Wrapping Up 2012

I know...I know...I am the worst at keeping this blog up to date!! We have had LOADS happening here...christmas fairs, commissions, new workshops, new customers, new products, new outside workshops...its been very exciting and very busy!! I have my last weekend of workshops this weekend finishing with Making a Silver Ring on Sunday then one week until our Christmas closedown.

New Bead & Button Christmas Wreath

This was our new Christmas workshop this year, a Bead & Button Wreath. I've been so happy with it and everyone that's joined us has enjoyed the two hours and been pleased with what they've made. I know that a few people around the country will be receiving them as gifts for Christmas...a lovely thought. As I do every year I've been making lots of finger print jewellery pieces using Precious Metal Clay...I think I'm on number 12!

So does anybody else have holiday projects? I need to get my Christmas projects sorted out. I think I'm going to make a Kumihimo Beaded bracelet, a Crown Jewel pendant from the Laura McCabe Swarovski book, finish off Harry's crochet blanket, finish off my crochet scarf...I think that should all keep me busy between eating and drinking all the lovely things I'll be surrounded by!!

Back to my weekly classes...

Yesterday we started teaching our weekly classes. I run five throughout the week all that run for five weeks. Each term we have some wonderful pieces made with lots of exciting experimenting happening too. Today we've been playing with a wire twister tool...a Beadalon Product. It's really affective and easy to use. I think I'll add some to our next Beadalon order.

A Day of Colour

Today we had a fantastic day with Lisa Whiteside from House of Colour. My Mum, sisters and I set off to arrive in Witney for 9.30. We spent the day looking at our colours, what does and doesn't suit us, what seasonal colour spectrum we fit into, which colours within these suit us best and the shades of make up we should be wearing to complement our colours and complexion. The day was fantastic, very informative and lots of fun. Lisa was great and provided us refreshments throughout the day and a lovely lunch. I would highly recommend the session. If you'd like a taster we still have a few spaces left on our Night of Colour event tomorrow. Call us on 01865 774298 to find out more.
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My Beautiful Roses

Thank you Lisa.x

Crochet...

Have you finished my blanket yet?

Poppies

My poppies are back in my garden...they are so beautiful.

Lampworking Play Days

After a fabulous Diamond Jubilee weekend I was lucky enough to finish my holiday with a visit to my sister's new lampwork studio shed. It's fantastic!! We had such a good day taking it in turns on the torch and talking lamp work, glass, colours and a bit of crochet always sneaks in! We played with our new cabochon mandrels, I learnt how to make a cupcake, use bicarbonate of soda to create bubbles and how to make a pretty little flower detail.

A week ago I bought and downloaded a pdf on Making glass Cabochons from Mango Beads so Kay and I have both been using the techniques suggested. This shows me melting in glass dots on a cabochon...I really enjoyed making this and can't wait to have another go. We have both actually booked to spend the day at Mango Beads in September...I'm sure the day will be very interesting and I'll have lots more to show you. For now its practice, practice, practice!! 

You can see the finished piece below with the rest of the beads we made throughout the day...more images can be seen on our Facebook page.