New Website!

Hey everyone, it's been quiet on the western front while I've been building my very first website! I decided to take the plunge and see how it went - here's the result! Have a click, take a look around, and let me know what you think!

I've got new photos to come as well (the ones featured are a bit all over the place!) so it will hopefully look a bit tidier in the next couple of weeks with the full range of pieces I have made so far.  Following my first sale it's got me really excited to be able to share my jewellery with more people - even if it is still hard to part with a piece!

Suggestions welcome

Happy crafting

x

It's a bit dark in here!

Ooh it's a bit lonely on here... Haven't seen this page for a while!

So, now that I'm married, have been on honeymoon, have a new and better job, and have taken the plunge and decided to make myself a full inventory of my beady bits, I'm hoping I'll have a bit more time to enjoy the beading and the blogging :)

It's nice to see everyone else has been keeping up appearances, and I'll enjoy looking back through everyone's updates. I'm pleased to say that I've still been making beaded pieces, here are just a few of my recent creations:

Bead Magazine

I have finally taken the plunge and I am trying a seed bead design from Bead magazine! Here's my work in progress:

I've had alot of encouragement from the girls at BeadBuddies and it's pushed me to try something new. I'm happy doing peyote stitch, but this has given me chance to see how using different sized beads can give different finishes. 

I've been saying it for weeks now, but I absolutely have to make a decision on my bridesmaid's gifts, and whether I am actually going to make them or not... Any ideas anyone? They're wearing purple :) 

Happy crafting!

Oh how time flies

I can barely believe how fast time's going by at the moment. I can happily say that I HAVE been beading this week though :) I'm half way to finishing my spring lariat, and I completed a St Petersburg necklace, which you can see on the left!

We went round to celebrate my little cousin's first birthday today, it doesn't seem like 2 months ago that she was born! Now it's less than 5 weeks to my wedding and I'm starting to worry that I've forgotten things!

Even when I'm not beading, I try to keep up with the latest on BeadBuddies and everyone's blogs, I barely seem to get 10 minutes to myself at the moment, but it's not long until I get to breathe a sigh of relief and reap the benefits of my hard work :)

In other news, thanks to Sooz on the BB forum, I'm now starting to attempt beaded beads! Watch this space... :P

Happy crafting!

New bracelet

Morning all,

As promised, here are a couple of photos of my latest bracelet, made at my beading class on Saturday :o) I had to wrestle it back from mum to take these though!!

Happy crafting :)

Baby pinks

I had a really good day yesterday...I thought I was never going to make it back in to Ipswich in time to catch up with the girls at my beading class but guess what, I did, and not only that but I made my mum a baby pink bracelet that she'd asked for only the night before - now there's service! Pictures to follow shortly :o)

So anyway, I went on a happy little jaunt up the A14 to drop Jim off and came across a lorry that had tipped onto it's side, adding 20 minutes onto my return journey - not so cool, but it was one of those things that everyone stops and looks at whilst driving along at 2mph... Also not cool. So then I had to take a different route back into town because they're doing work on the A14 and my regular slip road was closed. Thankfully I arrived only 10 minutes late and the girls had only just got their beads and bits together so I didn't miss anything :o)

Isn't it lovely when you have the first bbq of the summer? We had one yesterday at our friends' new house, and boy did it make me want to get out of here - I want to get saving on a serious note and get me a beautiful house like that one. Just as well I have a new, better, permanent job then hehe. On that note, you'll be pleased to know that so far it's going well at my new place, and fingers crossed by the end of this week I'll be ready to take it on solo - I have to take it all on either way, so that might be nice! Everyone's really nice though and I think I'll get any help that I need so yippee. 

In jewellery land, I currently have three outstanding projects which I really want to get done, so hopefully I can show you those very soon. First on my list is my spring necklace which I really hope I have enough bead-age for, and then a net necklace which I started several weeks ago (slap my wrist!) and one other necklace for which I may have to wing it because I'm not sure I still have the pattern... Ermm... Teehee.

