Today I was in Hertford to teach my Geometric Stars to a bead group. I was greatly looking forward to the class as I knew it would be a chance to catch up with old friends and get to meet new ones. I wasn't disappointed.

Everyone worked hard and by the end of the day a lot of differently coloured stars had been produced, or were in progress. I alway enjoy seeing them appear in different colours as the choices people make really change the look of each one. It can be quite shocking just how different two stars can look next to each other when in a different colour scheme- even the physical shape and size looks altered.

I even managed to squeeze in some beading whilst everyone was working hard. On occasions like this when I have a few minutes to spare, but nothing with me to work on, I like to sit and bead simple shapes to see if any ideas or inspiration comes to me. As I beaded a square and a hexagon I did have a new idea so I'm looking forward to find the time over the next few months to explore it further.

The lady who kindly organised the class, Jane, has been a friend practically since I first began beading ten years ago, so it was great to be able to spend time with her and her husband after class. We talked all evening about dolls houses, architecture, cars (he is restoring a fantastic 1949 Triumph Roadster), food, drink, beads, interior design, beading (Jane has just finished beading one of the most impressive pieces of beadwork I have ever seen- an amazing reliquary), gardening, moustaches (and the unpublicised dangers of having one -both men have very impressive facial hair) and what felt like a million other topics until it was time to part company looking forward to doing it all again, hopefully very soon.