Bollywood Challenge – Voting Now Open

Just a reminder that voting is now open for the Etsy Beadweaver’s September challenge. Please visit our team blog between today (9th) and 15th of September to vote for your favourite Bollywood beauty… http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

Here’s my entry, entitled Bombay Jewels. When I read that the theme for September was Bollywood, I knew I wanted to create something colourful and vibrant as well as to try and capture the lively dancing and the wonderful sound their jewellery makes! I painstakingly made 38 beaded beads and wire-wrapped them to a chunky bracelet. It’s a really great ‘shimmy’ bracelet and makes the most fabulous sound when worn.

A real labour of love, the beads took about 8-10 hours in total to make. Jean Power asked me in an interview for Bead magazine recently, what would I consider to be my ‘masterpiece’? I replied that I felt it was yet to come, but you know what, I think this may very well be a contender for the title! This unique piece is now for sale in my Etsy shop and will be on my website very soon ;)

 

 

 

 

Meet Penelope

I had a lovely surprise the other day when I came across a little cardboard box containing a hoard of beads that I’d completely forgotten that I had! You can read more about my discovery as well as see photos of my little box of treasure over on Operation Tackle That Bead Stash. I challenged myself to use some of the peach aventurine beads and here’s what I came up with!

I’ve combined several types of bead to create a vintage look – peach, red and green aventurine, Chinese jade, filigree metal – all linked together with handmade looped components and jump rings. Of course I couldn’t resist a little beadweaving so I made some beaded beads in gold and matt olive to add to the mix.

I was very tempted to keep this for myself but decided that was just being greedy! So if you fancy adding a touch of vintage style to your summer outfits you can find Penelope in my Etsy shop. By the way, I’ve named this piece after the fabulous character Penelope Garcia from the US show Criminal Minds, who provides me with jewellery inspiration, often distracting me from the plot, every Friday night!

Simply Earrings

A couple of pairs of earrings to share with you today. I really love making these, the beaded beads are quick to make and the perfect size to go with 4mm Swarovski crystals. The first pair is called Fairytale and use the palest, iciest lilac I’ve ever seen in a bead! I’ve also added a few deeper purple beads. You can find these in my Etsy shop.

The second pair are on their way to a lovely friend of mine as part of a swap, along with my Sunchild pendant. I really hope she likes them : )

Last book thongs

I’ve got a lot of new projects to make a start on so these are going to be the last book thongs from me for a while. Aww, don’t all cry at once! They’re a mixure of different colours and beads and all of them can be found in my Etsy shop.

Last post

Of the year anyway! Another two book thongs from me today. Sugar plum is in shades of purple and Narnia, of course, is a winter wonderland! Both are available from my Etsy shop and for non-Etsians they are also on my website.

Mmm Chocolate

Who doesn’t like chocolate? Not me that’s for sure! Here’s a new mini book thong I’ve made, with delicious chocolate brown beaded beads and blue Swarovski crystals. You can find it in my Etsy shop and on my website.