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Tuesday 30 December 2008

Robin's Beads


I just wanted to post a link to Robin's Beads. I placed an order with them at nearly midnight on Sunday night and it arrived this morning! The bead choice there was fantastic and I had a hard job just stopping at the beads I went there to look for...in fact, I bought too much and am off to have another look now!

You can view beads in colour ranges which is fantastic - especially as I went looking specifically for red beads (for a commission).

Sunday 28 December 2008

Another Cellini Spiral Bracelet



This time in blues and greens. The effect is striking and attractive although the photo doesn't do it complete justice.

Bracelet Commission

Another 'loop-di-loop' bracelet made with size 8 and 11 seed beads. It has silver-lined clear core beads and three shades of silver/grey looping around it. I am very pleased with it and hope that the recipient likes it too.

Saturday 27 December 2008

Embellished Ladder Stitch Bracelets


Taken from the book below. They were really easy to make and 'only' took a couple of hours to do. They are very effective, although I may jiggle the pattern around as they are a little too dainty for me. They will be going in my shop though...

What I Got For Christmas

So, now I have all three! I have already made one of the bracelets in two colour schemes but, for some reason, my blogger won't load them at the moment. They are really pretty though and will be in my shop soon.

Wednesday 24 December 2008

Alas, Poor Yorick...

I knew him Horatio.

Yes, I saw Hamlet last night, at the Novello Theatre, Aldwych. It was a fantastic performance, marred only slightly by the fabulous DT having 'hurt his back'.

YUM!

Anyway, Mum and I had a lovely afternoon in London. I bought some Swarovski 4mm beads in the shop opposite Liberty. We had coffee and cake in the Liberty tea-shop and then I bought a lipstick from Laura Mercier (Shade: 'Peony').

We also had a lovely meal in a little French bistro called Côte. It included a complimentary lemon liqueur at the end, which was rather civilised of them I think...(grin). I must admit to leaving the restaurant a tiny bit worse for wear as I had already had a large glass of Rosé with dinner.

Thursday 18 December 2008

TTNP - 18th December

Here is the start of another Cellini bracelet/necklace (not sure which yet). Max is off school with Conjunctivitis again today, so I will no doubt get a fair bit done today!

Bracelet For Teacher


This is the bracelet I made for Max's Teacher for Christmas. I have wrapped it in the box it is resting on (also hand-made). It is made using tubular peyote stitch in size 9 beads. I absolutely love the colour scheme and hope she does too. I have been looking at her jewellery for weeks now and she does seem to like beaded things. I am just doing that 'what if she hates it' thing at the moment!

Monday 15 December 2008

Santa Baby...

Please hurry down the chimney for me...

Coin Purse - any colour scheme - they are all fabulous

And/Or

Looking for things to buy is a very risky business you know!

Nicknots

I found this lovely crafter on Folksy, when I was looking for a Christmas present for my mum. I ended up buying a bag similar to this one, for a little girl who was having her 8th birthday party last weekend.

The bag was beautifully made and came within two days, in very professional wrapping. The mum told me today that her daughter LOVED it! I would really recommend using this seller.

A Kit Bracelet from Pandorion


I bought this last week, along with two other kits (my Christmas present to myself). I really like it although I would not do the picot edging on future bracelets as it is too dainty for my taste. The facet beads really catch the light and give a little 'bling' to the wrist.

Giveaway

Well, the giveaway prize is being sent today, with a little extra in it. Cod requested a loop-di-loop bracelet, so I gave her the one she liked on my blog. I have also sent a card - hope you like it Cod!

Saturday 13 December 2008

Spiral Staircase Bracelet


TTNP - 11th December

The finished article. I made it similar to the other leaf necklace, but added a 'vine' which twirls all around the leaves. Quite effective although it still requires more work in my opinion.

Sunday 7 December 2008

Talking of My Fantastic Beading Class...

Here is what I made...



It is not the exact pattern as designed by Sue Wheeler of Daisy Beads, because I didn't want to make 40 flowers and leaves! I'm a lazy mare (grin). I will be making another in pinks I think, and will probably make more flowers the next time.

