Jewellery My Design

2010-03-18T09:21:00.002Z

The Sunshine Blog Awards

Thank you Billie at Glass by Billie for nominating my blog for a Sunshine Blog Award.

"The Sunshine Blog Award" is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others around the blogging world.

THE RULES OF THE AWARD
1. Put the Sunshine logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let your nominees know they have been nominated by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Link to the person from whom you recieved this award.

Here are the 12 wonderful bloggers I have chosen:

1. Lala lampwork Beads
2. The other mouse
3. Lauren Ceramics
4. Handcrafted Cards
5. Sooz in the Shed
6. Little Castle Designs
7. Tip Top Toppers
8. Careford Creations
9. Pepper Pi
10. Beadie Eyed Edie
11. Zukie Style
12. Marie Zvezda

Craftjuice Tuesday

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000Z

I decided to get involved with the Craft Juice Tuesday from the UK Craft Forum to try and heighten the profile of crafters.

I thought I would try and do a rainbow theme as I did once before for Folksy sellers.

I am starting with red.

This handbag is made of 100% cotton fabric in a Gerber daisy design. This is listed by nancysbagsetc

This is a beautiful pendant by A touch of glass jewelry

Just look at these cute earrings by Flutterbies on Folksy

I just love stained glass!

This piece is by Designs in Stained Glass

Check back next Tuesday to see what I could find in yellow!

For details of my own pieces, please check out Jewellery My Design

2010-03-04T21:29:00.004Z

I have recently started to dable in the world of chainmaille, both in sterling silver and copper.

This is a scherzo bracelet in sterling silver. I am also doing some birthstone designs so if you have a special someone (or yourself) who has a birthday coming up, why not buy something special and designed for them!

This is a Romanov design with aquamarine crystals - March birthday!

Onwards and upwards and other things

2009-11-15T20:25:00.008Z

I have been doing quite well at my recent fairs - Chipping Norton on 7 November and the Benn Hall in Rugby on 8 November. I had a new range of silver beaded charm bracelets.

This one includes beads by Helen Mitchell at http://www.lalalampworkbeads.com/.

I have also used beads by Tania Grey at www.tanofcourse.co.uk and Caroline Cash at www.craftedgems.co.uk

The next fair I have coming up is Witney, Oxfordshire on Saturday 21 November.

Gift and Treat Fair, Chipping Norton 10/10/09

2009-10-11T11:29:00.002+01:00

I attended this fair yesterday and it was very disappointing. I made one sale which was in the last half hour of the day. This is my worse fair experience to date. I dont know whether people were just not buying or just not buying from me.

There were lots of people milling around.

Oh well, onwards and upwards as they say.

My next fair is at Langdale Hall, Witney, Oxfordshire on Saturday 24 October 2009.

Keep beading!

X-Factor

2009-10-07T09:18:00.002+01:00

I am not really an X-Factor kinda girl - more a Strictly kinda girl LOL. However I have entered a sweepstake on Bead Buddies and I have drawn Kandy Rain - so GO GIRLS!

Forgive me!

2009-09-30T12:31:00.003+01:00

Please forgive me for I have not blogged for ages.

I have decided to give up on Etsy and Folksy as I just dont have the time to constantly stalk the forums. This I believe is how you get your name known and get traffic to your shop. There is just so much competition on there. I have reclaimed my webshop and uploaded lots of new designs, especially bracelets.

Please take a look www.jewellerymydesign.co.uk.

I will be exhibiting at 8 Gift fairs between now and the end of the year. Mostly in Witney and Chipping Norton but also Whittlebury Hall at the beginning of December.

If you are in the area, please pop along and say hi!

What else has been happening?

Hmm well someone took money from my credit card - I urge you all if you dont already do it, check your statements thoroughly.

2009-06-19T19:14:00.003+01:00

I have had quite a busy week this week. I have picked up quite a few commissions which is great. I made a pair of earrings for someone as a thank you from someone else and she loved her earrings so much that she wanted an ankle bracelet to match. Then her friend wanted one and now her daughter. I also have had an order from someone else who saw the original one.

