Monday 17 October 2016

4 EASY WAYS TO GET OUT OF CREATIVE BLOCK


1. STOP TRYING TO CREATE 

Trying to force the inspiration may
 make it harder to come by. 
So just take a break, do something else 
and stop stressing about making it happen. 
When the time is right the muse will strike!  

2. .WATCH A MOVIE 

There's so much about films 
that can be inspiring,
from the costume design to
 the country or era 
 it's set in, 
why not settle down 
with some popcorn 
and enjoy an easy route to 
inspiration! 

3. LOOK ON PINTEREST 

What is not to love about this!
People pin what they love 
and looking through their boards 
is super fun and sure to give you plenty of 
pretty creative ideas. 

4.LOOK TO NATURE 

All those beautiful plants,
 flowers, trees 
and animals offer 
 instant colour schemes
galore! 

*Beautiful card/artwork from Inner Hue/ColourCult 

PRETTY IN PEACH





My latest make. 

I had a lot of kitten 'help' 
for this one.
There's something our cat 
finds  irresistible 
about lengthy threads 
and sparkly small things dangling about! 

I do love a bit of fringing too....once it's finished...! 

Saturday 17 September 2016

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO CALL THEM UGLY? - THE REALLY UGLY CABOCHON NECKLACE!







I have to say that I really didn't 
warm to this cabochon at first. 
I ordered a few different types online 
and you never really know
what they will be like until they
arrive. 

YUK! I thought to myself 
that is one horrible cabochon!
One to go to the back of my bead drawer and 
never see the light of day again... 
but somehow, I have ended up 
making a necklace from it, 
and, the shocking part is here, 
actually liking it!
Not only do I like it but I have
 worn it a lot, and by a lot I mean
practically all summer!
It's brown as well so I can see myself wearing it 
throughout the Autumn too.

It might be ugly
 but it's found a little place in my heart!

Monday 12 September 2016

THE SPECIAL CABOCHON NECKLACE COMPLETED!


I used the 
 labradorite
 cabochon
that I had bought
 a long time ago,
 but never knew 
what to do with,
for this project.

I had originally 
intended
 to make a more elaborate 
design but 
decided to keep things
simple 
and let the stone
 do the talking.

As you can see
 from the pics
the beautiful 'flash' 
of blue that emerges 
from the cabochon is pretty 
and I wanted that to be the focal point
rather than adding 
a lot of embellishment. 

I'm so, so, happy to have 
used this cab at last! 






Wednesday 20 July 2016

THE PRETTIEST UFO


I found these components 
that I had been making 
for Sabine Lipperts 
La Fleur bracelet pattern. 
For some reason I never 
finished making it. I have no 
idea why not, just look at all that 
sparkly loveliness!
It's far too pretty to live its life out 
as an 'unfinished object' so
it's definitely a project 
I want to restart.... 


Friday 8 July 2016

GATHERING SUPPLIES...


Gathering supplies 
for my Labradorite project.

Here is what landed
 on my doormat 
this morning -
a gorgeous 
faceted strand 
of 4mm rondelles.
Mmmm mmmm!

You can really 
see the blue flash 
of colour coming out 
of these stones. 

It's going to be a while
before I can get going
on this project 
but looking at these 
little beauties makes me
excited! 

Can't wait.... 

Wednesday 6 July 2016

COULD IT BE TIME TO BREAK OUT 'THE SPECIAL CABOCHON'?


When I was first getting into beading 
I saw this gorgeous Labradorite 
cabochon. 
I bought it straight away 
even though at that time 
I had NEVER 
worked with cabochons before 
and had NO idea 
of even how to start 
working with them!

I thought to myself, one day...one day 
I will make something from this, 
but the years went by 
and I didn't learn the skills
 to have a go... 
but I am starting to think 
that maybe now should be the time 
to use it ..... 

I am pretty confident that I can 
make something 
now that I have some cabochon 
experience under my belt,
but the pressure of it being 
'that special cabochon' 
does make me have a few nerves!

Wish me luck! 


Saturday 21 May 2016

BEAD EMBROIDERED CABOCHON NECKLACE


I enjoyed making this.
 There are over 100 Swarovski 
crystals
 in this design.

Super sparkly - 
it makes me happy! 

BEAD CANDY - CLOISONNE, SODALITE, BLUE JADE



Mmmm mmmm  delicious
 - a feast for the eyes!

