The Big Beady Weekend
Small, friendly classes with hands-on mentoring. Choose your project, polish your techniques, and enjoy a joyful weekend of beading with us in Ely.
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Expert mentor-led masterclasses
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Small class sizes for real attention
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£70 per person, per class
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Friday–Saturday classes + optional Sunday Beadalong
Meet your mentors
Fran Griffith 🇬🇧
Previously a UK Textile Display Artist, craft and textile teacher, and even a choreographer of unusual arts workshops, Fran was captivated by beadwork from day one. Over 20 years later, she’s an established bead artist—teaching, publishing and exhibiting her work internationally.
Fran can’t get enough of colour and clever structure: she dreams sparkling palettes, neat mathematical designs and intricate combinations. She also runs fransbeading.com.
Lia Dipaola 🇮🇹
Lia (Rome) has loved creative arts since childhood—embroidery and scrapbooking led her to beaded jewellery nearly 18 years ago. Largely self-taught, she’s explored embroidery, soutache and shibori silk, and trained in high-fashion techniques like Lunéville crochet, goldwork and stumpwork.
Crystals are her signature. Lia has competed in Battle of the Beadsmith and Fire Mountain Gems contests, taught in the Czech Republic, and is returning to the Prague Beading Festival for a second year.
Schedule & projects
Book your seat
📦 What to bring
Bring supplies for your classes: bead mat, thread, beading needles, glasses/magnifier, and the items on your materials list.
Missing your list? Email customerservice@spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk and we’ll resend it. Need help picking colours or products? Just ask!
Free tea/coffee and soft drinks all weekend. We’ll provide soup & rolls; packed lunches welcome.
📍 Venue & accessibility
Masterclasses: Haddenham Baptist Church (opposite Spoilt Rotten Beads warehouse), The Green, Haddenham, Ely, CB6 3TA.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; free on-street parking outside.
Times: Classes run 10:00–16:00. Doors open 09:45 for setup and a comfy start.
Sunday Beadalong: Village Hall, just around the corner from Spoilt Rotten.
After booking: We’ll email your materials list for your chosen project(s).
❓ FAQs
Materials included? Materials are purchased separately so you can choose colours and brands you love.
Levels? All levels welcome; mentors tailor to the group.
Booking? Use any “Book now” button above to see live availability.
What attendees say
“I love the Big Beady Weekend so much, it’s the highlight of my social calendar.”
“Incredible experience learning from such amazing tutors—thank you so much.”
“Picked up so many new skills and made friends for life. Worth every penny!”