ChatElaine

What have I got to show!!!

2011-12-19T02:07:00.000Z

Mmmmm well what have I got to show you?

Look Jewellery!!

Clustered Bracelet using gemstone chips

Zebra Necklace

Mary Q Bracelet

You could say I have been buying some gemstones!!

Oh dear, spending money and at Christmas time too!!
I just cant believe that its only a week away now. I am not READY at all!!!! Up until today I had one present, YES just the one! But I did go off shopping for a few hours and came back with a few more purchases, so I am a little happier. I did do a bit of Amazon shopping too. So feeling a bit better now.

All I need now is a christmas tree and some deccies up. I'm afraid my hubbie is laid-up with his back which gave out on him again on Tuesday, he staggered in from work about half an hour after he left ~~ poor old boy!!! So hence no deccies up yet, I just don't do ~ going into the loft, ladders and me just don't get on!!

Clustered Pearls

I liked this technique which I picked up along the way, so I have run with it a little and found out I enjoyed doing this, its very simple and when hung onto tigertail (beading wire) they look great. The clustered technique could be making an appearance in the shape of a workshop as my Bead Group have requested one so more will be on the way!!

Finally I thought I would mention that my lastest tutorial has made its appearance in Bead magazine (current issue) Dec/Jan issue 35. I am so pleased with it and I've had some lovely comments. Mum also knicked it to go with her new christmas outfit and seems to have kept it, no not really I did say she could have it if she wanted it.

Here it is

Wrapped in Chains

Well thats about it for now, I will try and get some more photos done of the things I have just finished before christmas arrives. If not I want to wish you all

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Lets hope it is a better year than this one!! I think you might know what I mean!!!

Love to you all in Blogland!!

E xx

Buttons, Cabs and Chatelles

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000Z

I had a very traumatic half term, as my daughter hasn't been very well. So bit stressed right now!

That means not much activity on the 'making' front! I did get chance to make one or two beads last week in only the one session really but that is about it.

I made a few buttons

Mojito Madness

Strawberry Crumble

I am trying out different shapes and ideas, I liked this shape for strawberry crumble but it did take a long time to get it right, its a sort of rhombus shape with a little heart on the bottom edge, I think I over did the spots a little! 80))

The Mojito madness button is on my website now. I am trying to make the buttons a little larger in size but that is proving difficult to control the shape ~~ but I will keep going!

Another cabochon

Washed Ashore

I am trying to make a wire frame for the cab. so will show you that when I get it together.

And I made this chunky Chatelle big hole bead with the fabulous glass from Riechenbach called Multicolour (greeny dots) and Dark Multi (purple/blue bands), I so love Dark Multi a bit of a favourite right now, especially on ivory I just love the reactions.

Elmer Set

This too is on my website, time to pop it into my Etsy store I reckon!!

I seem to now have lots of ideas for beads but no time to make them, some jewellery as well, Christmas is coming too and as usual just not getting ready in time!! Time just seems to be flying by so quickly, it'll be here before we know it!!!

I can only do ~~ what I can do!!

Toodle-ooooo for now!

E xx

Jewellery Shop Open Again & Some Giveaways

2011-10-13T18:14:00.003+01:00

I am back to making jewellery again and have finally opened up my Jewellery Shop on my website, AT LAST I hear you cry, well I live in hope!!! I have added a few new items and more will be added as I make them.

The big 'C' is on the horizon and as usual ~ not ready for it at all but I am working on it ~ Yay!!!
I have been watching Jewellery Maker.com on sky, it sells gemstones and some of them are totally gorgeous, some great prices as well. So some of my spark is back and my fingers did do a little walking over to their website and I happened to pop a few beads into the shopping basket. they still haven't arrived yet though 80((

In the meantime I have made a few things, which I havent actually photographed yet, weather here is very dull at the moment and so the light is rubbish!! I am hoping the weather will be brighter tomorrow so will get the camera out then.

I have had a bit of a tidy up on the website and have altered things around so hopefully its a little simplier to get around and I have also added a few new pages one being for my Buttons and Cabochon Beads in my bead shop, with the Toffee Mayhem button sitting there all on its own right now. I will get some more added as soon as they are available.

Giveaways

I thought I would bring you some giveaways from other bloggers, it is something I promised I would do along with more tutorials as well so its about time I started doing the things I should be doing.

My first is a fab giveaway from Nicole of Beadwright its a fab book called 30 Minute Rings, I so need this book as I really dont do rings much at all, they seem to evade my creativity!

OOOOO I want it I really really do!!

