International Beading Week!
Let's spread the joy of beading!
International Beading Week was set up by the Beadworkers Guild in 2015, to celebrate all that is brilliant about beading. It's a fantastic opportunity for beaders of all levels to share their skills, ideas and experiences, and to get inspired! Wherever you are in the world you can get involved for FREE! The IBW theme for 2024 is 'Celebrations', commencing Saturday 27th July to Sunday 4th August 2024. This is a week to include everybody, no matter your level or experience, if you're new to bead work, don't be daunted, join in, connect with others, get inspired and start making!
What is the Bead Workers Guild?
The Beadwokers Guild is vibrant community of people from all over the world, brought together by their shared passion for beading. A registered charity, they operate with a small board of trustees, all of which are volunteers. Their members include many highly skilled and talented designers, whilst also welcoming beading beginners. The Beadworkers Guild offers a wealth of tips, free resources and free patterns for you to enjoy 😊 They are not 25 years old! That's a huge celebration and achievement of 25 years of bringing beaders together! You can join their year-long Rainbow Challenge on Facebook and have fun taking part in some of the ongoing international projects.
Learn More
FREE PATTERNS
The International Beading Week pattern collection began in 2015 and new donations are added each year. Each pattern has been kindly donated by IBW ambassadors, designers and Beadworkers Guild members to encourage and inspire beaders of all abilities and skill levels worldwide.
IBW patterns are free for all to enjoy and intended for your personal use only. This event is run by The Beadworkers Guild, but the copyright for the designs and instructions remains with the designer/tutor and should not be copied, shared or taught in any format without seeking the designer’s permission
Discover the IBW collection of free patterns
How to join the Bead Workers Guid
Become part of a friendly, supportive international community and make friends with people from all over the world.
Exchange ideas, share knowledge and learn new skills.
Members benefits include: free patterns, online events, distance learning programme, community projects and more.
Membership includes the Beadworkers Guild Beading Journal;
their exclusive quarterly Journal, probably the best global seed bead focused magazine. It is published in full colour and available only to members, in both paper and digital format.
Each issue features an average of eight detailed & illustrated patterns, book and product reviews, community news and much, much more. The first Journal was printed in 1999!
Learn More about joining the beadworkers guild
Yvonne's new FREE Design
In celebration of IBW 2024, Yvonne has designed a new necklace! What better way to celebrate the joy of beading than with cute beaded bunting. Use odd count peyote to make these adorable flags in a stunning rainbow colourway complete with their own tiny raindrops. A little experience with peyote will make this project a breeze but don’t let that put you off if you’ve never tried, this is a great beginners project with our clear instructions, you’ll be making bunting in no time. Follow Yvonne's free step by step instructions, and use the handy links to see which products she used...
Start Making
Enter Our Competition!
We have a £50 Beads Unlimited Voucher to give away!
How to enter? Simply e-mail us a photograph of your beadwork to creative@beadsunlimited.co.uk , and tell us about what inspires you! Our favourite entry will win a £50 Beads Unlimited Voucher! We LOVE seeing what you make with our beads!
Our competition closes Monday 4th August 2024, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 6th Aug 2024*
Join The Facebook Group!
We would really really really recommend joining the International Beading Week Facebook Group, it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with over 7K beaders from all around the world! Discover different online events, designs and much much more!
Join the International Beading Week Facebook Group
Free Stitch Resources
Would you like to learn some new beadweaving techniques? Then do pop along and explore the Beadworkers Guild's free stitch resources. Learn how to perfect your brick stitch, herringbone weave, peyote stitch, right angle weave and more...
see All Free Stitch Instructions
Free Monthly Drop Ins
The Beadworkers Guild hold plenty of Events And Activities, unincluding their free to attend, monthly, online Drop-in session. Offering beaders from all over the globe, the opportunity to bead, chat and share knowledge in good company. Two session per day 10am – 12noon & 5pm – 7pm (UK time) held on the last Saturday of the month.
Learn More About Free Monthly Drop Ins
