I Promise...

... I haven't been as unproductive as this blog would imply, although most of the things I have to show today aren't quite finished.

Firstly, this is a ribbon necklace I've done, using some polymer clay beads I made over the Christmas holidays. I've always loved ribbons with jewellery, yet strangely this is the first piece I've made myself. The lentil shape beads are decorated with 2 sizes of a cane I made. I made the stripy spacers at the same time (and was a bit worried they would work together, but I think I like the look). I need to get some clear nail polish to seal the ends of the ribbon before I can wear it.

Unfortunately the photo's a bit blurred (I didn't realise until after I had packed my portable studio away).

Here's a little close-up of the beads:

I'm also working on this berry bracelet, from a kit Mum bought me for Christmas. I have another self-coloured strand to do (the strands are different colours, although I'm not sure that really shows in the photo), then onto the berries and leaves and twist and stitch the whole thing together. Would love to have this finished before I go on holiday. although also want to make a bracelet to go with the red and gold Crystal & Pearls necklace I've previously posted.

One of the things I had on my list to do this year was learn to crochet. My Mum used to do really lovely things, but I never seemed to quite grasp it (and I think she found it tricky trying to teach a lefty!!). Anyway, I have finally mastered it (thanks to some lefty instructions I found on Internet). It took my 3 nights to learn, which is a bit of a record for me, as normally I'm able to pick things up quickly - was extremely frusturating. Anyway thought I'd start with something simple and make a bag to keep my wool and hooks in. First couple of squares (unfortunately our local shop didn't have a good selection of cotton yarn, so this was the best colour combo I could get).

Finally, made this rye and white seeded loaf - I've done a couple of ones before using all rye flour, but they've come out really gluey and quite inedible. This one has a good feel, so hopefully it will taste nice too.
Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

Box of Tricks

My long-time readers may remember me posting this as a work in progress a few months ago. It sat almost finished for ages (just needed the feet put on) and I finally finished it last night.

We're going to give it to Stewart's Nan as part of her Christmas present (in fact Stu is right now heading over to his folks' to deliver presents for people we won't see on Christmas Day).

Finally, a couple of little detail pics.


I am also almost finished a different design for Stewart's sis. I relally love making things to put in with people's presents.

Thanks for looking. Off to start making some Christmas cards shortly.

Crystal & Pearls

I made this from a pattern in Laura McCabe's book. The pattern was amazingly easy to follow (much less complicated than it looks). I changed a couple of the sizes/styles in the and shortened the drops quite a bit.

I used 20mm Swarovski rivolis in siam, pearls in powder almond and delicas in apricot gold. I also used siam and sand opal bicones, size 15 seed beads in gold & bronze and size 11 seed beads in gold and red. I also used crystal fireline to keep the whole thing together.

Thanks for looking.

Inky Fingers

After a couple of weeks of doing nothing but working and trying to find my mojo, I'm back in the land of blogging - sometimes I really don't know where the time goes, although it has to be said I can be a bit of a faffer even at the best of times.

Anyway, I have a few projects on the go at the moment. Still loving using polymer clay and made these beads.

I used gold foil and alcohol inks in pesto, wild plum, lettuce and stream (and maybe eggplant too - can't remember) on black Fimo Classic. I then used this to cover beads made from scrap clay. Next time I'm going to try wearing gloves with the ink, as my fingers looked really mucky afterwards, especially around the sides of my nails.

The beads are strung with 3mm Swarovski bicones in fuschia, with 4mm ones next to the big bead in the middle.

Thanks for looking.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

In line with my new polymer clay addiction, I made these beads on Sunday. Made a little cane and covered beads that were just made from scrap clay. Wish I had some more colours of Fimo Classic (apart from black and white), but have to use up my stock of Fimo Soft before I buy more.


I dusted the beads with Red/Blue Pearlex Powder then coated with Klear floor polish.

I decided to call them "Breakfast at Tiffany's" as the reminded me slightly of a Tiffany lamp.

Got this Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski book, and desperate to try some of the designs. Pity the 18mm rivolis available in the UK are only clear or AB coated. I always try to source stuff from UK suppliers where I can, but looks like I'll have to order from overseas in this instance.

