was not sure if I
liked them or not. So I decided the best thing to do was to place it in your
hands.
The beads up are up
for auction with a 99p start and NO reserve.
If you want to bid,
just email me the highest amount you are prepared to go to and I will bid up to
that on your behalf. The auction ends at 7pm British time next Wednesday (6th
May). All bids must be in GBP (British Pounds).
Overseas bidders
are very welcome - and remember the final price of this auction will include
free worldwide shipping. However, please bear in mind that I cannot do
currency conversions for you! If you live outside the UK and wish to bid,
please check with a currency converter site such as www.xe.com to get a ballpark on
exchange rates. But do remember that will be just a ballpark. It is Paypal's own
exchange rates on the day of payment that ultimately governs the conversion.
I shall also be
adding some other bits and bobs to the EJR Beads online store over the next few days.
Firstly I have a
lot of lampwork glass beads to list! Also, some ceramic charms, ceramic buttons and ceramic jewellery. In fact, some of the charms and jewellery have already
been added - but there is more to come!
So please do keep
an eye on the online store to see what turns up.
Studio Update:
Wednesday 15th April
It's here!
The next
issue of Making Jewellery magazine is here already and up for sale in the EJR Beads online store.
It only seems a
moment ago we were oohing and ahing over the last issue and here is a brand
spanking new one for us to gush about. And gush I will. There is a nice mix of
projects in this issue if you like to fabricate your own beads and jewellery.
There are metal clay projects, silversmithing projects, chainmaille projects,
wirework - you name it!
In fairness, there
is not a great deal in Making Jewellery if you enjoy stringing or beadwork.
Titles such as Stringing and Step-by-Step Beads will probably be more up your alley for those sorts of
things. But if you enjoy looking at fashion trends and mucking about with metal
clay and the like, then I think Making Jewellery will so be your bag baby yeah.
Studio Update:
Sunday 12th April
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter
to everyone who celebrates today. I hope you are all having a nice holiday
weekend.
I have spent the
weekend simply trying to catch up on a few things - seemed like I had 101
different projects on the go that all needed my attention. Not least of all
photographing and listing this week's new Lampwork glass beads in the EJR Beads online store.
If you like blues
and purples, this week's bead sets will be so up your alley. I have another set
of my silver-rich glass rocks up for grabs. This time a set all in the lovely
blue/turquoise/purple colours. I haven't dared show my mum this set in case she
tries to steal them. I know what she is like.
Also, a couple of
other sets are available too. As always, all the beads are sold on a first come,
first served basis. So, whoever's completed order comes through first will get
the beads.
Also new in
the online store this week - I have added a section to the "Fimo Clay / Crafts" category for a range of colourful craft wire.
This lacquered copper craft wire, is available in a range of colours. At the
moment, I just have the one gauge - 0.7mm in a range of colours. This diameter
is what I prefer when creating different embellishments and dangles for clay or
jewellery projects. However, if people want I can get some other sizes in too.
Studio Update:
Thursday 9th April
Read all about
it!
The latest issue of Beads and Beyond magazine arrived at EJR Towers this week. The magazine has
had a revamp both inside and out, and I think the facelift suits it.
The magazine does
seem a lot more focused now - lots of projects and design ideas aimed squarely
at those who enjoy stringing, wirework and maille projects as well as some
lampworking and metal clay. And far less of the beaded bikini style projects!
So certainly time
to look at this magazine with fresh eyes I think. Find it, and other great
beading titles, in the Magazines section of the online store.
Also, don't forget
my lampwork bead auction ends tomorrow
evening!
There is
still plenty of time to get your bids in, but I urge you to do it sooner rather
than later to avoid accidently missing the cut-off. It is amazing how many bids
came into me AFTER the end of the last auction.
If your bid does
not reach me before the auction end time, it will not be counted.
Lastly - I thought
you might enjoy a few hints at what I have been working on this week. Quite a
diverse line of products will be making their way to the EJR Beads Online store over the next few days / weeks - including, lots of Ceramic Buttons, more lampwork glass beads, some great new copper-finish beads, new Ultrafine Glitter collections and much more.
They are not all
there quite yet, but they will be soon. So, I know it's a cliché, but you really
should watch this space!
Studio Update:
Thursday 2nd April
Lampies at Last!
Yes, I have
some new lampwork beads made at last. But not many I am afraid so this set has
been sent to Auction. Can you spot
them hiding there in the pear tree?
