Saturday 6 December 2014

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Reveal...


Hello,
 and welcome to my corner
 of the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop.

So what have I been hoarding? 

For ages now I have been collecting some
pretty golden components
and never found quite the right moment to use them.

I always had in mind making some pretty 
Marie Antoinette 
inspired pieces. 
Not in a historically accurate way 
 but more taken from 
imagery in the
 Sofia Coppola 
movie. 

(Think super girly, 
pretty pastels,
and 
plenty of golden details!)

So I've been hoarding the components AND 
the inspiration so it's about time to 
put them BOTH into action for
this blog hop!

So you've seen the first necklace above.
I have some more close up pics here:




I was so pleased to finally bead around
 the light peach 
 rivoli
I've had in my stash for 
about a year.
There's something special 
about Swarovski 
that just makes it so sparkly 
and addictive, 
don't you think?!

Moving onto the second piece: 

The pretty love birds on a branch 






I used pretty pink and lilac seed beads
along with tiny golden ball beads
to make a necklace 
that sits right at the base 
of the neck
with 
the filigree 
components
 dangling down.  

I attached the tiny golden rounds 
underneath the filigree to give a bit of movement 
and make it even more girly and fun. 

I made some earrings to match: 


The last piece
 is also earrings and 
these oyster shell components 
are just so sweet. 
They've even got
 a little golden
 'pearl '
inside!
So special -
no wonder I've been hoarding them 
for so long....

I made them into 
dangly earrings
 by adding chain, 
citrine chips, 
and tiny golden
 round beads. 




So there you have it folks. 

The thing I love about this blog
hop is that it gives you a reason to get out those 
special things you've been keeping 
and use them up. 
Goodness knows how long these pretties 
would have stayed in my bead box.
(Ahem, boxES..)
for otherwise!

Here's the list for all the participants: 
Thanks for dropping by and 
I'm looking forward to having a hop around....  

The List


Lori Andersonwww.PrettyThingsBlog.com  (Hostess)

Audrey Belanger
esperianterra.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlachhttp://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemerhttp://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneiderhttp://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Dolores Ramlhttp://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Rebecca EdnieHttp://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Lili Kristhttp://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Richhttp://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosnerhttp://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com/blog/
Nicole Princehttp://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hagerhttp://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryanhttp://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doylehttp://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnsonhttp://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthierhttp://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhshttp://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williamshttp://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea Glickhttp://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinsonhttps://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brookshttps://thatnothingbewasted.wordpress.com/
Jo-Ann Woolvertonitsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jasvanti PatelJewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie VyselaarLefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa KnappenbergerLIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindellmarylindell.com
Niky Sayerssilverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Sandra McGriffskyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuhthecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintztreasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrowwillowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breedingwww.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhartwww.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantorewww.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephenswww.babblebead.blogspot.com
Becky Pancakewww.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnottwww.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escanowww.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabewww.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawsonwww.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prosewww.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworakwww.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Carusowww.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodacawww.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunnwww.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucaswww.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asburywww.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Rooswww.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Divya Nwww.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussenwww.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJwww.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koonwww.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erpwww.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishopwww.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhornwww.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andradewww.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com 
Sue Kellywww.midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Rachel Malliswww.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClellandwww.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGrawwww.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Tania Spiveywww.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie Perrywww.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Mitzie Criderwww.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole RennellWww.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentinewww.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchellwww.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adamswww.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Millerwww.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medinawww.peru-medesigns.com
Stephanie Hausslerwww.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendozawww.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabianwww.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torreswww.shears58.net
Donetta Farringtonwww.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopmanwww.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortinwww.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan WallsWww.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormierwww.thebeadingyogini.com
Heather Ottowww.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarkewww.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodgeswww.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfendenwww.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Pattersonwww.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan Smithwww.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Jayne Cappswwwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com
Robin Kae Reed                                       http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                   https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Sunday 23 November 2014

Why Not: Use A Pretty Chocolate Box To Store Your Most Beautiful Beads







I love ornate and unusual chocolate boxes. 
And the chocs obviously! 