Comments/tips for improving my jewellery/beaded work always are always welcome and appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

This Weekend

This weekend I started working on one the the little boxes in the book "Little Bead Boxes" by Julia S Pretl (one of the books I posted on Thursday). I decided to do the "Flower" one and give it to Stewart's Nan for Christmas. According to the book the difficulty in shapes (from easiest) is triangle, hexagon, pentagon and square. I decided to jump in at almost the deep end (ha, ha - how unlike me!!) and try one of the penatgon ones. It really wasn't difficult at all, once I read the instructions on how to interpret the word maps (there's no way I'd manage it using the graphical charts).

Anyway, this is what I have done so far (quite a few hours).


I also ordered some Hot Copper glitter powders for polymer clay from EJR Beads


Not had a chance to try this out yet, but hope to in the next week or so.

Off to Manchester at the weekend. Staying at the MacDonald Manchester and going for dinner at Michael Caines restaurant on the Saturday night. Going to try and book Chaophraya for the Sunday night as well.

Murder mystery night went really well on Saturday (although I screwed up the main course a bit). Cooked the chicken to too long and it sort of disintegrated (no wonder I hate doing chicken). Everyone really joined in and only one person (my sis) guessed correctly.

Thanks for looking.

Another First from Me

I went to my first ever polymer clay bead class on Saturday and it was absolutely fab. Such a friendly group and so welcoming - I went home feeling like I had known everyone for years. It was great value for money as well. This is what we made.

We used white, turquoise and green clay, varioys pokey-things and some acrylic paints. I'm really happy with the finished product (although there are a few imperfections) and wore it to work today - go a couple of compliments on it.

Thanks for looking

My First Attempt at Glass Beadmaking

I made these beads at the class I went to on Sunday -the other people in the class seemed to make more than me, but I didn't care because they had all worked with glass before.



The yellow, light amber and last amber were my last 3 and I really think I was beginning to get a hang of it by then. These ones seem much rounder etc and I felt I was more in control when I was doing them. You might see some bead release, because I didn't have time to clean them and my file is too big, and I also can't use them as wanted to take them home straight away instead of having them annealed (I knew they weren't up to a high enough standard to use in any jewellery. That said, I am inordinately proud of them and hoping to do another class in August.

I'd love to get a kit for making them, but realistically I don't have much spare time on my hands at the moment, so can't really justify the outlay for something I wouldn't utilise very often - hopefully at some point in the future, once I've had a bit more practice, I will be able to do it. Also meant to ask at the studio where the class was if it's possible to hire out kiln space etc.

Off to a polymer clay bead making class this Saturday, although this one only lasts a couple of hours and isn't expensive - I have most of the stuff I'd need for clay beads, but just thought it would be nice to get a little bit of tuition instead of trying to learn from a book all the time - sometimes it's nice to see someone actually making things to learn techniques etc.

Lotus Bangle

Remember the lovely pink and purple beads I posted last week, well this is what I made with them. The pattern is by the ultra-talented Jennifer Airs

Also got this book last week, so have started learning shapes because I want to make almost everthing in it - the Moroccan lanterns (shown on the cover) are absolutely stunning, but probably way beyond my skill level at the moment.

Went to the Take That gig at Hampden on Saturday - only knew on Thursday I was going, as G called to say she knew someone who knew someone who could get 2 people in if Stu and I wanted to go. Never ones to turn down a freebie we jumped at the chance. Was a really really good show; obviously a lot of time and money had gone into designing the set and show. The mechanical elephant was fab and Stu and I were singing along to quite a few numbers. One of the support acts, Gary Go, was also really good. The other support was James Morrison, of whom least said the better!

Thanks for looking.

Pinks & Purples

I ordered this delicious section of beads on Monday and they arrived on Tuesday.

The bright pinks are a colour called orchid and I think it just may be my new favourite colour in the world.

I put them to use straight away, starting on this bangle:

It's done in peyote, the same technique I learned for my spiral bangle. Was a little bit tricky at first, but once I had the first "V" done, it go much easier.

