Christmas Jewellery

Sorry I've been so very quiet. Things are ok with hubby. He had a bit of a scare, but is a lot better now. I've had my hands full with caring for him, rehearsals for our church Christmas choir, which was part of the Christmas play the kids put on. Last night we finally had our performance and all went very well.

Here's a photo of the jewellery I made for the night and a photo of me wearing it, with my youngest son, who was an angel in the play, though he's not in costume in the photo. Made using Swarovski crystal elements and beads, and sterling silver findings. If I don't get a chance to say so before Christmas I hope you all have a lovely time with family and friends.





Heather

Better Late ...

I have to apologise for posting this so late. On Monday I took hubby to the emergency department of the hospital. They took him in immediately, no waiting around. It was serious stuff. So, with my gorgeous pack of beads arriving only that day, sometime while I was sitting waiting for them to work out what to do with my man, it was quite an effort to work up something in such a short time and with so much to distract me. I've spent every day since in the hospital for some part if not all of it. They still don't know what is exactly up with him. They use the word investigating a lot.

So, last night I literately threw this necklace together. I'm not happy with it, but it will do for the sake of the challenge, though I'm certain I will pull this apart at some other time when my frame of mind is more together and come up with something I just love. The components are totally gorgeous. Loved this long awaited pack. I did begin a pair of earrings with the Swarovski crystals, but only one of those is complete. The mix of seedies and Czech beads, yum, is totally delicious and will at some time become a freeform peyote stitch bracelet. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the simple necklace I created with the pieces after only two nights to ponder. Please remember to check out the other participants in the September Reader's Challenge on The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton.









Heather

Very Vintage Challenge Necklace

As usual I've had a lot going on around here, so I ended up pulling another all nighter to get this piece finished. I'll probably make a pair of earrings with what's leftover, but my bed beckoned and by two this morning it was just about yelling at me. The ideas for this necklace went through several idea stages. One failed completely. I'd intended tying beads onto cord, but all the cord I had was too thick for several of the beads. I had a mad, messy idea, but that couldn't happen, in particular because of the cord thickness problem and no shops open in the middle of the night.

Anyway, this finished piece is completely wearable and chinks and tinkles as you walk. I kind of like that. I'm thinking just some cluster style earrings with the remaining beads and filigree pieces. I hope you enjoy my completed piece. Don't forget to take a look at the other entries below:

Andrew
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Cat
Boo Beads

Chris
beadjewelry.net

Cilla
Tell Your Girlfriends

Cyndi
Beading Arts

Cynthia
Cynth's Blog

Dawn
Morning Glory Beading

Donetta
Simply Gorgeous

Heather
As I Bead It

Holly
SilverRose Designs

Kate
We Can Make That at Home

Kristina
Wild Roses and Blackberries

Lauren
Laurel Moon Jewelry & Beads

Linda
Lutka & Co

Lisa
Lucid Mood Studio

Lola
Bead Lola Bead

Mary
MLH Jewelry

Melinda
Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

Michelle H.
Firefly Visions

Michelle M.
Beads & Books

Salla
Blog by Salla

Shannon
Falling into the Sky

Shay
Shaiha's Ramblings

Shel
MiShel Designs

Shirley
Beads and Bread

Stephanie
Pixybug Designs

Tari
Pearl and Pebbles

Terry
Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Tracy
The Bead Junkie

Heather

The Bead Soup Blog Party - The Big Reveal

I've been having such a great time with my bead soup and checking out all the other blogs. Really, it's been a blast. Now has come the day when we reveal our finished pieces. I've been really looking forward to this day, so much that I made my blog post early and am publishing it now. Cool. This way I can work on the post and edit it over the next few days.

My piece is complete, except for a last minute edition, which I added a couple of nights ago. Here is my swap partner's blog to see what she created with the soup I sent her: Doralila Beads

There is a list of all the other blogs on Lori Anderson's Pretty Things blog so please visit them and join in the party:

Heather

Beading Books I'm Reading

I already mentioned one of the books I've been reading lately when I shared the earrings I made from Sharilyn Miller's book, pictured above. But I've also been devouring the images in The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry.Felt inspired by Weave, Wrap, Coil: Creating Artisan Wire Jewelry.And finally got my hands on my own copy of Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery: 25 Inspiring Jewelry Projects (Beadweaving Master Class Series). Another more practical book, which has finally pushed me to begin stocking the etsy.com store I made ages ago now, The Artisans, is The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line. I fully recommend these books as great resources and loaded with information and eye candy for any beader or wire worker. The Artisans so far only has a painting by my husband, but look for more shortly.

