Progress report

After a week away with no beads I've managed to complete half the Ruby Sampler border...the end is in sight!

New website...

...launched last night. After many things disappeared into the ether and much swearing on my part, http://www.ladybirdbeads.co.uk popped into cyberspace. It's shiny!

All kinds of everything!

Now that I'm back in work I have the joy of the hour-long commute on the Central Line three days a week and the only way to do this and stay sane is to have something to do (stuck in a tunnel? Excellent, I can finish this colour/row/square). I've even occasionally missed my stop and had to double back...so this week I've been knitting i-pod/i-phone socks for various friends and hopefully (eventually) for sale. I'm trying to work out a way to add beads...

The jewellery sales are also coming along well so my evenings have been taken up with that, but I really REALLY need to get on with my Ruby Wedding sampler since it needs to be finished and framed by September. I think I'll take it on holiday with me and leave the beads at home.

Yesterday I spent an amazing half-day at Spoilt Rotten Beads in Haddenham, Cambs (link halfway down the right of this page) on one of their beaded jewellery courses. Kelly, the tutor, was patient and helpful and even made wire-wrapped loops easy. The course was held in their gorgeous shop which sells exquisite handmade jewellery as well as beads and findings, so there was plenty of opportunity to shop...and oh, how I shopped. I had to stop on the way home and buy a new storage box...beautiful ladybirds, acid-etched beads, Indian glass beads, semi-precious stones and shells, unusual spacers and findings...I can't recommend them enough.

I suppose I need to think about Christmas cards too...there are just not enough hours in the day...oh to win the Lottery so I can give up work and spend all day at the craft box!

Twitter

I've just succumbed to the lure of Twitter...the link to my tweeting (twittering?) is on the right hand side of this page if anyone fancies following me! While you're there, have a look at the rather fabulous beading link I've added as well - Spoilt Rotten Beads. The stuff in their shop is totally hoardable and I am SO looking forward to my beaded jewellery making course there this coming weekend. And to spending my birthday money in the shop afterwards (rubs hands together in glee).

I've also been busy making anklets and bracelets recently - here's a couple of my favourites. They're all for sale in my brand new shiny Folksy shop or via Facebook.

I got an award!

Many thanks to Emma at Fairyqueen's Jewels for nominating me for this award!!


I must pass this award on as the rules say - comment on this blog; cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog; nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude; link to your nominees within your blog post; comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award; link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I nominate....

http://fairyqueensjewels.blogspot.com/

http://fallenangeljewellerydesigns.blogspot.com/

http://cushie66.blogspot.com/

http://olivercharlespearson.blogspot.com/

http://crazystitching.blogspot.com/

Ladybird Beads Facebook Giveaway

It's my birthday tomorrow so I thought I'd break with tradition and give someone else a present...so, at some point tomorrow morning (Friday 26 June) one of my FB fans will win a lovely sparkly present! If you're not a fan already click the link on the right hand side of this page, and if you are a fan spread the word and good luck!

Happy Birthday to me...etc.

Inspiration...

...often comes from the strangest place. This weekend I spent a day with my sister who wanted to be Wonderwoman from a very early age (I think she is already, of course, certainly she's Wonderauntie). A conversation with her led me to a search for particular beads on ebay which I'll be turning into cuffs when they arrive. Everyone has days when they need a bit of wonder!

I'm currently looking forward to my birthday present from my other half, who has bought me a jewellery making course at Spoilt Rotten Beads. Check them out here, they have some gorgeous things http://www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk/

The Ruby Wedding sampler is coming along well - the lettering is done and I'm now working the ribbonwork border. I've also found some carved wooden lovespoon charms at Polstitches Designs which I hope I'll be able to work in somewhere. They can be bought here http://www.polstitchesdesigns.co.uk/lovespoons.htm along with beautiful hand-dyed fabrics and threads.

Some new finishes to show as well! The Ladybug bracelet has been popular, I keep trying to make one for myself but then end up selling them. I've made two of the Rainbow Fluorite cuffs as well - I love using memory wire as the finished bangles look so effective. By far the most popular piece, though, has been the Mother's Love bracelets - I think I've made about 8 so far and I keep running out of the letter I so I might need to start buying in bulk! The final two pictures are the She Sells Sea Shells bracelet, made of Tibetan silver and dyed pink shell coins, and a Raspberries and Cream set made with matt glass beads that I fell in love with.

Day 2 and a new bracelet

The garnet bracelet has taken a couple of days to complete - 120+ garnet chips, all sorts of star charms and beads, and one small ladybird. Very heavy but seriously luxe, I love making these gemstone bracelets as they feel so good on your wrist!

On the sampler, I completed the lettering on the top (after frogging the green) and made a start on my parents' names at the bottom. I admit I'm doing the easy bits first as the Celtic ribbonwork border will take a while...

New start!

I've finally started the Ruby Wedding sampler for my parents - have stashed Maggie in a box with a promise to come back to her soon. The design is a really simple one, based on the ring cushion I did for my sister's wedding a couple of years ago. I'm working it on 28 count evenweave in shades of red - using DMC's variegated cotton (shade 115) for the main part of it and then picking out two of the shades for the border. The love spoons are based on a pattern from a mag years and years ago and I'm just using the outline rather than stitching the insides.

As you can see, I've started the lettering in the top in green (DMC 520 for those who want to know) and about 3 o clock this morning I decided it was wrong and that I'd unpick it and use 115 all the way through. We'll see how it turns out. The anniversary is in early September so I'd better stop playing with beads for a while (though I did sell another two bracelets today, as well as making my first Etsy sale last Friday) and get on with some stitching!

Exciting week!

I'm really pleased that Ladybird Beads has got off to such a great start - I made my first sale on Etsy this morning and have also had great success with the Facebook page. By far the most successful items have been the charm bracelets and the Mother's Love bracelets; I've had four orders for these already and feedback has been really positive. #

I also won two tickets this morning for the Hyde Park Calling concert just after my birthday! I never win anything so this is really exciting for me - plus it's Bruce Springsteen, who is my idol. Thanks to Absolute Radio for those...