Ooh no posts for a while, I didn’t realise I’d been gone that long…..

 Here’s a little something that I’ve been making over the last couple of days, and yay it’s all for me! I was inspired by the amazing work of Sherry Serafini and just got the book she’s written with the equally talented Heidi Kummli – The Art of Bead Embroidery – fantastic! It’s my first proper attempt at freeform bead embroidery and apart from a couple of areas I wish I’d done differently, I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. The two stones are tiny agate cabochons. I had absolutely no plan apart from wanting to make a crescent moon and maybe using grey beads. I started off by glueing down the larger cab and then went from there. I didn’t intend to use both, it just kind of happened! Thanks for looking, I hope you like it as much as I do.

Here are a couple of pairs of earrings that I made recently. The idea for these started when I was trying to design some woven bead caps using the bronze beads and herringbone stitch. But try as I might, I couldn’t get the last row to stay flat. In the end I decided that I really liked the frilled effect and made another pair!

Florence is bronze cylinder beads with green rutilated quartz. Arabella is made with size 15 metallic silver seed beads and gorgeous faceted black onyx.

Argghh…..I’ve got friggin tennis elbow! And I don’t even like tennis! The Dr said I’m to rest it for a few days, so no crafting for me…..I’m so bored already, some beading would take my mind off my throbbing arm but I ain’t allowed to. Luckily I got these bracelets made before so I have something to show at least. All of these are available on my website ; )

This is a Fire Agate focal with Carnelian & Citrine chips and Tiger’s Eye beads…..

Aventurine focal with Malachite, New Jade, Olive Jade, light and dark Aventurine chips…..

Rose Quartz hearts with Peridot, Rhodonite and Rose Quartz chips…..

And finally, Carnlian and Snowflake Obsidian chips with Hematite round beads…

Another pendant to show you today, this one is semi-precious Clear Quartz with Toho seed beads and Miyuki drops with a strung seed bead strap. This time I made the bead mix myself from silver-lined crystal, matt silver-lined crystal and frosted clear, to get the frozen effect I was looking for. It measures 19″ long and the the pendant itself is 1.5″ long by 1″ wide. I’ve added a matching Clear Quartz bead & loop clasp. I really enjoyed making this one and it seems to have had a cooling effect – it’s quite chilly here this morning! You can find it in my Etsy shop ; )

I’ve been very busy lately so I’ve not had time to post for a while! I’ve given my website a bit of a makeover, so rather than having all the info on one page each item now has it’s own little space with just sneaky thumbnails on the main pages. No more pop-up images! I’d love to know what you think.

 Here’s my latest batch of beady bits and bobs. I’m trying to use my vast collection of semi-precious gemstone chips in different ways, rather than just stringing them. I’m sure there must be tons of other ways to use them, ideas on a postcard please…..

Odessa is made from Citrine chips on a peyote base of Miyuki seed beads. I love this bead mix, it’s called A Touch of Teal.

Pan is Peridot chips on a peyote tube, topped and tailed with Swarovski crystals. It was meant to be one of a pair of earrings but it was so difficult getting my needle through the beads in the tube that I couldn’t bear to make another. So I made it into a pendant instead!

Last but not least is Katiyana, which is a square of matt black Toho beads in peyote stitch again with Snowflake Obsidian chips. This one is my favourite, you know how much I like black & grey so it was hard not to put it in my jewellery box! The name means ‘night snow’ in Inuit which I thought was not only appropriate for this piece but also a really pretty name.  All are available on my website ; )

I’ve just added a new Gemstone page to my website and I’m now taking orders for these pretty charms! I love making these little charms, they’re semi-precious gemstone chips on lengths of chain and the little lariat is very versatile – hang them from your mobile phone, handbag, key-ring, purse zips, in your car or anywhere else you need a bit of crystal glam.

There are 17 different stones to choose from and I’ve listed some of their healing properties as well for fans of crystal healing. I make them to order and the best part is that they’re only £3 each You can find them here. The one above I made for myself using garnet and snowflake obsidian.

Another piece of jewellery for my Goth collection, I love the skeleton on this solid pewter pendant just ‘chillin’ out! I used beautiful sparkly jet black fire polished crystals with silver plated beads and a hook clasp. This definitely isn’t one for the faint of heart!

And a close up of the pendant

I love these earrings so much I’m tempted to have my ears re-pierced just to wear them. But I don’t think I could stand the pain, the swelling, the inevitable infection and trip to the hospital so I think I’ll just put them for sale instead!

You’ll be seeing lots of gothic & Victorian style jewellery from me at the moment as I’ve gone back to what started me off wanting to make my own jewellery in the first place. I seem to have lost my way a bit as I tried out all the different techniques and styles that making jewellery offers, but goth is where the heart is