Beautiful Lampwork beads by Earth and Fire Beads

Yesterday while I was enjoying my day at the Eccleshall Festival , my bead order arrived from Earth and Fire Beads . I was absolutely delighted with them and if I hadn't been so exhausted as a result of a busy day in the sun at Eccleshall I would have set too on them yesterday, but instead I enjoyed a beautiful morning sat outside creating, today.
How to use my 'Sea Storm Lentils? There were so many options and ideas going around my head, Do I use all five beads in a necklace? do I fill the necklace with beads? I could have done both but I chose to use just three of the beads in a necklace.

I used tigertail thread and a combination of Swarovski crystals and tiny mauve rocaille beads, finished off with a sterling silver clasp.

I used the two remaining beads from the set to make a pair of matching earrings, with sterling silver ear hooks.

Should I use the 'Pistachio shingles' to make a long necklace using all six in the one design or do I make two simple necklaces with just one of the lamp work beads and use the spare four as earrings, or do I make six pairs of earrings? 

 I started making jewellery because I love earrings and sometimes I have to remind myself of that, so I indulged my passion and made three pairs of earrings, all slightly different.

I could have made them in so many ways but I am happy with my final choices.

I hope Rachel who made these beautiful beads feels as though I have done her work justice!

You really can't beat swarovski crystals when the sun shines

Here are the two necklace earring sets I made yesterday while at Gallery at 12, I will be taking them back there in the next day or so, unless anyone decides that they would like to purchase them before hand.

Each necklace is made with Swarovski crystals

and finished off with sterling silver clasps.

 These earrings are made with Swarovski crystals on sterling silver head pins with sterling silver ear hooks.

These earrings are made with Swarovski crystals on silk thread, with sterling silver ear hooks

Crystal Hearts and butterflies

When the sun is shining all you need is a simple swarovski crystal necklace. Just look how they sparkle!

 My collection.

Some of my hearts

 and my butterflies

Rose Quartz and Crystals

Some days I wake up with totally clear ideas of what I want to make, this was one such day.
It had to be Rose Quartz with clear glass beads, so within minutes the necklace was planned...

but why stop at a necklace, I may as well make a bracelet

 and a pair of earrings to match.

So of course while I am sat, threading the beads and watching the necklace grow, another idea is developing. Keep the Rose quartz theme but instead of clear glass why not use Swarovski crystal pearls, so I'm off on another design.

And yes you have guessed it another idea then pops into my head a very simple idea but none the less effective.

so before you know it I have three new necklace, bracelet, earring sets to take along to the Staffordshire  Wildlife Trust coffee morning this Friday.

And no the ideas didn't stop coming, I simply ran out of time, maybe tomorrow.

Upstairs is now well and truly open

Welcome to the first floor of Gallery at 12, in Eccleshall, which we officially launched on May 16th,
Gallery at 12 has now been open for a year and is working well. We have recently welcomed 3 new artists into the Staffordshire Artists Cooperative making us 11 in total with 4 guest artists.
Our new artists are Noel Bennett - photographer, Steven Kirk - mixed media artist and Ray Sheldon -painter, and our new guest artist is Gillian McMillan - ceramicist.
Just thought I'd give you a sneak viewing of what was on display in the Gallery's first floor last Saturday. Hope you like!

May be one day I will see you here!

How long do you wear your earrings?

Firstly I have now totally moved out of my Seighford studio, so I guess I shouldn't refer to it as MY studio any more. The house is a tip and my work desk is so cluttered it isn't easy to work at it, I am sure things will get better, so I am not panicking too much about it yet!
Today I sat at my desk for the first time since I moved out and completed this necklace and bracelet set, I then went on to re string a necklace.

Secondly I know I promised a post about  Gallery at 12 Open Day but I was so busy on the day pouring wines, washing up, making more blinis up and talking to people I didn't get a chance to take any decent photo's. What I can say is that we enjoyed a very successful day.
My blogging friend Maggi visited from Derbyshire and I have ended up with a beautiful book from her which I shall treasure always, thank you so much Maggi, it was lovely to see you again.

In my conversation with Maggi I started talking about jewellery I have brought home from Seighford, which I never take out to sales with me but I used to always have on display at the Seighford studio, such as some more knitted and crocheted items these earrings!

The first pair of these were made accidentally, in that it started off as a bracelet but as I held it up to attach the clasp that familiar question popped into my head 'What if I...?' and before I knew it I was holding up a super dupa long earring. which of course then needed a partner and then of course once you've made one pair you have to make others to keep the first pair company, so several pairs were made of which I now have 3 pairs left, I sell them individually or as a pair

Business as normal

Even with all the mayhem of emptying my studio / workshop I am still having to continue making up my jewellery orders.
Two of which were collected yesterday from the Gallery. I knitted these two smaller tiara's as a couple of bridesmaid gifts, they aren't for wearing at the weding itself, but the bridesmaids still wanted to have a princess tiara each so these were commissioned, I hope they will feel like princesses when they wear them.

Harper Adams University College - News - WiRE celebrates 10th National Conference (video)

Harper Adams University College - News - WiRE celebrates 10th National Conference (video)
if you look hard enough and don't blink you will see me on this, but I'm not telling you where, the jewellery is a bit of a give away though!

Not just an ordinary tie.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that occasionally I try different ideas out, and this is one such idea.

I actually knitted this last year but it has been sat on my work bench ever since, I like it and it has received lots of favourable comments from people who have seen it, the problem is it took such a long time to make that I have struggled putting a price tag on it, would people be prepared to pay the price I will be asking for a knitted tie? I have decided to go for it, after all what have I got to lose?
So it is coming with me to the sale at Stone tonight and the Women in Rural Enterprise conference tomorrow

Almost ready to open

Here is a sneek preview of the transformation of the upstairs of Gallery at 12, Eccleshall, As you can see it is almost ready to launch.

The tip that was our upstairs for the first seven months of our occupancy.

First thing to do was to remove partition, block up some of our windows and put in a small office.

Then the walss needed to be painted, the celing covered with drapes and a carpet laid.

Now all that is needed is the fittings and artwork. The next time I photograph the upstairs will be at the official opening. I will keep you posted.