Another day, another class at Beads Gone Wild/ Crystal Creations Bead Institute and more fabulous beadwork.

Last night at dinner I got to meet Dana Witker who very kindly brought along her version of my Interlocking Crystals and wow- I thought I was dedicated when I made mine! Her sparkling version using a total of 134 crystals compared to my now paltry looking 84. I thought I'd never make another one of these but seeing hers has me tempted... What's nice about this project that is that as soon as you have made just one segment, with 2 crystals, you can begin wearing it. Just add extra pieces as you go.

Todays class was Geometric Stars and unfortunately I managed to forget to take a photo of everyone's pieces before they left but I did get two shots of different colours people were using. Just as yesterday, if this is your work please contact me so I can credit you. I loved the Geometric 3-4-4 turned into a necklace using large beads.

I managed a longer browse in the shop today (but was so overwhelmed I forgot to take any photos!) and found so many things I want to buy. The shop is nice and large with lots of room to move around and when you first enter I think you don't immediately realise just how much is in there. It's so spacious and doesn't look filled but once you start exploring...

Two things really struck me about the shop:
1- All the classes they run
I wish there was somewhere near me I could find such a range of classes. They have classes practically every day and they seem to cover all styles, tastes, techniques and mediums. Seriously, if you're ever in the area for a holiday then it would be foolish not to see if they have something on you can go to. I never miss an opportunity to learn and this is an ethos the shop exudes. Add in a couple of dedicated class rooms and samples of all the projects on display in the shop and perhaps I'm glad I don't live too close...
2- The kits
I love kits, it's how I got started beading, but it's been a long time since I bought one. Either they're too basic for what I would like to do, the finished design is too 'frilly' for my tastes or I just have doubts about the quality. Here I spotted at least 30 different kits and reckoned there was a good ten I would have bought on the spot. I had to put blinkers on at that point! In the end I narrowed my choices down to Golden Nepal (in gold and blue) and Luna Lights (how could I not buy that?!). At first I wasn't sure about spending so much on a kit, I've had some bad experiences buying kits in the past with things missing, poor quality beads, awful instructions etc, but having just experimented with trying to price it up as though I was buying all the components separately here, the kit actually worked out quite a bit cheaper. Never mind the instructions (both printed and on a CD) and the work someone had to put on on the design, writing, packaging etc.

I leave itching to start beading one of them and looking forward to what tomorrow brings.