Is It The Time of Year For Caterpillars?

Because this one has appeared on my beading table...

Actually, it is a 'double spiral with spiky and bumpy loops' from a class I did last year. During the class, I concentrated on other patterns and didn't make this one. However, my friend makes loads of them so I thought I would give it a go. I am about half way through it, but it is taking ages!

My Recent Purchases...

...well, actually only some of them! Really, I went a little bit mad and am ashamed of how much I have spent, BUT, imagine my delight when I had THREE parcels on my doorstep this morning!

These toggles from this Ebay shop. The service was so speedy and everything was just as I had ordered it.

These buttons from Gill at Hollingdale Designs (see earlier post for link). She included the little flowers for me to use on my cards, and a little bag of chocolate buttons! Again, brilliant service as I only ordered them a few days ago and she had to make them especially for me.

Finally, some of the gorgous selection from Jilly Beads - I have only photographed about a quarter of what I actually bought from them...I just had to keep adding things to the cart. Eventually I made myself stop, but it was a struggle!

Stitch Markers

One of the posters on Crafter...oo was talking about making stitch markers for the knitters amongst us. She linked to a site that suggested using toggle rings, which I have plenty of - so I thought I would have a go. And these were the result...

Lookie lookie at my lovely order from Gill!

Aren't they gorgeous! I am going to use them on a patchwork bracelet I am making for a little girl. I thought that she would love the buttons to be heart shaped as all little girls love that sort of thing don't they. So, I knew exactly where to go to order some especially for me...Hollingdale Designs. She normally makes fantastic glass beads but has become a bit obsessed (in the best possible way!) with making buttons lately. There is a link on her website for her Folksy shop, where she sells them. Go and look, you will soon be adding buttons to everything you can lay your hands on! My son now knows not to stand still too long...

Floral Cards - Well Spring HAS Sprung After All!

Today I went all floral and spring-like. I bought a flower head punch and some lovely card, so decided to put them to good use when I got home. I got a bit carried away (these are just a few of the ones I made (blush)). Again, I'm no David Bailey and they really do look better in the flesh.

Time For Tea Swap

Notelets



Earrings



Fruit Tea - because Vonnie doesn't like it and I am going to MAKE her!

I realised today that the deadline was creeping up on me and I hadn't started my items for Blotted Copy Book. So...I sat down this afternoon and got stuck in. These are the results, which I really like - I hope Vonnie does too...

Amazing what you can do if you have pressure on!

TOMORROW...

Is the first day of Spring!!! Whooppeee...I love Spring. All those new leaves and flowers, better weather, a bit of warmth and everyone in a happier mood.

My Red Robin plant in the garden is sprouting a load of lovely new leaves. As soon as possible, I will post a picture of it because it really is a fantastic shrub. I am not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination, but Spring seems to bring all my primal, earth-loving feelings out!

Orders From a Jewellery Party

A friend held a jewellery party for me yesterday (thanks Jo!) I did ok for sales but also took a fair few orders. I made the easier/quicker ones up when I got back will post about the other ones as they get done. I met a few very nice people and had a chatty couple of hours while getting rid of some of my creations - bliss!

Cards for a Commission

These cards were made for Pandora, who owns the shop where I take my C&G course (Pandorion, East Hill, Colchester). Her son is going to be 30 and she wanted a simple but special card for him. She also needed a simple card for her Dad's 80th. I love the simplicity of the colours and themes, and hope she will too.

EDIT: Please forgive the overuse of the 'simple' word!

Cellini Spiral Bracelet

I think that the colours on this one are going to be like Marmite - you will either love them or hate them! I love them...they remind me of an old school tie. The Cellini Spiral is a very satisfying stitch as it is beautiful to look at and very sturdy to wear.

21st BIrthday Card

This card was requested by Snowqueen (from Crafter...oo) who wanted it for a friend. The brief was 'pink and blingy', which I hope I have managed!

A Bracelet and Two Cards

The bracelet is similar to the one I made for my son's teacher in December, but thinner. I think the colours work together beautifully. It is made in tubular peyote stitch called a Cellini Spiral.

The cards have been made for Gill at Hollingdale Designs who makes the most fabulous glass and polymer clay items.

Crafter...oo and Comic Relief

Well, we are now over £500 and still raising money. So, if you haven't paid a visit to the shop, here is a link. All the forum members have donated items and the money will go to Comic Relief. Kerry at Pennydog Jewellery has been an absolute star and worked really hard setting it up and administering it.

So, thanks to all who have had a look. If you haven't, get over there and you may see something you can't miss out on!

Three Bracelets

A friend very kindly offered to have a jewellery and card party for me next week. I realised that most of the things I had in my stock were bead woven and might not appeal to some people. So, I decided to get my pliers, crimps and chains out and make some different styles of things. Although the photos are not the best, you should be able to see what I have done. For some reason, the macro setting on my camera would not comply!

Daisy Beaders Day - Patchwork Beaded Squares

This is something I made after my beading day on Saturday. The idea was to make lots of beaded squares in different textures and make them into a patchwork bracelet or necklace. Not something I would normally think of to make, but I do actually like the finished product. The colours are slightly different from my usual as well!

I am taking part in this swap run by Vonnie from 'Blotted Copy Book'

Have a look on her blog to read all about it. Poor old Vonnie has ended up being partnered with me, a dedicated tea hater! I like fruit tea though, so I am not a completely lost cause!

Seed Bead Encrusted Bangle

This is the same as the Ndebele bracelets that I did last year, except that it has no fastenings and looks like a bangle. The work involved is exactly the same though. I used 8° beads which were stiched with a herringbone weave. Then I worked in 11° beads in a slightly brighter colour, to catch the light.

The top picture is where I had done the base and just started stitching on the smaller beads. The second photo is of the bangle on my wrist. Please excuse the dry skin of my hands - well, it IS Winter you know!

Another Necklace

This is another version of the cube and loop necklace. I have made this for a friend, and am now worrying that she will think 'When the hell am I going to be able to wear this?!' Her partner will just have to take her out somewhere glitzy!

Egyptian Style Necklace/Choker

This was made from a pattern I bought at the bead fair at Five Lakes yesterday. The necklace takes about 6 hours to make but I think is worth every second. I bought some bulk beads from GJ Beads too and wanted to use them, so made it in green beads. Not normally my colour but I might be persuaded after this!

I have tried it on and it is just longer than a choker and sits in the hollow of the neck. It will go into my Folksy shop soon, when my fingers have recovered!

Fish Birthday Card

I was asked to make a birthday card for a friend's grand-daughter, in pinks and purples, incorporating fish! So here is the finished result.

Peyote Bead Bracelet