Giveaway ends on 19th October.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Over at Inspiration Avenue they are having a Blog Party so here is a link to the party for you, it is running from 16th - 23rd October so please head over a take a nosy around

~~~~~~~~~~

I will be having my own giveaway for you soon, so watch this space ............

Lovely Buttons

2011-09-29T01:50:00.001+01:00

Gosh is it that long since I posted, sorry for that!!

I have had a few things happening during september, my wirework workshop called Wicked Wirework went very well. I hope my ladies enjoyed there day, I enjoyed it immencely!!

We have also booked another 2 workshops for next year, one being a beginners course again 'Simply Stringing' and an intermediate called 'Vintage Trends' we will use chains and some wire linking techniques for this one.

I have been working on more new buttons and some jewellery too but cant show any right now because most of them are prototypes for the magazine. The rest arent quite finished so when they are I will show you and they will be going onto my website then!

Here are my new buttons

Toffee Mayhem Button

Made using some lovely CIM Ginger I just love this colour

can be a bit shocky at times

along with some CIM Phoenix (orange) and CIM Pumpkin (yellow) on ivory dots

Looks good enough to eat!!

This one I have called my Mayhem Duffle Toggle Button

I literally came up with the shape as I went along

I cant believe how impressed I was to have the shape appear

before my own eyes.

The shape reminded me of a Duffle Coat Toggle Button hence the name!! I may not sell this one just yet as I want to see if I can come up with this shape again!!

Oh what about new cabochon or 2!

Swirling Waves

Pinkii

Pinkii was a little experiment with some CIM Gunmetal glass to see if I could make the silver reaction come through and it has worked a little in the middle under the white dots. Wasnt sure if it is a little EYE like, I was having a little play with raking the larger dots!!

The Swirling Waves cab looks much better with the white backing behind the aqua glass, really helps keep the colour strong!! Loving making these seacape type beads/cabs!!

Right I have some ideas for making some cufflinks and tie-pins so YES!! MAN JEWELLERY could well be on the way ready for Christmas!! So you will have to wait and see if my experiments work!! Just think SPORT!!!

That will get you guessing, EH!!

Catch you all soon or if not sooner!!

E 80))

Seascapes to Cherish

2011-08-30T18:09:00.000+01:00

I so love doing seascape beads and so I decided to give a cabochon a go, and as it also fits in with Inspiration Avenue Challenge theme this week, here is my first attempt ~~ I am quite pleased with it.

Dark Aqua glass with silvered ivory for the beach, some lovely twistie makes the shells and the murrini thrown in the middle which gives the appearance of a jellyfish. Theres a few swirls and at the top was suppose to be the moon!!

Now I did show it to my bead weaver friend Sue at my Bead Group Busy Buzzer Beaders on Saturday and I asked her advice on what she thought of it from her point of view for beading around it. She advised that maybe not to much decoration around the edge of the bead and more in the centre as it is quite domed! Some of the decoration would probably get obscured by the seed beads as it has to come over it high enough so it doesn't slip out. That was very helpful as that is one side of jewellery making I don't do!! Sue does keep trying to get me hooked but so far has ~~ Failed!!! Bless her for keep on plugging at me!! Ha ha!!

Here are a few lentil beads to add to the theme as well

I forgot to add murrini into these, silly me!!

For those of you who dont know what murrini is, its a bit like making a stick of Cane Rock you know as in Blackpool Rock you eat!! If you look at the Cabochon above there is a white striped circle with a yellow and blue dot inside it, on the right hand side. I buy mine as I havent mastered the technique yet but you build it up on a glass rod adding different colours around the outside then when your finished you pull it out into a long cane until it gets thinner and thinner and then cut in off into small chips of glass.

I buy mine from Kaz of Kazkebab on Etsy.

These are her Teeny Murrini arent they lovely.

~Right off to make more beads, catch up soon!!

Toodleoooo

80))

Just a few things!

2011-08-28T02:38:00.002+01:00

Yes time does fly when its school holidays!! Cant believe its been a month before I last posted. The kitchen extension is moving along a bit more, I don't have a 'hole' anymore and some of my cupboards seem to be on the move!!

I have finally been taking some pictures after finishing my tutorial photos for Bead Magazine, that should be out in November (Dec/Jan issue), so here are a few beads to show you for now.

Buttons

New Buttons for you, I tried to do square buttons ended up a bit oblong but they arent too bad!! Needing more practice so I will try and develop those further in future. I do love the way the little heart came out on the green button. I have finally got a new gas bottle so I need to get into my workshop and get the torch lit!!!

Also trying to work on new Chatelle Hearts, I so love this blue glass its a CIM glass ~~ now what was its name again....... I have quite a few different ones you see!!!! Its either Chalcedony or Grumpy Bear well whichever it is, it looks pretty with the pink frit!

Pastel Swirls

I just love blue glass ~~ now don't I!! Ha ha! This is another favourite Effetre transparent Baby Blue. I was practising my pulling technique with the dots, this time, which creates the leaf type pattern you can just see it above the black and white swirls. SHINEY, SPARKLY! MMMMmmmmmmm!!!
Hope you like them.

Catch you all again soon

80))

Hopeful!

2011-07-28T01:43:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, well as you can see I haven't posted much lately and I haven't been around to see you all much either. One reason is I haven't been able to post comments on blogs because of Bloggers problems, I think they have been sorted it out but I wont know for sure until I wonder around again, I have been successful on a few blogs, so we'll see!! The other reason is I havent felt I had much to blog about as I haven't been making much at all! I seemed to have lost ideas and inspiration, over the last few weeks I have steadily been doing some jewellery making and I fired my torch up again last week and already this week too. Its a slow process but I AM getting there!! I also believe that I really needed a rest from the crafting/blogging/internet world, I ended up ~ just frizzled up!!

Right enough of that!! I'm back on track now!!

Kitchen is back underway again and the internal wall has now gone!! Yaaaaayyyyy! Gosh it was messy, very hard work and the concrete lintel weighed at least 10tons!!!!

So I now have a big hole in the now massive room, well I think its mahoooosive!! Compared to what I did have its huge!!

There is still lots to do before I can use the space properly! At this stage I even have a bridge over a gap created by the old back door!! You can see it in the bottom corner, ha ha!!

Hubbie will be working on it after work and hopefully by the weekend we may well have the floor joists in ready for the flooring which will be a continuation of the current floorboarding around the rest of the downstairs!

Insulation needs to be ordered next on the list and finding an electrician is top priority, oh yes we need a skip as well, the pile of rubble is now mahooosive too!!

So off to check Celotex details, and delivery arrangements!! Off to Wickes tomorrow!!

See you again soon.

Birthdays, Anniversaries and even Christenings!

2011-06-28T10:23:00.001+01:00

Yes there's been lots of events lately for me to attend, so I have been making presents, presents and more presents. Sometimes it is very useful being able to make your own gifts but it can also be ~~~ AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH too!!!

What do you do? The person receiving it doesn't want to get the same thing everytime!!

Here's just a few I made for my gifts ~~

Susie's Birthday

This necklace was made using large ceramic multicoloured beads and lots of vintage brass chain.

Then there was some anniversary gifts in the way of Wine Bottle Stoppers with bottles of wine of course, then I had a rush order for 6 bookmarks to make for a friend. These were for welcoming newcomers into her church like a confirmation of sorts only they were C of E not Roman Catholic. Silly me forgot to take piccies of those, well they were very rushed as I only had 2 days to make them in! I made wire fish for the end of a chain with a small cross and a few glass beads, the mens were much simpler than the ladies versions. I think they went down well!

A few new necklaces for me with bracelets to match

Antique Jangles

This is 4 separate necklaces using antique brass chains, one with large freshwater pearls, bracelet has all 4 chains again with just the faux pearls to keep the weight down, as all 4 chains together can be a bit heavy with the freshwater pearls. I just love this necklace they do jangle together when you walk. Ha ha!!

Black Chains Galore

This necklace has some large smoky grey crystals purchased from my trip a few years ago to Barcelona, I finally got round to using some of them along with lashings of black and silver plated chains in my asymmetrical design I really love.

Then lastly the christening of my cousins daughter, this is a little unusual in that she is 11 years old. It was her own decision to get christened rather than as you would as a baby by your parents! What to give an 11 year old ~~ well

Izzy's Bookmark

After doing the 6 bookmarks for my friend I thought why not make one for Izzy! I added a little cross too. I also made a crystal cross for her which again I forgot to photograph!! (I must be slipping!!) If I make up another one in future I will show that one!

Thats about it, in my next post I will show you photos of my trip to London for my Mum's London Eye Experience for her birthday present.

See you again soon!!

Mum's 75th Birthday

2011-05-16T02:54:00.000+01:00

Wow my lovely Mum celebrated her 75th Birthday on the 3rd May. I cant believe it, she had a great time with all her bookings of various different dinners etc. Here she is enjoying the actual day.

Cake is ready to go!!

Go on then blow them out!!

Go on then!!!

She did it in the end, they just didnt want to go out it, must be the sparklers that did it!!

My friend Rosemary made the cake I popped the ribbon on and did the bow!! Decorating cakes arent my thing, she did a lovely job!!

Mum has decided she wants to go up in a hot air balloon, so bruv and family purchased a ticket for her to do that, and we will be taking to London as she wants to go on the London Eye and we will also go to the Tower of London too. So we will be tourists for the day, possibly next weekend (weather permitting).

She never ceases to amaze me, she goes on holiday on her own, but she has decided that no more long haul flights like Hawaii or The Muldives no she will be going to Rhodes, last year it was Madeira when she went on one of those tabogan thingys!!

I just love her to bits!!!!

Here is a little pressie I threw together for her!!

Scarf Ring with my pink heart button

This is the button I showed you last time. I have more mandrels now so I must get practising more buttons.

Till next time!

Toodleoo

Mothers Pearls

2011-04-22T12:49:00.001+01:00

I know, I know I promised not to be a recluse but I just haven't made much to show you. I haven't particularly enjoyed being on-line as much as I used too lately, but I am slowly getting back into it again. Its just my time of life I think, just having a bit of a bad patch but I think I have come out the other side now and I feel a bit more like making things again!!

As I have previously said I have decided not to make so much jewellery and concentrate on my beads more, saying that I haven't been at my torch very often either! Last week, first week of school holiday, I was ill, my daughter was away at camp so I really didn't do a thing even though I had intentions of doing so much, my list was long!

So previous to this I had numerous 'dos' to go to from Golden Wedding Anniversaries, special birthday parties and of course Mothers Day and so I did manage to fit in creating some jewellery for my Mum, made with freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals!

Earrings made using gold fill findings. Necklace was in gold plated. She absolutely loved it! And so did all her friends too as they all commented on it when she wore it for the first time at the last meet of the WI Merry Widows, as she calls them. (WI is the Womens Institute by the way).

I have shown my new button bead in a few other places but I thought you might like to see it too.

Pink Vintage Heart Button

When I went to the Flame-off a couple of weeks ago I purchased more new mandrels so I can make a few at a time now, so after my tiara workshop is over (its tomorrow) I will be able to get back to my torch again and start making more for sale. I was quite pleased with my first attempt so I will keep you posted when they will be ready for sale.

Talking about my tiara workshop I have been producing tiara making techniques so I hope to add this to my tutorials page soon, along with my next installment of my Design Tips I promised ages ago!!!!

So I will get back to being more regular with my postings and I am really very sorry to let you all down in not keeping up with my blog!!!

