design challenge

Have you heard of Etsy Trade-a-holics? If you love Etsy and like the idea of tradeing with others on there well this is the place to go! Any who back to the point... the October design challenge on the Etsy Trade-a-holics blog was Pumpkin Patch and here is my attempt on that theme....

Orange so not my favorite color 

How cute is this lampwork leaf headpin?!!

I am also joining in with.....

Have a happy Friday

Mmmmm opal

The soldering gods were smiling two days in a row and I managed to make this.....

OK, so I properly could have made it in one night (with a tad more confidence and a touch less coffee) but it was one of those unplanned moments, when the kids have all gone to bed and actually fallen asleep (never happens), the other half was working till late, I had actually done all the house work (I know) and got to the point where you think hmmmm what now....

That very, very rarely happens! Then this kind of made its self, not perfect (hey it's only my second bezel and it turns out triangle are harder then circles, doh) but I really, really like it....

Though I think I might have to make it into a necklace, and oh my, how hard are opals to photo???
These shots took forever and I still did not get a single photo with the bright green flash on the bottom of this stunning stone.
Defiantly have to make more, might have to try an open back bezel next, practice my sawing skills...

xxx

Bead Soup Blog Party

Wooohoooo Welcome to my bead soup post.

I would like to start by saying a HUGE thank you firstly to The Lovely Lori Anderson for all the hard work she has put into making the bead soup happen (Lori you are fantastic) and secondly to my amazing and wonderfully talented partner Natalie Monkivitch who sent me such beautiful treasures....

The focal and the clasp tho stunning were a real change for me because I don't normally use such big pieces, but hey I signed up for a challenge and thats what I got!

I completely fell in love with this focal/work of art (she has the most beautiful feathers on her bum and such sweet bows), and she sat beautifully on my desk for what seemed like ages whispering about pearls, black lace and seed beads....

 Until I finally gave in to her request and attempted seed beading (hats off to all you seed beaders out there because it is hard work). 

I added pearls to match the colors in her outfit and faceted labradorite because you know I need sparkle then finished her off with a bit of ribbon....

I decided to use the clasp in a bracelet but knew it would be quiet a challenge as normally I make my own clasps and they are normally alot smaller, a big bold clasp needed a big bold bracelet, and here is what I came up with....

I sawed the hoop off the clasp and used it at an angle which then made the pattern on it look like hearts, So I ran with that as a theme....

Throw in a couple of lamp work beads (by Laura Sparling) and lots of silver wire and a dash of liver of sulphur and there you have it my idea of a big bold bracelet.

I had a few pieces left so made these too....

As my regular readers may have guessed I like making earrings (even tho I rarely wear them)....

and I love chainmaille, I have a few of these large beads left so will have to make up some more charms (they feel so lovely in your hand) and I still have my "extras" left to play with so I'm a very happy bunny.

Click here to see what Nat made with what I sent her.

To see what the other fantastic people in the blog hop made head on over to the official bead soup page, go on you know you want to!

Have a great day

xxx

Teaser

Phew, I have just finished my bead soup pieces, but I cant show you them yet (not long now) I should at least show you a bit of eye candy tho (or ear candy)!....

My latest earrings....

Make sure you pass by on Saturday to see what I made from all the lovely things I was sent, here is a little teaser just for you....

Have a great day

xxx

Summers gone!

I can't believe how quickly the summer went by and after a week of madness/excitment, and getting all organised the girl and the boy have both started there new secondary schools, they look sooooo grown up in there uniforms....

Two days have passed and there have been no major incidents! 

I must admit mess maker and I have been enjoying the quiet while they are at school! Mess maker has been doing just that and I have been working busily on my bead soup, which I can't show you so I'll have to show you my latest earrings instead....

Keeping it simple with a sprinkle of sparkle!

And wire wrapped labrodites with pearl earwires, these were really fun to make, I might have to try some more wire wrapping!

Hope you all enjoyed your summer

xxx

I have soup ingredients

My Bead Soup has arrived and WOW....

I mean just take a closer look at this mini master piece....

Isn't she stunning and her back is just as beautiful....

Look at those feathers, she makes me want to watch Moulin Rouge, and with beads to match....

I feel completely spoilt and if all that was not enough I got extras....

I want to say a HUGE Thank You to Nat my soup partner for sending such beautiful treasures!

Have a great weekend

xxx