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

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

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

Filling the Well

I have to admit just the last couple of weeks I haven't really been doing much beading. I've been filling up the well, as I like to say, instead. I find after doing heaps of creating, especially when I try to do as many of my own ideas as possible, I can run a little dry. So, I like to step back a bit, read some books, look at loads of things, do some bead shopping, think about possibilities and just let that creative moisture seep back into my life.

I have two projects sitting on trays where I can see them every day. One is almost complete. All it needs is a little more beading added and a clasp. The other isn't really done, except for the beads and a rough shape of what it will become. The supplies for another piece, for a contest, arrived yesterday, so that will need to be laid out on a tray. I have another bracelet that just needs a clasp added and it's complete, too.

Two of these pieces are gifts and two are for contests. So, there's going to be some furious beading happening, soon. It's ok, though. I'm confident I will get them done. I love the cycle of my creativity and have learnt to tune into it, submit myself to that ebb and flow. The tide is coming in and soon there will be loads of things happening.

So, here's a photo of one project and the bracelet without the clasp. Not a fab photo, but it's just sitting here on the coffee table, so I didn't bother moving it.



Heather