Exciting News

Ok, where do I start. I have been offered the chance to have a luxury gift, something I have always wanted but would not ordinarily buy because of all those other practical things in life.

Well, I have made my decision and I have now ordered my own LAMPWORKING kit.

For those of you who don't know, lampworking is a form art using a flame to shape glass. I will be making my own Artisan lampworked beads!!! Ohhhh I am an Artisan!!!!!

I will post pictures and information on my progress for you to share my excitement with me (if you aren't as excited as I am..... you can pretend :) )

Workshops

I have now completed a series of workshops at the neighbourhood centre. Sure it was a paid gig, but it was the most rewarding experience I have had teaching jewellery making so far.

We had a huge group sometimes up to 20 ladies. They were a juggle as they all tended to arrive at different times but we managed. We created a few basic projects and some of them were quick at completing everything and some of them were very hard to encourage. In the end though I hope they all walked out proud of themselves and with some lovely new pieces of jewellery that the made THEMSELVES! I was very proud of them all, I know that much.

It was 3 x 2hr sessions over 3 weeks. Week 1 we made memory wire bracelets and drop earrings. Week 2 we made a strung necklace and tigertail earrings. Week 3 we made a foil bead choker and a book thong ~ and many many simple christmas decorations.

These ladies all inspired me to persue the teaching aspect of my craft and I just hope in a little way that I inspired them all into becoming little beadie monsters muahahahahahaha!!!!

So everyone, I am a tutor for hire :)

A knitted necklace

This necklace was made on a french knitter (a knitting nancy). It looks amazing in the reds. It has gone to a new home today. Enjoy Judy :)

Completed cuff

Well this was a learning experience. Many things I would do slightly differently but I am really pleased with the end result. Here is my bead embroidered cuff bracelet.

Oh and on another note, Rupert's name has now become Boris.

A new addition

I know he isn't jewellery, but he IS very pretty.

Please meet Rupert The Golden Bird. He is quite young and has only just started to twitter, we are waiting for him to start singing for us.
and here we have the cat-proofing solution for a canary cage..... see the little birdie? hmmmm can you see the little Kitty? He is providing Benny and Joon with hours of endless entertainment and frustration.

Display photos

I completely forgot to take a photo once I had set up my display at the Art Fair. I had to take some quick ones during the Gala opening with people glaring at me :D

So here we have my simple display. Gosh, it really doesnt look like many items, there are 70 pieces here though. There was lots of jewellery ~ all a different style to mine though ~ but the ladies displaying other jewellery had mad masses of stock. There were dozens of busts and they all had 3 necklaces displayed on them. They looked fabulous, but was very confusing to the eye as a punter.

Well, fingers are crossed. I go and pick up my unsold stock tomorrow afternoon after my market stall....... lets hope there is nothing to collect :)

AN UPDATE: - well, I sold a grand total of 4 items. I think there is merit in being with your product to sell it successfully. Next time I will spend some time at the stand I think.

A Greek Summer

Well the Bead and Gem show was on in Sydney over the weekend. Now I have to make up a storm to recoup my spending LOL.

This is something I got a little sidetracked into doing. Kaz (kazco on the forum) and I were having a chat and she made me make this bracelet. Well, she planted the seed, my own procrastinating manner took care of the rest! I was supposed to be putting beads away!

These big beads were some metalised plastic ones I got at the B&G. Copper Coated Acrylic Beads (CCB) as otherwise known apparently.

Kaz and I were wondering how long the coating might last. I think they would last ages cause they feel pretty solid. She suggested making a piece of jewellery specifically to see how they would wear. She suggested a bracelet. I said I would whack on a tonne of charms.

So viola! Here we have, the charming let's see how it wears bracelet. Vicki (dragonflycreations) said it reminded her of Greek Islands and a summer holiday.

Getting ready for an Art and Craft Fair

I have been so busy making many many things for an upcoming Art and Craft Show. This is my first one so I have everything crossed that it goes well. Please excuse the slab of pictures. I have been trying to remember to record everything I make as I go. So sit back and enjoy some visual delights for your viewing pleasure.

More Dragonflies

My wonderful friend from school asked me to make a set for a friend of hers. So Dragonflies were the go.

These are made with Serpentine and plated findings - and dragonflies a plenty :)

And some earrings

These are to go with the previously mentioned necklace piece.

