Today is my second day of class and everyone is still working hard.

As I mentioned last time I taught here one of the joys of teaching is that you get to see your design in lots of different colour schemes without having to bead them yourself- the ideal lazy beading! Today I get to see stars and beaded beads in lots of delicious colour choices and by the end of the day all 12 students had produced work to be admired.

One of the lovely things about the StitchnCraft Beads shop is that they always have a display of beadwork in their classroom. This can be showing the work of one artist (and it will be me next February!), work by a group or entries in one of their challenges. At the moment the cabinets and display boards are filled with rainbow work from a challenge and it was really nice to see how different people had interpreted the theme.

One piece which really caught by eye was this one by Suzanne Dawson. It was entered into, and won, the beginners category but I really felt from looking at it that the work and the simplicity but elegant balance of the design was really eye-catching. If this is one of Suzanne's beginner peices I really look forward to seeing what she creates in the future.

It has been really interesting over the last few days to see all the feedback on Facebook from people to my comments about buying from the UK. It seems most of you also buy from local shops to support them which I love as you recognise the importance of doing so.

After posting my blog about this subject, and complaining I couldn't get hold of some matte copper beads, I was soon taking my own advice and asked Lynn at StitchnCraft Beads if she knew of any. Kindly she looked into it and I was delighted to discover that the awesome matte copper Delicas (#340) I had bought in a size 11 also come in a size 15!

Lynn kindly has ordered in some (they will be available on her website from next week) and I will be giving them a go on my new necklace. Fingers crossed they work. Mind you I love the colour so much I'll be happy coming up with a new project just for an excuse to use them.

So, just more proof that communicating with your local bead shop can bring just what you want before you know it.