rings at last

I have been thinking for a while that it would be great to make rings featuring the beautiful czech lampwork beads that I use.

So I already make hat pins and pin brooches with them, as well as dangly earrings, which I have been doing for years.

I tried a prototype using craft wire, and soon realised I needed a ring mandrel to get the nice round shape. My test one was kinda wonky.

My lovely friend, Lindy lent me a wire wrapped ring that she had bought and I got the idea of wire wrapping, but needed some nice wire.

So guess what was on my shopping list when I went to the bead show the other week?

Now I had the right equipment - most important, but no time!

Yesterday was the first chance I had to play.... and wow! it was such fun. The rings turned out great!

First of all I used some czech faceted firepolished beads. When my daughter saw them she 'was , like, totally Cooool'! She took two to school to do a survey of her 17 year old friends - and sold one! What a great start.


Then I pulled out all my oval czech lampwork beads and a couple of pretty Venetian glass beads and made rings until I ran out of wire.







I'm really pleased with the way they turned out and I will be taking them to the next Kirribilli Art and Design market on13th July.

winter magic festival

Is this the only place in the world that is silly enough to have a mid-winter out-doors festival?

Over the years we have had rain, wind, sleet and sun, sun, sun! And so it was this year - a glorious, sunny, blue sky day - if a little chilly. Almost perfect and the many visitors, performers and stallholders were out in force enjoying the happy, joyous atmosphere.


The main street of Katoomba is filled with stalls, buskers and roving performers.


I set up my jewellery stall at about 7 o'clock in the morning and I wasnt even the first there.
we were on the eastern side of the street so had to wait to get the sun, but in the afternoon when the sunset I was in the last little bit of sun as it set between the buildings - and then it did get chilly!



It's essential to get dressed up - but I was so busy and the crowds were so thick that I couldnt get any good photos.



GC, my assistant got into the spirit of the day with dragonfly pants made by Lynne Lade and a sparkly hat.
Here he is suurounded by white haired old ladies!

We loved the devil and his unicorn dog. So cute!









All in all a great time was had and we finished the day tired, but very happy.

Bead show

Going to the quilt show is normally a social day out with my crafting buddies, we travel by train which takes an hour and we have a good chat on the way. But this year due to commitments we all made our way there separately, and met up when we got there. That was OK as it was a good chance to sit down and drink coffee and chat and rest our weary feet.

"H" is a quiltaholic and studies all the quilts, buys the catalogue and takes heaps of photos. This time she brought her daughter "I", who she had promised to knit a shawl for and they shopped for wool.

"C" likes to shop as well as look at the textiles.

Me I just like to shop!

I took a shopping list as I was determined to be very disciplined, this time.

And I did OK.

Bought some lovely lampwork glass beads from my favorite glass artists - dks and teriglass.

Czech glass from my favorite bead supplier - beadglass.

Oh well instead of reeling off a list I'll just show you in a photo.....

Wach this space for future creations from all these glorious treasures!

Golden Triangle Earrings

I have just listed these earrings in my etsy shop.

They are beautiful czech glass triangle beads and little gold beads.

The result is lovely and dainty.

You can see them here -

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12424961

starting out

Here I am with my first ever blog!
I should be creating jewellery or washing the dishes or doing a million other things, but you know how it goes!