I also have some other orders on the go for stitched beaded work.

I also attended my last School Governors meeting on Wednesday. I have been a school governor for the best part of the last 7 years and I felt it was time to have a break and move on to other things.

2009-06-15T21:29:00.002+01:00

I have been featured on the Etsy Midlanders blog spot - Etsy Midlanders

2009-06-15T11:11:00.002+01:00

The final one in the Rainbow set - this one took a bit more effort. I think it was worth it!

Top row - Peg doll ~~ Copper bracelet ~~ Picture

2nd row - Necklace ~~ Sock bunny ~~ Bunting

3rd row - Earrings ~~ Card ~~ Flowers

Bottom row - Sampler ~~ Bear ~~ Bracelet

2009-06-13T19:38:00.002+01:00

I did a Gift and Treats fair today at Chipping Norton and although I didnt take huge amounts, I covered my table cost and a bit towards my petrol so a result, especially at this time of year.

I also took an order for a necklace so that was good.

The journey took about an hour and my poor daughter was sick in the car - she is not a good traveller but she is a great help to me at these fairs. At least I dont have to worry when I need a comfort break LOL.

No more fairs now until October so I can concentrate on all the commissions I need to do.

This is great, I am doing something I love and actually getting paid for it.

2009-06-12T00:00:00.004+01:00

Top row - Sock Monkey ~~ Mirror ~~ Flower necklace

2nd row - Horse ~~ Gift bag ~~ Flower corsage

3rd row - Bear ~~ Soap ~~ Bracelet

Bottom row - Hair clips ~~ necklace ~~ Earrings

2009-06-11T18:17:00.002+01:00

Please feel free to click on the comments link and leave a comment. I love to read what you think of my blog.

2009-06-09T00:00:00.001+01:00

Top row - Dichroic Glass Pendant ~~ Handbag ~~ Earrings

2nd row - Acid Jazz ~~ Bracelet ~~ Bag

3rd row - Ducks ~~ Earrings ~~ Flower brooch

Bottom row - Wrist warmer ~~ ipod sock ~~ Earrings

2009-06-06T00:00:00.000+01:00

Top row - Dog ~~ Vintage Buttons ~~ Cushion with buttons

2nd row - Card ~~ Beanie hat ~~ Tooth fairy cushion

3rd row - Kitty ~~ Bracelet ~~ Hair band

Bottom row - Button necklace ~~ Chicken paperweight ~~ Teacup candle

Shopping on Folksy!

2009-06-04T19:08:00.004+01:00

Folksy is a great place to shop from the day to day to the exotic!

Why buy what everyone else buys when you can get something handmade and often unique.

My girls have just started secondary school (well last September actually LOL) and until recently they have taken a rucksack. A couple of weeks ago they asked if they could have a new bag, more like a tote bag than a rucksack, not cool any more!

I decided to have a look on Folksy to see if there was anything which took their fancy.

Kirsty fell in love with this one: Blue Tote so we bought it.

Alison loves another bag but unfortunately the seller is on holiday so she is having to wait, very impatiently I can tell you LOL.

2009-06-03T12:03:00.000+01:00

Top row - Metallic Green Earrings ~~ Bracelet ~~ Fascinator

2nd row - Purse ~~ Necklace ~~ Bracelet

3rd row - Porcelain Earrings ~~ Fascinator ~~ Flower Brooch

Bottom row - Collage ~~ Dichroic Glass Earrings ~~ Vintage Fabric Dog

2009-05-31T11:51:00.000+01:00

2009-05-31T00:00:00.006+01:00

Top row - Alien Card ~~ Brooch ~~ Buttons

2nd row - Doll ~~ Hair grips ~~ Crayon roll

3rd row - Duck pendant ~~ Fascinator ~~ Button bracelet

Bottom row - Tequila pendant ~~ Leaopard heart ~~ Fancy pin cushion

2009-05-28T00:00:00.002+01:00

The rainbow collection:

A selection from Folksy

Updated to include shop details:

