At last - a new make!

I'm very pleased with how this bracelet has turned out - this is the re-make I'd tried on my loom a few weeks ago, but it just didn't feel and look right.

I used brick-stitch, with 4 colours of 4mm cubes, then with a rope edging using purple size 11s then added a beaded bead for the toggle to go through the gap - this was a little tricky working this but I got there! I'm not convinced however if I've attached the toggle securely to stay through the hole; I may re-think this and try another idea. In the meantime I'd love to hear your comments! Thank you for your time.

I'm so rubbish, me!

Sorry folks for not being about much recently - everything you could possibly imagine is going on, somewhere, somehow, in my life atm, it's crazy. Anyhow just wanted to say I am still here but hovering in the background atm as just so busy. Mostly with my best mate Mrs Giraffe helping her through her trials and tribulations just now; plus waiting for news on the job front. Had an interview last week which I don't think I've got as I would've heard by now; so hoping for news on getting my old job back sooner than planned to help with the flow of dosh (hubby made redundant but starts new job next wk, on less salary unfortunately).

Plus I've been busy sorting enrolment for my girls starting nursery in January (OMG!) plus my son's emergency dental treatment, poor soul. But hopefully it's fixed now and he'll be back to his normal self soon, been suffering with it recently. My hunnie.

Apart from that I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs with nowt to do ... yeah right! I've got loads of jewellery makes (new and old) that I want to get posted on here and tell you all how I've made it and see what you think; but any time I try to sit down with a cuppa for 5 minutes, either I get jumped on by one of my little darlings, or the phone rings, or something is spilled, or I see (yet another) job I've not yet done ... then I get back to my cold cup of tea ... oh the joys of life!

PLEASE keep your faith in me - that is if you haven't already given up - I WILL post some new stuff on here as soon as I possibly can!!! Thank you all for reading anyway, Jo xxx

Another bracelet

This is a bracelet I made about a year or so ago, using brick stitch and teal/purple size 8 beads, then added some fringing to the edges using size 11s in same colours. The fastening is just a basic press-stud sewn on. I love this, it sits like a snug cuff bracelet, and of course with my two fave colours together! Another work-in-progress bracelet I'm doing now using lilac/lavender 4mm cubes will hopefully end up similar to this style, but with different edging. Watch this space! Please let me know what you think of this piece, and thanks again for your time! Jo x [not for sale]

A new make!

Finally, I've finished one of my many 'work in progress' pieces! Here it is - a jump ring bracelet with a variety of pink and purple beads on each jump ring; and using a silver toggle clasp to fasten it. Very pretty I think, and I shall endeavour to make more of these in different colour schemes to sell. Let me know what you think ... and thanks for your time! Jo x [not for sale]

Blog giveaway!

Just thought I'd draw the attention of my fellow jewellery makers to a fabby blog giveaway!

http://muranosilver.blogspot.com

Get over there, have a look and get your name in - it closes on 30th April. Good luck! Jo x

Some good news to add!

Just wanted to share my exciting news - which will bring me an extremely busy rest-of-the-year, esp if I've got to somehow fit in a return to full-time work ...

Anyway I've managed to book a stall at a Christmas Craft Fair (at the beginning of November) to sell my jewellery at!!! This is an extremely popular fair, barely room to move, and in aid of a local hospice (which is close to my heart as my grandpa was looked after by them before he died in 1992) which in my opinion is a very good cause!

So my mum (also a jewellery maker and VERY good dressmaker, specialising in bridal and special occasion wear using 100% silk - please get in contact if this is of any interest to you and you have a need!!!) and I will be getting busy making new items using our new semi-precious stones, and we also want to stock up on some lovely new lampwork beads we've been eyeing up on various websites - so going to be making some special stuff and bumping up our prices!!! Wish us luck ....

And fingers crossed that my fabby mate Emma (mrs giraffe's bloggy) will get a stall secured at this event too to sell her lush cards ... in case you hadn't guessed we live locally to each other ... as in 3 doors away!!! lol

Jo xxx

Several projects on the go!

Morning all! Sorry nothing new to post on here yet, I've been busy trying to sort jobs between myself and hubby (redundancy looming) - I'm quietly confident one, or both, of us will get something out of the many jobs applied for.

In terms of jewellery making, atm I'm trying to make several things, but nothing's anywhere near finished to post on here ... firstly there's my loomwork bracelet (in previous post) which I've now undone and re-making using brick stitch. Only a few rows done so far but colour scheme looking good and it's very tactile!

Then there's my necklace using blue size 12 delicas and crystal faceted 6mm beads made into a star shape - lots of these joined together using jump rings. One star made so far - I wanted to be sure I like the colour scheme before I continue ... I may even make a pair of matching earrings.

Last night I started a 'chainmail' bracelet - lots of jump rings linked together, with a small bead threaded onto each one. I'm using different shaped pinks and purples for this one. I've finished the length of it, now just adding more to bulk it out and make it chunky!

Lots more ideas being stored in the brain, but no time to jot them down never mind start making! What I often find easier when dreaming up a new creation is to gather the beads and findings together for a project (I use old cleaned food pots, i.e. couscous or marg tubs, to keep these all in one place) - that way if I run out of time, which is often the case, to actually start making it, at least I've done the choosing process of what I want to use - I find this takes me longer than I anticipate!

Hope everybody else is getting plenty beading time - child-free and no other distractions!!!

Jo x