Where have I been???

My goodness, almost a month since I have blogged! I am way behind with all my plans for this little space. They are temporarily put on hold whilst I juggle my full time college vocal studies course, part time school teaching job, private singing lessons and beading commitments. Needless to say, I'm fairly shattered at the moment. The last few weeks, I've left the house every day before 7.30am and not got back till after 10. Not fun! I was hoping this week would be a bit easier but due to a concert postponement (power cut at the venue 45 minutes before we were due to go on...) that's two more of my evenings wiped out for this week. One of the things keeping me so busy is my college production of Carmen, we are in intensive rehearsal mode right now and will be until we open on the 5th December. I can't wait till we're in production! We're all sold out for the entire run and have been for ages (I'm just in the chorus but the principal cast are absolutely amazing!) but if you ever get the chance to see this fantastic opera then take it! It's sometimes considered the first musical; it's a real showbiz piece with love, death and high drama throughout! And some very beautiful music of course.

With the little time I've had for beading, I've been working on my Beads and Beyond projects. Here's the latest issue of the mag and I will pop back he later and add a picture of my project - Berries and Bling. 

***Here it is!! Not the loveliest picture as I took it on the not very attractive beige carpet we have in my flat. Yuck! I'd love to get it changed at some point - I'm not the biggest fan of beige in any context and especially not in carpet!***

I love the names the team come up with for my projects! So much better than any of my efforts would be. I was particularly pleased with the clasp I made myself - I have no metal smithing skills but with a little wire wrapping I came up with this pretty toggle clasp using a Vintaj birdie. I love making my own components for larger pieces and it's amazing what you can do with a little wire and some beads. 

Hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend - it's turned very chilly in the last few days - 1 degree c this afternoon! - so I am curled up with my iPad next to the fire. At last a chance to catch up with the beads!