Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I made a set of beads like this one last night and am very chuffed with them. They are called Pretty Woman as they remind me of the dress worn by Julia Robert's at the polo match in the film of the same name!
I made another set as well which will shortly be up on my website for sale

TTFN x

Spring time??

I may be slightly premature here but the sun is shining it is quite chilly in the shade but in the sunshine it is very pleasant and I am feeling very spring like! The photo above was taken from a google search of "glass daffodils" (of course it has to be glass!!!) and I love this piece and it seemed simply right to show off today.

I have not had much time to bead of late and was hoping to tonight but I have had to swap my shift so hopefully tomorrow night now! Imogen is off in France till Friday so it is just me Tony and Savannah this week, I am missing her loads and strangely enough missing her bickering with Savannah!!! Aren't we odd!!!

I start my new job proper next week hopefully. I am picking my uniform up today and I have shifts for the next 2 weeks. No real change except I am no longer agency and I have more responsibility but the shifts will be the same maybe a few less late shifts so hopefully more beading time in the evenings yay!!! Despite being told by Tony that they may be making redundancies where he works life is good! Money is tight and potentially gonna get worse but I have my health my family and my friends, a job I love a hobby I adore and I am pleased with my lot!!!

TTFN xx

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

FHFteam spotlight - Trudi of Glittering Prize

Striking Eye
Originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi

This is the totally stunning "Striking Eye" bead from Trudi of Glittering Prize which can be found here and she is the focus of the current FHFteam spotlight!

TTFN x

Pink swirl focal

P1030048
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I am not generally a focal bead person despite the fact that I love them a lot! I simply find it quite challenging to get enough glass together to get a decent size bead! So I am very pleased with this little beauty! Made with clear glass and some of Val Cox's scrummy pink frit! and a little swirl on each side this is truly a lovely focal bead! And there are little round beads to match! (you can see them in my Flickr album here) I hope to get them up on my website to sell on saturday as I am working all day Sunday! I am also hoping to get another day on the torch tomorrow but I fear that I am brewing a cold! My eyes are so heavy I want to sleep and my nose is tingling does not bode well I am sure! Lets see what happens eh but for now I am having another torch day tomorrow!

TTFN xx

Light emerald frosties

Light emerald frosties
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I thought frosted beads were appropriate for the current weather conditions across the UK. I have to say things have massively improved in Margate today there is very little evidence of snow and at the moment it is actually raining. I do know that things were quite bad yesterday in Sandwich, Deal and Folkestone, Dover way but here in Margate nothing, de nada, zilch.
Part of me is pleased cos I can send the girls to school tomorrow as they will reopen but I am quite sad not to have had the opportunity to go out and play in it with the girls. I have got some photos of them playing in it which I will upload later hopefully but I did not get the chance to go out in it with them properly!
These beads will be listed on my website later today as well as some more jewellery on my Etsy site sneak previews can be found on my Flickr album here
Stay warm, keep safe
TTFN xx

Fritty swirls

fritty swirls
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Some of todays goodies for your delectation. I love making these beads they are simple but look stunning. The colour combinations are endless. I have ordered more frit and will be making more along this theme.

I hope you are all ok where you are, we are currently waiting for the arrival of the forecast snow but I have a feeling that is going to move right past us on this little corner of East Kent, typical!!!! Mind you I kinda hope so cos I need to work and if it snows the schools will shut and life will grind to a halt for a while!!!

Right best be off see you soon
TTFN xx

Rose lentils

Rose lentils a
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

My mojo has returned and I am very happy. I made 3 sets last night and this is a close up of one of the sets! They can all be found for sale on my website here

Other news: I am quite busy putting shifts in at the hospital to earn some money and get us back on the straight and narrow! Thankfully I am getting plenty of work so that is good!

From a jewellery perspective things are quite busy as well what with everyone getting ready for Christams. I had a jewellery party on Friday but you will never believe what I did............I left my box of jewellery at home. It was an hour long round trip to get them and as many of the guests had not arrived I decided not to bother. We are going to do it in the New Year now! Honestly I could not believe it!!!

