I have been so tardy.....

....I have missed a few of the fhfteam member spotlights so a quick catch up is in order

First up is Diane who makes gorgeous ribbons as well as fab beads!

Next is VeeBee with her fab bracelet and some lovely beads.

Third is Lynn Davy who is an awesome seedbeader published regularly in the beading press and who makes simply gorgeous stuff

and finally for the moment is Tracy with her scrummy collection of beads

Please take some time to give some love to each of these talented artists they would love to have you visit

TTFN xx

AND THE WINNER IS......

blushing posies!
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

.......... Rebecca Emery who left me a comment on my Facebook link to the blog! Rebecca I will contact you and make your bracelet!

I had 27 people in the draw so thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment and thank you for my birthday wishes a few of you left for the upcoming 2nd birthday of Aurorabeadz!

Other news: the beads on the right are available now to buy in my bead shop on my website here and I am hoping for some more bead time tomorrow night! So there will be more soon.

TTFN xx

Prize draw update!!!

commission bracelet
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Another example of the kind of bracelet I am offering in my prize draw!!! You have till Wednesday to leave a comment to be in with a chance. See my post for 21st February for more info!!! Go on you know you want to win this!!! Mother's day is coming up why not try to get it for your mum!!! Summer is coming how about a gorgeous summery bracelet for those evenings out! Is there a birthday coming up!!! or simply a treat for you!!! Spread the word leave a comment and you simply never know!!!

TTFN x

PRIZE DRAW!!!

pinks bracelet
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

OK I promised a prize draw so here you go. It is the 2nd Birthday of Aurorabeadz in March and I have successfully got over 200 fans of my page on Facebook as well as a good following on my blog. To celebrate all of these things I am offering the winner a bracelet similar to the one shown but in whatever colours you like.
In order to be in with a chance of winning a bracelet similar to this bracelet you simply have to leave me a comment on this blog entry either here on my blog or via my Facebook page. Only comments left in these 2 places will be entered into the draw! To give you all a chance to enter I will close the entries at 9pm Wednesday 24th February and announce the winner shortly after!!!

Thank you all so much for following me for commenting on my posts and for admiring and buying my beads and jewellery.
TTFN xx

Springtime flowers

Springtime flowers
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Definitely feeling the springtime thing right now! I walked to work this morning at around 6.45 and it was daylight which is lovely. Added to that the birds were all singing away in the trees and whilst walking into the hospital grounds I walked past a robin proudly showing off his red breast singing his little heart out. It was so lovely and made me feel (despite the bitter cold) that spring is not that far off! Daffodils are poking their heads up through the soil and will soon be in flower. I adore snow but it is so disruptive but you know spring has got to be one of the best seasons!

TTFN xx

Feeling blue

Feeling blue
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Not that I have anything to be feeling blue about. These beads are simply scrummy if I do say so myself! Made with a base of transparent aqua encased in clear glass and then with ASK Tribal turquoise dots these beads looked fab glossy but etching them just makes them glow! Have I mentioned I love etching stuff hee hee.

Gotta dash cos I need to get ready for work but these lovelies and 2 other sets will be in my Etsy shop later tonight I hope!

TTFN x

Pinks

Pinks
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I had a lovely evening on the torch yesterday and this is one of the sets I made! Very delicate and cute maybe appropriate for the upcoming wedding season!!!

A friend of mine has just popped round and collected some beads off me that she is going to try to sell and a fair she is doing on Saturday! It is at St. Mary's Hall in Whitstable Kent from 10 am - 4pm if you are in the area try to take a look. I am hoping to be able to provide beads for Gill on a regular basis. Thank you Gill for thinking of me and good luck in your venture!

TTFN xx

Waterlilies

Waterlilies
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Todays offering is not quite finished I have yet to add something to hang it from a chain with but I am very happy with the patina and wanted to catch it cos I stupidly forgot that if I refire or solder I will lose this!!! MAde from a mould this is button sized but would look awesome suspended from a delicate chain! or maybe it is calling out to be a centrepiece on a bangle! Now there is a challenge for me! Make my first bangle!!!!!

TTFN x

Flower focal

Flower focal
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

When you look around at what spring and summer fashion trends are there seem to be quite a few flowers! I like making raised flower beads but have not made any for absolute ages so I decided to make some and the picture above is one of my beads! I ummed and ahhed about making leaves and stems etc but decided on abstract single flowers with different colour petals and am quite pleased how they turned out! I am thinking that some smaller round beads will compliment this long focal very well so I am hoping to get some torch time in this week and make some! I am also wondering about etching!

TTFN x

Heart Pendant

Heart Pendant
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

This is my latest creation. Again something I had a dream about!!! I envisaged it being a bit more puffy but I had great fun making it and learned loads. I have also done a different finish and used one of my dremel attachments to give it the brushed look!

I am really chuffed with it and would love to hear what you guys think of it!
TTFN xx

FHFteam spotlight - Jolene

The spotlight for the next few days falls on Jolene. Jo has been making beads for about the same amount of time as me but has recently moved into the field of shards, murrini and twisties to compliment her awesome bead making skills. her work can be found here and here go take a look!! Her own handmade murrini feature in the absolutely scrummy beads above that are also made by Jo and are for sale in her Etsy shop!

TTFN xx

My first spinner ring

My first spinner ring
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Having nearly got a spinner ring just before Christmas and then deciding I could make my own I have finally got round to giving it a go! This is my first attempt and there is a bit of a problem with the soldering (which split slightly when I flared the edges out) but overall I am quite pleased! It turned out to be the size I wanted it to be which is good and I am pleased with the hammered look! Gonna play with this design I think

TTFN xx

FHFteam spotlight - Josephine

Please take a look at the wonderful work of Josephine which can be found here she is our current spotlight artist and does some absolutely gorgeous work.

TTFN xx

FHFteam spotlight - Jeannie Gems

Please go take a look at Jeannie Gems on Etsy here The photo above is one of her creations and it is gorgeous and there are loads more things like that!!!

I love the kiln fairies

light emerald green and shards
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Blimey my photographic skills still need some refining but I think this picture is clear enough for you to see the scrumminess these beads have to offer! I love making these beads and using the shards to get the different effects and I have to say these particular chards are my absolute fav! I have also got the hang of making round beads without using my marble marver! So considering the fact that I thought that last nights journey to the shedio was a waste of time I have been pleasantly surprised by what the kiln fairies left me.

Click on the picture to go to my Flickr album and see what else I made. They will all be up on my website tomorrow morning for sale!

TTFN xx