I just hope you haven't all given up on me!

A little under the weather ~~ OK now

2011-03-08T16:14:00.000Z

Yes I've been ~~ not quite right lately, due to my 'time of life' shall we say, so I haven't been online as much, I just dont know what to do with myself!!

I am feeling better than I was, so I really need to get my mojo back as its gone off for a skip and a jump I don't know where!!!!!!

Hence not any new beads to show you, just some ideas I'm working on to do!!

As you may or may not know I named my Big Hole Beads 'Chatelle' beads (these are like Pandora type beads) I will be making some sets of these, I will make them as repeats, to help fill your lovely bracelets, they will be cost effective for your purse as they will not be silver lined (cored).

Speckled

Stamping Trails

Trails

Oh isnt there a Black, White and Pink theme on Inspiration Avenue Blog this week? Mmmmmm!!
How fortunate for me as most of these are Black and White now can I find some pink too!!!!!

I am sure I can!!!!!

Georgina

Ha ha there we are!!!

Here are a few others I've made too.

Cats Eyes

Unzipped

So if I can get myself back to it, I will be adding in my next post the next Design Tips in my series! Its been a long time coming but I will finish it and get it posted very soon. I have some more tutorials to do and they will be coming in the near future!

See you all again soon

Elaine

WINNERS of OWOH

2011-02-18T00:26:00.000Z

Hi well without further adu ~~ drumroll please .........

1st prize of Winter Drifts Pendant is ..

Melanie of Melanie's Journey ~The Creators Palette

2nd prize of one of my Chatelle Beads called Candy Baby is..

Wendy of Bliss Angels

Congratulations to you both

I will contact you by email to arrange details of posting etc.

Thank you for entering my giveaway and I hope to pop back to some of the wonderful blogs I found along my journey around the world.

Elaine

Birthday Giveaway

2011-02-16T02:31:00.000Z

Just to let you know I have a Birthday Giveaway on my website and on my FB Fan page too. Runs until 21st February only a month late, ha ha!!

Anyone can join in, just follow the rules by joining my mailing list or fan page to win one of my new bead designs'.

Click here to go join in!!

Also been updating my Etsy team tags and I have been listed in 2 treasuries today

Etsy Treasury FHFTeam Pick of the week 6

My heart (top right) and other members of the glassy team to check out all the lovely glass eye candy.

Still Chilly

Well I am slowly getting things done as I have been away for so long I have lots of visiting to catch up on ~ here, facebook, my forums I'm a member of, flickr, and my own website and etsy still needs things doing too. I just havent gotten round to lots and lots of things and you just start to neglect it all and then you dont want to do it anymore and lots of lots of GUILT!!

I am steadily rectifying it but it does take time and I am sure I will miss some along the way, so please bear with me and as my memory is so terrible feel free to remind me you are there and I havent visited in ages.

Half term is coming up fast and I have decorating to do during the week, I will try and get some beadmaking done too. I did promise my familyat the beginning of the year that I would do more around the house so I need to crack on and get on with those promises!!

I am delaying booking bead fairs as yet but hopefully by next month I may be able to start booking some, must get some decorating done first though!!

Ta ta for now

Elaine

One World One Heart 2011 ~ Flying on the Wings ....

2011-02-03T01:10:00.009Z

ALL COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME

I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS

IN A SEPARATE POST

I am a little late with adding my post for the One World One Heart Blog Event, better late than never I say!!!

Are you ready to come with me FLYING ON THE WINGS ...........

Firstly I thought you might like to get to know me a little ~~

As you may have gathered I am a jewellery designer, I have made jewellery for many years as a hobby along with other crafts I have dabbled in along the way ~ too numerous to mention!!

My love of art and crafts lead me back full circle to jewellery making again about 5 years ago when I started to sell my jewellery at fairs, fetes and home parties. After my college courses in Art and Design and then Jewellery Design which included some basic silversmithing, casting and enamelling ~ I knew I loved the designing side of jewellery making as well as the execution of it.

In October 2007 I headed off to a bead fair for the very first time and loved the whole event, while there I came across Tuffnell Glass selling all the supplies you need to make glass beads not knowing then what Lampworking was let alone what you did to achieve such beautiful creations.

He then fired up his demostration torch and I was totally mesmerised with the whole process, it was one of those

***EUREKA***

moments in life. Wow I was hooked, I had to give it a try, so at Christmas I asked for money from family along with my birthday money which follows in January, I sent off for my beadmaking equipment, booked a lampworking lesson with an experienced British Lampworker Sally Carver in March 2008 and the rest as they say is ~ history!!!!

So thats a little about me, I hope you are still with me as now is the time for what you need to do....

The whole OWOH event is all about meeting other like minded artists & bloggers from around the world, making new friends and with the added bonus of possibly winning a piece of their work along the way.

So without further ado ~~ here is my little door prize to tickle your taste buds

Winter Drifts Pendant

Is made up of a 25mm lentil bead is a clear opal glass with very pale blue frit encased within

and 2 spacers all wrapped in silver plate wire in my own unique freeform design

I can add a cord or chain necklace ~ you will be able to choose which you prefer

in the length you would like

To be able to participate in my giveaway you must have an active blog, then you need to leave a comment on this post with any details of how to contact you if you are my winner. I will contact the winner by email after the event finishes on 17th February and you will have a set amount of days to respond by which time I would redraw for a new winner. Depending on how many comments I receive I could well be tempted to add another prize or two ~ just like I did last year !!!! 80))

Good luck and I hope to meet some of you again on my travels and in the future if you want to pop by again.

ADDED 12th Feb:

As I have hit over 100 visitors now I will be adding another prize, so I will add it to this post very soon......

Famous last words ........

Well here we go I am adding one of my Chatelle beads as a second prize, these are my beads with Big Holes much like the Pandora bracelets which are so popular at the moment.

Candy Baby

She is a very gorgeous pink with multi purple spots, and she has no silver core so she can go on any bracelet system as she has a 5mm hole. (NB: Bracelet is for photographic purposes only)

Pantone tell us that the Colour for 2011 is Honeysuckle which is this very shade of pink. I will be adding a post soon, once OWOH is over!!

So you will receive Candy Baby if you are my second place winner after the first one out of the hat.

Hope you like her too.

I cant believe how many fabulous comments I have received during the OWOH blog hop and I have just not been able to get round to everyone on my own list let alone other blogs on the vast list of participants. I am still travelling around so I hope to visit you before the event ends. Fingers Crossed ...

Catch up with you all when I can.

Elaine ♥

One World One Heart ~ Final Year ~ 2011

2011-01-25T23:34:00.000Z

Yes I will be joining in with the OWOH blog event again this year. Lisa Swifka has decided that it will be the last year she will be holding the event, it is in its 5th year and does take a large amount of organising I imagine as each year it has grown enormously and I am sure she feels she has done enough. Last year over 900 blogs entered into the event well that is totally amazing!!

It is a great event and it is so much fun blog hopping to find all those fellow artists out there in the big wide world and I have made a few friends out there in blogland along the way!!!

If you would also like to join in then just click on the logo above and it will take you off to her blog where all the info you will need for this event.

This will be my 3rd year of participating and I have enjoyed my wanderings and now all I need to do is decide on my prize and if I will put down any restrictions I feel I may need!!

I hope you too would like to join in with the fun!!!!

See you all again very soon.

Just a quicky!!

2011-01-20T10:16:00.000Z

No! Not that sort ~~ you have all got dirty minds!!!!!

I wanted to tell you that I have finally got all my photos on my laptop now so will be able to pick up pictures for my blog much easier. Next job is to sort out my Office suite as I ended up uninstalling it, now I cant get it back on.

So here are a few new beads I am working on and hope to have more for you when I have the chance to take the pictures, as I have been working at school over the last 2 weeks quite a bit as one of the T.A.'s daughter is very sick and she has to go int and out of hospital a lot. She is such a little cutie and very brave, bless her!!

Miroesque

I love this abstract design and am working on similar designs.

Hope to have more for you later.

Bye bye for now!

NEW YEAR - NEW ETHICS

2011-01-07T01:59:00.000Z

Well firstly I would like to wish you all a very

Happy New Year

2010 for me had a lot of celebrating happening and so I was away from so many things namely beadmaking, jewellery making and my blog writing too.

So for 2011 I have decided to make some changes and I want to put into print what my new work Ethics will be as I have been re-assessing my work, my life and what considerations I need to give to my family.

Right then ~~ Work

I love my beadmaking and my jewellery making but I do find it hard to cope with both so for now beadmaking is winning! I will make jewellery from time to time but it will be for presents, teaching, for myself and if any commissions come along I will be happy to make those. But for now that will be about it. So it is going back to being a proper hobby!

I am considering jewellery tutorials again but not for a few months, as I need to catch up on some beadmaking I have committed myself too. I may even enter the odd competition in the future but that depends when they are of course!! And I am always available for jewellery making tuition.

As for the beadmaking I want to get some practice in with new techniques and new designs, I would love to have some tuition from some experienced lampworkers I know,but that will depend on funds!! I am currently researching for new designs and I have gone back to another love of mine ART! I enjoyed my time on my foundation course in Art & Design and I do miss Fine Art so thats where my research is taking me right now. Charles Rennie Mackintosh is first on the list!

Here are a few finds

Pictures courtesy of www.justmackintosh.com

(Looks like I may well be making some purchases when my friends' birthday comes along)

Bead ideas are developing just need to work them into glass!! Ha ha!!

Next is ~~ My Life and My Family

These obviously go hand in hand but my life refers to my health and this, in turn, means I have to watch my stress levels. My family have felt very rejected through the last year or so due to my jewellery making and now my beadmaking too which has been taking over the majority of my time. I am sure some of you know where I am coming from so will understand why I feel the need to my re-assessing!!

My weight is also affecting me so I really should be losing more of it, but I have found that the last few weeks with Christmas it has nearly creapt back up to what I was when I starting losing with Slimming World. So starting next week I'm going back to Slimming World again. I really really really need to keep going this time as I am concerned it could lead to a very serious illness. I lost my Dad to heart problems and I really don't want to follow in his footsteps!!!

Well what does this all mean, I will cut down on my jewellery making, just do my beadmaking when I want to NOT when I have to and get some WEIGHT OFF!!!!!

PLANS

I have lots of things planned to do over the next few months, decorating some of the house which is way, way overdue! Lots of tidying, my workshop is in a terrible mess I can hardly get in through the door. The house needs doing too, especially the living room.

I have also got some tutoring to plan for with workshops and may be if possible a weekly evening class if I can get a college interested! Thats smouldering at present!!! Ha ha!!

Oh and then there is always my Birthday coming up very soon too!

This also means its my Website 2nd Anniversary. Usually this month is when the One World One Heart Blog Giveaway Event starts, so I will need to sort out a giveaway prize for that very soon.

So still busy ~~ just different priorities!

Right, now that's all off my chest its now down to things I want to do here on my Blog!

More tutorials for you ~ along with more of my Design Tips and so you may notice at the top of my blog underneath my banner you will find a new label for Tutorials, on this page you will find links to all of my tutorials to date, all in one place so you can navigate to the post without having to search my blog for them.