TTFN xx

Singing the blues

singing the blues
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Despite thinking all I can make is boring ole beads I managed to make these on friday and I really like them. Once again simple small but incredibly neat and totally useable in one or more pieces of jewellery (at least I think so!)

These are now for sale on my website here

TTFN x

Magdalena

Magdalena
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Another necklace to share with you guys! This is my focal bead and one of my hammered silver rings with a gorgeous ribbon by Diane at Sowzere.

The jewellery party went well sold a few bits and will hopefully get a couple of orders for fingerprint jewellery. And on that note today is the final day for orders for fingerprint jewellery at Savannah's school fair. I have 2 orders for the day so far and 2 orders at different times from the advert so not a bad response at all I think. I did have hopes of being absolutely flooded with requests but in hindsight that was a little naive. It is all about advertising and I did make a huge faux pas with the order form and information. I completely forgot to add my website address doh!!! Will take loads of business cards and leaflets to the fair with me to make up for that and there will be plenty of time for orders to be completed before Christmas.

Right best be off, Savannah is home cos she was ill last night so my shedio day has disappeared but I am finally going to get the stamps made for my art clay pendants! Photos later xx

TTFNxx

Quiet waters

Quiet waters
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I have a jewellery party tonight, the first one not held in my own home!!! Eek! But the host is a friend so it should be fine! Anyway I have spent the afternoon madly making jewellery and this piece is one of the bits I have made!

The large beads were made by me last night and there are some of my mini spacer beads in there as well. 72 swarovski crystals and 36 small silver spacers finish the piece off and boy does it look awesome in the light! It really twinkles ;o)

TTFN xx

Hollow beads

goldstone hollow a
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I first made hollow beads about 18 months ago but simply could not get their shape right. I thought I would have another go and if you follow my blog you will know that I have made a few that I am happy with and have sold! This is last nights bead, amethyst with goldstone stringer and I love it! Do I say that a lot ?... sorry but I am very happy with the way this bead turned out! It is going up on my Etsy shop shortly and there are more views of it there for you to gaze upon ;o)

TTFN xx

Rose shards bead set

rose shards b
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Believe it or not the base colour for these beads was rose pink but the reactive glass shards I have laid down on top have fumed it and this absolutely gorgeous divine colour occurs! I have made more of these today I love them

TTFN xx

Snowman Pendant Prize Draw

snowman
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

I am not one for whimsical beads but each year around this time I do like to make themed beads. Last year some of you may remember my absolutely hysterically cute but sad angels!! and I have always made snowmen. This year I decided to make the heads only and really concentrate on getting them right! and here is my first one out of the kiln. I am totally lovin him and there are angels too!! More pictures of them later!

Anyway I am quite chuffed with this little guy so I thought you might like a chance to win him! All you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and I will put your name into the draw. I will pick a winner on Sunday evening. (Necklace not included only the pendant is up for grabs!!!)

TTFN xx

Sapphire trio

sapphire trio
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Ok so these beads have actually been sold but they are a beautiful example of a very simple range of beads that I do. One large tab bead and 2 smaller round beads. On a simple level these 3 beads will give you a pendant and matching earrings.

There are some beads in this style available on my website to buy and for those of you who don't make jewellery I will happily make them up into a pendant and matching earrings for a small extra cost! These bead sets start at £5 and will make fantastic Christmas presents for the folks in your life
TTFN xx

Red and black nuggets

red and black nuggets
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Here is Monday's scrummy beads for you to gaze upon. I am totally loving these colours and that leads me to something I would like to chat about.

There is very often and huge chasm between what I think will sell and what actually does. I am not moaning not by any stretch of the imagination but I am often bemused. The beads I am showing here are a case in point. Classic colours black and red with the Christmas season coming I think they look totally in place with a gorgeous black dress at a Christmas party yet they have not sold!

I know I only put them up for sale last night but I have just posted 7 lots of beads from orders off the website last night and surprisingly the black and red nuggets were not among them!

Anyway enough of that as long as people like my beads and continue to buy them then I am happy to keep making them and you know what there wil always be the bead or the set that you think will fly off the shelf but actually does not. Tis all part of the quirkiness of having my own business.

