Welcome to the Northern Ireland Beader's Guild! We hope you will find all the information you require about our Guild and its meetings, as well as inspiration and ideas for your own creativity.
The NI Beader's Guild was set up in 2008 by a group of enthusiastic beaders who felt there was an opportunity for like-minded beaders and those who wanted to learn, to meet together. The Guild ran its first year from September 2008 to June 2009, meeting at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra.
Meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday of every month from 2 pm - 4pm, usually in the Lagan room although this can change on the day (please ask at the security hut on the way in). Tea and coffee are always served and you can help yourself to these refreshments. For the occasions when we are in an upstairs room, there is a lift available. Parking in is the Town car park.
Our next meeting is on May 12th and it is taking place at The Parochial Hall, Ulster Folk Museum (2-4pm). Click here for a list of upcoming venues and for the annoucements Click here
A typical Guild meeting
Beads are available to buy by the bag in many different colours! Members of the Guild enjoy a vast range of different beadwork techniques including many bead weaving techniques (such as peyote stitch, herringbone stitch, spiral staircase, right angle weave, brick stitch and lots of other off-loom stitches), wire work and jewellery making. This year all members will receive a 10% discount at Eilia Beadz, 15 Lisnasure Road, Donaghcloney, BT66 7NN and The Bead Shop Annahilt, Annahilt Business Centre, 55a Glebe Road, Annahilt, Hillsborough, BT26 6NG.
More shops that will offer 10% discount to the members are listed below
The Bead Shop
Bessbrook
Unit 6
Richmond Industrial State
Mill Road
Bessbrook
BT35 7DS
Beads 4 Crafts
Unit 7B
Milltown Industrial Estate
Warrenpoint
BT34 3FN
The Bead Strand
Unit 2
The Mall
Newry Street
Banbridge
BT32 3DZ
As members continue to inspire each other in their work, we see many variations of a 'currently popular' technique - for instance the ladies at the Guild have created some amazing spiral staircase variations over the last few months! And following a bezelled cabochon workshop taken by committee member Margaret Mottram, the resulting bezelled cabs over the following months were beautiful!
Please feel free to join us some Saturday, even just to see if the Guild is for you or not - your first meeting is complimentary, and should you wish to join the next month there is an annual membership of £20. Membership gives not only entry to the Guild meeting (free entry to the Folk Park for the duration of the meeting), but also our newsletter and access to special events organised by the Guild. Take a look at some of our exclusive members only workshops!
There are occasionally guest speakers - last year at the February meeting we had Valerie Wilson from the Folk Park there to show us some of the Museum's beautiful beaded collections! It really was a treat and a real feast for the eyes! We are looking forward to having Valerie once again at our February 2012 meeting.
The Guild also takes part in various craft shows, such as The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show in the Kings Hall, Belfast which takes place twice a year( where we always take a stand and exhibited some of the Guild members newest beadwork. We also have the space to run workshops throughout the day! It's always an exciting event and a great way to get more people interested in beading! We will be at the October 13th - 15th show this year too.
So if you are a like minded beader or someone who has never even lifted a beading needle and thread, come along as we would be delighted to encourage you to give it a go - but be warned... the NI Beaders Guild cannot assume any responsibilty for a life long addiction to beads, or the tendancy to accumulate beads along the way! We look forward to seeing you!
Address and Contact details for the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum:
153 Bangor Road Holywood, BT18 0EU Tel: 028 9042 8428
Should you wish to contact the Guild directly please use the contact form on the left hand side above.