Also I would like to interview some fellow artists whether it be lampworkers, jewellery makers or any crafter/maker that inspires me with their work. Giving them a little 'plug' for their shop/website and giving you an insight into their world!!

More on this very soon.

Now its time for bed as I am not suppose to be up this late!!!

Nighty night!!

Must try harder -- Its nearly Christmas you know!!!!

2010-12-14T19:18:00.001Z

Oh yes I really must try harder!!!!

I've had such a busy year that I am rather 'pooped' out now and I just havent been able to get back into the swing of things since my party!! My one and only show/fair this time of year was a disaster and I just havent wanted to make much at all since then either. I am getting there though and the thought of christmas nearly here and not much done, arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!

I have been making a few things and wanted to show you what I did do for my show and some little Christmassy items too.

Christmas Angel

Can be used as a pendant or a tree ornament

Rockin' Robin

Look Trudi, here is my attempt at your tutorial!!

My daughter has knicked him now!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Beads

these can be made up into pendants or for a tree ornament

Below are all 'Beadable' items with my beads as handle decoration.

Letter Openers

Bottle Openers

Earthly Pen

Bottle Stoppers

I've just made these pendants as gifts on to a cord necklace but the two on the right aren't spoken for as yet, except that the amber/topaz (leopard sockys) beads pendant ~~~ is calling me!!!! Just need to add a chain, cord or ribbon to finish!

I will be adding my pendant making service to my website tonight, so you can choose the beads and I do the rest!!

Right better be off, christmas cards to write you know!!!!

Toodle-ooooo

♥

PC OK

2010-11-12T01:46:00.000Z

Hooray!! PC is back and everything is A OK!!! Thank goodness for that, I was dreading the fact it was possible they would have to wipe everything clean. No worries, it didnt have a virus but they gave it a bit of a clean up for me and I am so very happy to say, all is fine!!

I am also feeling much better after my illness following my party, it has taken a long while to get over but I think I am nearly there! I am now very behind for my show at the end of the month as I havent made any beads for nearly a month. I have, however been playing with some wire and been making a few jewellery items and I am also working on a bangle for my Chatelle Bead Range, I will let you know a bit more when I am much more happier with it! Still needs a bit more tweaking here and there as I would like it ready for my show too!

Aegean Seas Heart

I am hoping to also work out how to do a neckpiece so you can add them to make a necklace, especially for my Chatelle heart beads like the one above. They do look good on the bracelets too, I make them so you can see the same decoration on both sides of the bead.

Here is my show details on the 28th November:

MaKe Craft Fair
Madcap Theatre
Creed St.
Wolverton
Milton Keynes

10 - 4pm

All handmade goods of local crafter workers, beadwork taster sessions and other little workshops & make and take sessions are happening too. I believe there will be a little music playing through part of the day! I did the show back in May so this is my first Christmas fair with them. I enjoyed it and hope I can do well!

Right off to bed now as I have another busy/late night ahead of me, I am going to a Ladies Night down at the local Club. Yay!!!!

Catch up again soon!!

♥

Entwined Fantasy Arm Cuff

2010-11-05T00:36:00.000Z

Party is over, been ill, on the mend but don't have very much to show you at present, so I thought you might like to see my competition piece for the Beads & Beyond magazines' Jewellery Maker of the Year. I didnt get anywhere so I am able to show it, as there is still voting going on for the readers.

I entered it into the wirework category ~ copper wire with my beads Multimix ~ made using some of the new Dark Multi glass from (now is it Richenbach or Effetre) ~~ I cant remember now which it is!! Lovely mixed colours of green, purple and a few other little colours popped in for good measure!! Ha ha!!

Its a wonderful glass as it does it all on its own, fantastic, makes life fun, easy and still looks superb!!

Here is me modelling it as well!!

Hopefully I can get my necklace ~ I made for my party ~ photographed, in between taking my poorly PC in for a little makeover/overhaul tomorrow! It could have a bit of nasty and needs to go into hospital for a bit of a check-up!! I dont have another PC so I will be off-line for a few days (fingers-crossed) unless I ask Mummy if I could have a little borrow of hers!! I need to show her a few things so I could sneek in and check on my emails etc. while I'm at it!!! Tee hee!!! ♥ I'm sure she wont mind!!!

Right off to bed now, as I was up very late last night downloading to discs all my photos and files for storage. I hope we wont have to lose everything to clear out the system. Eeekkk!!! 80((

♥♥♥

25 YEARS

2010-10-20T23:03:00.000+01:00

I cant believe it, I have finally reached 25 years living with my old bloke!!! Yes, yesterday was our 25th Silver Wedding Anniversary and friday is a big celebration, friends and family coming from all over the country to join us for the night!!!

I cant wait, I am looking forward to it and at present still pulling my hair out trying to get everything done! I still have my jewellery to make up, I made the beads for it on Sunday and I'm pleased with them, will show you when its done!!!

So lots of balloon blowing up, decorations to put up and I still need to finish my cake topper!!

25 Years

lets hope we have another 25 years ahead of us!!!

Not so sure about that one!! Ha ha!!!

Show you some piccies in a few days.

Here are some latest beads and jewellery for you for now!!

Coppered Tea Brangle

Lovely copper and my beads in my 'Goddess' design with chain and bead dangles around the back!

Ghosties

Some Ghostie Ghouls these have all got names along with the others already on my website:

Cry-Baby ~ Sulky ~ Spooked ~ Hypnotised

And some new Lost Souls Skulls too

Mr Pumpkinhead on the right!

I think the green one definitely needs dark eyes to show up!

Heres the backs

They still need a bit more tweaking I think but they are coming along! I need to perfect them more but I like using the bright colours and adding the pretty flowers etc.

The idea comes from the Mexican religious holiday El Dia de los Muertos which is also known as 'All Souls Day' the festival is held on 2nd November and the spirit of the festival is to honour the dead not to be sad but to celebrate and remember with joy all the lost souls!!!

and the tops

And I almost forgot I had a little competition to name my big hole beads (Pandora style) my winner came up with

Chatelle

So from now on thats what they will be called!!

Thank you to Sue Harrison for the great name, I love it!!

She wins this

A beachy themed 'Chatelle' bead as she asked for a turquoise/aqua coloured bead

It is winging its way to her, hopefully she will receive it very soon.

Right toodle oo for now ~~ off to make my jewellery for my party outfit!!

Catch up with you all again soon!

♥

It's over!

2010-09-30T00:42:00.000+01:00

Right got through my GBUK Bead Fair pretty much unscathed!!! The AGM was interesting and I found out quite a bit of things I didnt know, so that was good. Sold a few beadies even so, I had a lovely day meeting up with my fellow lampworkers and hopefully a few new customers may find me along the way!

I was quite happy with my set up but I need to tweak it a little and maybe I need to add a bit of height, of course I took my camera but forgot to get it out and take some piccies!!!!! Typical! Maybe I'll remember next time so I can show you, hubbie made me some new bead stands and they were admired by a few people, so I was pleased about that! Just need more stock to fill them now!!

My next fair will be a Craft Fair on the 28th November in Milton Keynes so thats more local, before then I have a workshop to do, so still ~ All Go!! We are just working out bookings for next year and I think I will be doing Tiara Workshops so that will be fun!!

Here are a some new sets I made for the show and I have been listing them on to my website.

Autumn Sunset

Winter Drifts Heart (BHB)

And now tis the 'spooky' season approaching, so here are a few ghosties for you

Lefty, Karyokey, Goofy, Hari-Kari & Scaredy Cat

I hope to have more halloween beads very soon.....

Off to bed now or I will be falling asleep at the PC ~~ AGAIN!!

Ta ta!!

♥

Girly Pink!!

2010-09-17T00:20:00.000+01:00

Mmmmm, I went to Kempton Park Bead Fair on the 5th Sept. I saw a few beady friends and Tuffnells Glass were there and of course I had to buy some new glass ~ I just had to do it!!

Pink seemed to be the colour of the day. Now last week I had to try it out, it was inevitable, what came out of the kiln??

Unique Dynasty

I was trying out a bit of an 'oriental' look to the beads, adding some intense black which does this ~

back

lovely webbing effect, didnt do much on the front of the bead but has worked lovely on the back! Ita about time I used my Intense Black but with my old HH torch I was worried about using these huge great rods, now with my NEW torch I wanted to finally give it a go! Very glad I did!!!

The lighter shade on Unique Dynasty is a new CIM colour called Unique Plum and the top colour is a Riechenbach glass called Raspberry (something!) My memory is terrible!!!

Now sadly the Raspberry glass 'fried' a little at the top, sometimes this happens when I squash the bead and the mashers get too hot and it sort of sticks to the mashers and creates a mark, very frustrating coz I really like this bead.

So I made a few more 'oriental' like beads

Red Sonia

More intense black on a red bead this time with some pink thrown in too.

Desiree

This pink is called Antique Pink by Effetre, this is lovely too. I had a bit of a focals day, most of these will be going with me to my Bead Fair on the 25th Sept.

A few more:

Galactic Spots

Marbled Cotton

Rebecca BHHB

I love this combination of the Antique Pink with Cottontails Frit from one of my FHFTeam on Etsy member Jolene from Kitzbitz Art Glass. I have etched Rebecca and she is very smooth and tactile, she is a big hole heart bead.

COMPETITION ~

I have a little competition running on my FB Fan page to try and name my big hole beads as I will send the winner a BH bead as a prize! Click on the FB box in my side bar and add your ideas to the post down the page a little way!!

Finally another new glass from CIM Unique Sepia, now Sepia (the original colour) is a pale transparent browny mauve colour but Unique Sepia is a pale transparent bluey/grey/lavender colour.

These lentil beads have some of the Cottontails frit encased and it seems to have changed the colour again very 'Unique' also I found this glass seemed to bubble profusely, but I actually quite like it. Makes life interesting, bit of fun while you work!! This set isn't named btw coz I can't think of one!!! Hope one will come up soon.

Right I'm off to bed now, Early for me!!

Catch up with you all soon

♥

I've had my kiln on

2010-09-07T01:57:00.000+01:00

Finally making beads again, need to make lots and lots for my up and coming BEAD FAIR! My very first actual bead fair that is!! ARRRGGHHH! Scary!!

Its the GBUK Bead Fair so lots of other lampworkers will be there too selling, we have our AGM in the morning and the fair from 1pm. Its on the 25th Sept. so not long now!!!!!!!!!

Heres a few I made recently

Crazed Ethereal

My first successful bicone and I got Triton to work on my new torch too. Very happy with this one! My beady friend Sue has her eye on this one!!

Tigers Wild

I do enjoy making the tiger beads this is my version, I always find it difficult to let them go!! Cant keep them all though can I, CAN I??

Mermaid Mayhem

New Mayhem beads, these are made using some of the new CIM colours Mermaid and the Great Bluedini (transparent). I haven't used the Camouflage colours in these so I have decided to call them just Mayhem beads ~ not such a mouthful I think!! I have finished the set now it has a larger focal and another bead same size as these 2 to make pairs. Havent taken piccies of those yet, still on the mandrels (cleaning to do tomorrow!)

Cosmic Earth

These I have used silvered ivory shards and lashings of silver foil, I have to confess that the pair of earring beads are not actually the same size one is slightly larger than the other, Ho hum!!

I also wondered if you would like to see my new torch (and me of course) in action. My workshop is a total mess, nothing new there then!!!

I am an ARTISTE you know!! 80))

Bit of a mess

This is me making a bead, Yes I really do, do it!!!!

My new baby!!

Actually she is tilted much more upright now, much better for my arms and neck!

Show you some more new beads soon.

Toodle-oo for now!!

♥

Party's over!!

2010-09-01T15:18:00.000+01:00

Can believe its been this long since I updated. Sorry folks, lots going on!

As I have previously mentioned parties are afoot! Well as the saying goes ~ One down, one to go!!

