Well, after feeling so down about my work yesterday I am determined to have fun beading today and seeing as Teresa Sullivan's taking the class I can't even imagine how today could be anything but fun!

We now have a nearly full house as the amazingly talented Marcia DeCoster is here (along with her lovely husband Mark) and the gorgeous, funny and talented couple Gabriella van Diepen and Jeroen Medema.

Today Teresa is teaching some of us how to make one of her beaded heads (sorry, no photos of her work as I was too dumbstruck with awe to take any) and so much more. Having decided to try and return to some freer work, this seems the perfect project to dive right in with and Teresa is the perfect teacher whilst I prove to be a nightmare student- though of course she is too polite to say so.

I have written before about how doing something new is very much outside my comfort zone and that's exactly how I feel today. I have such a fear of getting things wrong (again something I have previously written about) that I end up doubting myself and convincing myself that I am doing everything wrong. Seeing as I LOVE to learn new things and explore new techniques etc that fear seems contrary to my love. But thinking about it I realise that it is probably more a fear of being wrong in front of others.

If I was at home maybe I would be more relaxed about what I was doing but when in a group, all of whom I convince myself have mastered the technique immediately and are relaxed and enjoying themselves, I am so worried about looking stupid in front on them I end up fretting over every bead I add. I also realise I am panicking about getting something wrong as it seems I have only a short time to get it right and therefore I need to hurry up and get it right the first time. Once again this is a pressure I know I am putting on myself and need to drop but often find it hard to.

Of course this mainly comes about as I rarely give myself the time to play and experiment with beading, usually starting a new project near a deadline which mean I do often have to hurry up and get it right first time! A catch-22 situation only I can cure by pulling my finger out and playing more. Allowing myself time to make mistakes and create pieces of beadwork with no use other than to learn would be good for me.

Anyway, less pondering, more journalling! Fortunately Teresa is the perfect combination of knowledgable, patient and reassuring, and, without strangling me, helps me to get my head all beaded. I even start playing around with the idea and decide mine needs a broken nose to suit his face. What's that about running before you can walk?

Whatever the competence of my beaded head I am soon having lots of fun and enjoying playing around with colour and my mind is swirling with ideas of things I want to bead. Beading as a cure should be available on prescription!

Before long we are all beaded out and have a swim before heading out to dinner where I have a Cheese Crisp for the first time whilst the conversation flows over a margarita or two.

After dinner it's back home (after a short stop to take photos of a beautiful car Teresa, a car nut, had spotted) for more laughs while Kate goes to collect the last member of our party, the lovely Ellen Stoune.

I apologise if I keep describing everyone in such gushing terms- blame them for being so damn nice!

You can read what Kate Mckinnon wrote about the day here and here and what Marcia wrote here. You can also see me learning whilst making a stupid face here. I should start offering rewards to people who manage to get me to pose for a photo without gurning in some way- I seem to find it impossible to do.