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The Bead Society of Victoria’s 2023 Bead Challenge

Each year the Bead Society of Victoria holds a Bead Challenge. Each Participant is provided the same starting kit of beads and is encouraged to create a wonderful design showcasing those beads. This year's Challenge kit consists of a Sparking assortment of Magenta beads. The BSV was inspired by the colour of the...
Read MoreWhat do you need to get started bead weaving

Are you wondering what bead weaving is? It's a type of beading that uses mainly seed beads and a needle and thread to join them together in an endless way of patterns and shapes, using different techniques. There are some basics you need to get started. Some seed beads and a needle and...
Read MoreO beads and Demi Rounds

What are O beads and Demi rounds and what's the difference O beads are Czech pressed beads, like spacers. Demi rounds are Japanese short seed beads, made in the same way as seed beads, but they are shorter. Watch this video for the full run down on what they are and to see...
Read MoreSeed Bead Identification

Do you have seed beads in your stash that you are unsure who the manufacturer is? Occasionally you can come across a bead tutorial that calls for a particular brand of seed bead. This can be due to the height of the seed bead and can have an impact on how the finished...
Read MoreAll about the colour Red and using it your beadwork

The colour red is a strong colour. It can range from a pure red, the primary colour through to the orange reds or the blue reds. Red captures attention, it symbolises love and passion, it can mean stop, it can mean happiness and good luck. Gem duos seed beads 2 hole backlit baroque...
Read MoreHow to make a Cellini spiral, including decreases

Back in early 2020 we held a bead allong to make a cellini spiral necklace including decreasing to make it smaller at the back of the neck. All the videos from this beadalong have now been added to a playlist on the Cranberry Youtube channel. Click the photo below. This is the cellini...
Read MoreBeading workshops – to buy a kit or not buy a kit? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Let’s take a look at the dilemma of buying the kit or not and what you should consider before deciding. Sometimes the kit will be mandatory Sometime it will be optional Sometimes there will be no kit offered. Why is a kit listed as mandatory? There may be components or certain beads that...
Read MoreSeed Bead Finishes

Get ready to gain a better understanding of seed bead finishes from Opaque to Lustre, Silverlined to Matte, metallic and AB. We are going to explain all the different coatings and glas types that make up our extensive range of seed beads Cranberry has to offer. Keep reading to learn more! Opaque Seed...
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