Yep, hubbie Mick has had his 50th Birthday and we did fit in a few other little things along the way. Like ~ we went to Southend for the day on Thursday, a coach trip and a curry night with friends on the Friday and of course his Beer 'n' Buffet party was on the Saturday 21st August and his birthday itself was on the 22nd August. Phew, it all went well and I thought I would show you a few piccies.

SOUTHEND

Thats me with the longest pier in England in the background

Thats my guys on the beach! The pier is 1 mile long apparently!

Sterling Moss or What!!

The concentration on her face was unbelieveable, she was really going for it!!!

CURRY NIGHT

Micks Curry Night with me trying to get in the picture, very rare!

Ahhh! Lovely, happy, all full up!!!!

BEER 'N' BUFFET PARTY

The Boys!! My bruv (on the right) and nephew (on the left)

I bet they are talking ~ CARS or not!!!

WE 3!! HE'S HAPPY HE HAS A BEER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICK!! YEAH!!

Beads next time!

Toodle-oo!!

♥

What do you think??

2010-08-16T03:12:00.001+01:00

I was wondering did you notice anything?

Anything a little different!

80))

Been making a few changes I hope you like my new look!

All thanks to my friend Sharon of Plumrose Lane, she is always very helpful and listens to my demands and puts them into practice for me. She is such a special person and I want to send her a BIG

THANK YOU! ♥

I love my new

***~~~***STARDUST***~~~***

blog!

She has many background themes on her blog which are free and also the tags to go with them, I purchased the blog banner from her Etsy shop which she then customises for you. She even has tutorials on her blog on how to apply the backgrounds, etc. too. I just need to work out how to add the tags to my blog and make them all clickable links. So much still to learn!!

It has taken me a long few months making decisions and finally I am starting to see them come to fruition! I do still have more to achieve and I will let you know of them as I go along but for now there is one other thing to mention:

Its GIVEAWAY time once again on my website here and you need to visit to enter.

It marks my 3000 visitors!! Wow I cant believe how many lovely people have passed through by humble domain, I do hope it has been an enjoyable visit!

Right now thats done!!

Off to bed with me.

Nitey Nite, sleep tight and dont let the ~~bead~~ bed bugs bite!!!

Toodle-ooooooo!!

♥

New Design ~ Bangle/Bracelet

2010-08-07T02:25:00.001+01:00

I so love using chain in my work so I have had my chain box out and been dabbling and playing around with it.

A couple of weeks ago I come up with a new design idea for a bracelet/bangle and wanted to make more in a similar style. I do like to make One of a Kind pieces but the design style can be very much the same, using different beads makes each piece unique in itself.

This is it ~~ Chained Goddess Bracelet

Azure

It is a mixture of my Goddess bangle with chains and dangles, the beads are on a wire base with wild wrapping just like my goddess design then chains are draped around the back with bead dangles and a toggle clasp for the closure. Azure has a large square focal bead with silver encased with in it, (not my beads) and silver plate wire and chains. This is now on my website here I will be making more which will include my beads too.

Out of Africa was my first which I showed recently

it was made using copper wire and chains and lampwork beads by my friend Sam of Aurorabeadz.

The chains dangle around the back of the wrist for added interest! I love it!

♥

On the Way! Yep!

2010-07-28T03:52:00.001+01:00

Well I can't believe that we have nearly had a week off school already. Been doing lots of things already but mainly check ups ~ doctors, hospital and a few more to do like opticians and the dreaded dentist!!! All ok so far, I'm glad to say!!

Bought and put up Billie's new bedroom curtains today, they were a nightmare but we got there in the end! Did have a bit of a moan about the state of her room! TEENAGERS!! HUH!

We still need to look for bedroom furniture and try and decide on what she wants, the skirting boards still need painting and the border needs to go up! So thats one list getting nice and long but at least I've ticked a few things off already!! Then there's the bathroom but thats another story!!!!

Sunday I got to my torch and YES I actually made some beads and I've now finished a couple of new sets, here is a new heart which I have used a beachy theme.

Seashore Heart

And this is the back

I've been designing invitations, as I have mentioned previously l have lots of family celebrations this year to organise and the invites are for the parties. Mick's 50th is looming fast it will be next month and some of those invites have been handed out already. I have just gotten the card for my anniversary invites now so I will be printing them this week then finally get them off in the post, I will be able to send them off together (save on some postage). Hee hee! Still need to check out some accommodation as my dad and Micks dad came from 'Up North' so if relatives come to the anniversary 'do' they will need over night stay! Luckily there is a hotel across the road so thats handy but I dont have a clue what its like inside, another thing on my ever growing list of things to do!!

I've been finishing off some jewellery ~~ UFO's as they are known (Un finished Objects) I will take some piccies and show them as well. The weather has been so dull, not good for picture taking at all!!

Howlite Orbital Necklace

My favourite stone I love both the white natural form and the dyed turquoise coloured too.

And lastly thought I would let you know how the weight loss is going. Well last week I lost another 4lbs and got Slimmer of the Week again 80))

and the total to date is ~ drum roll .................

1st 5lbs (19lbs) altogether

if I lose 2lbs this week that will be my 1½st sticker ~~ YAY!! I am so pleased with myself so far!!

I have gone a bit mad this week but I hope I dont go backwards or I will be very mad with myself! We'll see next weigh-in is tonight.

Not good I put on 1½lbs ~~ knew it would be bad!!!

Ta Ta for now!!

♥

Something for ME!!

2010-07-19T15:19:00.001+01:00

Well I can't believe that is been over a week since I posted and there is so much going on, what with the end of school nearing and all the usual end of year events etc. Billie my daughter will be leaving her current Middle school and moving up to Upper school.

She had her Leavers Ball on Friday and I'm afraid it was very traumatic, she was adamant she wouldn't go because there was NO WAY she was wearing a DRESS!!!! Thank God some of her teachers talked her into going and they didnt see why she had to wear a dress, just go 'smart' they said!!! So after school on Friday we zoomed off shopping to get her a top to wear with her black leggings, booked my friends daughter to come do her hair for her and we picked up some jewellery in Matalan (Yes thats right, I DIDN'T make it, it was a metal ring and a bracelet/bangle) but I had put together her necklaces for her though, just chains, one like the metal chains below! She was very glad she went, really enjoyed herself, I was very relieved!!

Here are a few piccies for you now!

My 'baby' is the one on the right with her two friends Nicky and Khadeeja ~ cant believe she is 13!

Streetfield Middle School Year 8 2010

I have been doing a little making of jewellery for myself! And I was also back at the torch on Saturday so I hope to have some beads to show you soon. I think I lost my confidence a bit with my new torch its like learning to tie your shoe laces, you know what to do but just can't quite get it right!!!

So the jewellery

Rose Tangerine

This is one of my friend Sam's beads (Aurorabeadz) I picked it up at the Big Bead Show last year and just did a twirly rose shape to give it a little something!!

Out of Africa

This bracelet I love, the beads again are Sam's on copper wire with copper chains and toggle clasp, lots of dangly chain which is fab!!!

Raspberry Raisin

More chunky ceramic beads on silver plate wire and a nice chunky chain and toggle to finish.

Hoopy Loopy

This is the chain I mentioned above, I love the big hoops on this chain, the bracelet are three chains linked together, the necklace are 3 individual chains which I wear altogether, they seem very popular this year ~ big, bold, chains and beads too. Just my style, I love it.

Right must dash off to shop for food, which is all I seem to do, fruit, fruit and more fruit.

Ta Ta for now!!

♥

Just a mini post!

2010-07-09T01:03:00.000+01:00

I am enjoying making again, this time for me will get some piccies done during the day and post them on later! I have been making some new bracelets with lots of chain! Hope you will like them too!

I havent had a good week for my weightloss, quite the opposite I have put on 1½lbs this week! BAD GIRL Elaine!! So I stayed to group meeting and it has given me a boost and I am motivated again. Mum is going to help me with making me some cakes and desserts from my S/W magazines and books. I just love Desserts! CHEESECAKE mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!
Got a new book on order for currys! Getting some recipes ready for the winter but still need help during the summer too, my biggest problem is I hate a lot of veg and salad stuff so I can run out of things I can eat. So I want to boost it by eating a dessert, that way I wont get so fed up, well thats the plan anyway!!!

I have being doing a little pracising with my new torch but not quite ready to go made yet, things keep cropping up and distracting me I'm sorry to say!!

Now off to bead .....no sorry bed!! Catch you in the morning!!! 80))

TORCH WONDERFUL TORCH

2010-07-03T03:09:00.000+01:00

Yes, its here, its working and now I need to practice!!

My new Cricket has been set up and attached to its new Oxycon and has been fired up for the first time on Tuesday!

I just can't believe I have it up and running! I feel quite nervous to use it as it can be a little tempermental to fire up but I am sure I will get the hang of it!!!

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!! The three P's!!

Yep! Thats what I need!!

Mandrels have been dipped and are ready to go, its time for me to go and play............

I will try and get some piccies done during the day to show you my new toy!

I am chuffed to bits as it has taken be over 2 years to get all my kit! I am one 'happy bunny'!!

I hope to show you the 'fruits of my labour' very soon but in the meantime here are a few I made on my old hot head torch!!

Dancing Dizzy

Dizzy Blue

Faerie Spells Heart

Fearie Spells is my own unique design bridal tiara and this heart reminded me of this tiara so these beads will be named after this tiara from now on!

So I will be back later on with more piccies.

Seesya all later!

How does your Garden Grow?

2010-06-23T02:36:00.001+01:00

Mine is in full bloom, well nearly!! My daughter Billie has decide she wanted to take some pictures of some of the lovely blooms we have so I thought it might be nice to show you the fruits of her labour!!

Foxgloves

Yes, they are beautiful and this is my favourite shot, what a great close up!! She was amazed at my delight and I have to say this is one of my favourite types of flower. I love very tall flowers with masses of blooms like these foxgloves including delphiniums, lupins and hollyhocks too.

Here is another favourite

Peony

Yes another beauty, pink again but this time a very dark pink, this oriental rose doesn't have many blooms but they are simply stunning when they are out! My pale pink ones have just bloomed the last couple of days as well.

A few strawberries but not just any strawberries these are wild strawberries, they are very tiny and very sweet, simply devine. These are no longer with us they are within us! Ha ha!!

This is an Iris that resides in our pond

and a bud too!!

And how about some clematis

Aren't the centres gorgeous, I love the white one I bet my blog friend Stephanie could make a lovely painting of this one!! Well Stephanie let me know if you would love to use it and I will request permission from the owner!! Hee hee!!

Billie has made a smashing job of all of these and I would just love to add

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING

She will be a big 13 on Thursday (24th), I just can't believe she will be a Teenager!!

♥♥♥

So they begin the start of my big events for this year!!

The next one will be my hubbies birthday in August the big 50 for him!!!

Then Billie will start her new school in September, going up to Upper School (High School).

And finally in October is the main event of the Year ~~ my 25th Wedding Anniversary!!!

Yep, lots to do and think about, I need to get on with sorting out invites, for both Mick's birthday and the Wedding Anniversary Parties. Uniform to buy for Billie and of course I have still to buy her birthday present!

So as you can see much to do, so little time, they seem to be creeping up ~~ fast!!!

MUST GET ORGANISED!! HA!!

Now I have a few of my own pictures for you which I took yesterday in the sun!!

The end of the a clematis flower

Peach Rose

My Oriental Poppy is giving me lots of flowers this year

And last but not least my pale pink Peony

There you go, thats how my garden grows!!

Ta ta for now!!!

DESIGN TIPS ~~ PART 2 INTERPRETATION

2010-06-09T01:50:00.002+01:00

In this second part of my Design Tips I will cover Interpretation and how to use your ideas within a design.

When you get ideas for designs I find it best to keep them together for ease of access to the information you need. I have found a ‘Diary’ to be valuable for writing down ideas for colour combinations, designs and even how I could execute designs onto a bead. It is simply a notebook or sketchbook where all your ideas go when you have that ‘light bulb’ moment!

