TTNP & Coursework

I finished both of these necklaces in my C&G course today. The top one is to be used as a 'tatting' pattern, which is one of the stitches we covered - it is from a kit by Spellbound Beads. The second one is a netting pattern, taken from the internet. I did change several things about it though, to make it my own.

A Few Things I Have Been Doing...

All for my C&G course. We have to make 6 sets of necklaces and earrings. I have yet to make the earrings for the red and black set.

The Thursday Night Project - 2 July

I have been playing with netting today, for one of my course final pieces. Unfortunately, this pattern was too damned difficult to pick up easily, as it only came in diagram form. I was not as impressed with the look as I had hoped from the original picture, so I have stopped and will be keeping these pieces for samples in the write up!

C & G Course - My Own Projects

We have reached the point in the course where we have learnt all the stitches and have completed all the artwork side of things. The rest of the time is now for us to continue with making our pieces for judging. These pieces need to be the following:


6 necklace and earring sets (one necklace must be netting, and one oat spheres)

One lariat at least 32" long

Two amulet bags, one netted and one tubular peyote

One major piece - a shaped object or anything to show our skill.


For my main piece, I have decided to make a cross-stitch pattern into a square stitch picture. I was originally going to work three photographs into cross-stitch patterns and convert the colours into delica beads. However, the photos that I have chosen needed too many colours and would have cost too much. I am going to make the picture in cross-stitch instead, and may do one of the three photos in beads at a later date.

Instead, I found some lovely little charts of seaside pictures in a cross-stitch magazine. Here is one of the charts worked up in beads...

I am not a big fan of square stitch because I always seem to make it look wonky somehow - as you can see, this one does too! I have also managed to break one of the beads, so it is likely that I will think of this one as a practise piece and will work it up again.

This is going to be my lariat. It is twisted herringbone stitch and I have tried to choose colours that I would not normally put together!

Week 3 - C & G Course

Again, not a good photo! I can't wait for the summer and some decent light. Anyway, this is 'brick stitch around a large bead' - rather effective if you ignore that it looks like something out of 'Alien'! The colours really work although that doesn't show in the photo. I am planning a necklace out of it - not sure how yet though...

Big Thanks to My Mum

I wanted to sign up for the Level Two City and Guilds course, because I really need the design training more than the beading training. The second level makes the student do more of their own jewellery designing and takes every aspect that step further than Level One has so far. However, the course is four times as long and will cost quite alot of money. I told my mum this and said that I had decided not to ask Mark (my husband) for the money as I no longer work and I don't contribute financially to the household.

Yesterday, my mum offered me a quarter of the course cost with no strings attached. She said that she really wanted me to do the course as she thinks I would be good. This gave me the courage to ask Mark for the balance of the money. He agreed that I could have it as my 40th present (I will be 40 next October - before the course finishes). So, I booked up today and am really excited to be doing it!

Big thanks to my mum - without her really generous offer, I would not have mentioned the course to Mark and would have missed out. I love beading!!!

Week 6 - C&G Course

Pearl and Seed Bead Choker:

This is the first piece that I would actually wear (from the course). The course specified one row of right-angle weave only, so that is all we had to make. I am going to make a cuff in several rows though as I think it will be stunning!

Beading Class - Daisy Beaders

This is what I made today...beaded beads. Not something I would make into a whole necklace, but beautiful nevertheless. Some of the samples were stunning!

I was happy with my humble offerings. We were all amazed that it took all day to make two beads!

Bits and Bobs...

Well, I have been very busy this week, but don't have much to show for it. I cut up the green and blue wave bracelet as I decided I didn't like the finished article. I started making another one without the size 6 beads but gave up half way through! I am making another cuff (like the Egyptian one but in berry colours) which is looking fantastic so far but is not finished.

Finally, I went to my course today and we made ear-rings with brick stitch and fringing. For some reason, I just couldn't get the look I really wanted. I ended up with a passable attempt but am going to take a break for a day or before making up the pair for the final coursework.

So, no pictures at the moment but I hope to have the cuff finished later today...