Today I got to go back to Beads By Blanche which I have been waiting to return to practically since I left last year!

This has got to be my favourite bead shop in the world (scratch that- favourite of any type of shop). This is not just for their amazing range of beads, findings, books, tools etc but for the warmth of the welcome you receive and the inspirational and supportive atmosphere that stands out.

After a long bus ride from Manhattan I arrived in time for the class and as soon as I walk into the shop it feels like I never left.

Today I am teaching some of my recent geometric pendant vessels and again it is lovely to see them appear in different colours, sizes and styles.

It was especially lovely to see the variations with crystals in them appear.

When I began with my original samples for this project (almost two years ago) I added crystals and other hidden items into the vessels but hadn't done so on my recent ones.

But once the class started some of the beaders immediately realised they could do so and it has inspired me to get my beads out and bead a few more variations.

After a hard days teaching (and a bit of shopping of course) it was out to dinner and then off to the hotel for a good nights sleep.