Top row: - Felt plushie - heart set - Frog

2nd row: - Button bracelet - Cuff - Mini orange cat

3rd row: - Bird - Earrings - Bus

4th row: - Mushroom house - Orange jelly - Beanie hat

2009-05-25T11:45:00.003+01:00

The rainbow collection:

A selection from Folksy

Top row - Bootees~~ Valentines Card ~~Shawl

2nd row - Button Brooch~~ Boat~~ Gingham lavender bag

3rd row - Bird purse ~~ Pixie hat ~~ Red horn hat

Bottom row - Butterfly bracelet ~~ Button necklace ~~ Sock bunny

2009-05-17T19:42:00.000+01:00

I have been featured in this treasury:

Sunday 10 May 2009

2009-05-12T09:09:00.001+01:00

Well today I went to the BWG Bead Bazaar. Never been to one before I did not know what to expect, beads I hear you all shout – yes I know LOL.

What I am always amazed at the difference in price between the seed beads. Most people will say that Japanese are the best but even among the Japanese companies there seems to be a huge difference – there are Matsunos, Miyukis, Tohos to name but three and they seem to range in price from £3-£4 per 100g to £12-£14 per 100g. Is it really worth paying the higher price and I am not even talking delicas here. I got a selection of different types so I can see if there is a difference using them for the projects I use them for.

Then there are Czech seeds which I believe are possibly not as uniform and therefore slightly less expensive. Not that any beads are that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

I came home with a reasonably heavy bag of treasures for about £60 – if that had been nail stuff it would have been in the hundreds LOL.

Here is my haul:

I bought 2 Murano esque donuts.

3 hanks of charlottes

4 different colours of Miyuki seeds

5 lots of Matsunos

And a 500g bag of I don’t know what, size 11 glass seed beads because my daughter liked the colour and they were less than the least expensive 100g ones I mostly buy LOL.

I didn’t stay very long as I was a bit overwhelmed with the ladies elbowing in – it was worse than Next’s sale!

I also wanted home to watch the Spanish Grand Prix LOL.

Sorry Lynda I didn’t stay long enough to meet you but it was really hot and cramped that my blood pressure was rising. Maybe next time.

Saturday 9 May 2009

2009-05-11T09:35:00.001+01:00

Well today was my birthday and thank you all for your good wishes.

My darling daughters visited at 7.30 in the morning – I think they thought it was Christmas LOL.

I got a phone which was what I have been after for ages. I can join the 21st century and be proud of my phone LOL and not need a forklift to carry it about in.

I have spent a bit of the day thinking of ringtones for me – txt message alert is Return to Sender LOL – Alison sent me a text which said – Return to Sender Address IS known LOL. Call ringtone is Jimmy Nail – Calling out your name!

Kirsty made me some cookies – I almost forgot to take a picture – there are 2 left LOL – there were 6 but the girls had one each LOL.

And Alison made me a decoupatched box to put some of my beaded jewellery in.

After having a lovely breakfast and pottering about with usual weekend laundry and stuff, we sat and watched the Grand Prix qualifying and jumped for joy when Jenson Button got pole for tomorrows race.

We then went out and bought some lovely steaks for tea and visited a local garden centre to get ideas for our new planting project.

I splashed out this evening and actually opened a bottle of wine – first time this year I think LOL.

Ooops I almost forgot the card from my hubby!

Friday 8 May 2009

2009-05-11T09:34:00.000+01:00

What have I done today – not a huge amount really LOL.

I finally finished Alison’s bracelet – not doing too well with the buttons straightness or spacing LOL. She loved the elephant button.

I also had one of my few remaining nail clients, who loves nail art so we did some purple tigers LOL.

Still working on my chocolate marshmallow challenge piece for Bead Buddies – OMG I hope it will be worth it in the end as it has taken ages.

Thursday 7 May 2009

2009-05-11T09:33:00.002+01:00

As Bob (the builder – actually called Dave) didn’t get finished yesterday due to brick deliveries not coming on time, he came back this morning. He finished at about 10.30.