They can strike at the most inconvenient time when you’re going to bed, on the loo (hee hee!) and of course when you are out of the house ~ at the office, in the park with the kids, now I was going to say ‘up a mountain’ but that is much more difficult to get onto paper and you could just plain lose that one I’m afraid, especially if you are hanging from a rope!!!!

But, then again, you may remember it when you come down off the mountain or you could, of course, have seen something which you may be able to take a picture of to remind you again later!

A camera is another invaluable tool of a designers’ trade!! Oh Yes! We don’t just need it for taking pictures of our work, that’s for sure! So remember not to have a Diary that is difficult to carry around with you, an A5 or even A6 would be very adequate. I have to say I have a number of different types of Diary of varying sizes and some are notebooks and others are sketchbooks depending on what I need it for.

Now you are getting a very definite picture of my dreadfully messy house!!! Books, beads, magazines, beads, jewellery, oh and beads everywhere, so you can imagine what my family are always moaning and groaning about!!!!

Now then back to jewellery oh and beads of course!!

When I want to make something for myself, for instance, I would start by deciding what colours I need for a particular outfit, which hasn’t got any jewellery to compliment it. I need to determine what style I want it to be in ie. long, short, pendant, chain linked, simply strung, etc. I then need to decide on the right amount of beads I will need to produce it, along with the colour combinations including metals especially if I want chain included in the design and what would best suit the colours I have chosen as well as the shapes and sizes of the beads, what they are made from and then how they will be laid out!

Yay, we are DESIGNING now!!!

As I make my own beads, I can produce exactly what I need for my item of jewellery but I know everyone isn’t able to do this but it is then a matter of finding what beads you want to produce your piece of jewellery and purchase them from either a supplier or even a lampworker (like myself) whose style of beads you love and maybe even commission a set in your required colours.

I recently made in my ‘Camouflage Mayhem’ range of beads, an orange and brown set which were called ‘Tortoiseshell Flies’ maybe a bit of an odd name for a set of beads, I hear you say!! Well maybe you are, maybe you aren’t but I will explain a little of why I gave this range such an unusual title!

My Camouflage Mayhem range came about when I was trying out a new glass from CIM (Creation is Messy) ~ what a great name for a glass range/company, eh!! and it is one of my favourite glasses to use. It was a green glass named ‘Commando’, dark green resembling an army camouflage colour. Well this colour has some qualities that can come with some greens in the many glass ranges, it can be reactive with certain colour combinations, ~~ ivory being a great example. So I did, I used ivory with the Commando and ‘Hey Presto’ I ended up with a dark webbed ring around the dots I placed with the ivory, onto the green. I then stacked more irregular dots and some of them reminded me of the actual uniforms that the military wear ~~ hence my new range was born!!!

I started to jot down other ideas in my Diary of colours that I could use to replicate different camouflage colours. Then a ‘light bulb’ moment struck me, Animals! I could use their colours to inspire me in this range, as they use Camouflage to disguise themselves in the wild, birds, insects even marine life were all possible inspiration and open to interpretation in many different ways.

Now, has anyone worked out where the ‘Tortoiseshell’ comes from for my Tortoiseshell Flies set.

I will tell you and put you out of your misery ~ Ha ha!!

BUTTERFLIES!!

The Giant Tortoiseshell Butterfly to be precise. On visiting my local Whipsnade Zoo, where I had taken along my camera (don’t leave home without it!!) they have set up a new butterfly and insect garden and as I wandered around I captured this and other beautiful butterflies feeding on the flowers!

Tortoiseshell Flies

On my return I got out a book from my extensive “library” [oh yes I am completely mad!] called The British Country Companion which had many species of butterflies, insects, birds, etc.

Now, I have many ideas for colours for my Camouflage Mayhem range, along with other animal pictures I had taken at the zoo, what better way to interpret an idea than using wildlife or even nature to help guide you to endless possible design ideas.

Cheetah

Zebra

Red Panda

Here are some other colours I have used for the range and I will name them and leave the rest up to you to decide where they have come from!!

Funky Uniform

Blue Tweet Tweet

Pink Leopard

My Glass Diary is filling slowly with other ideas I have come up with along the way.

Ducky Dots

Socky Dots

I have used in both beads the colour of the combinations of the dots and now this can spark off other ideas of colours, shapes and generally all shapes that inspire you and interpret them anyway you want too.

I now want to show you a few things to get you started, to help you with your own ideas!

Nature, Marine & Animal pictures

Beautiful Colours, shapes and patterns

Sweets and Desserts ~~ Knickerbocker Glory

Banoffee Pie

Raspberry Ripple Cheesecake

I hope this has helped a little with your interpretation of animals, things in nature and even the unusual!

Next Time I will cover:

Design Sources ~ what and where to find ideas and how to interpret them.

Been naughty!!

2010-06-01T00:30:00.001+01:00

Yes, I have been doing well so far on my slimming world plan! After doing well at a BBQ for my friend Susie's birthday where I took things I could eat with me and did ok but during Monday I've been naughty!!

I had the munchies! I think its more to do with the time of the month as I often have an odd day when I just don't want to do anything at all and end up getting bored so that leads to eating!!! Same old story really!!! I wont give up its just one BAD day,I will get back to it, I'm sure there could be more ahead, just taking one day at a time! I ended the day with eating a Melon which is a really good (Free Food) fat burner! Hoping it will help!!!

Next weigh-in will be Wednesday evening, I will let you know how I do!!

Thought I would show you a couple of beadies, I made these last week

Trailing Ivories

Some of these have already gone to new homes!

Tea Thyme

New glass from Effetre - the base is a new cool colour called Green Tea, needs a couple more to finish the set!

Seascape

I made this pendant for a swap for one of my team's birthday, it is rather late but I did finally get it off to her!!

Right off now to check out other places I frequent, I've been naughty not visiting them too!!

Toodle-ooo

♥

Slimming World -- Syns!!

2010-05-25T03:28:00.002+01:00

Well where did that week go!!

It has been a bit of a strange week this week, didn't seem to achieve anything much really and it was mainly due to me starting Slimming World and getting my head around what food is Syn'ed and what is not!!

Now if you are in the UK you will probably have heard of Slimming World but for those of you that come from across the sea, it is a healthy eating plan where you go to group meetings each week for a weigh in and get your books and have group discussions to help with your weight loss!

Yes dieting is back on the agenda for me!! I really need to lose weight for health reasons and because I am now the heaviest I have ever been in my life and I really want to get some of it off. I cant see me losing all my weight but I want to give it a go and see what I can do.

My initial goal is 2-2½ stone. There is more I need to lose but I dont want to give myself to steep a task and not be able to achieve anywhere near it!

Now what the heck are 'Syns' I here you ask, well I will tell you! Syns are exactly that, they are the naughty things that you have to count up each day. I can have a total of 15syns a day but Free food which include fruit, veg, meat (no skin or fat) along with a other things too. So the syns are given in your books you get from the meetings, the idea is to not starve yourself and seem hungry all the time, with Free food you can eat as much of it as you like but the naughty syns are counted. We get a Healthy A and B option which we have to have everyday ~ A option is your daily Calcuim allowance and B is your daily Fibre allowance.

I am coping ok at the moment, still early days yet! I did have a bit of a naughty day on Saturday but my friend Eve had a BBQ (she is also doing Slimming World as well) I wasnt too bad until I blew it on eating a white roll with my s/w beefburger. Oh the beefburger was syn free we have a local butcher that prepares them for s/w members, the roll was 14½ syns just on its own! Damn, damn!!!

I have couple of recipe books from the last time I went to s/w, one being Desserts! I love, love love desserts so I have been scouring the books for recipes I can use. I have one for a cheesecake the leader of our group gave us and it is absolutely gorgeous, I made Raspberry flavour yesterday it is so so nice! Btw its all gone now so cant photograph it, it is so easy to make and sets really quickly too. When I do the next one I will take some piccies for you. The only syns in it is mainly the biscuit crumb for the base and a little from the suger free jelly.

So as you can see I have been fairly busy getting my head around s/w and syns! I havent been making a lot lately and this is one reason but also I just cant get into it at all, I thought my mojo was back but now not so sure.

I really hope to get beads made soon.

Here are my pics of some of my pendants I have made myself.

Finally got this finished, I had done the coiling by hand a little while ago and I made the heart last year when I was still practising my skills, I may still add some beads into the chain as it is a little bit short for me, something nice and sparkly I think!!! mmmm

Caged Regal Roses

My beads on this one except the swarovs of course, I love the graduated appearance of the beads, largest at the top of course, Ha ha!!

I am starting to nod now so best be off to bed!!!!

TA TA FOR NOW

Wednesday Night Weigh-in I lost 6lbs, Yay!!!!

Jewellery Making Techniques ~ Part 2 Jump Rings

2010-05-16T00:13:00.000+01:00

I didn't realise it had been this long since I did Part 1, so here is Part 2 ~~

Opening and Closing Jump Rings

It is a little tutorial but I hope it is of help to anyone who has problems making the jump rings close up properly after opening!

1. Grasp the jump ring with 2 pairs of pliers, either side of the opening.

2. Push the pliers in opposite directions from each other to open the ring, in a twisting motion.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT PULL THE RING APART.

Doing this will weaken the wire at the bottom where it forms a bend and we want it to close snugly again and this will prevent it from doing so!

NB: Only open enough to allow the wire(s) to pass through.

3. Close the jump ring in the same way but in the other direction to the opening.

Tip: When the ring is closed up sometimes the ends don’t meet up, so just give a small ‘wiggle’ while pushing together at the same time, this will close up the small gap.

NB: Sometimes you may need to straighten up the ring as it can look slightly bent or twisted when closed up again, flat nosed pliers can help with the straightening or if you realign both ends in the opposite direction then this will also take out the bend!! It happens when you realign the ends in the same direction as you opened the ring!

There we go that was simple wasn't it?

I am currently working on the next Design Tips and it will be on INTERPRETATION.

It is nearly ready hopefully by next week I will be able to post it, be warned its a long one!!!!!

Basic Jewellery Making Techniques ~~ Part 1 - The Turned Loop

2010-05-06T18:05:00.001+01:00

Here is the first of my Basic Techniques Tutorials ~~

Turning a loop

1. On a headpin place beads on in your desired pattern/design.

2. Trim headpin down to 1cm (¼") above the last bead

3. Take the round nosed pliers grasp the end of the headpin between the blades at the very tip

Tip: Ensure the tip of the pin does not protrude above the blades of the pliers.

NB: You should not be able to feel the pin if you run your finger across the top of the blades..

4. Turn the pin around the blade to form the loop, until you can’t go any further

Tip: Use your other thumb to help guide the wire around the blade

NB: I find it easier to turn the pliers away from you, you can twist your wrist further that way!

5. Reposition your blades to continue with the loop until it closes,

this should resemble a ‘p’ or ‘q’ shape

6. To finish the loop, place blade of pliers into the back of the loop

Bend back the wire to centralise the loop above the bead

7. You may need to ‘tweak’ the loop as the bending can cause the loop to open a little, to close it up, just place your blades into the front of the loop again and just pull around to remove the gap, making sure you have fully inserted the blade into the loop, otherwise the loop can distort.

Tip: You could also use flat nosed pliers and very gently squeeze the loop shut

A Turned Loop

