Squirly whirly wire curls

Made a necklace recently with lots of different sized pearls, secured with curly wire wraps. All fastened to a chunky silver chain. I'd be really interested to hear what people think, as I don't usually use these squirly wire thingimabobs...

I've made sure that all the wire is tucked in, so it's not scratchy, and won't snag. I think it adds a really different textured look. I reckon with a LBD this would be gorgeous. But am dying to hear what others think........please let me know

Lovely package

Sooooo, after much deliberation about how to glam up my slightly sad looking jewellery boxes I've decided to just go for it, try out a few ideas, and not worry to much about coming up with the final best ever solution all at once.

The first version is here....

Nice and simple I think! I might make it a bit more festive with ribbon at the Christmas fairs. 

BUT more importantly...what do you think. Have I overdone the "simple"? Would you like to receive this?

It has been a hectic week, I've had some big projects on at work which meant I had to bring work home for evenings and my days off (that precious 45 mins when little Eve had quiet time), which is all a bit gutting as I'd much rather have been doing something with the new beads I bought at the Big Bead Show in Esher on Saturday.

There was some lovely stuff, and some unlovely stuff. And incidentally not that many big beads, they all seemed normal sized to me. Hey ho, anyway I bought these beauties from Josephine Wadman....

...who does amazing lampwork designs.

I'm not sure the picture does them justice, but they are the most beautiful brightest blue I've ever seen. I bought them with my friend Rache in mind, who told me I needed "to do more stuff in blue". But to be honest I'm a bit scared to use them. I know need to do something really special with them, but just no idea what. Plus they weren't cheap dammit so it needs to be right.

Hmmmmmm..... any inspiration out there?

Indian Summer

What fantastic weather we're having at the moment. A proper Indian Summer, who'd have thought we'd be in jackets in July and t-shirts in October. 

I took the girls up onto the hill near our house after school....

We all love it up there, and yes there is a car park at the top.!

 

Take a look at Kristen's blog for a brilliant giveaway. She makes such beautiful delicate stuff, I'd love to get my hands on these colourful little earrings. And all her stuff is so beautifully made....I might have to get the tutorial too!

http://ksjewellerydesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/time-for-blog-giveaway-littles-earrings.html

Chocolate Fairy

It was our wedding anniversary recently - 6 wonderful years! Eek how time flies. 

The traditional UK anniversary gift for 6 years is sugar, which I must admit was a bit disappointing from a buyers perspective. Particularly as he doesn't really eat chocolate. 

After some deliberation (and you may think, little imagination) I bought him a big bag of gourmet jellybeans and a shockingly poor card bought at the last minute. Perfect! No it was. Really.

Anyway I got a very posh box of chocolates and this.....

...isn't he clever? He found it in Liberty's and it has to be one of the best cards I've ever had. I just can't help but grin every time I look at it. Definitely a keeper.

It was drawn by Andrea Kett who has a lovely shop full of superior smut. Go take a look. Her web address is www.andreakett.co.uk