We are pleased. We now just need to dig out any remaining rubbish and fill with soil then have a planting plan LOL.

I then went to the opticians and found out I need reading glasses to go with my existing glasses. I decided to go with the varifocals and will see how I get on – he said it was my age – so I am now starting to show signs of being an old wifey!

Beading wise, I finished off a set of buddy bands and listed them on Etsy.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

2009-05-11T09:33:00.001+01:00

Wednesday is my manic day LOL.

I am currently Chair of Governors at the Junior school where my girls went and every Wednesday morning I meet with the Head and Deputy and talk about management stuff.

I left there at 10.45 ish and went to Tescos to do my normal shopping.

I got home about 11.30 had a quick chat with the builder and then attended to the mail both physical and electronic.

At just before 12 there was a knock at the door and a very exhausted postie handed me the package of magazines which Lynn sent. I can hopefully now get to work on my May mallow and chocolate challenge as I was determined I was not going to do my usual flat spiral LOL.

At about 1.45 I go out again to meet my friend for coffee at her house – we do this every Wednesday – fab!

Pick up kids at 3.30 ish and then quickly home – brush teeth – back out at 4.15 to pick up hubby for family dentist check up at 4.35.

Home about 5.15 – quick sandwich and smoothie for me then out at 5.45 for Full Governors meeting at 6 pm.

Phew are you exhausted yet – I know I am LOL.

Thankfully I managed to move the meeting along quickly and smoothly and I got home just before 8.

I am having withdrawal symptoms as I have done no beading at all today!

Tuesday 5 May 2009

2009-05-07T09:44:00.001+01:00

Everything back to normal today – kids at school, hubby at work.

About 6 years ago we had an extension done to the house. The front used to have a mud drive the width of a single car garage. Then there was grass a concrete path and grass on the other side.

When we did the extension we blockpaved 3/4 of the front so we could now get two cars on the drive and we left a bit of earth - this was actually where the skip sat when the building work was being done LOL.

When it was all finished we couldnt decide what to do with it - it went to weeds then after a while we dug it over but still couldnt decide what to do so it went to wilderness again.

We then thought about having two "terraces" and having it as raised beds.

Andy was going to do this using sleepers but he was never getting round to it so eventually about a month ago he said why dont we just get a builder in - it would take him two days, it has taken us 6 years LOL. So we got a quote and he started this morning. I have taken a before picture and I will take an after picture, eventually!

In my defence, that is not my version of the naughty step - I dont make my daughter sit there - there is actually 4 of them in there playing their DS's as it was a lovely day and the truck is more comfortable than the step LOL

I have also been working on some “friendship” bracelets – basically I have made two almost identical bracelets and I will sell them as a pair – one for you and one for your best friend. But I haven’t sewn the button fastening on yet. A great suggestion has been made to call them "Buddy bands". I like that!

You are certainly getting multi views of my “threads” LOL.

Sunday 3 May 2009

2009-05-07T09:41:00.000+01:00

Not really done much today although I got a real treat this morning. As yesterday was the first Saturday of the month we had a farmers market on and we got duck eggs, one of my favourites.

So I had a boiled duck egg with soldiers for breakfast – yum!

I have just pottered about with trying to finish things off which were in need and taking pictures of things which needed photographed.

I have a nail client who is a prison chaplain and always wears a cross of some description. Last year she asked me to make her one using bronze beads. She has now asked me to do her a more summery one.

She also had this crystal cross and she wanted it on something more exciting than a bit of thong.

I am still pushing the Etsy thing – I was featured in a treasury yesterday which was great.

I also discovered coriandr which is a UK version similar to Etsy but very much in its infancy. I thought I would give it a try.

I did the beading for A’s bracelet but we just need to shop for buttons now before I can photograph and show it.

I am still working on designs for my friends necklace for the wedding. Here is another suggestion – not sure I like it with all the separate colours but maybe with all the links being in the soup mix might be nicer. I think I will lose the lacky bands and bulldog clips though LOL. Oh and I will finish off the threads.

