Operation Tackle That Bead Stash - September Challenge

This month the challenge theme was 

'animals'. 

You could chose which ever animal you liked 

and be inspired in anyway 

whether it was literal or more abstract. 

I decided to use beads that were actually piglet shaped. 

They are made from rose quartz and are a lovely pale

pink which is great but very hard to photograph the detail. 

You could say they were a 'pig' to photograph - boom boom - groan..... 

hence the photo collage!  

Little Pink Piglet Beads

These little pig beads are made out of 
rose quartz. 
I've been busy making  a necklace and earrings 
out of them ready for the 
Operation Tackle That Bead Stash 
September challenge. 
The theme is 'animals' 
and it was the perfect reason 
to work with  these cute 
little piglets :-) 

My Beading Diary: Recent Buys

One of the things I love about  summer time 

is the Beads Direct  enormous sale.

I could seriously have spent a small fortune on 

semi precious stones this year 

but I was VERY restrained 

and edited my basket right down to just the few items

 I actually had plans/ideas for. 

A  bamboo agate dyed purple drop pendant,

some faceted lavender dyed jade, and some sun stone rounds which 

I've had my eye on for ages.

You know in The Simpsons when Homer says ' mmmm Doughhhhnuts' 
that's just how I feel about these: 
'mmmm Beeeeeeads...'

Inspire Me: Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Backbiting, b*tching and bling 
set to a back drop of unimaginable wealth 
and luxury. 
The Real House Wives Of Beverly Hills is reality tv 
from a city which seems totally unreal. 
Plastic surgery and Hollywood glamour galore! 
I have to admit it is my guilty tv pleasure to watch.

 It's a little escapism and a fun way to take 
a peek into the homes and lives of the super wealthy.
Even if, like me, the super bling look is not your style
I hope you can live vicariously and enjoy this selection
of tinsel town inspired beading goodies. 
All from Beads Direct except the shoe charm which is 
from Spoilt Rotten Beads. 
*Pics from Bravo, and google search.*

Currently Working On ...

I am pleased to be working on another project 

from Sabine Lipppert's

book ' Beaded Fantasies'.  

The Three Crosses Necklace looks gorgeous 

so I've decided to give it a go. 

Rather than add all the dangles I think I'm going to 

keep it as a pendant in its own right. 

Take a peek here at the Swarovski 

crystal drop pearls:

Lovely, no? 

I haven't used Swarovski crystal pearls before 

and as with the actual crystals I feel a love

affair coming on...! 

The Bead Shop Manchester Offers Free Delivery

the-beadshop.co.uk

Why Not: Support An Artisan Lampworker

Lampwork beads are made by hand 

by a skilled artisan

melting rods of glass in a flame. 

Tricky work when you think about it!

Especially when you look at how detailed

 and beautiful the beads can be.

Lampwork mouse by Izzy Beads 

It is a craft that requires great skill and attention. 

The results can be phenomenal! 

Blissful Garden Beads (also in top pic ) 

The beads can be more expensive than your average 

mass made glass BUT you are buying real art work, 

something that has

been made with love, care and attention. 

Supporting an artist and allowing that craft to carry on 

through time. 

All that AND you get some wonderful beads to work with. 

What's not to love?!