Plenty of new seed and bugle beads this month, as well as a fabulous monthly special!  We have new classes scheduled for our Cheltenham store, plus details on the upcoming public holiday.  Read through to the bottom to see a great photo of me hanging out in the opal mines in far outback Queensland!

Our large range of shell bead strands are currently on sale: were $4 - $11 now only $1 per strand.  Sale prices are available online and instore (stock varies and is limited), until the 30th June.

In between travels, we've been busy getting some of our new seed and bugle beads up on the website and out into the store.  The new 2 cut bugle beads have a great shine, making them perfect for dance costumes!

Some of our favourites are pictured below - click here to see the whole range of new products.

Our latest set of beading classes is now available to see on our website! Come along and join in on the fun and excitement of jewellery making, with classes available for those just starting out, to the more advanced. Class numbers are limited, so call and book into the class of your choice today. Classes are held at our shop in Cheltenham, Victoria. Don't forget that we have a great range of free beading instructions available for download.

We hold beginners classes twice a month and advanced classes twice a month. A beginners stringing necklace must be completed before attempting an advanced class. Advanced classes change every month - keep an eye on our website for the latest list! Our upcoming classes are:

Wednesday 29 June, 1:00pm – 2:30pm

***BEGINNERS – $18 per person, includes all materials***

Learn to make this simple stretchy elastic bracelet in our 1.5 hour class. Working with glass pearls, chain and a charm, this project gives you the skills to work with a range of beads to make quick and easy elastic bracelets at home!  

Colour of findings is silver - students are able to choose colour of beads on the day. Class sizes limited, so call us on 9584 1678 to book in today.

Wednesday 22 June, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

***INTERMEDIATE – $38 per person, includes purchase of your own kumihimo board and all materials***

Learn the technique involved in making this fun knotted kumihimo necklace in our 2 hour class. You will have the opportunity to improve your skills using the kumihimo wheel. In addition to practicing kumihimo, you will learn to turn loops and work with jump rings to create a section of beaded chain.

Colour of findings is silver - students are able to choose colour of beads on the day. Class sizes limited, so call us on 9584 1678 to book in today.

Wednesday 10 August, 1:00pm – 2:30pm

***ADVANCED – $22 per person, includes all materials***

Working with tigertail, glass pearls and metal tubes, in this class you will learn how to bring three strands into one, finishing with a bead cap to keep everything neat and tidy.

Colour of findings is silver, gold, copper or bronze - students are able to choose colour of beads on the day. Class sizes limited, so call us on 9584 1678 to book in today (don't forget to mention the colour of findings you'd like to work with).

Saturday 11 June, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

***ADVANCED – $42 per person, includes purchase of your own knotting tool and all materials***

Learn to make this gorgeous knotted glass pearl bracelet in our 2 hour class. You will learn to use the knotting tool, which will allow you to create knotted pearl and gemstone jewellery.

Colour of findings is silver - students are able to choose colour of beads on the day. Class sizes limited, so call us on 9584 1678 to register your interest.

Our Cheltenham and Toomuc Valley stores will be closed on Monday 13th June for the Queens Birthday public holiday.  Our website will still be taking orders, however due to post office closures, orders will not be sent until Tuesday 14th June.

Living the life... In amongst my time spent running the Eureka! shops, I also work as a gemmologist, so I've had the amazing opportunity to spend the past few weeks jumping down mines in outback Queensland, learning all about the Australian sapphire & opal mining operations. The amount of work that goes into producing the magical opal and sapphires we see is just staggering.

In the image to the left, you can see me working with the miner in an underground opal mine in outback Queensland.  We're looking for boulder opal - beautiful precious opal that is surrounded by reddish brown ironstone.  The opal in this area forms in 'nuts' or 'centres', which means you need to crack them open to see what you've got - infinitely more exciting than a kinder surprise!

I've been posting a few photos up on our Facebook page - join us over there to see more as I find some time to get them posted!