Heather

Sharilyn Miller Earrings

I sat down last night to make a pair of earrings for a birthday for a friend. I'd been invited and told that Maria's birthday was today, so I made this pair of earrings with her in mind. Wire Art jewelry by Sharilyn Miller is just a gorgeous book to look at. I love how the first half is just how to make the various components. The next half is specific projects using those components. These are directly out of that book. I picked up a requested  copy from my local library just yesterday. But, when I got there it turns out the birthday girl was unwell and couldn't make it. Also, that I had the wrong Maria. I had to laugh. What gave it away was when I showed these earrings to the other girls. I described them as "really Maria." They all laughed and realised I had the wrong end of the stick. So, these earrings are called Maria, but I may still give them to the Maria in mind. I'll have to see how difficult it is to give them away.

I made the other pair just for fun.

Heather

Very Vintage & Other Challenges

I've been keeping busy buying up kits for challenges just the last few days. Last week I purchased the 23rd Designer Quest kit from Beads of Ambrosia through my membership in Aussie Beading forum. I somehow managed to snaffle a September Reader's Challenge kit from Andrew Thornton. Also, I scored a Very Vintage kit from Michelle Mach's latest challenge. I'm going to be one busy girl. But I just love the challenge on my creativity. Forcing myself to make something out of a collection of beads someone else put together is just plain fun. I've completed my Bead Soup piece with some leftover beads. I'm thinking of squeezing a bracelet out of those last few. I hope you're keeping yourself inspired to be creative, too.

Heather

My Bead Soup Arrives from Germany

Wow, I feel so blessed. This morning on my way out to work I checked the letter box and sitting there was a little box. Inside were these gorgeous beads. I am stunned at their beauty. I've yet to have a really good play with them, but plan on seeing what my mind comes up with tonight. Check out Doris, who these fabulous beads came from. And here is the entry where she shares the soup I sent her.

Heather

Bead Tease for Doris

Here is a teaser of the beads I sent off to my swap partner Doris  for the Bead Soup Blog Hop. With the international postage the two of us might be waiting a little longer than some of the other bead soupers. Should be fun, though. I'm really looking forward to playing.

Heather

My Steampunk Metal Necklace

Well, these aren't great photos of my necklace, but I'll update with a better photo once the sun is out. The main thing is that I'm done. I created something out of the kit sent to me for the Mostly Metal Challenge. The fun began when I somehow stumbled on the call to enter Michelle Mach's challenge. Something I always love is a challenge.

This time proved even more so as mum was here. The rough idea formed for this the moment I pulled everything out of the pack and began to push the pieces around my bead tray. But I didn't get to it until late Saturday night. I really wanted to use the ribbon, but time didn't permit me to do all I'd imagined. Instead I kept with the steampunk theme and used some Phileas Fogg  chain I had from an etsy purchase sometime last year. I wasn't struck on using the main focal, either, so I left that out. Instead I made my unique portion of the pack into part of the focal and I kind of like the funky streampunk look I created. I hope you do, too.

Make sure you check out the other entries in the Mostly Metal Blog Hop . . . and a Giveaway!

Heather

Mostly Metal Blog Hop . . . and a Giveaway!

Bead Soup Blog Party

So, it's been pretty crazy around here. I had my mother visiting, which was wonderful, but nothing much got done as far as beading goes. But, my part in the Bead Soup Blog Party was completed today in a bit of a rush. The wind is high outside, but I braved it for the 30 minute walk to the post office. My car is the workshop today.  The little sprinkle of rain didn't bother me, but the wind pushed me along and made my trip much quicker I think.

I've packaged up my little offering and have sent it off to Germany. I sure hope my swap partner is happy and inspired by her little package of beads. I'm eager to see what is heading my way, too. My partner, Doris, has a cool blog Doralila Beads that I had to use the translate option to read. But even if you can't translate her blog the pictures tell you enough. Doris creates gorgeous lampwork beads, definitely worth drooling over. So make sure you check out what she's up to over there. I'll post a teaser later of the beads & pieces I've sent to Doris.

Heather
Photo used with permission from http://www.sxc.hu/

Mostly Metal Challenge

Well, I signed up with many others for the Mostly Metal Challenge by Michelle Mach. My lovely little kit arrived today. The photo above shows how it looks. I'm allowed to add anything from my own stash, but cannot show you my completed piece until the date of the big reveal, which is August 16 this year. Anyway, I've got some ideas forming. Maybe some seed beads, or wirework? I will have to have a play with the pack tonight and see what I can come up with. I hope you're joining in the challenge, too.


Heather

Latest Designer Quest Entry

So, it's been a long while, I know. Sorry about that. But I have some beading to share, so I thought I'd better get to it. The beads were supplied by Third Rock Cabs & Beads and the competition is sponsored by Australian Beading Magazine  Here's my entry into the Australian Beading Forum Designer Quest #22 competition:

Heather