Still wearing the Harvest bracelet!

Which was the only bright spot in a really, really rubbish day today - everything that could go wrong did go wrong and nothing that I had planned to do got done. I did get to see the Isle of Dogs from the 34th floor of the Citi building as well as the trading floor (where there was a man with braces!) though.

Forgot to mention yesterday that I met Rose from Victoria Rose Crafts on Saturday with her gorgeous daughter Rianna - Rose is making some pretty bags for me, and we met up to swap materials. Daisy and Rianna had a lovely time with wooden spoons. Drop in on her blog and check out her makes, they're amazing.

Tourmaline and carnelian chips arrived today in the post so I think I'll make some bangles up!

Autumn inspiration

Last night I finished a 'Harvest' bracelet which had been germinating on the beadmat for a few weeks as various bits arrived from Hong Kong and the US (hurray for Etsy suppliers) and I'm so pleased with the way its turned out. The idea for it came from some berry beads that I saw on Ebay and some lucite leaves that were already in my stash. The berries and leaves made me think of hedgerows, and when I found some gorgeous green glass apples and copper acorns on Etsy the whole thing came together. It's the most expensive piece I've ever made but I LOVE it. A lot. The finished piece is almost like a garland, and it feels great on - and it makes a lovely noise!

I built my outfit around it today and several people commented so it was worth it....what do you think? The second picture is a colour mix for an autumn necklace for a friend's mother, and the final one shows the mix on a chain with carnelian chips, which will eventually be strung on ribbon with fieldmice charms and gold findings.

Busy busy!

Christmas is suddenly sneaking up on me with the prospect of sharing a stall at the Epping Christmas market with LilyRosesLuxuries and Victoria Rose Papercraft, so I'm starting to make things in larger quantities than normal...it doesn't seem too far away now, which in one way is exciting. I've also been asked to do a Christmas shopping event in South London by someone who has seen me on Facebook, so hopefully this Christmas will be a good one.

Not getting much stitching done, but I have managed to finish an iphone sock on the tube in hot pink/orange/purple sock yarn, and here are a few of this week's makes. The Allsorts necklace is a one-off, but the Glacier clusters are for the stall, as are the earrings.

I'm also planning on making a few party necklaces and some gemstone chip bracelets in amethyst and candy jade, some phone charms and more earrings...there just isn't enough time in the day!

In Memory...

...I heard yesterday that an old teacher, mentor and friend had died after a fall. Although he had been suffering from Parkinsons Disease for several years and no longer knew what was around him, it's still a sad day and I feel like someone has turned a light out in the world. From Facebook conversations with people who knew him, there are going to be hundreds of us who feel the same way - he made going to school fun and he will live on in the hearts of all of us who were in his classes at Raglan Junior School.

I'll remember the ghost stories, singing 'Green and Yellow', the laughter and the inspirational teaching, the family holidays, the experimental winemaking (much later, of course!), the goldfish, the help and support he gave me over my PGCE course and the faith he had in me, the terrible jokes and the enthusiasm he always showed in the classroom. He was an amazing man and I miss him, my prayers are with his family. Rest in Peace, Mr D. Your grandchildren, children and wife have lost someone irreplaceable....as have we all.

The sooner we find a cure for this terrible disease the better - too many people are needlessly suffering.

Christmas @ Ladybird Beads

The nights are drawing in and someone told me how many days it was until Christmas (I blanked it out....) so I thought I'd start creating pretty stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts to sell. I've been making bracelets but matching necklaces/earrings can be made on request! I've also been having fun with Fimo, making beads to turn into phone charms and earrings to give away as freebies for customers. My eyes have now been opened to the wonders of polymer clay, and I have some glitter effect red & white to play with next. Watch this space...Daisy also likes what she calls 'Mummy's playdough' and made her own ladybird and worm (which started life as a bug...)

The bracelets below were inspired by tree decorations and the way they reflect the Christmas lights and what tree would be complete without an angel?

Daisy started nursery last week, she's getting so grown up! I had expected her to bring home the usual pictures and junk models but so far all she's given me is a cold....ballet starts again this weekend and I know she's looking forward to wearing her tutu and being a 'princess' again. I love watching her dance, and she gets so excited that every so often she runs over and gives me a random kiss!

Hurray! I finished it...

Finally finished and packed off with my sister to hand over to my mum and dad this week...believe it or not there is a beautifully stitched Celtic ribbonwork border all round the outside of this....which I somehow managed to offset by an inch and a half so it had to be hidden. I didn't notice till I got to the framers, but fortunately he didn't laugh too much while I was in the shop! Never done that before.

I've also had almost 500 visitors to my website which is very exciting! Just started listing Christmas items like these cute Swarovski crystal tree earrings and glass gift box earrings. A free handmade gift will be sent to anyone ordering from the Christmas page at http://www.ladybirdbeads.co.uk/ChristmasatLadybirdBeads.html so please come see me!