Black and White...

Blimey, Thursday again already! Why do some weeks go by in a flash and yet others seem to be a month long? Answers on a postcard...

Last Saturday was Chepstow Gem and Bead Fair. I dragged the family over there as it was 'on the way' to my mum's. It was actually a 20 mile detour, but, bless them, they didn't complain - and I didn't make them come round looking at beads, they went off for a walk.

The Fair was great and I managed to say hello to chums from the UK Beaders forum:
Su from Tillerman Beads (http://www.tillermanbeads.co.uk/)
Bea from Just Beads (http://www.justbeads.co.uk/)
and Graham from CJ Beadworks (http://www.cjbeadworks.co.uk/).
I bought lots of lovely things, especially from Eleanor at Twinklepieces (http://www.twinklepieces.com/) and some fab David Christensen glass.

Talking of which , here's the first item made with beads from my haul. It features a David Christensen large focal piece. I've married it with black onyx, both polished and matt, and Swarovski crystals. This was one of those - rare - occasions when I knew exactly how I was going to make the necklace as soon as I saw the focal.


This one will be added to the website today.

Also added to the website today, will be a selection of earrings - also made with David Christensen glass beads - like these!



I'm sure you can see why I got carried away on that stall!

Had a miracle result at WW... I lost half a pound! A miracle because I'd eaten soooooo much at the weekend. I'm trying to be extra good this week so the over-eating doesn't catch up with me next week... watch this space!

Caribbean Dreaming

Been busy the last few days making this:

The fabulous focal is by Julie Fountain (http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/). I'm sure Julie won't mind me saying that she's not been making lampwork beads for very long... but she's certainly got the knack and is producing beads like she's been at it for a lifetime.

This particular one just said, "Beach, holiday, sand, sea and sun." So I've teamed it with loads of freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals in Caribbean sea colours, along with a few Thai Hill Tribe silver beads: starfish and a shell. The clasp is also in the shape of a starfish and because it's so gorgeous, I've made the necklace side fastening. The back of the necklace is blue leather.

This will form part of my Marine Project which has been the main project for my jewellery course this year. Once that has been assessed, the necklace will appear on the website (if it's not been sold beforehand!).

Ring-a-ding BLING!

Been making some rings recently - bling rings or cluster rings. I was inspired when I found these rings - when I was buying something completely different!

I'd not seen this shape before and thought they were really unusual and desirable... I made a couple using the wrapped loop method, but when I was trawling about looking at other people's rings, I found the suggestion of attaching the beads to the ring with jumprings. Well, that was it, I was off! Here are two of the first ones, along with a wrapped loop one with Swarovski crystals:

I really like this method. It is quick and gives a different look to the ring. And I can use my Miyuki drop beads, which are some of my favourites in the seed bead department. Lots of these on the website now.

The Christmas weight is slowly shifting. I lost 2.5 pounds last week, stayed the same today. Will try and have a good week this week, but we're away at the weekend which is always a challenge!

Am extremely happy to report that Tom got an A* in this GCSE Maths which he took in November and also that he passed his Grade 5 keyboard exam with distinction. Am thrilled for him.

It's all about remembering...

What a horrible, horrible morning. It's SO wet and windy. Roll on the spring...

I've been adding more things to the website: this time it's memory wire bracelets and bookmarks.

Bookmarks were a huge seller in the run up to Christmas. I made loads with little Swarovski crystal dragonflies - some will be added to the website shortly - and then larger ones with lampwork beads. All the beads are completely unique and have been made by some of the UK's best lampwork artists, so this is an affordable way for people to own a little piece of today's glass art. Here are a couple:

Memory wire bracelets continue to be good sellers. Part of their appeal, I think, is the lack of a fiddly clasp, as you just wind them round your wrist.

Today I'm off for a long meeting with Sarah, my partner in crime... oops sorry, my partner in craft fairs and jewellery parties. We're going to look back at the events we did last year and see how we can improve our operation and see what lessons we have learned.

But before that, it's the weigh in at WW. I've not been perfect, but I've eaten less than in the weeks over Christmas, so hopefully I shall have started on the downward slope. As long as I've made even the slightest inroad into the 5lb I put on over the festive period, I shall be happy!

Making a Spectacle... Chain

When I first started selling jewellery, my best sellers were my spectacle chains. I don't know how many I made - it felt like thousands. Then I got really bored with them and moved onto other things.

However, studying the statistics of my website, I see that my spectacle chain page (I've always got a few knocking about) gets more hits than anything else. So, I've decided that I really must capitalise on this trend and get some more done.

These ones are my favourites at the moment:

They are all mixes of Toho seed beads from Japan. They are called Bara Rose, Sakura Cherry and Kimono Lilac. I even like the names! They are quite unusual as spectacle chains and, I think, very sophisticated looking.

Managed to get a few more necklaces/pendants and sets listed today - so website categories are slowly filling up. I've still got quite a way to go.

I got some delicious beads through the post this morning from Emma Ralph - a very talented lampwork artist. I'm itching to get going with them, but have told myself I have to get the website updated first. Have a feeling the beads will win out though!

Have a great weekend, everyone!