Beer & Beadz – April 2026

Our April Beer & Beadz took us to Susan Otto-Bain’s fabulous tiki hut, and what a perfect setting it turned out to be. The theme for the day was Purple Rain… and while the name suggested otherwise, the skies had other plans. Not a drop in sight. Just warm sunshine and a gentle excuse to spend most of the day outdoors.

With the sun calling us outside, the usual rhythm of the day shifted in the best possible way. Instead of gathering around the torch, we found ourselves settling into easy conversation, soaking up the weather, and enjoying the kind of laid-back afternoon that feels like the start of summer.

Susan had prepared several beautiful bead sets in a range of purple tones, from soft lavenders through to deeper, richer shades. Each set came with its own colour recipe, thoughtfully put together so we could take a little piece of the day home and experiment in our own studios. It was one of those generous touches that makes you appreciate not just the beads themselves, but the sharing of knowledge behind them.

Click on the image with the glass beads with tags to see the recipes

There had been talk of a demo, but the sunshine proved to be a bit too tempting. Instead, we embraced the moment… lounging, chatting, and enjoying a spread of pulled pork and other nibbles while conversations drifted from colour combinations to upcoming events and everything in between.

True to theme, everyone brought something purple for show and tell or to add to the bead trade. It’s always a highlight seeing how each person interprets a colour, and this time was no exception. From subtle and delicate to bold and playful, the range of styles was as varied as the group itself.

We wrapped up the day with our traditional group photo… a snapshot of a relaxed, laughter-filled afternoon spent doing what we love, surrounded by people who get it.

Just one of those days you wish you could bottle up and revisit later.