My Olympia Purchases

Yesterday I went to the 'Stitch and Craft' show at Olympia. It was not as big as I was expecting and I was a little disappointed if I'm totally honest. However, I did meet; Maria Diaz, Margaret Sherry, Jane Greenoff and Michael Powell, and they were all charming. I also managed to avoid the QVC queen, which was a blessing in my eyes!

I bought quite a few semi-precious gems and a small Michael Powell cross-stitch. Pictures of gems above...

Bubbles

My latest creation!

Bracelet

This bracelet was made with the focal stone in mind. I chose seed beads that matched all the colours in the stone (pale green, cream, grey, black, sparkling black). It didn't quite come out as I imagined it, but I do like it. It is delicate and I'm am getting better at photographing!

Idle Musings...

So many people lately have commented on the fact that I am not actually producing many cards at the moment! I suppose I should change the name of this blog, but all my business cards and stickers have the current name on, so I don't want to change things at this stage.

I suppose the answer is to start blogging more cards!

I am a strange crafter in that I get totally absorbed in one craft to the detriment of all others. Cross-stitching was my 'thing' until a few weeks ago and now beads have taken over. My craft-room floor is strewn with hundreds of seed beads! I have about 8 cross-stitch projects on the go at the moment, but just can't seem to make myself want to complete any of them. The beauty of crafting is that it is so enjoyable. If you have to force yourself to finish something, maybe it is not worth it? I know that the enthusiasm will return at some point, so will go with it when it does.

No doubt, the next few pictures will be jewellery, especially as I have another delivery expected from Beads Unlimited!

OK, I couldn't resist...

I just had to make two more rope chain stitch things! They are so easy and relaxing (as long as you don't snip the wrong bit (blush)).

This is the last rope-chain stitch bracelet for a while!

Beautiful colours - like boiled sweets. It went perfectly and fits really nicely on the wrist. I need to learn a new technique now though, so I am going to have a read through my (miriad) books.

Labradorite and Freshwater Pearl bracelet

This bracelet was inspired by the Pearl 'Potato' necklace in the latest issue of 'Bead' magazine. I love the mix of colours and think that the photo really shows them off.

FAO Nbg - you know who you are!

I have finished the lariat for you!!! I really hope you like it. If you do, please let me know by email and I'll contact you.

Here are a couple of pictures...

What a co-incidence!

The other day, I was suggesting to my mum that she take up beading as a hobby. I knew of two women who run courses but I have not been able to go to them in the past because I work during the week. Then, last night I had a phone call from one of the women who runs the courses. She was ringing to let me know that they have recently started doing courses on Saturdays! I have not spoken to these women for around a year, so how spooky is that!

I have booked myself on to the course on 19th April, where I will be doing some fancy netting stitch that then becomes a necklace or bracelet. I am trying to convince my mum to come with me as I think she would really enjoy it - I can't wait! The next one, which is two weeks later, involves cabouchon stones and beaded embroidery. It doesn't seem my cup of tea, but I will see what they look like when I attend the first session.

Bag Charm/Key-ring

This started off as an ear-ring, but it quickly became obvious that it was a bit 'Pat Butcher' in style! So I made it even more glitzy and changed it into a bag charm that can also be a key-ring.

My Amazon purchase (blush)

These are all lovely books. The cross-stitch one has given me loads of inspiration. I love making cards with the recipient's initial on and now I have a large selection of alphabets to choose from.

Purple Lariat

Here is the finished article. Once again, the colours are not as clear as I would like - the real thing is more amethyst-like.

Oh dear - I could start a library!

I got my Amazon order today. 5 books - 4 on beading and 1 on cross-stitch...I really must stop now. Two of the books are little more than pamphlets, but have some amazingly easy looking projects in. I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into them (not literally of course.)

I am in the process of finishing off another lariat necklace, in purples this time. It looks lovely and I am keeping it for myself. I will blog pictures once it is finished.

MUMSNET SWAP!!!

And here is my Easter swap from the lovely GreebosWhiskers. You can't see it in the picture, but she very kindly included a Creme Egg, which is inside the mug...Although it didn't last long after the picture had been taken!

The rabbit is an egg cosy and the mug is very snugly wrapped in a warm jacket. I am going to make myself a warming cup of hot chocolate to wash down the chocolate (blush).

Squid necklace!!!

This necklace did not take too long to make either. I got the design from the book linked earlier in my blog and think it worked out quite successfully. I didn't like the black and red colour scheme the book had, so chose my own colours and I think they go quite well. The necklace is worn in a lariat style and looks more like a longer choker than an actual necklace. The design is obviously not really called 'squid', but the bead I chose made mine look like one so it has been renamed!

Blue bracelet

I couldn't seem to get the focus right on this one, but you should be able to see what I have done here. I love turquoise and the mixture of clear and frosted beads looks lovely. These bracelets only take an hour or so to make, which is much more cost effective if I sell any.

I started making another lariat...

...but then realised that my eyes were feeling a little squiffy and that I had a nasty headache appearing! So, I made ear-rings instead!

My labour of love...

I found the pattern for this in one of my beading books and I love it! It took HOURS as it is around 32" long but looks great and I can't believe I actually made it! The design in the book was made using all pink beads, but I love the way pink, green and cream blend well together. To bring the colours out, the fringing beads are green and pink leaves.

The Finished Article

My friend's present is all done. I really like the finished product, but my sister said it was 'boho' - so I am a bit unsure whether to give it to my friend or not!

Comments would be appreciated...

I went shopping again - seed beads can be quite addictive you know!

And this is what I bought - all £28 of it. I discovered last week that The Bead Merchant (http://www.beadmerchant.co.uk/) is near me and that they have an open day on the first Saturday in every month. So, I dragged two friends along and we all had a rummage. It is an Aladdin's cave. Next time, I am leaving Max with Mark so I can look at beads without worrying that my child is destroying the shop!

It was all going swimmingly until my friend's daughter helped herself to another biscuit and I told Max that he was not having one. He sulked for the next ten minutes, but at least that gave me some peace from his rampaging!

A work-in-progress

This is going to be a necklace for a friend who will be thirty next week. She is a red-head, so I have made it in browns and coppers. The ornament is one I made last year for another necklace. I am going to rehang it, using some of the small seed beads to make a loop, rather than metal. I think it will look quite nice. I have also included a picture of a close-up, so the beading can be seen. It is the same stitch as the gold coloured bracelet posted earlier on here.

Loop-di-loop bracelet in white/black/silver

I bought some seed beads from Dunelm Mill the other day. Whilst I like the finished article, the seed beads were not much cop. A lot of them were mis-shapen or were just drops of glass with no hole.