Wednesday 11 December 2013

Eye Won A Giveaway!






Ok, so this is obviously going to be a post full of 'eye' puns. 
I think it is only fair to apologise now! 

I, or should that be 'eye', recently was lucky enough
to win a give away over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash. 

The generous prize on offer was a set of six stunning 
glass eye cabochons 
from Liz at The Crimson Moon .  
Aren't they fantastic! 

They range from the more naturalistic browny eyes
(styles Rowan and Cosmos) 
 to the out of this 
world 'Plasma' purple.
(Wouldn't it be great to have purple eyes!)

I think the blue (Azure)  is stunning and the slit eye 
(Apollo) 
reminds me of Lord Of The Rings ,
so I feel a little Frodo and friends inspired project coming on... 

I headed over to The Crimson Moon to take a 
look at what other beading goodies were 
available and I have to say 
Liz has the coolest shop banner,  
to take a peek click  HERE.

I am very excited to be the winner 
and I just hope I can do them justice.. 
...time to get the thinking cap on!

Tuesday 19 November 2013

OTTBS October Challenge Entry





My Operation tackle that bead stash entry 
for the October challenge. 

We had to create something using 
the colour scheme of gold, orange, grey and black. 

I had the golden peacock lolling in my stash for 
sometime and so I was pleased to have an excuse to 
use him in a project at last! 

To see all the other lovely entries 
click HERE.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Sabine Lippert Three Crosses Necklace



This is my version of Sabine's
 Three Crosses Necklace. 
(I decided not to add the dangles
under the pendant.) 


It was really fun to make and is 
definitely the project to go to 
if you want some impressive looking 
bead work reasonably quickly. 
 
This took me about two hours to make
but I think it looks as if it took far longer.

I love this design so much that I can see 
it being made in other colour ways 
in my near future!


 



Thursday 31 October 2013

Inspire Me: A Gothic Romance


Gate Entry, Szewna, Poland

<3

Castello

**Tree House, The Enchanted Wood

.

*


Cross Charm with loop 10x14mm

Black Watch Face



Jet Glass Oval 12x9mm




8mm Black Pearl - Crystal swarovski


A selection of Gothic beads and black craft lace,
 just perfect for a 
dark and romantically inspired 
jewellery project. 

Beads available from 
and lace  from

Inspiration images 
from 
Mystic Pieces 
Pinterest board
 'Noir'.


Wednesday 23 October 2013

Why Not: Enjoy The Changing Season

Autumn

Merlin the Maine Coon by Ryan Conners

Indigo Crossing

Autumn Reflection

autumn wreath w/ pumpkins

love this!

It's October and the leaves are falling into crisp piles 
of Autumnal loveliness. 

Why not enjoy the changing colour scheme in nature 
and let it shape your colour choices 
for your jewellery projects this season. 

Beautiful shades of rich brown, auburn, orange, green 
and red combined with the tactile textures of
soft wool, crispy leaves and lots of layers, 
can create a woody and organic feel. 
Just perfect for Autumn.   

* All pics via Timea Varga's Pinterest board 
' I love Autumn' * 


Tuesday 22 October 2013

Beads Direct Launch Shine Magazine With 20% Off Discount Code



shine magazine

Beads Direct have launched their exciting new 
on-line magazine 
'Shine' .

Click HERE to visit their website
and download your free copy. 
There is a discount code for 20% off 
on the back page. 

Code: 
SHINEBD 

Email them with how Shine has inspired you
and you could be in with a chance to win a 
£100 bead hamper!

How exciting! 

See the magazine for more details... 

Monday 30 September 2013

Operation Tackle That Bead Stash - September Challenge


This month the challenge theme was 
'animals'. 

You could chose which ever animal you liked 
and be inspired in anyway 
whether it was literal or more abstract. 

I decided to use beads that were actually piglet shaped. 
They are made from rose quartz and are a lovely pale
pink which is great but very hard to photograph the detail. 
You could say they were a 'pig' to photograph - boom boom - groan..... 
hence the photo collage!  

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Little Pink Piglet Beads



These little pig beads are made out of 
rose quartz. 
I've been busy making  a necklace and earrings 
out of them ready for the 
Operation Tackle That Bead Stash 
September challenge. 
The theme is 'animals' 
and it was the perfect reason 
to work with  these cute 
little piglets :-) 

Monday 23 September 2013

My Beading Diary: Recent Buys





One of the things I love about  summer time 
is the Beads Direct  enormous sale.
I could seriously have spent a small fortune on 
semi precious stones this year 
but I was VERY restrained 
and edited my basket right down to just the few items
 I actually had plans/ideas for. 

A  bamboo agate dyed purple drop pendant,
some faceted lavender dyed jade, and some sun stone rounds which 
I've had my eye on for ages.

You know in The Simpsons when Homer says ' mmmm Doughhhhnuts' 
that's just how I feel about these: 
'mmmm Beeeeeeads...'

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Inspire Me: Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills







Gunmetal Plated Initial Letter 'H' Crystal Connector Charm Approx 34mm Pk1

Frosted Pink Round 8mm Essential Shamballa Fashion Bead Pk3

Sterling Silver High Heel Shoe Charm

HOT PINK Organza Bag 5

Silver-Lined Milky Hot Pink Size 8 Round 10g

Acrylic Pearl Beads Round Hot Pink 8mm Pack 50

Antique Silver Dog Charm 37x37mm Pack 1


Giggy Lisa Vanderpump Real Housewives of Beverly Hills



Backbiting, b*tching and bling 
set to a back drop of unimaginable wealth 
and luxury. 
The Real House Wives Of Beverly Hills is reality tv 
from a city which seems totally unreal. 
Plastic surgery and Hollywood glamour galore! 
I have to admit it is my guilty tv pleasure to watch.

 It's a little escapism and a fun way to take 
a peek into the homes and lives of the super wealthy.
Even if, like me, the super bling look is not your style
I hope you can live vicariously and enjoy this selection
of tinsel town inspired beading goodies. 
All from Beads Direct except the shoe charm which is 
from Spoilt Rotten Beads. 
*Pics from Bravo, and google search.*

Monday 9 September 2013

Currently Working On ...




I am pleased to be working on another project 
from Sabine Lipppert's
book ' Beaded Fantasies'.  

The Three Crosses Necklace looks gorgeous 
so I've decided to give it a go. 
Rather than add all the dangles I think I'm going to 
keep it as a pendant in its own right. 

Take a peek here at the Swarovski 
crystal drop pearls:



Lovely, no? 

I haven't used Swarovski crystal pearls before 
and as with the actual crystals I feel a love
affair coming on...! 

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Why Not: Support An Artisan Lampworker


Lampwork beads are made by hand 
by a skilled artisan
melting rods of glass in a flame. 

Tricky work when you think about it!

Especially when you look at how detailed
 and beautiful the beads can be.


Lampwork mouse by Izzy Beads 
It is a craft that requires great skill and attention. 

The results can be phenomenal! 

Blissful Garden Beads (also in top pic ) 

The beads can be more expensive than your average 
mass made glass BUT you are buying real art work, 
something that has
been made with love, care and attention. 
Supporting an artist and allowing that craft to carry on 
through time. 
All that AND you get some wonderful beads to work with. 
What's not to love?!