January 2nd 2008
Well, today I made the first beads of 2008! You can see pictures of them in the online shop and also the gallery pages. I called them 'Iris' as I was listening to the Goo Goo Dolls song of the same name as I made them (and they happen to be purple which helps!). These beads are made using a 'cane' design similar to that used in 'Millefiori' beads, and took me ages to make.
04 January 2008
It's been a busy day - why do the best beads always come from a failed attempt at making a cane! Have ended up with 3 sets of beads in a black/pink colour combination - one of which is a particular favourite. Keep posted for pictures coming over the weekend. :)
6th Feb 2008
Been a bit quiet on the beadmaking front the past few weeks - although you'll see a new set, 'Pumpkin Patch' on the shop page, and some lentils in the gallery. Have been concentrating my efforts on preparing for a small craft show - am working on some coral branch beaded earrings in various colours, some peyote cuffs embellished with buttons and ribbons and some more colourways for the Colonial Choker - one for a bridesmaid! Watch this space.......
17th Feb 2008
Am finally taking the plunge and am going for an introduction to lampwork beadmaking. Not entirely decided which course I am going on, but am already thinking about studio space - my current space is completely taken over by polymer clay and beads. It's all very exciting......!
24th Feb 2008
Just back from an amazing weekend in the Scottish countryside - stayed at a beautiful remote country cottage with wood burning stove, outdoor hottub and views of rolling hills and fields. So am quite sad to be back in the busy city!
But the exciting news is that I have found a studio in the city centre (Dalry) and am going to be moving my torch in at the start of March to start making lampwork beads! My kit is waiting for me at the Little Bead Shop in Edinburgh as I couldn't make it to the Bead Fair in Perth this weekend,so will pick it up mid week and start to get my space organised - still a few bits and bobs to buy but I can't really sleep for thinking about it all!
27th February 2008
Pick up my lampworking starter kit and my torch today from The Little Bead Shop - so excited. Get the studio keys on Friday and then I can get my space organised how I want it, which will take a week or so. Promise to post pics of my first beads in the gallery, and on the usual places on Frit Happens & UK Beaders....but can't promise they will be great!
4th March 2008
Ta-dah! The much anticipated studio keys are in my pocket! So, as promised, here are some pics of my little space. (it's still a work in progress, but I thought you might want to see).
That's the other half of the studio, where my studio-buddy Morag works.
That's me getting everything unpacked! :)
Woooo! Almost organised - just got to get my torch set up and I'll be good to go (need to get some things from B & Q, am becoming a regular customer!) Think I know where I'll be spending most of my Easter weekend. :) 
So I spent the weekend hooking up my torch etc at the studio, it was pretty quiet there as the other artists were off at their weekend jobs. Had my play on Emma's torch on Friday, made some lovely fuglies - a balloon shaped bead and one that looks like a pear. But practice practice practice and I will eventually make something round! My fuglies are annealing in Emma's kiln, so I'll pick them up on Wednesday and post some ugly pics!
Still working on the order for Bead Crazy - about 100 beads left to go and then just the sanding and varnishing to get through - see below pics! They look like little sweeties once they are all shiny :D
19th March 2008
My First Lampwork Beads!
Ok, so here they are finally. They are quite ugly and pointy-ended but for some reason I feel quite attached to them. Not to mention the fact that they're all stuck on their bloomin' mandrels (they were Emma's mandrels, sorry Emma!). They will make lovely fugly plant pot decorations. Something to look back on once I improve ;)
22nd April 2008
Much sadness, but but much happiness & excitement too! :D
Have decided to give up our flat in Edinburgh and move to Lincolnshire. Property prices are much better and the cost of living is cheaper overall, which will hopefully mean (a) a bigger house = more space for beading and (b) more time for beady related things! Have my priorities sorted(!) and have already found a little studio but not a job or house :o Nice to see I know what's important! We'll be staying with family until we get on our feet, and I plan to do a lot more beadmaking. Am already in discussions with Bead Crazy about a big order of autumnal coloured funky big polymer clay beads for the bead fair, working on a commission for a work colleague's daughter's birthday and finally managed to squeeze in some torch time today for the first time in 3 weeks! Have some lampwork beads worthy of showing, will post the pics at some point this week for you to see!
It's scary - have given notice on my job, flat and studio within the space of 3 days and it is busy, busy busy, trying to fit in time to see friends and do everything I want to do before we leave Edinburgh. I'm really excited about the new studio, it has a gallery and exhibition space attached and will be great publicity for all my work.
It's scary - have given notice on my job, flat and studio within the space of 3 days and it is busy, busy busy, trying to fit in time to see friends and do everything I want to do before we leave Edinburgh. I'm really excited about the new studio, it has a gallery and exhibition space attached and will be great publicity for all my work.
http://www.artsceneinternational.co.uk/
24th May 2008 August 24th 2008
Sorry it has been such a long time since my last update - now well and truly settled in Lincoln in the new house. Have given up my studio as have plenty of space to work from home, and am investing in a bulk kit to make more beads faster! Couple of new pieces on the website - purple polymer clay bracelet and some chain maille bangles, which I have been working on for commissions. Hope to have some bead sets up for sale come the October break, watch this space!