Waiting in the post for me was the latest issue of Beads and Beyond Magazine, which has my tutorial for using amethyst chips to make a necklace and brooch.  I’ve had these for absolutely ages, and when I bought some new thicker wire I knew what to do!

Speak soon x

Next up, I’m going out!   I know, can you hear the fanfare too?  Anyhow, I got this gorgeous dress in the sales, bright emerald green, quite 50’s in style.  I thought perfect occasion to wear my new glamerous necklace I made, the one with the wire flowers… but it doesn’t go. 

So I made a bracelet that does!

Finally, I’ve also been spending, but not too much, honest!  Thanks to the Craft Neutral Challange I’ve only bought some jump rings this year, eveything I’ve made has been from my stash, and that includes several necklaces, bracelets, earrings, scarflettes and gloves!  And after all, we have to support the wonderful craftspeople we have!

So, after browsing through researching some of my favourites shops on Folksy I  saw these gorgeous brooches by the amazing artist Amy McCarthy 

They are recyled beer bottle tops filled with various found objects like shells, bits of old jewellery, shards of glass and set in resin.  I think this one is my favourite

or maybe this one

Check out Amys other fabulous glass products in her folksy shop!

So a nice piccie

Crocheted flowers waiting to go onto hairslides

and a bit of shameless promotion

I’ve put my Vintage Lace bracelet that I made for February’s issue of Beads and Beyond in my folksy shop – its a good Valentines day present!

Okay, so no one has a green neck but it was the best thing I could display it on, and It doesn’t work so well on the clear vase.

I crocheted 8 flowers in wire, using 2 beads for each stitch on the petals and used the tail ends to stitch them together.  It is so light and soft and molds to your neck shape perfectly.  I love it – can you tell!

Ta-daa!

My latest tutorial – Vintage  Lace, a bracelet worked in wire with freshwater pearls, and on the front cover too!  (If you squint!)  I love this bracelet, it looks complicated but like all good things, is actually quite simple.

So if you fancy a go get the latest Beads and Beyond Magazine, and if you do, let me know, i’d love to see how you get on!

I’m in it again!  If you take a look in January’s issue of Beads and Beyond magazine, you’ll find a rather stylish vintage necklace on page 50!  I had all these lovely bits lying around (yes, literally, you’ve seen my room) and wanted a way to bring them all together that didn’t look like a mish mash.  I think I’ve achieved it here, and the brooch gives it a nice bit of weight too.  Using the most simple of techniques, a chain anyone can do this!

Also there’s only 1 day left on the folksy upcycle ebay auction for Sue Ryder, there were some great entries which are now all up for sale, a few people have even bid on my doily rug!  So if you want an unusual Christmas present pop over and place a bid, its all for charity don’t you know!

Who says Friday the 13th is unlucky- from now on I rename it Fantastic Friday!  Why, well you obviously haven’t seen the December issue of Beads and Beyond magazine, page 60 to be precise.  Showing my shocking inability to express myself verbally I keep alternating between saying ‘OH MY GOD!’, ‘I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!,and ‘I KNOW!’ 

Yes, that creation called ‘golden Strands’ is mine – in print!

I have to say I really enjoyed doing it, when you have to photograph and explain every stage of what you do it really makes you think.  That enforced slowing down of the thought process is so beneficial, I have so many ideas that I tend to rush what I’m doing to get onto the next one, when if we slow down sometimes and notice what we are doing it can open up a whole new window we never thought about.

If anyone does try the tutorial please let me know and see your results. I will now finish on an apology for all the shouting and exclaimation marks in this post – I am a little excited!