Batty? Possibly....

I mentioned last week that I'd had the weirdest request for a charm bracelet ever (or so I thought at the time...) and as it's now been gifted I can post a pic. Bats, shamrocks and a leprechaun makes for a strange combination but does look quite cute!

Again, I've spent the week making gemstone bangles for the Christmas Market, and also managed some Slinky bracelets in purple and silver - shame I'm supposed to sell them really....I've also listed them in my Etsy shop and my Folksy shop, along with some handmade polymer clay Ladybug earrings.

In other news, I read back through this blog(I've been at it for a year now!) and realised that one of the first posts I made was about a completed WIP - my daughter Tove, who was one on Thursday. She's now walking (just), saying a couple of nearly-words and eating everything in sight - I can't believe how time has flown. Here she is....and her big sister Daisy too. The clocks went back last night (hurray for the MIL reminding us yesterday!) and it's getting dark already, winter really is setting in. I love autumn and winter though, a perfect excuse for big casseroles (steak and Guinness, mmm) and jacket potatoes!

So, to bring back memories of summer I'm going to spend the evening making Flower Garden sets! Pretty pink and purple lucite flowers, pale green leaves and toho seed beads, all strung on a chain and suspended from ribbon. I wear my own one quite often and it never fails to get compliments.

Next weekend I'm off to a hotel with my best friend for a child free couple of days - luxury! I'm counting the hours...

Charming!

A record week in the life of Ladybird Beads, with orders coming in every day from people both known and unknown - I'm feeling hopeful that things are starting to take off and that one day I might be able to make a (small) living out of this...though I'm not holding my breath! I am now registered as self-employed in a very small way, so me and Mr Taxman (oo-ooh Mr Taxma-an....) are squared off, and I'm being ever so good about updating my records as well. Thank heavens for Microsoft Excel, or it wouldn't be so organised.

Anyway, back to the crafty stuff! It's mainly been charm bracelets this week, starting with a request for "a glam/retro one" for one of my sister's staff - the brief was pink, with shoes and handbags, and I think I pulled it off! She liked it, anyway (you can see it here....and the result was a second themed bracelet that I can't put up here yet (though it holds the current 'weirdest theme' record!), and an order from one of the other team members for a charm bracelet with rocking horses, horseshoes and pink beads.

There have also been requests for charm hoop necklaces and matching bracelets, a daisy chain necklace which is coming back for shortening (see, it's a full service here!), an amethyst gemstone chip bracelet, a Mother's Love bracelet and a necklace based on a bracelet/anklet I've made before. It's all go! I also found time for a kilt pin for myself, which I'd had on the list for a while.

Other news? Still going on the i-phone socks which are very relaxing on the Central Line, especially since my tube karma this week has been terrible. No stitching, but when I finish this sock I'll be getting on with my Flower Fairy for a while.

I finally talked my other half into taking me to Hobbycraft last week, and amazingly I only bought two circular needles and a useful tray - clearly taking a fractious 3 year old with me is the way to save money! She's had chicken pox and hasn't been sleeping so well, but fortunately we're past it. Now I'm just waiting for Tove to break out in spots in time for her first birthday next week.

Tonight, though, I've made a lasagne for me and my beloved, he's brought a bottle of wine, and we're going to relax for a change...unless the lure of the bead box gets too much!

What Kirsty did next!

Well, here we are at the end of another week, and autumn seems to have landed with a vengeance! The lovely crispy sunshine has been replaced by miserable rain, and my fleecy penguin pyjamas have been dragged out of the wardrobe once again. The good side of this, of course, is that its boot season once again - I love pretty flipflops and sandals but you can't beat a good boot. So far I've resurrected my beloved pirate OTKs and the black biker boots from last year, and I'm looking forward to the arrival of some new ones.

Today has been my weekly day off (I love this part-time stuff...) and while I started the day with good intentions about doing some beading/knitting/stitching I just went and had my hair cut instead: a bit of pampering does cheer you up!

I haven't been lazy all week though, I've been making gemstone bangles in tourmaline and amethyst, and have started one in jade...

...as well as making a replacement dangle for a kilt pin, finishing the autumn necklace for a friend's mum, and a mother's bracelet for my own mum's next door neighbour in France.

I also held a giveaway on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago and have posted off a Sugar & Spice set to a little girl called Madeleine in South London. Keep an eye out for the next one by becoming a fan...

When I put it like that it looks like I've done lots this week!

Finally, I'm really excited about the bags that Rose over at Victoria Rose Crafts made for me this week! Go over and see her at her blog, she makes some gorgeous stuff. You'll find her at the Epping Craft Collective stall at the Christmas Market on 4 December, along with me and Lily Roses's Luxuries - stop by and see us if you're in the area!