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Why Not: Feng Shui Your Way To Creative Success

Picture by William Abranowicz
via realsimple.com
Feng shui is a Chinese Philosophical system
 for harmonizing
people with their surrounding environment. 

So what does a philosophy have to do with me and 
how can it enhance my creativity?
I hear you ask...

Well, in Feng shui when your environment is well positioned 
it allows 'qi' (think of this as life force or good energy)
to flow freely and unobstructed
bringing with it a plethora of benefits.

Things will feel easier, there are symbolically 
no obstructions to you
and this translates into your life,
it's the practical magic of Chinese philosophy!

As you can see in the picture above there are 
certain sectors within a room that correspond
to different aspects of life. 

It could be really  interesting to position your 
craft desk or work station in the creativity 
area to see if it brings about a higher 
level of creativity. 
Or if you're looking for a higher level of success
why not in the reputation area? 

An important tenet of Feng shui 
is to de clutter. 

Loads of junk floating around everywhere 
makes it difficult for the qi to circulate,
and if you think about it 
clutter any where 
makes it harder to find things,
takes longer to do so, 
and leaves you feeling a little 
drained of energy 
and stressed 
before you've even started 
on your project!


So it's basically rearranging your furniture 
and having a darn good tidy up! 

I'm not an expert on Feng shui (clearly!) 
but it sounds fascinating.

Prosperous lives and creative 
success all round! 

Saturday 2 April 2016

Chunky Pearl Necklace



I was in the mood for using up these gorgeous 
and gigantic freshwater pearls.

They make a really nice
chunky variation on a classic style. 

I can't wait to wear this beauty! 

Monday 15 February 2016

Work In Progress!




I found this cab 
that I was working
 on last year. 

I ran out of those
 particular seed beads 
which is why 
I never got round to making it
 into a full blown 
necklace.

I think I just about remember 
which colour and brand
 they were 
to be able to
 order more
 and get it finished. 

I hope I have remembered 
correctly!





Sunday 7 February 2016

Rose Quartz And Serenity



So happy to find some rose quartz rounds
 and blue jade beauties
in my bead box today.

They are a good match 
for the Pantone Color(s) of the year:
Rose Quartz and Serenity. 


I'm a big fan of pastels 
and so this kind of colour
scheme is very appealing to me.

Bring on the pretty projects! 

Friday 15 January 2016

So sad :-(





It's so sad that the Bead Soup Blog party has had to be cancelled. 
I wish Lori all the best
 for things improving in her life,
 I bet cancelling the hop was the absolutely 
last thing she wanted to do! 

So many people look forward to the hop every year and 
 I, for one,  was very over excited
 and bought a brand new 
lovely, delicious, soup 
all ready to participate in the challenge..

I wonder if there is one person  out there
in the same situation.
If there is, and it's you and you'd like to swap beads
just leave a comment or email me because 
it seems a shame to let good beads go to waste! 

*(Pic from aliex express)

Update: Can you tell I am really heart broken about this being cancelled!?
Decided to keep the beads ready for next time! 




Monday 11 January 2016

Creative Goals 2016



My creative  goals this year are; 

1. To play the Bead Soup Blog Party

2. Finish a bead weaving project I was working on last year.

3. Keep going with my bead embroidered cabochons and really
get to know what I'm doing there and expand my skills.

4. Make myself some jewellery!
 I say this every year and then
end up giving away
 what I make!
So  this year I aim to expand my jewellery
box by at least a few pieces! 

Saturday 9 January 2016

The Bead Soup Blog Party Returns - Who Is Getting Excited...?!

9th Bead Soup Blog Party

I am SO excited to hear that Lori Anderson 
is going to host the Bead Soup Blog Party 
again this year.

Just in case you don't know, 
it's a really fun blog hop 
where you get assigned 
a partner 
and send each other a lovely surprise 
package of beads.

On a certain date 
everybody posts pics
 of their creations to their blogs
and hops about admiring all the designs.

It's really great fun and if you haven't played yet 
and are considering it do take a look at her blog for 
more details, you won't regret it! 

I have been online shopping to put a lovely soup 
together already (!) and the spooky thing is 
as I'm typing this post it has just arrived through my letter box! 
Woo hoo!
Do you get the idea that I can't wait.... !
-
- Just hope I remember to sign up on the 15th!!