Anyone who had a heart...

This was my haul from the Chepstow Bead Fair at the end of January - and as you'll see, there were quite a few hearts! The lampwork ones are by my lovely mate, Julie of Lush Lampwork. The bright coloured ones are fossil beads - not quite sure what they are fossils of, but that's what it said on the label!

Since then I have also been to the Spring Fair at the NEC and bought a 'few' more beads, but they are already in the process of being turned into lovely things, so you'll have to wait to see those!

Here's what happened to some of my Chepstow beads... These are all Sterling Silver earrings:



These three feature little porcelain hearts that I fell for in a big way! I love the mottled colours.



And these three are enamelled ceramic beads - aren't they gorgeous? I've got some more of these, so expect to see a few more yet!

I have got some more things to show you, but haven't got round to the photographs yet. Hope to get to them soon!

And I must get on and use some of the lovely beads I've bought over the last couple of weeks - not to mention the hundreds that I've already got! So many beads, so little time.

And I've got to finish my project for my evening class soon. I've done the (more interesting) practical part, now I've 'just' got to do the write-up. I'll post up a picture of what I've made in the next post.

On the home front: Tom is away on a field trip this week. He's on Exmoor. Don't envy him at all, it's bloomin' freezing! The house is very quiet without him. He's due back tomorrow. And then it'll be just over a week until he's 18. Still trying to get my head around that one.

Martha is on cloud 9 at the moment as she's going on a school trip to Barcelona. Now that one I am envious of. Barcelona is top of my 'places I really want to go' list.

Happy birthday, Dad. Love and miss you, every day.

Take care, everyone. Keep warm!

Much love,

Lesley
xx

A New A-Brooch...

Hi there,

How are you all doing? It's bright but oh-so-cold here!

This week is all about brooches. These first three, available on the website, I have made with Sterling Silver wire and hand-made lampwork beads in different shades. I have made these before - and always wear one on my favourite pink cardigan, but these designs are a little more 'out there ' - I've been a bit more experimental with the flow of the silver. And I'm pleased with how they turned out.




And just in case you're trying to remember who sang 'Autumn Almanac' it was The Kinks... really showing my age there!!

This next brooch is based on a kilt pin. It was commission by my lovely chum, Anne, as a present for her mother-in-law.


The beads include Labradorite, Fluorite, Iolite, Botswana Agate, Sodalite, Blue Lace Agate, Swarovski Crystals and a generous sprinkling of Freshwater Pearls.

I spent a lovely day yesterday with Julie of Lush Lampwork at Chepstow Bead Fair. I have to admit I did buy a 'few' beads, but not too many as we're off to Spring Fair at the NEC next week and I know there will be oodles of temptation there. I will photograph my haul from yesterday and let you see just how restrained I was.

If you have some time to spare (and be warned, you could be there a while), hop over to the Ring a Day Group on Flickr. There you'll find a bunch of jewellery designers who have pledged to make a ring every day FOR A YEAR! I kid you not. In order to fulfil their promise they sometimes have to resort to a ring made from an elastic band or an old bus ticket, but most days they are producing the most fantastic jewellery. I'm totally hooked on seeing what they've made every day. I admire their tenactity and their skill.

On the home front, Tom is off for an interview at Birmingham University on Wednesday, so we all wish him luck. We're in the process of sorting out a 'do' for him for his 18th in a couple of weeks. Where did that time go? Answers on a postcard...

OK, time to get washed and dressed (why is working in your pjs SO much better?) and get on with making something lovely with my beads from yesterday. Our first office sale is on Friday and we're hoping to remind some of the men that Valentine's Day is not far off!

Take care, all.

Much love,

Lesley
xx