Saturday 2nd May

2009-05-04T11:08:00.000+01:00

My day started off really well. As usual my lovely hubby brought me tea and toast in bed and I got to have about an hour of peace and quiet to read – I finished R for Ricochet and started S for Silence.

Here’s me thinking it couldn’t get any better than this LOL.

Doorbell rang – postie bringing me the best thing in the world to receive – well if not chocolate – BEADS!

I entered one of (Nemeton) Lynn’s Treasury riddles last week and won – I won a chocolate button cuff.

When my two daughters saw it they both loved it and asked if I would make one for them – K wanted frosted silver lined grey satin with either black or white buttons and A wanted frosted silver lined crystal with, not quite sure what colour buttons yet LOL.

I managed to finish K’s one but I sewed the buttons on too close together, she said it is fine and is wearing it now – I did offer to go and get another two buttons, which I might do during the week.

Another parcel which came, well apart from trousers for hubby LOL, was from Lesley – I had seen her picture of one of the ribbon beads on this weeks work and when she posted the link about raising funds to adopt an elephant, I ambled over to check it out. Lo and behold there was this fantastic bead. After a couple of false starts at ordering, I was clicking so quickly so as not to lose out that I put it in the basket twice and it kept telling me I couldn’t have it. I stepped away from the keyboard for a nanosecond and calmed down and tried again. Success!

Info here on the elephants...http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Enjoy my ramblings!

2009-05-04T11:06:00.001+01:00

Ok what have I actually done today: (Friday May 1st)

Got up at about 7.15 and did the usual shower, dressed, made kids lunches – I know they are probably old enough to do it themselves LOL.

8.15 left the house and took kids to school.

8.35 mechanic came to take car for MOT – car has cost us a fortune this last couple of months – new brakes, 4 new tyres (£130 each ouch!). Thankfully it passed!

Now to the good stuff LOL.

Once everyone has gone and I get the house to myself I can have breakfast and a cuppa in peace.

I check all of the internet things I need to check – emails, nail stuff as I am a moderator on a Nail Forum and I deal with the “Contact Us” in box – can be up to a couple of hundred emails per day but most of them are for little blue pills or other enhancements but you do get the odd one where I have to help with registration issues, advertisement requests etc. etc.

I am working on a commission for a friend who is going to a wedding and wants something made to match her dress – I think she wants a necklace and bracelet.

This is what I have done so far:

She loves it, but it was a practice piece to see how the colours went together. I managed to break a thread when doing the netting which split the peyote strip and my patch up job is not to my satisfaction so I need to do it again anyway.

I have another design which I am doing a bit of which is herringbone rings threaded together and I will see which one she likes best.

Not much else today.

2009-05-02T19:17:00.001+01:00

I have been featured in a treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=52523

2009-05-02T18:14:00.001+01:00

What have I got happening this month:

Well I have a birthday which is always lovely as my girls and hubby spoil me a bit.

I hope to be able to go to the Guilds Bead Fair next weekend – never been to a bead fair – I am a bit scared that I will be overwhelmed and become a kid in a sweetshop and spend all my pocket money.

I have my first Gift and Treats Fair towards the end of the month.

I am sure there will be other happenings that I don’t know about yet and also there is the day to day stuff I have to deal with as a wife, mother, business owner, another business owner, school governor and general dogsbody!

Enjoy my ramblings!

2009-04-28T09:55:00.000+01:00

More about me in the world of beads!

I am a member of the Bead Buddies Forum in the UK.

I am a member of the Etsy Beadweavers Team. To find others search on the term EBW.

I am also a member of the Etsy Midlanders Team - again search on Etsy for Midlanders and you will find all of us (hopefully).

2009-04-28T09:46:00.000+01:00

Welcome to my blog!

As I stand in the ring of like minded people I put hand on heart and admit:

I am a beadaholic!

I just love working with seed beads - especially size 11s. I cannot get enough of them. I buy constantly and forget what I have bought so I buy them again.

I think this is the definition of an addict.