~~~~~~~~~~~

An Alternative Method of A Turned Loop

1. Place beads onto a headpin; bend the pin at 90° angle just above the beads

2. Trim headpin to 1cm (¼"). Grasp pin with round nosed pliers at the very tip

3. Bend the pin around the blade to form the loop in the opposite direction to the bend, making sure that the pin end is straight with the bend

Tip: Use your other thumb to help guide the wire round the blade as before.

NB: If the end of wire sits too high above the bead, then you can trim the wire and carry the loop round to close it once again, this shortens the wire so bringing it down lower, nearer to the bead.

This technique is one of 'the' most used in jewellery making ~~ for earrings, linked necklaces or bracelets and for bead charm dangles. So you will be able to use it for many different items of jewellery.

Earrings - Loops and charm dangles connected by jump rings

Bracelet - Linked by twisted jump rings

Necklace Set - Beads linked together then connected to chain.

In these examples there are a number of jump rings which I have used to connect loops together, so coming in Part 2 my next tutorial will be on How To Open and Close Jump Rings correctly.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me!

Lost my Mojo ~~ Has anyone seen it??

2010-05-04T00:53:00.001+01:00

Yes I think my Mojo has gone walkabout!! I have been making bits and pieces but I just cant seem to get into much at all.

I have been pretty busy with lots of different things since Christmas and I think the January 'lack lustre' time has now hit me!!

I have been making some decisions about my jewellery and beadmaking and I thought I would share them with you.

Jewellery sales generally haven't been very good lately and I think most of that is down to the economic climate, also we have our General Election here in the UK and I reckon this has been a deciding factor too. People are waiting to see who comes into power as it could make a massive difference to our financial standing. Believe me I just dont get politics much at all but if it makes a difference to what happens with the money we earn then you just have to take notice, dont you??

So some of my decisions have come about by the lack of spending generally and also I want to change course a little by really starting to make a go of my beadmaking. (Even though my mojo has gone for a wander around on its own!!!) I will be making some little changes to my website but as you are probably aware I cant change the name of my web address!!

So ChatElaine Jewellery is here to stay and I will have to make the best of that!! I have to say I do wish now I had chosen ChatElaine Designs when I choose my domain name but I cant alter it now unless I start all over again with a whole new site and I dont want to do that at this time especially as I only set it up last year!!

Beadmaking is obviously largely connected to jewellery and of course I won't be giving it up altogether, I now just want to make jewellery with my beads so I can mainly dedicate myself to beadmaking most of the time and just dabble with jewellery making for commissions, gifts and for myself, of course!!!

Mothers Day Necklace (for my MUM!)

I have mentioned a few times that I have some major personal events coming up this year as well as a few others along the way and I have NO JEWELLERY OF MY OWN to wear for these, shame on me!!!!!

SO I MUST CHANGE THAT!

I have been taking my pre-made jewellery apart and re-designing some of it for me or simply just dismantling it. I do sell some of my own bead stash to my bead group Busy Buzzy Beaders and they will probably end up in my sales boxes. I also sell findings and spacer beads to them too, along with my own beads.

Part of my other plan is to do more jewellery making workshops and tuition. I really enjoy teaching and I have other workshops coming up a bit later on in the year. My March workshop was a great success and next on the agenda is wirework and wire coiling, that is due in September. I have a new venue I am trying which is a shop over near Kempston in Bedford called Tudor Rose Patchwork. They hold various different types of workshops from patchwork/quilting, beadwork, bag making, knitting and now they want to try jewellery making too. So my first workshop is booked for 4th June which is a friday during the half term week and it is designed for the beginner, please get in touch or contact the shop if you know anyone interested in that area who wants to come along and learn jewellery making, other workshops are also planned later on too.

Charm Jewellery

Stringing & Crimping

I also do one-to-one tuition too which I want to see if I can get more clients for that, along with jewellery making parties for birthdays or special occasions which could include 'Hen' parties for brides and her immediate wedding party (bridesmaids for instance!) to maybe make their own tiaras, hairbands and/or jewellery for the big day. These are already set up on my website with prices included.

Faerie Spells Tiara

I think I need to go find my MOJO and get beadmaking again and also get some jewellery made for me especially as I have a Christening to go to next sunday and I havent got anything to wear!!!!

Oh and I was intending to make more sterling silver and copper jewellery, I do like doing some forging so I am going to try and make a christening gift for the baby for sunday.

Best be off then and get cracking on that!!!!

Oh heres some beadie goodies for you, before I go ~~

Spring Pastels

Oriental Blossom

I've been practising my cherry blossom and flowers along with stringer work as well.

I'll be off now Ta Ta!!

♥

Wirework Tutorial -- How to make your own Earwires

2010-05-01T23:14:00.004+01:00

Well I did promise a while ago some wirework tutorials and here is the first of them ~

How to make your own Earwires

This happens to coincide with the Inspiration Avenue Blog Party where you could find many other different types of tutorial. Click here to go check them out!!

(In this tutorial I assume you know how to turn a loop in wire!)

So here we go then ~~~

Equipment and Materials you will need:

Half Hard Sterling Silver Wire 0.8mm
Wire Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Ruler
Mandrel - I have used a piece of steel piping, sometimes I use a jumbo pencil or you can use a pen barrel (make sure it is completely round - no flat edges to it)
Silver cleaning cloth

You also need for forging the wire:

Hammer ~ a Chasing hammer is preferable but a ball pein hammer will surfice (make sure it has a nice smooth head any dents etc. will mark the wire)
Anvil or steel block
Needle file

1. Take your wire and unravel enough to use approx 8" then to stretch/straighten the wire, run it through your thumb and forefinger and few times (this also helps to harden the wire!)

NB: You don't need to straighten the wire completely this just helps with measuring the amount your require, as the curve already in the wire can be helpful in the process of making the earwires.

Cut 2 x 4" pieces of wire.

2. Now to make a turned loop in each wire, grasp the wire with the round nosed pliers, making sure it is right at the very tip of the wire.

Turn a loop around the blade of the pliers.

NB: If you left the natural curve of the wire make sure you turn the loop in the opposite direction to the curve (see below).

Repeat to make a loop in the other wire.

3. Take the mandrel (piece of pipe) and place the earwire over it, making sure the loop is facing out (perpendicular to the mandrel)

Curve the ear wire around the mandrel, at this point you could do both earwires at the same time, this helps to make them to near 'exactly' the same!

Bend them around the mandrel so the ends nearly touch the loops. They will spring back and open again.

