Songbeads

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Gossiping Goddess and Cheeky Cherub Designs Challenge - Reveal

A while ago, Lesley Watt, the Gossiping Goddess herself, challenged some of us to take rogue beads from Kaz of Cheeky Cherub Designs - lampwork orphans and lonelies - and create something with them. Today is the reveal!

I wasn't sensible enough to take a shot of the bead by itself. So you'll just have to see what I turned it into! It is such a striking focal, I decided to make a long, chain pendant with it. I played around with a few things, and then I found this indigo washed brass wing I've had for forever from Miss FickleMedia - I think it may even be one of a pair, I should see if I can look the other one out....and somehow, they just worked together. Quirky and striking. I also had a few briolettes already wrapped, and picked out a dyed chalcedony (the larger of the two), and then dug around for some carnelian to wrap to go alongside it. A long length of chain, broken up by a Bo Hulley bead and a tiny orange lampwork nugget from Radiant Mind (I think they have changed their name a few times, and unfortunately I can't find them online anymore!.

Little Wing

I've tried to include quite a few shots really showcasing this amazing bead. You can see the layers of petals inside here. It really is a beautiful piece of work! What a privilege it was to work with.

One of the reasons I wanted to keep it as a pendant like this was so that when being worn, all the detail can be seen - you can look down through those orange petals and turn the bead around. None of the beautiful detail need be lost.

And the blue petals here, layered on the outside.

Available in my etsy shop here.

Check out the others who are playing along!

Thanks to Lesley and Kaz.

Lesley Watt - http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk/

Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Heidi Post - http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.co.uk/

Renetha - http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.co.uk

Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com

Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.co.uk/

Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.co.uk/
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.co.uk/

Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk/

Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/

Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/

Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.co.uk/

Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunday, 9 December 2012

Guest Giveaway Post - from Bo Hulley Beads

Bo: I've been threatening a giveaway for a long time, and having reached 500 likes on Facebook today it seems like a good time to offer a little thank you to all my wonderful friends and customers on Facebook. I don't wish to upset Facebook by breaking their rules so Rebecca has very kindly offered to host it for me on her Songbeads blog. This is the set I'm giving away, which includes some of my favourite Czech glass beads from The Curious Bead Shop.

{Ed: If you can't wait for the giveaway results, shop for some gorgeous handmade ceramic beads here at Bo's Etsy shop! or some unusual czech glass beads at The Curious Bead Shop}

There are lots of ways you can enter this giveaway - just make sure you pop back here, leaving a separate comment for each share or like that you do.

1. Leave a comment here saying you'd like to enter! Easy peasy.

2. 'Like' Bo Hulley Beads on Facebook.

3. 'Like' The Curious Bead Shop on Facebook.

4. Share this post on your personal profile on Facebook.

5. Share this post on your business page on Facebook.

6. Blog about this giveaway.

7. Tweet about this giveaway!

Phew! If you manage all of these you will get 7, yes that's SEVEN whole opportunities to win this gorgeous hand crafted set of beads.

Giveaway closes next Sunday, on the 16th December, at midnight, and the winner will be announced on Monday 17th. Just think what a lovely Christmas present you could be in for!

Please leave your email address in your first comment, so that we can get back in touch with you and tell you that you have won (hopefully)!

Contest now closed.

Etsy Deal of the Day!

Deal of the Day on Etsy!

Was £30, now has 25% off - £22.50 ($48 to $36 now approx.). 24 hours only - deal ends midnight 9th December!

Friday, 7 December 2012

Desk Disaster...

Lord help me and my messy ways....here's my new beading station. A brand new spot for me to sit and create....and already it looks like this! I've tried to make it vaguely artful with the help of Instagram, but really. It is just.a.mess.

After my December Begins post, my body finally have in, sent me to the GP and told me to take a week off work. So for once, I listened, and have been trying to rest a little. I sent off a huge load of jewellery to Funky Aardvark in Chester on Thursday however and am now horribly low on stock....so I'm cranking out the jewels. Or trying to at least! My brain is definitely slow and fuzzy right now. But I'm doing my best - 2 more craft fairs left to go, 16th in Altrincham and 22nd at Spitalfields, London. I will try and have some photos to share with you tomorrow!

What are you up to this wintery night?

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop!

Check out my updated post below for the full reveal......

Monday, 3 December 2012

December Begins....

So, today is the first Monday of December - the first Monday of advent. I am not religious, but both of my grandads were Methodist ministers, and as someone who has from the age of 6 been part of a choir, I have always been involved in Advent and Christmas concerts, and loved the rituals and run up to the 25th. Christmas Eve is near enough my favourite day of the whole year!

I am doing much less singing this year for one reason and anther, and I am a little sad that I won't be part of a Messiah, or a Bach Passion or even carol service or a carol concert. Apart from if you count my secondary school's forthcoming Christmas concert, where I'll be waving my arms in front of the choir for the last time.....I love the build up to Christmas and the little rituals we all have - be they things that we all share, like gobbling up chocolate advent calendars, or personal, family events. One of my atheist friends and I have for I think 13 out of the last 14 years attended midnight mass somewhere or other. Two of my friends host an annual 'Winter Wonderland' dinner party between Christmas and New Year. My Mum collects beautiful nativity settings and interesting and unique advent calendars, and always has an advent candle without fail. Not being religious really doesn't stop you enjoying the festivities and taking a moment to pause and reflect on the year!

Usually this moment takes place after the 24th - when you work in music and jewellery, everything is all go until you hit the big day! But this year, I am going to do my damnedest to take a moment in December. I have had the most manically busy and stressful November, flying from one end of the country to another doing various things. Most of what November contained was positive (although the greatly extended floor sanding less so....!) but I must admit to being exhausted by it. And also struggling to rid myself of a chest infection that has been with me for over 2 months now. I need a rest. And easy as it would be to crash on until the 25th, I am going to try to just slow my pace a little. Whether that will be possible or not is another matter.....I have 4 singing exams coming up, 2 school concerts, a production of Joseph to rehearse, and another 3 craft fairs before Christmas, along with my one dose of singing Christmas carols, as part of a quartet for a corporate event ( not exactly scintillating but I do love carols). And bearing in mind that I am writing this post on my phone, sitting on the bus on the way home from a full day of school teaching to an evening of private teaching...! Wish me luck as I try to steal back a moment for myself....

What are your December plans? Do you have a crazy month? Or are you fortunate enough to be able to savour the run up to Christmas a little?