At the weekend I went to little Samuel's first birthday party, held at the Boilerhouse in the Hidden Gardens at Tramway in Glasgow. Great venue, really really interesting garden and a glorious day. The birthday boy had a great time playing in the dirt and it was good to catch up with my cousins again.

Think I am going to Take That on Saturday - looks like I managed to wrangle a couple of freebies - still waiting for it to be confirmed though.

Til the next post, bloggy-types.

Finally Finished

I finally finished the beaded bangle I was making. I'ts taken me 2 weeks to day, and if I'm being perfectly honest, I'm not even sure I like it that much. I don't know if it was because I changed the beads slightly or bause of my tension, but my spirals don't seem as sharp or tight as the ones in the pattern.
Despite the apparent negativity above, I would love to do another of these bangles, maybe in fuschia and purple next time.

I made these utterly decadent red velvet cupcakes last weekend for Phil's BBQ. They seemed to go down a treat, altough I only had a small bite of one as wasn't that hungry (think that was the start of me not feeling well).
I still have a couple of them left, so may treat myself to one later.

Off to a first birthday party armed with pirate ship and cove later, Yarr. Then when I get home I'm going to try to get the last of the sie 15 seed beeds I dropped out of the keyboard - damn you sticky keys.

Poorly Sick

I seem to have some sort of bug and have been off work for the past 3 days. I really really hate being off sick and thought yesterday afternoon I would be able to go back today, but last night and this morning I wasn't as good again. Definitely feel a bit better today, but playing it by ear and going to get up for an hour or 2 shortly. Means I have got nothing at all done all week, even though I had lots of things I wanted to get done.

On a good note, I signed up for my first glass beadmaking course today - it takes place a week on Sunday (21/06) and I am really excited about it.

Another Work in Progress

I've still not done the polymer clay beads for my necklace, weather has been so nice and sunny and haven't wanted to be stuck in the spare room (which really needs decorated as it's quite dark). So, whilst my necklace awaits its finishing pieces, I decided to have a go at peyote stitch (which I had always been a bit chicken to try). I used a pattern from one of my Carol Wilcox Wells books (but changed some of the sizes to fit the beads I had).

Here's a sneaky peak of the bangle I decided to do. Not quite halfway yet and has taken a fair few hours so far.
I'm hoping it'll go well with the necklace, even though one is peyote and the other herringbone. Hopefully I have mixed sizes in both pieces and all the beads in the bangle are used in the necklace.

.....fingers crossed.

Thanks for looking

Work in Progress

Remember the citrus beads I posted a pic of at the weekend? Well yesterday I started a new necklace with them. Only my 3rd attempt at doing off loom-beading and my first attempt at both herringbone and using different sized beads (I think the 2 necklaces I used before used a spiral rope, but can't really remember).

Here's a little pic of the first section:

As well as the beads that arrived on Saturday, I used some orange cats-eye beads. I did originally plan on also using some lime Swarovski crystals, but completely forgot about this plan until I was driving home from work today!!

Thansk for looking

New Seed Beads

These seed beads arrived this morning. It's the first time I've had decent seed beads, as I've tended to do more stringing than off-loom stuff in the past.

I know the bright citrus colours may not be to everyone's taste, but I love them. The 2 oranges in the top row are actually the same colour (the paler of the 2). Once I teach myself how to do the styles I need I'll be able to get cracking on this making these into something.

As I enjoyed adding a couple of my favourite things in my last post, here's another:

This crystal globe was given to Stu and I as a wedding present from a couple of our neighbours. It's absolutely gorgeous - the globe itself is about 7 or 8 inches in diameter.

On a final note, finished my SVQ level 4 in Management, along with 2 enhancement units on Thursday. Really enjoyed doing it, but also really glad it is all done now.

Tools of the Trade

I'm treating myself to an order for a nice batch of tools for polymer/Art clay today. Hoping to make my own clay beads as have such a desire to get back beading again, but really want to try something new. I got a really good book on polymer clay beads a couple of years ago and also bought a little starter Art Clay Silver kit from someone round about the same time. Hopefully will have something nice to post soon.

Also keen to try lampworking classes, but will have to put that on the back burner for a few months, as still have one VQ assessment to go and then need to spend some time doing stuff around the house.