Finished TTNP

This was made for my friend. I finished it on Friday, but was unable to post it as I had a fantastic beading class with Daisy Beaders yesterday.

Thursday 4 December 2008

TTNP - 4th December

This is being made for a friend who liked the one I made for my MIL. I have nearly finished it now although this photo shows it at around half the necessary length.

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Another Square Stitch Motif

Again, my own design. I am really pleased with it and intend to make it into a card.

50th Birthday Card

Another dark picture - blooming Winter!

Christmas Card with Square Stitch Motif

Picture is a little dark I'm afraid but you can see the general idea. I did a class on Saturday that introduced me properly to square stitch and I decided to plan out a small motif on graph paper to see what I could design. Since then, I have done another design which I will blog once it is done.

Sunday 30 November 2008

Christmas Giveaway on Craft Matters' Blog


See http://craft-matters.blogspot.com/

And, good luck, although not enough to stop me winning!


Twisted Tubular Herringbone With a Special Bead...



This chain was made from a pattern in Bead & Button. I didn't want to make the whole lariat, so I made a short necklace and used one of Hollingdale Design's beads - the ones I had made for me - as a toggle. I think the colours of the lampwork bead complement the seed beads perfectly. I decided that it would be a shame to hide such a beautiful bead at the back of the neck and so made the toggle into a feature. I will wear it as a pendant at the front.

Cellini Spiral


Made from a pattern in Bead Magazine.

Friday 28 November 2008

And the Winner is...


Cod!
I drew it yesterday as I wasn't getting many entries. I thought that I would re-do it if I got any today, but I didn't. So, Cod it is!
Cod - Email me and let me know what you would like and in what colour. You know the address...

Tuesday 25 November 2008

The Finished Thursday Night Project

Finished on Sunday! The only problem is that one side is slightly thinner than the other - because I ran out of thread and started with the new thread from the wrong end. I only noticed when I had got to the end of the whole thing. Grrrrrr.

Giveaway Extension

As I only had 13 posts on Sunday night, I have extended the giveaway to Friday. I would love as many hits and messages as possible. So, Marie - don't worry, you ARE included!

Friday 21 November 2008

TTNP - A Little Bit More...


You might be able to see that I managed to add in the bridging beads and facets last night. I also made a start on one of the sides as I finally decided to make it into a full necklace. I haven't done any more though as Mum and I had a lovely day out.

Thursday 20 November 2008

10,000 Hits Now Reached...GIVEAWAY ACTIVE!!!

As the title says really!

Leave me a message before Sunday night and let me know what type of thing you particularly like on my blog. Who knows, you may get something like it, especially made for you! Also add your favourite colour...

TTNP - 19 Nov 2008


This is what I am currently working on - a necklace from an old copy of Bead magazine. It looked too hard and I put off making it for months, but I decided to have a go yesterday. I still have to finish the 'bridging' of the spirals to secure them and add facet beads in. Then I need to extend it slightly if I go for a bracelet, or a lot if I make it into a full necklace. I am undecided at the moment. I think that the design is very similar to the 'Ogalala' bracelets I made in May. However, the spirals are less lacy and more tight into each other so the end result is completely different.

Wednesday 19 November 2008

NEARLY 10,000 HITS!!!

GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...

When I get to 10,000 hits, I will be having a giveaway...

Keep your eyes peeled!

GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...GIVEAWAY ALERT...

Monday 17 November 2008

Another Spiral Rope Stitch - With Cubes This Time



This is exactly the same stitch as the previous set of jewellery. However, I swapped the size 6 beads for 3mm cube beads. I love the matte metallic look of the beads and the drop at the end of the toggle chain allows it to hang nicely on the wrist. I am thinking of making a berry version, using hex beads instead of the cubes...keep your eyes peeled!

Finished Commission Pieces



If I say so myself, these do look lovely on. They work up quite quickly once you get into a rhythm but are a really nice stitch.