I hope you all are well, and crafting merrily away

Blimey! Whirlwind week

Well hello there - a long time I know! Good news though, my first week at my new job went well. Just got to hope I can handle the pressure on my own after the next two weeks when my trainer leaves :S

Me and Jim went shopping today, a big fun shopping spree at Freeport in Braintree, and it was fantabulous. I even had enough money left over to treat myself to a new amber ring - photos to follow as I'm most excited about it. I do need to see if the lovely people at the Bead Shop can make the band slightly bigger so that I can wear it on my middle finger, as all of my rings seem to fit my second finger (ring finger) which doesn't really help :P

Sooz kindly posted a very useful chart relating to bead sizes on beading buddies, which I will share here - as much for my future reference as anybody else's:

size        mm diameter          beads per inch
 
6/0             3.3                          10
8/0             2.5                          13
9/0             2.2                          15
10/0            2.0                          16
11/0            1.8                          20
13/0            1.5                          27
14/0            1.4                          24
15/0            1.3                          25
delica          1.8                          20


I am always getting confused when one site kindly offers me the 11/0 sizing, but another offers its sizing in mm... Now all is solved :) I just need to get back on the beading now; this week has flown by in an absolute whirlwind with my new job and everything else going on - the wedding is less than 7 weeks away now. Plus I didn't even make it to my beading class this weekend as we made a last minute decision to do our honeymoon clothes shopping today at Freeport, which was lovely and I really enjoyed spending some quality time with Jim. Babbling over, I will be back soon with new work I promise!


Happy crafting

Wish me luck

Now off for my first day at my new job, and I don't know why but I really am nervous! Eek! I will post tonight after badminton :o)

Blog Overload!

I've just been reading lots and lots of blogs and subscribing - now I've not a clue how I will keep up with everyone's scribblings! Thanks though Joelleabelle for starting a blog sharing thread on Folksy, it's great to be able to see what everyone else does. I've started adding... I think I'm about half way through (once I start reading I can't stop :P) How do you all organise your subscribed blogs? I've no idea how to work anything technical on Blogger - I've seen a few people mention Google Reader, but that confuses me too...

I took a few photos of my latest necklace today, back in the Zen garden. I'm particularly proud of this piece as it's not from any pattern, it's something that I decided to do at home, not anything that I started at one of my classes and then carried on with afterwards. Let me know what you think:

Having just put these photographs on here, I'm now wondering whether I should transfer all of my photos onto my Picasa account for ease of adding... Hmn, food for thought.

I'm now off to make spaghetti bolognese with the lush ingredients that came in my hamper - the girls know me so well and I'll miss them ALOT. Fingers crossed my new job and new colleagues are half as good and nice! I'll let you all know tomorrow night after badminton ;)

Happy crafting!

Zen garden

You might have read about my new bust that I bought so I can take some b-e-a-utiful pictures of my work so far. Well, I finally got a chance to take those photos of some pieces, and where better than my dad's back garden, complete with Japanese rock pool? It had to be done! Without further ado, here they are:

It was really just more of an excuse to have a play with my sister's camera, and I even took some 'nature' photos but they're for another blog entry on another day. It was really nice being able to take macro close-ups and to be able to have such a gorgeous back drop to set my jewellery against is a huge bonus - thanks dad!

Happy crafting!

Little Treats gets into the chitter chatter

Hey everyone. Today I am loving fairytales, I feel like I'm in one at the moment with my wedding plans coming together. I love this resin Fairy Door by Gelert Designs, it's a little door into a magical world!

We met our photographers today and went through our essential shots and it couldn't have gone better, it was so much fun and really made it hit home just how soon the wedding is. Yesterday I had my hair put up trial, and couldn't hold my excitement in - it just looks so gorgeous when it's all up and I want to be able to have it like that every day :o)

I've just joined BeadBuddies forum and it looks like there are some fantastic characters to get to know, I look forward to new experimentations and meeting new friends. If you're not a part of the forum, whyever not? There's loads to be learned even from just a quick browse :o)

I will be putting up updated photographs soon once I finally get around to taking them on the bust. I did pick up  my memory card today so they will be coming tomorrow hopefully! I'll leave you with a very beautiful Fairytale Charm Bracelet by PebbleRox Jewellery. Happy crafting!

Success! Little Treats loves RINGS

I just can't believe it, I'll be starting a brand new chapter very soon. I went for an interview at 4pm today, and received a phone call at 5.20pm - I got the job! I can't believe I've managed to land myself a permanent job, it's just fantastic and it hasn't quite sunk in yet. Tomorrow night we hit Norwich for a leaving party for several of our engineers, and now it's going to be my leaving do too. It's gonna be brilliant!

So we had Chinese to celebrate, but I really want to get a new ring, so tonights LittleTreats loves is going to be funky rings that I want to buy! Apologies it's not in the normal format but as I'm at my parents, I have no photoshop to funk it up.

1. Daisy Ring - BellaRoba

 2. Emotion Ring - Cherryloco

 3. Funky pink flower ring - Same Same But Different

4. Amethyst Flower Ring - Lilypickle

5. Swarovski Crystal Ring - Skye Creations

6. Silver Flower Ring - Iwsilver

I'm most excited that on Friday I can spend some time taking some photographs of my necklaces, and perhaps even bracelets on my new velveteen bust - hurrah for fun times. In the meantime, with not enough money to treat myself to one of these beauties, I may look into getting some beadalon wire to play with instead...

