This is my second update of half term, if a little bit late! The week flew by but I managed to find time to finish off my UFOs from the start of the week. I love the valentines bracelet and I think the Murano glass heart (which I picked up at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas) finishes it off a treat.
The GJ beads bracelet is also complete (picture to follow on next update) and I managed to complete a project involving a beautiful button given to me as a Christmas gift from my best beading (and general life-long) buddy Anna. It really is lovely and the photographs don't do it justice. I adapted a pattern in the February edition of Bead and Button magazine. I am delighted with the results! The button was sewn onto beading foundation and then the other beads were attached using back stitch. The chain is a simple spiral as I didn't want anything too complicated to detract from the spectacular focal point.
Finally, as a final half term treat my Mum and I took ourselves off to the Essex bead fair at Five Lakes hotel near Colchester. It is always good to be able to select beads by actually seeing them rather than choosing them on the internet - colours on screen can be so tricky to match. Some of our favourite bead suppliers were there including the Bead Merchant and Oak Tree Crafts. Both always have a huge selection and their customer service and delivery is, in our experience, very good. A few essential purchases were made so I can complete some more of the UFOs in my box and one has already been done. I had some large glass beads awaiting some inspiration and, with the addition of some rondelles and some wax string, a thing of beauty was created (well I love it!!)
Finally, as a half term treat to myself I decided to order an Oak Tree Crafts acorn club bead treat. At the bargain price of £7.50 I thought that it would be a good way to add some variety to my stash and be a bit of a surprise when it arrived. My bead treats arrived on Saturday and I wasn't disappointed! All of the beads were bright red and there are enough to make a bracelet or necklace. The only dilemma is which pattern to choose .....
This week I am going to try to complete the foundation row of right angle weave for my Alston Lauriat and, hopefully, add on some of the embellishments. I have also been collecting fabrics and bits and pieces for a HUGE top secret project which I am planning to start during the Easter holidays. All I'm going to say is that it's 'Great British Sewing Bee' inspired and that all will be revealed some time in July. Watch this space!!
The UFO pile has nearly disappeared, the sun is shining (finally) and it's half term at last. Another good opportunity to finish off some crafty bits and pieces.
Firstly the bead merchant frills bracelet, one of my sales purchases, is finished and looks great. I love the combination of colours.
The second UFO which is underway is the lovely valentines bracelet, again from the bead merchant. I'm making it a little bit at a time and hope to have it complete by the end of the half term holiday. It is available in several colours and I selected the hyacinth combination. Although, on the website, the colours appeared to be blue and white on arrival there were some green beads in the kit too. I decided to replace these with some white ones and some alternative blue ones and I think that it looks great. I can't wait to finish it so I can wear it!
There is one project that is proving a challenge and is therefore still in the finishing off box. I purchased a chain maille pendant kit from beadsisters and I'm really struggling with it. Luckily their customer service is amazing and they are doing their best to help me with my New Years resolution and get it finished! They even provide step by step instructions via email for people that can't follow the written ones which, by the way, are very comprehensive. I think I just have a mental block when it comes to putting lots of little metal rings together!
Finally, I've discovered some patterns in a drawer which I had forgotten about. They're from G J Beads and I recalled buying the bits to make them. Have had a rummage in my stash I found some crystal rivolis that I brought in New York last year and, even though they weren't quite the right size, I think they worked out quite well. I had to make a few pattern adjustments along the way but I think it's going to look great when it's finished.
So, UFOs to complete this week are the valentines kit, the Caris bracelet and, hopefully, some more of the chain maille pendant. I am also hoping to have a sort out of my other craft bits and pieces so no doubt there will be more UFOs to add on to my list before the week is out.
