Saturday 29 March 2014

A weekend of beading!

The last few weeks has been a quiet spell - knocked for six with a winter bug!

I have been playing with braids using a different medium - wool - a fab new shop has opened in Durham City - The Woolly Workshop - great selection for Kumihimo!


The 8 warp braid - looks like tweed!  Focal created with sage amethyst combined with lilac mother of pearl shell.  Closure created with silver coils created using the Maxi Wags Wicone.


The 12 warp braid reminds me of candy cane.  Simple focal of an agate slab.  Closure created with copper coils using the Original Wags Wicone.

Sunday 16th March 2014 saw a group of us catch up at the first Scottish Bead Fair in Edinburgh.  Really well organised, good mix of stalls and within walking distance of the train station.  Managed to stock up on supplies for Soutache workshops.  The above braids and some of my other creations have a new home in the shop window at Heavenly Beads - located in Falkirk (roughly half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow).

Saturday 8 March 2014

Spring Fever Design Challenge

I was really thrilled to discover I was a participant in the Spring Fever Design Challenge

The beads arrived mid week - but the hard drive on my laptop died - so hence the delay in posting pics.



Just love this focal from Caroline......as many of you know I have a bit of a thing for purple!  This is perfectly complemented with the sari fabric from Smitten Beads 


Ceramic focal beads from Lesley...........again purple...... 







Sunday 2 March 2014

What's in a name?

My business name reflects two strong influences in my life.  Keith (my dad) and Agnes (my nan) both lost their battles with cancer.  I chose the name to reflect the values instilled and the aspirations I had for the direction the business would evolve. I dedicated my PhD to my nan.....perhaps moving from hobby to part time business was taking that step my dad never did. 

The half term break saw me complete my rick rack cuff - designed by Jean Power - stitched over 30 hours by me.  Handy that it matches my new jacket!  There is a real honesty to this final piece - the first few rows show the imperfections only I can see - the crushed delica beads and buckles from tension that was too tight.......but a few hours in I relaxed into the design - and perfected my tension.  Of course the mathematician in me - ended up with a symmetric design - that was much deeper than i'd originally intended.



I often participate in a few facebook group monthly challenges.  A search on herringbone patterns revealed a simple earring design that was asking to be stitched.  Justyna Slezak has created a fabulous blog - offering some free patterns and tutorials in her Etsy shop.  Having lived with cancer in the family for over 10 years - the content of the blog struck home with me.  Her pattern is well written - and easy to follow - I had to tweak the final round - probably my brand of size 11 seed beads!  

There was some fabulous entries for last months challenge - Operation tackle that beadstash.  Already inspired for next months challenge....thinking geometry and pattern!


The final creation reminds me of a poppy - and spending remembrance Sunday in Rothwell with my nan - who lost her husband Walter shortly after the end of the second world war - my dad was 4 days old.