Happy crafting!

Holiday

Well I've just settled in for my first night at my parents house, as my mother and sister are away for the next fortnight and it's been lovely. The cats are affectionate and my little Baby cat is adorable as ever. I'm sure she remembers I'm her mummy! Oh, still getting used to using a laptop instead of desktop though... Might take a few days. Photos soon.

I did get excitable today, and ordered myself a velveteen necklace display stand so I can take better photographs of my jewellery - not bad value actually www.boxesandbusts.co.uk take a look if you haven't looked on it before. On the other hand, if anyone knows of better places to get boxes from please let me know, if not I will probably get a few from them! I should keep making them really though...

There are a couple of nice projects in this months Make Jewellery, I keep wondering whether to subscribe. The only thing is, I can subscribe to Bead magazine for significantly less and it might be more affordable at the moment. On the bright side, my job prospects have increased slightly and I have an interview on Wednesday afternoon - wish me luck!

Happy crafting!

Useful links

It's always useful for me to be able to bookmark sites and blogs that may be helpful to read back over when I do start to sell my jewellery, and today I thought I'd share Beading Arts blog entry on jewellery business tips. Also, there are lots of entries that involve beading with seed beads which I am loving! I want to try and find some more UK based forums, as currently I only really know of Folksy but I'd be interested to learn more about the legal terms of starting my own home business... Even if it's just a pipeline dream at the moment!

I have started the predicted collecting of beading books, and I feel bad because though I leaf through them regularly, I still have as yet to make serious use of them! Oops :o) But on the opposite side of things, my project book is slowly filling up, and it's lovely to know that I've used every pattern that's stuck in it. Pukka Project books are great.

I've started getting to a point that I have various pieces of jewellery I've made laying around my flat, and I'm running out of empty worktops to lay them on. How do you store your finished pieces? I've found a pretty cool way of storing and displaying my jewellery, a jewellery and accessory hanger, but alas I don't have a door on which I could put it at the moment... For the future perhaps?

Happy crafting!

Littletreats loves... The Little Shop of Sparkles

Ok guys, so I was browsing Folksy for some theme inspiration and came across The Little Shop of Sparkles, in particular these beautiful Swarovski heart earrings. They're so simple but so lovely and I imagine they must look stunning when they catch the light.

Now, looking through the shop it's great for me to see matching sets - I really should start creating matching items when I make my jewellery. I particularly like the copper twist earrings, necklace and bracelet. Isn't it lovely to have matching sets?! So that's something for me to focus on when creating!

I hope you are all having a good week - Happy crafting!

10 weeks to go

Oh dear, I've been very bad in keeping up to date with the blogosphere just recently - I've just spent nearly an hour reading through all of your updates! I can't even begin to tell you how stressed I've been some days this last week, it's been horrendous. All I can say is that now it's getting sorted and aside from job issues, all is fine with the wedding (10.5 weeks away and counting) and the dieting (perhaps not SO fine with the dieting... KFC and wine anyone?)

You may be excited to hear that I have finally gotten around to finishing off my Garden Necklace and am going to be wearing it into work with great sparkly pleasure and pride. I'm getting more comfortable with knotting new thread on to existing which is a milestone for me, but it's for that reason I'll definitely have to keep this necklace all for myself - I'm not so confident with the first two attachments of thread and I can't have it breaking whilst a friend is wearing it! Oh well, one more pretty piece of jewellery that has fallen into my mitts :o)

This week feels so long already and I can't believe it's only Tuesday night! I really want to get back onto the netting necklace we started on Saturday but I'm enjoying procrastinating over what to do until Jim comes back from football. Seems it's the first time in many days that I've been able to just sit, and I'm making the most of it! Well I will post pictures of the netting necklace when it comes a bit further along, it is of course in purple and so far looks lovely.

Ann Summers parties are great fun - I went to my friend's party last night and it was such a fantastic girls night in that I've booked myself one to have the day before my official hen night. Bring on the buzz!

I will be back tomorrow (hopefully!) for LittleTreats loves... probably early as we are having a night in watching movies and drinking wine, which sounds so pleasant and I just can't wait.

In the meantime, happy crafting!

LittleTreats loves... Murano

It's a quick one this week! I've finally just finished my garden necklace, just the clasp to add and it's all done.

Here are my picks for this week, murano glass was my selection.