They will be
auctioned off here on the website over the next week. For more details on the
auction, how to bid and see more photos of the beads, please click here
This is another set
of beads from my new Byzantine series - lots of rich fruity colours with a
subtle rainbow of reflected iridescence here and there. They sort of remind me
of Victorian carnival glass - hence the set's name. They were impossible to
photograph though, even in bright sunlight I couldn't capture all the colours
they reflect.
Also new in the online store - the
latest issue of Ornament Magazine.
This issue really
is crammed full of quality articles and artist profiles. There is everything
here from reviews of ancient jewellery exhibitions and ancient beads to profiles
on big-name artists like Polymer Clay maestro Elise Winters and lampworker Beau
Anderson and much more.
To see Ornament and many other great beading and craft magazines, just visit the Magazines section of the EJR Beads Online Store.
Studio Update:
Saturday 21st March
Long Time, No
Speak!
Well, it
seems like ages since I updated this page. Sorry about that - it has just been
SO busy around here.
There are so many
cool new things at EJR Beads lately, I don't even know where to start. Maybe
just with the shiniest things first I think? I know you are all a bunch of
magpies at heart ;-)
Polymer Clay fans
will be thrilled with the new range of Perfect Pearls available in the online store.
These loose pearlescent pigment powders are a bit like Pearl-Ex powders. The
only difference is they have a built-in resin that helps them adhere to the
polymer clay in the baking process so you don't have to seal them with varnish
afterwards to stop them rubbing off. Of course if you want to varnish you can -
it will make them even more robust and make the colours pop even more. But the
point is, you don't have to - which is handy for some types of projects.
The Perfect Pearls are available individually in 24 different colours, including
Interference shades, rich metallics, duo colours and more. You can also buy
themed kits, containing 4 different Perfect Pearls, some excellent brushes and a
stamp pad of their Perfect Medium in case you want to stamp with the Pearls over
paper or baked clay.
You can find the
new Perfect Pearls over in the online store alongside our Microfine and
Ultrafine Glitters.
 Other exciting news is the launch of a new UK-published beady magazine called Making Jewellery.
This magazine is
beautifully produced. It has a unique approach, where it has blended beads and
jewellery making with a strong emphasis on fashion and trends. Rather like a
mixture of a Bead magazine and Fashion glossy all in one.
The projects range
from metal clay and lampworking projects through to stringing, beadwork and
chainmaille, with a nice mix of beginner and more advanced techniques.
The launch issue
also comes complete with a 12 project supplement of different metal working and
metal clay projects. The mag is well worth the cover price alone just for that
supplement I think.
You can find Making Jewellery along with many other titles in the Magazines section of the online store.
Studio Update:
Thursday 5th March
Your King-Fu is
weak, Birdman. I will peck-fu you.
I am soooo bored of
Winter now. Really, truly bored of it. Each time I think it is finally buggering
off and Spring is on it's way, another cold snap comes along to prove me wrong.
Bah! This is like what winters were like when I was a kid. I thought global
warming had made those sorts of winters a thing of the past.
One good thing
about winter is that it is usually quite fun (if cold) for birding. I managed to
break away from my desk the other day and nipped out for a spell of chasing my
feathered friends around the woods.
As it happens,
apart from a rather fun mixed flock of siskin and redpoll, I didn't get to see a
great deal. There were however a team of volunteers about catching and ringing
birdies. They were collecting important data for something or other. I arrived
just as they had bagged themselves this gorgeous lady Green Woodpecker. Isn't
she adorable.
She weighed 197
grams in case you care! Green woodpeckers always remind me of stuffed olives.
But all good things
come to an end, even day trips out to see strange men putting little birds into
cotton bags..... and there was work to be done.....
So, what work?
Listing the new
stock of course. I had a shipment arrive of some gorgeous new copper-plated
metal beads and findings.
These beads and
findings are just gorgeous. They are made in Western Europe to the highest
quality - so you can be sure they are ethically made and meet all the relevant
EC regulations.
All the beads and
findings are available in both a bright and an antique copper finish. This will
team very well with your other copper beads and findings.
See the new items
in the Copper & Plated Beads and the Copper & Plated Findings sections of the online store. There are useful things like earwires and jumprings and more fun
items like these large focal toggle clasps.
The EJR Beads Archive - don't miss my waffle - see
what has been and gone!
    
All text and images © Emma Ralph 2006, 2007, 2008
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