4. Still holding the earwires together, grasp them approx ¼" from the end with your round nose pliers, bend the wires back slightly to give them a straight end.

It is your choice how far you want to bend them.

NB: I usually tweak the earwires a little now so that they both look completely even, until I am happy with them.

5. Trim the ends so they are equal in length, make sure that both the earwires are held in the same position

They should look something like this!!

6. Now the ends need to be filed with the needle file to remove all the rough edges.

First flatten off the end, and then work around the edges, always pulling the file down across the wire with fairly small sweeps.

NB: NEVER file backwards and forwards across the wire ONLY downward sweeps!!

Repeat for the other earwire.

Depending on what, the loop end of the earwire, seems like you may want to file these too. Either before you make the loop or you could twist the loop out slightly so you can get the file in to smooth the ends, don't forget to straighten again afterwards!

7. Now to help strengthen the earwires you need to do a little forging of the front part of the wires. Place the earwire onto the anvil or steel block

With the chasing hammer now lightly hammer only the front part of the earwire, making sure not to hammer the loop,

turn the earwire over and do the same to the other side.

Repeat for the other earwire.

NB: The forging process can distort the earwires sometimes so they will need a little tweaking to help straighten them again.

8. Well all that is needed now is to clean the earwires to give them a lovely shine and remove any dust particles. I generally use a silver cleaning cloth as they are quite small but if you have a tumbler this can help strengthen them or you can use a Dremel like power tool too.

There now your very first pair of earwires!!! All made by your own fair hand!!

Have Fun and Good Luck!

Funky Klimt Necklace

2010-04-21T00:59:00.001+01:00

Like I said in my previous post I ended up making rather a lot of the Tortoiseshell Flies beads, so I decided to make a long necklace with copper chain which I then put into the Auction at the Flame-off last weekend.

Funky Klimt

Oh and a pair of my earwire earrings.

I did enjoy the Flame-off and got to meet up with some of my fellow lampworkers, met a few I hadn't already met and some I already knew!!

My best moment was when I bid on a GTT Cricket Torch in the Charity Auction and

I WON!!!!

I was so chuffed, I couldn't believe my luck, as I got it at a bargain price!!!! Now I can work towards my oxycon to complete my dual fuel kit!!!

HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!!!!

This is what it looks like!!

Isn't it a beaut!!!!!

Ta ta for now!!

Finished It!!

2010-04-14T04:27:00.001+01:00

Yep!!! Finished my commission and off it goes finally!! My lovely customer has been so so patient and now they are on their way to her at last!! So glad I have got them done as it was this commission when my HH torch went all mad and died!!

Tortoiseshell Flies

These focals have caused so much headache, but they dont look to bad now!! With these and the other 2 sets of Ocean Deep it has been my biggest order to date!! I am steadily getting better at sets and have worked out a good way of doing them so I dont get so bored! I mix up doing 2 or 3 different sets at the same time, so I can switch around between them. It can take longer to make them but I feel better and dont get so bored with them then!!

I havent taken a picture of ALL the others I made that either werent quite right or had slight flaws to them!! Hence the scum or dirt on the orange (Coral) being the main problem. This can be rectified by etching them so when I have done this I will show you the piccies so you can compare the difference!! I think I will be making a nice long necklace with them using copper chain I reckon!! 80)) LOL

I have been making a few beadies and they are cooking in the kiln as I type! See what comes out by the morning!! Hee hee!! Not my competition bead(s) thats for sure, too late for that now I'm afraid!! Never mind, things were against me this time, no doubt about it!!

Toodle-oooo

♥

I am Here!!!!!!!

2010-04-10T01:37:00.000+01:00

Yes I really, really AM!!!

The weeks are going by so fast I don't know whether I'm coming or going!!!

After all the previous post details I still have more to do! I had a Craft fair on Easter Monday, a Bead Commission for one of my Etsy customers and a necklace commission for a client whose birthday is fast approaching and I just can't get the pearls in the right colour to do it!

So the Craft Fair is done and I did manage to get a few new things made for it but not as much as I wanted to, here is a necklace ~~

Wired Ceramic Necklace

I LOVE these new ceramic beads, they have a lovely lustre to them and really shine, I have wired them on to silver-plate wire and then attached to a chain and added my own hook to finish! Excuse the shadows, I took this piccie a bit late in the day!

I also had a very large bead commission to do (well it is for me!!) for one of my Etsy customers, at the same time as everything else. I got it underway, I had 2x 2 sets to do but started having troubles with one of the sets. Tortoiseshell Flies has an orange base colour which is called Coral (Effetre) it can scum or scorce quite easily (especially on my HotHead torch) and I ended up making 6 focals altogether and still not one good one for the order. So I decided to give my HH a little clean and OH NO, whats happened, the torch was leaking gas and I had flames coming out of every where!!!!! HELP!!

Hubster took a look and said I think it has died!!!!! Couldn't see why it was leaking so OMG what to do!!!

In the middle of a commission and no torch, no more beads for my craft fair ~~ AAAARRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!

VERY VERY SAD!!!!! 80((

I had to give up and wait until Tuesday. I then ordered a new torch from Tuffnell Glass which arrived Wednesday, Hubster set it up for me and HOOOOORRRAAAAYYYY!!

I am up and running again!! Yesiree!!!

HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!!!!

So here is the Ocean Deep sets I did finish

Today I got back to the torch and finished the Tortoiseshell Flies sets, well just so long as the little kiln fairies are kind I think they are done!!! Phew!!

So will take some piccies tomorrow before they go off to there new home, along with all the others I made along the way, I think they will be ok I can etch them!!!! Problem solved and I will just make a nice long necklace!

Now I don't have anything booked now for sometime so I do hope to keep up with my blogging!

And as promised I will set up my tutorials for you which will include some wireworking too.

I do have some swaps and challenges and even competitions to enter and of course next weekend is the

FLAME-OFF 2010

Am I excited YES I THINK SO!!!!!!

I will be keeping you informed of my work as I go along and do come back again as I will be HERE!!

Now then I am off to check up on you all and see what you have been up to while I have been away!!!!!

Toodle-oo for now!!

♥

Where the Heck! have I been??

2010-03-25T01:26:00.002Z

Well I'll tell you!! I have had some major projects on last week and I just had to stay away from the computer!! Sorry folks it just had to be done!!

My baby is growing up and isn't a baby anymore. Billie will be 13 in June, Yes a teenager in the house. But being an only child there shouldnt be any reason why she shouldnt be in the large room NOT the small box room, Right!!! WRONG!!!

For the last 12 years she has been in a very 'small' box room, 6ft x 6ft to be precise!! Crammed full of everything we could possibly get in there!! She has gotten much to big for the room and it was about time she was in the bigger room. But that bigger room or 'back room' as it has always been known was crammed full of boxes and junk and all manner of things, some being her old toys and games as well.

Last week on MOTHERS DAY no less she went away with the school to the Welsh mountains, for one of those "Adventure Holidays" canoeing, white water rafting, abseiling, mountain walking, etc. etc.!! So this was it, THE TIME TO SORT OUT THE ROOM AND GET HER IN IT!!!!

SO THATS WHAT I DID!!!!!!

I cleared out her old room, emptied it and then had to move all the back room stuff into it. Chuck all manner of stuff out like all her old games, toys, clothes, etc. and get rid of it!!!

Then paint the room and generally try and tidy it up all in the space of a WEEK!!!

HELL it was but so well worth it!!!

She is so chuffed with it!

Now in the meantime I was also trying to prepare for my Jewellery Making Workshop which was on the Saturday of her return. (20th) Getting kits made up and techniques sheets written and finished.

ALL THIS WITH A NASTY COLD TOO!!

Are the violins playing yet????? Hee hee hee hee !!! ☺

So with the room in such a sorry state my friend and neighbour who is a draper by profession, offered to come and cover over all the nastiness up. Like bare walls with no plaster on and the ceiling which had previously suffered a leak from the tank in the loft.

Would you like to see what it looks like now (I never got round to taking pictures of the 'before' room) but here is the AFTER room!!

Billie in her New Room

Heres better pictures of the ceiling ~~ all done with fabric

TV is now in-situ

Need to get a border or frieze for the top of the walls to cover over the paint edge as she needed to do the ceiling before I had chance to paint the walls.

This wall has no plaster on it

But it now has a window sill that hubbie made the day before the wall was done!

Bed needs painting eventually it will be replaced

Still got lots to do but at least she is in it and sleeping in it and LOVES IT and is already organising her first SLEEPOVER!!! YAY!!

Oh and she can finally get her Sheepskin rug out and on the floor!! Ha ha!

There is a story about that too! My Mum has one in her bedroom and when Billie was little she would disappear to the loo and not come back and eventually we would notice she was missing and we would go look for her and always we found her like this on my Mum's rug. So about 2 years ago she decided to buy one with some birthday money she got and now she finally has it in her own room!!

Kids are funny aren't they??

So well, the rest of the time I was preparing for my workshop and needed to bag kits up and generally sort it out. These are the type of necklaces they made:

Au Naturale Necklace.

This one is mine!! Chunky Ceramic Necklace

And a simple stringing necklace

L:ight Rose coloured pearls

All beads are glass pearls and its made on silver-plate findings.

Thats about it for now, as I am falling asleep at the computer.

Bye for now

E ♥

Inspiration Avenue Charity Auction

2010-03-09T02:07:00.001Z

I would like to inform you of a Charity Auction being held on one of my favourite blogs this week, you can see the logo in my right side bar too.

Inspiration Avenue are an Etsy Street Team and this is the team blog, they are currently holding a Charity Auction in aid of Angel Faces, these are young women who have had facial disfigurement because of fire.

Please read all about it on the Inspiration Avenue Blog here

Here's my favourite and the one I have my bid on http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/2010/03/auction-item-original-acrylic-painting.html

Thank you for looking