1. Swarovski & Murano necklace - My Beady Eye  2. Celestian Venetian Murano Earrings - leeski  3. Amethyst Gold Murano Earrings - CeeGee Jewellery Design

Looking forward to tomorrow, going out to start brain-storming for my hen night after the gym! Hurrah :) fingers crossed it will all be good and we can come up with something lush. Must order myself a gold clasp tomorrow...

Happy crafting!

Mothers day handmade...

Mother's day tomorrow! I'm all organised although I must admit that cards have been missed from the equation, perhaps that needs to be tended to in the morning. I've made bracelets and the boxes that they'll be given in - I feel really quite accomplished this week. Not to mention that I now have 3 works in progress, my two latest pictured below.

I do love swarovski bicones. They always sparkle so beautifully, and my garden necklace (pattern by Deborah Roberti) is no exception - after all it is entirely made of swarovski's and gold seed beads. Lush. 

On a more personal note, I came home after a long day on Friday and my lovely fiancée had made a pie:

It was a nice touch I must say :-)

Happy crafting!

LittleTreats loves... Time!

Could it really be Wednesday again already? I can't believe how fast time is going by at the moment. There's so much I need to do! Anyway, I have been a bit busy when free of jury service, Mothers day is looming on the horizon and I've been tasked with making a bracelet for my own and my mother in law - boxes and all :) I've got my mum's bracelet and box made, just got to wait for the clasp to arrive tomorrow (I don't work in gold much, so I've ordered in a one-off gold clasp) along with my mother in laws pearls that I need. I don't have a photo of the box but I'm pretty pleased with it. I used the basic pattern given by clairenobledesign on Folksy for gift boxes and have adjusted it as necessary to make a square but flatter box. Lush.

 

This was the fruits of Saturday morning's labour this week - I'm appalled it's taken me this long to show you all! The necklace isn't finished yet but it sure is on it's way. I was feeling a little risqué this week, for my troubles, and the girls were quick to tag it Burlesque! I like it though. On one other creative note, one of my first posts showed the many beads I got for Christmas and I'm finally going to show you my adorable piggy earrings. 

My good friend thought it amusing that I'd worn them on jury service this week ;)  

So without further ado, here are my picks for this week, on the theme of 'time' as I have so little of it at the moment!

1. In Love's Own Time Steampunk Pendant - LondonFogg  2. Penelope's Tea Time - Tangerinie & Purple Hippos  3. Half Time, Wooden Round Pocket Watch Pendant Necklace - comedaygoday  4. Bracelet, Tick Tock - MyBeadyEye  5. Butterfly Effect Pendant - LondonFogg (yep, I like alot!)  6. Vinyl Record 7" Clock - BeetleJuice

Happy crafting!

Christine Damm's Bracelet

Now, I've not been a part of the crafting community for any great length of time, but it doesn't take much to feel like a part of it, and get involved. I wish I had some experience of creating charms or beads or anything of the sort because I've been linked to one such blog that demonstrates how everyone bands together. Thanks to Sharon's Jewelry Garden blog, I would like to share a link to Christine Damm's blog.

Christine's sister-in-law Vila was diagnosed with leukaemia a year ago and is currently facing chemotherapy to gain remission status. Christine is calling all crafters to create just one charm to send on to her, to create a one-off, energy collecting, full-of-love bracelet to remind Vila that she is always loved and thought of, and to help her through the tough times ahead. Please go to Christine's blog post here and find out the details and partake in this wonderful random act of kindness. Christine is even offering up 3 prizes in a way of thanks, including these rather delicious metro earrings.

LittleTreats loves... Monochrome

Good evening one and all, here are my picks for tonight

1. Ikat Millefiori Cat Quernus Crafts  2. Alice in Wonderland necklace Niche Handmade  3. White Flowers on Black bracelet Sorcery & Sparkle  4. Black satin hair bows Talulahblue  5. Black lace boudoir resin picture frame PennyDog Jewellery  6. Nora Evening Bag Clutch one off Les Sacs Magique

I'm loving these pieces, and I think I could be developing a bag fetish as well as my ever-growing bead fetish! Oh dear, perhaps I'd better apologise to my bank account in advance... 

This theme brings me neatly onto Zentangles. Have you seen any? They're amazing! Here are a couple of Maria's pieces just to whet your appetite, you can view more of her pieces and others here

Maria and Rick developed this art movement, seeking to help people find a state of relaxation, almost meditation. They say that anybody can use Zentangle to create a beautiful and elegant piece of art, line by line. If you're interested they offer a Zentangle starter kit for $49.00 on their site, linked above. I can't help but be fascinated by how these pieces come together, and especially at the fact that you're not allowed to erase anything - eek!

Happy crafting!

Tote-ing!

