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?!