Have a lovely Monday
TTFN xx

dilly dilly mark 2

dilly dilly mark 2
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

The first version of these that I made sold in less than an hour I think off Etsy. I adore these colours I think the lavenders are gorgeous. Anyway this is version 2 with opaque and transparent lavender and will be availble to buy off my website tonight along with a few other goodies.

What have you been up to this weekend? I have had a very productive time. I discovered Tony has a grinder and I managed to persuade him to buy the spindle to adapt one end to a polisher and OMG what a difference to my silver! I am rearranging my workspace a bit so that has taken up some time today.

This week is half term for the 2 girls so I am not sure how much beading time I will get but I definitely need to make some jewellery as I have a party Friday and the designs for the Ingoldsby Gallery need to be finished my Friday as well.

Have a lovely week guys and don't forget new beadies on my website tonight
TTFN xx

Daily eye candy

pink and grey
Originally uploaded by aurorabeadz

Ha ha I have managed to connect my Flickr album to my blog which means that I can show you pictures of my work direct from my album which is quite cool! I know a few of you fedback that you like pictures so here is todays choice.

This little set of beads will be available to buy tomorrow evening when I update my shop. These are made with a base of pearl grey covered with rose and with little pink flowers around. The beads have then been etched (which I do love doing!!!) A very cute and gorgeous little set of beads
Have a fab weekend guys
TTFN xx

The Big Bead Show and some interesting observations!

Saturday is fast approaching and I am on the final countdown to getting ready for the Big Bead Show. I am really looking forward to it not least cos I will be catching up with old friends and hopefully meeting lots of new ones. I have also had a chance to reflect a little on the past year as it was The Big Bead show last year where I basically debuted myself!!!

What have I achieved this year, well I can now encase beads, my dot placement has come on in leaps and bounds I have got my head around using presses. I have fallen in love with silvered ivory stringer and use it in practically every darn bead ATM ;o)

I have established a business that I continue to promote and since the summer I have been doing this as my full time job. I am having a ball. I feel like my beads have definitely started to grow up a bit and finally I don't feel like a complete newbie. I know I have been torching since July 2007 but I only got some 6 - 8 hours a week if I was lucky. This week so far I have done some 12 hours and it is only Wednesday. I still have so much to learn and some many more skills to master but you know what there is no rush! Yes my beads are simple but you know what I am finally comfortable with that. Many other lampwork artists strive to make complex and beautiful beads with infinite detail and don't get me wrong I want that but people still need simple beads for their pieces of jewellery and right now these people are my market!

My aim for the next 12 months; firstly to get my Art clay / PMC certification and secondly I really want to go on some glass courses to help me to develop these skills more!

Enough of that I have a few beads to show you. The first picture is a sample of the goodies I will be taking with me to the show on saturday. The second picture needs a little more explaination but I will let you look first.

The large pink and white bead is my first attempt at a focal bead with stripes! Much refining needed but a style I like! The 2 dotty beads are an example of what happens when you use incompatible glasses. The base is Bullseye violet striker with clear encasing and then what I thought was Bullseye white dotted around but when I took them out the kiln and cleaned them I realised the glass was cracking around the dots and therefore I had probabaly picked up some Effeter white and not Bullseye! I am normally very good about keeping my different glasses separated but obviously failed here but an interesting thing for you all to see.
The 2 bottom beads are Bullseye French Vanilla with Silvered French Vanilla round them. They were both on the same mandrel and were made with the same rod of French Vanilla and the same stringer so what happened to get 2 very different beads I am unsure! Any suggestions gratefully received.

Right enough blabbering I have beads to price up and earrings to make so must dash! Don't forget to come and say hi to me if you are at Sandown on Saturday I would love to meet you.

Oh and one final thing...the first 10 people to spend over £30 with me you will get a handmade (by me!) mini tote bag with a pair of earrings and a scrummy chocolate in free!! Here is a little preview!

TTFN xx

Eye Candy

Or at least I hope so!!! I am still getting ready for the Big Bead Show on 17th October. and have been busy on the torch making things of wonder for you to gaze upon and hopefully buy ;o)

There are more to view on my Flickr album here. a couple of them will be up for sale later on through my Etsy shop but things are a little quiet until after the show.

TTFN x