I just thought I would share with you the cuteness that is my new tote bag. The perfect size to bring with me to jury service and show off to everyone hehe. As you can see it's all ready to go with my book and such all put in. I think you'll agree that it's just adorable :)

Sorry for the random post but I just had to share :)

Happy crafting!

In the midst of beading

Just a quick update; I've been very busy trying to get some work done as I'm out of the office on jury service for the next 2 weeks (at least!) but I thought I'd just put my beading down for 2 weensy minutes to update you all.

Beading class was lovely on Saturday and it was a simple but very elegant pattern that we used. I even managed to finish my bracelet just within the two hours! There's a first for everything. This is what I made on the day and since (purple on Saturday, and I had the perfect number of light sapphire Swarovski bicones vying for my attention on Sunday night).

What do you think? I've already had my mum trying to steal the purple one - her exact words "but I don't have a purple bracelet" and big pout. Just as well Mother's Day is approaching then mum! I need to order some amethyst Swarovski's - they sparkle so beautifully. 

Speaking of Swarovski's, I have ordered some for a necklace project for this weekend should I find myself any time. The wedding is now 3 months away and I find myself realising that I haven't even completely finalised the guest list yet! Not to mention I need to decide on my hairstyle and jewellery, and gifts for those involved... So much to think about and I'm very quickly running out of weekends to do things. I have still as yet to arrange any form of hen night, must get hold of Joe to do that. 

Well, I'll be back tomorrow evening (probably later as I really need to hit the gym after jury service) for LittleTreats Loves...

Happy beading!

MinXtures treat

You may recall my first Wednesday themed post on butterflies. Yes, I have now been paid and I'm pleased to say that I've finally been able to spare some money to make my first Folksy purchase. If you liked the butterfly tote bag by Minxtures, I'm sorry but it's now mine! I just couldn't resist the beautiful simplicity - and of course the butterfly.

I'm looking forward to seeing the ladies at my beading class tomorrow and looking at everyone's finished necklaces from last week. I was so pleased with mine, and I can't wait to see how everyone's turned out. I'm going to try and get photos if I remember to take my camera. More news tomorrow on what we make.

Happy Beading!

LittleTreats loves

Wednesday is my picks of the week day. Starting now. So today I have chosen butterflies as my theme, and Folksy has some very talented crafters!

1. Wrapped Up With String "Butterfly Notecard"  2. MinXtures clothing and accessories "Black Butterfly Bag"  3. Em Teacup "Butterfly Passport Cover"  4. Little Bird Too "Cute Butterfly Stationery"  5. ChakraSensations "Chakra Butterfly Bracelet"    6. TerrorDome "Butterfly Art"

I can't wait to have a little studio room and deck it out with handmade lush crafty things! My final love for tonight is this adorable "Butterfly Beauty" cushion by Sewflair. I love the detail and would definitely give it pride of place on my sofa... Or bed... Or chair...

Happy beading!

Spare pennies

I need a new wishlist item... And I think I've found what it will be. I've just discovered Quernus Crafts - Kirsten launched her business in 2009, and is currently working primarily in polymer clay. I just can't resist her wee horses, and they shall be next on my wishlist. Her link can also be found as a permanent fixture on my blog to the right.

On a personal note, my hubby-to-be has opened up a hopefully fantastic job prospect where he works, which may allow me to work fewer hours in the next couple of years and focus more on jewellery - who knows, perhaps I may even get to have my own studio when we get ourselves a house! Discussing with the girls at work, a couple of them seemed to think that they'd get bored working less hours but I couldn't think of anything better. Rush around and do a tad bit of housework before settling down and making beautiful crafty designs all afternoon; yes please. Perhaps then I can try and experiment with more things.

Happy beading!

Confidence building...

Ok so I couldn't wait for the opportunity to get photos in daylight, so you'll have to settle with average photos taken under lamplight. I'm so pleased with how my Wisteria necklace has turned out I just had to share!

I loved the idea of having something organic, and when I got to the bead shop on Saturday morning, this was in fact the colour scheme that Tish had used but I fell in love with it and had to have my own! I was chuffed with how it ended up looking with the green stone as the focal bead, it really has finished it off just as I wanted.

Away from beautiful and gratifying necklaces anyway, I finally got around to doing a bit of a tester with even count peyote and am quite enjoying it. Not wanting to make a huge long song and dance out of practising, I've made myself a basic ring and found myself a reason to use one of the lovely wooden heart beads that I got for Christmas.

I love beading!







I've had a quick look and there's a beaded ring that's really caught my attention. Step up Sarah Paris Style and your beaded Cocktail Ring - this is absolutely stunning.

Happy beading!