Vintage Orient - re-worked boho cameo necklace

A friend of mine (that would be Lyn) asked me to make her a necklace like one she had seen in a catologue. Another friend of mine (That would be Robyn) had made the exact same necklace and didnt actually like it in the end and suggested I could give it to the first friend. I told the first friend I had the necklace but wanted to add some stuff to it. This was WELL over a year ago. Anyway, I am seeing the first friend this afternoon so true to form I have done some last minute making. And a close up of the focal area.

Beaded Cameo

New beaded Cabachon. This one is a Cameo style.

New DQ

It is time for the new DQ entries to be shown. Voting will occur next week.

The title should actually show DQ # 14 not 12.

Dragonfly Pearls

Again this piece started as a bracelet. It just wasnt working very well. So with some fiddling, this is what has become.....

New Term, New Project

So much to do so little time!

I have Community College starting next week (hopefully) so I have been putting together projects and kits for that. It will be a basic course with 7 projects.

I have to decide and create samples for the Craftworks Retreat by Thursday.

I have to organise kits and projects for a workshop at the end of August.

And I have just completed this term's Craftworks project. Robyn so kindly helped put the kits together on this one too. Just in time for Registration on Thursday.

So..... Here we have this terms project. We are creating a beaded cabochon on a spiral rope necklace. The stone is Kiwi Jasper.

It has happened...Hell has frozen over

Either that or my brain took a little sanity break BUT.............. I beaded a cabachon!!

I know I know, don't fall over. Can't say I am addicted like those other wierd seedie women but I did enjoy it and it challenged my perfectionism I can tell you.

Don't hold your breath though... not sure you will see another one too soon. But I can tell you I am likely to do another cab before I get those leaves on my lavender.

Lavender.... with no leaves

This is the lavender we made in class...... not my favourite project, but it turned out well anyway. I havent attached leaves yet. I thought if I waited to do that you would never get to see it :). I doubt you will be seeing a pot full of these babies from me any time soon.

Winter Solstice Bracelet Exchange

The latest exchange on the Forum was a bracelet exchange. The theme was Winter Solstice.


This is the bracelet I created. The ispiration was from these pictures I found of stonehenge in winter solstice.

This is the gorgeous icy bracelet I received from Sarah. Isnt it beautiful! Thanks to Sharyel for organising this exchange.

Chan3l's Wrapped Focal Bangle

Chanel from the Beading Forum is going to have a tutorial in the next Beads Etc magazine for this gorgeous bangle.

I helped her out today by following her tute as she wrote. This is the result. Quite like this one.... cept it is too big for me :(

Thanks for sharing Chanel, It was lots of fun, easy to follow and best of all..... I got to use my drill coily tool :)

Rose bud

Here is my completed piece entirely created and assembled by moi. I am very proud of my rose bud :)

Now we have embarked on lavender..... If I dont tip over the edge threading the beads on, I may even have it finished next craft day.

NEWSFLASH

As of term 3, I will be teaching a beginners beading class for the Nepean Community College at Springwood Highschool!!!!! Stay tuned for class time confirmation but so far I will be teaching on Monday nights.

Designer Quest 13

Eureka! Beads sponsored DQ 13. The packs were outstanding and the challenge for this quest was to use all the components!!!!



The choices were black/silver or red/gold

Here is my entry (which didnt win by the way :) )

I called it the Conquest. I sat down and started, 3 hours later I emerged having used everything besides 1/2 an inch of tiger tail and 6 broken seed beads. What a mammoth effort.

The next DQ is being announced in the next couple of weeks.... looking forward to that.

More Maille and a new camera (YAY)

Finally, we can dispense with the scans, the video camera captures and relying on other peoples photos. There is a new camera in da house! It has an awesome super macro feature too.... just perfect for jewellery. The lady at the shop did look at us strangely when we started testing photos of her computer keyboard keys. Anyway.... enough of that.... I certainly need to learn how to use it to the functions to get optimal visual pleasure but I will just have to play :)

On to the chain maille.

The bracelets in a clockwise direction are:

A parrallel helm weave using plated rings in silver and gold colour. This is beautiful and a bit blingy. It looks quite stunning with the 2 colours.

Floral lampwork beads (chinese mass produced, but pretty all the same) with flower chain links.

Lampwork beads (not sure who made these but they are from an Aussie Artisan) with Czech glass and flower links.... this one hasnt worked so well. The "links" with the beads are too long and sits a bit rigidly. This one needs re-designing.