My Own Design

Here is a new design that I came up with this week.

Stuff!

This is from a kit by Spellbound beads. I like their kits and the beads they use seem to have improved over the years. This is a bit fancy for my taste and was very labour intensive. However, the patterns that the company come up with are always unique, which is fantastic for learning new styles and techniques.

This is from a kit by Oak Tree Crafts. The earrings were really quick to make, but I was gutted to lose one the first time I wore them. Different ear-wires next time :(

These are my own design, and are totally made from sterling silver and Swarovski crystal bicones. They look stunning in the ears. I sold a similar pair to my cousin's wife but kept these for me!

Life Changes

Well, it has been an age since I posted on here. I have been making things but not consistently, and anything I HAVE made has gone on my Facebook page rather than my blog. Life has been funny lately. I finshed my job as a WeightWatchers leader yesterday, after nearly 21 months. I will now have time to craft more, until I find another job. I finished WW because I can't control my weight unless I can concentrate completely on myself. Much as I have loved the members and clerks at the meetings, it was physically hard work and took up the majority of my time and emotion. My son is looking forward to spending more time with me (he is nearly 11, so that will change soon no doubt!) and I hope to have more energy and verve. I am determined to update this blog more regularly and be a more active member of the crafting community. I would love to design more beading patterns, and set up an online shop selling kits for them.

Bracelets Galore

I have been a little busy. My beading mojo is back!

A Few Things

I have not been a very busy crafter lately, due to lots of reasons. I have been quietly crafting away though, doing the odd bit of cross-stitch or a bracelet.

Two bracelets that I have made are based on the design that I had published in Bead magazine. I just played with colours and I love the results, although I didn't follow my own instructions for the pattern! Once a pattern changer, always a pattern changer. They will be going in my Folksy shop soon, and I hope to be able to spend more time on stocking that up in the near future.

I also bought these hairgrips from Vintage Violet - a fellow crafter and friend from Crafter...oo. She is absolutely fabulous and a totally original crafter. I am in awe of her cross-stitch designs, especially her Tardis one. I was very lucky, because the grips had expired from her shop and she then offered me a discount on the original price...I do love a pretty bargain! Maximum Rabbit Designs

I'm A Knight...

Max's theme this half-term is 'castles'. So, what else would you expect but to have to make a medieval costume . I didn't help myself by leaving it to the last minute and having a mild panic, but I think that I came up trumps! Max is certainly chuffed with the outfit...amazing what you can do with Kanban card and an old pillow case!

And Some MORE!

I made these cards over the last few days. I have been buying rather a lot of Promarkers and playing with them. Sometimes I then feel like putting the results onto a card!

4 Cards

I am really into card making at the moment. I don't seem to have enough time to make something beaded, but cards only take a short while.

40th Anniversary Card

It is my Auntie and Uncle's 40th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow and I made this card for them. I really enjoy making cards that require hearts, as I love the occasions behind them; weddings, anniversaries, engagements - all wonderful things to celebrate.

I don't know about all of you but I think that 40 years of marriage is something worth a huge celebration! No marriage is without troubles, but to survive them and keep going is inspiring.

Congratulations to Jane and Pat - you are a great couple.

Bead Magazine - Out Now!

This is my third pattern in Bead magazine. I have a few ideas buzzing around in my head for more designs, but need to get them on to paper. That is a bit of a problem at the moment, a my life seems to be too busy for beading :(

Well, I say that, but I have been making a few cards and am currently sewing a cross-stitch pattern. I think that I might be all beaded out! I am able to make small and quick things, but more involved pieces are too time-consuming.

Three Bracelets and a Cat!

Three bracelets that I am considering putting in my Folksy shop - I am not sure yet. The first photo is the most beautiful cat in the world - perhaps the post should have been called 'A Cat and Three Bracelets'...) I just can't seem to get a photo that is in focus though!

Rosie Posie Pudding & Pie

As she is affectionately known in this house! Look at that smug face in the second photo. Guess who knows that she has landed on her paws...even Mark adores her!

My Second Project in This Month's 'Bead' Magazine

I am a very lucky crafter to have had three projects accepted for this magazine. My third is hopefully coming out in the following issue. I design by 'playing' with beads and you can imagine how many things I give up because they just don't work! This one came about when I was doing my Level 2 C&G course. I didn't like the pattern that we had been given, so I decided to create my own, using the brief.

Bracelets

Two bracelets made from other people's patterns. The first is the 'Diva's Bracelet' pattern from Oak Tree Crafts (0121 342 1370). The second pattern is by Deborah Roberti .

The first bracelet was easy to do, but very time-consuming. The second was easy and quick, not to mention free from the internet. I do like a freebie!

A Few Things That I Have Managed To Squeeze In!

This is a bracelet that I made for my Mum for Christmas. I was making it right up to Christmas Eve! I think that she liked it. It was a very simple pattern, taken from 'Bead and Button' magazine, but it was quite time-consuming. I enjoyed making it though and the need for it to be finished meant that it didn't become a UFO!






I have actually been making a few things in the last week. I wanted to give some friends a bracelet for their help with various things, so I made these...

They are just simple strung bracelets, but I included Swarovski 4mm bicones in them, to give a little bit of sparkle.

So Sorry

I have not posted anything for TOO long. I have been working hard at my Weight Watchers job and have hardly had any time for crafting. I have designed another bracelet, but writing it up is something else! I must do it or I will forget how I did it...

Card-making has fallen by the wayside as all my WW stock is in the way of my craft boxes. I have made sure that my beads are easily accessible though! The intention to bead is there but the time isn't - oh for another two hours in the day and drip-fed caffeine lol.

Anyway, I wanted to post and wish everyone (well, anyone still looking on here!) a very merry Christmas. Happy new year to everyone too.

The Day Has Come!

Finally, I can share my exciting news with you. I am a published designer! Bead magazine have printed one of my designs (see p50 of 'Bead' magazine) and actually paid me for it! So, I am a proper designer now...guess what job title is going on my passport next time I apply for one!

I will post photographs asap but I wanted to tell you the great news!

Finished WIP - Piatine Bracelet

This kit was really enjoyable to do. I normally get bored half way through and leave it to do at a later date (i.e. never!) It took me less than a (already very busy) week and I love the finished article. I am going to shorten the closure stitching though, as the bracelet is loose and I fancy it being more of a cuff. (My fault, not the pattern).

I really recommend Bead Merchant for all their things; beads, kits etc.