I can't help but think they make beautiful storage for beads. 

As you can see Miss Kitty, 
my imaginatively named cat
who makes herself involved 
in all of my beading endeavours, 
agrees! 

Friday 14 November 2014

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Sign Ups Open

Lori Anderson's Bead Hoarders Blog Hop is 
open for sign ups.

What is this all about? 

Well, it's a really fun idea that you 
sign up for the blog hop, then make something out of 
the beads you have
been saving (hoarding!) 
because they are too special, pretty, expensive
etc.
and everybody posts pictures on their blogs on a certain date  
and you all 'hop' around looking at each others creations. 

Sound like fun? 

Head over to 
For more information.

Sunday 2 November 2014

Jet Black Earrings


The October challenge 
over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash 
was to make something from purely jet black beads. 

Now for such a versatile and everyday colour, 
black goes with everything,
 I had surprisingly few beads in my stash 
that were actually black!

The standard of work over on that 
blog is always so high 
and with some really talented 
designers, 
so you can see why  I decided against 
entering a very simple pair of earrings! 
Take a peek here
to see the entries for the month.
Some amazing work there!

I did have fun making my earrings though,
and it was good to be inspired,
even if I made something very simple. 

So thanks for the inspiration Operation Tackle That Bead Stash!

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Jewellery Maker Discount Code


Use code Spooky20 
to get 20% off when you spend over £35.
The perfect excuse to shop for some spectacularly spooky
gemstones ready for your Halloween designs.

Friday 17 October 2014

This Bracelet Could Be Just Your Cup Of Tea!






I think that these adorable tea cup charms 
and tea pot clasp 
were just meant to 
go together.

They are the perfect shade of rustic brown 
to make this a pretty 
autumnal make. 

I kept it to a coffee and cream colour scheme,
to tie in with the tea theme.

I just love the tea pot clasp. 
The toggle is a little spoon. 
How cute! 


Wednesday 15 October 2014

Tree Wings Studio Sale And Giveaway



Scrumptious sale and giveaway goodies over at Tree Wings Studio! 
Just look at the giveaway prize. 
Lovely isn't it! 





Sunday 12 October 2014

Why Not: Feel Like Elizabeth Taylor With Jewellery Maker


If there is one celebrity icon synonymous with glamour glitz and a true love 
of gemstones
it was the glorious Elizabeth Taylor. 

Famed for her beauty, acting prowess and  high profile love affairs 
but mostly for her love of jewellery.
Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, her love for the pretty and precious 
made her jewellery box the epitome of our wildest dreams. 

Thanks to the excellent prices at Jewellery Maker 
owning some extravagant gemstone jewellery 
is one dream that can come true! 

Their selection of gemstone strands are glistening, glitzy and 
just waiting to be used in your most glamourous 
designs. 

So here's my top five strands, 
just perfect for getting that Elizabeth Taylor style glamour: 

First up: Rubies

Aren't these just gorgeous! 
Enhance your ravishing beauty with these ruby rondelles.


2. 

The only kind of blue a glamorous girl needs to feel 
is the smooth row of sapphires glistening around her neck.... 

100 carats (!) Sapphire plain drops 

3.

Elizabeth Taylor had a heart of gold with her generous charity donations, 
and so can you with this strand of lovely golden pyrite hearts: 



And, saving the best till last, for selections four and five: 


Channel Taylor's iconic role in 'Cleopatra' 
with these clear quartz pyramids.

110 carats (!) 


And for some serious bling look to this strand of 
clear quartz pentagons 

I think these strands would make for some exciting 
Elizabeth inspired jewellery makes.
With a great selection of strands at amazing prices 
why not indulge your inner starlet with 
Jewellery Maker ! 

Ps. This is my entry to their #BLOG2WIN 
competition. 
Hope you've enjoyed my selection of gorgeous goodies.
Now go forth and be glamorous!  
X