Beady Pool

For those of you who like me are a little on the inquisitive side, you may of been wondering why I call my jewellery Beady Pool. Well, this picture will help explain. These beads are 17th century terracotta and glass. They were found at Beady Pool, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly by yours truely (and my mum) a fair few years ago now - I think I was about 7! They are from a Dutch cargo ship that was shipwrecked on her way from Amsterdam to Lisbon.

When I started making jewellery again (I have been dabbling for years) about a year ago, I couldn't make my mind up on a name. Most plays on words had been used. I trawled the Cornish dictionary but either names had been taken or they didn't sound right. Then my lovely mum remembered our Beady Pool beads and out came the matchbox. Beady Pool then just seemed to fit, it linked the beads and my Cornish Heritage just nicely. If you take a peek on my website, there is a bit more info.

Beady Pool

For those of you who like me are a little on the inquisitive side, you may of been wondering why I call my jewellery Beady Pool. Well, this picture will help explain. These beads are 17th century terracotta and glass. They were found at Beady Pool, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly by yours truely (and my mum) a fair few years ago now - I think I was about 7! They are from a Dutch cargo ship that was shipwrecked on her way from Amsterdam to Lisbon.

When I started making jewellery again (I have been dabbling for years) about a year ago, I couldn't make my mind up on a name. Most plays on words had been used. I trawled the Cornish dictionary but either names had been taken or they didn't sound right. Then my lovely mum remembered our Beady Pool beads and out came the matchbox. Beady Pool then just seemed to fit, it linked the beads and my Cornish Heritage just nicely. If you take a peek on my website, there is a bit more info.

Mermaids Tears

We went away for a short mid-week break last week to the New Forest, staying at Sandy Balls. (Sorry I do still snigger like a 14yr old at the name - I am sooo childish!) We had a fantastic time, my inlaws stayed with us in the log cabin and my folks took their camper van. My son couldn't believe his good fortune, both sets of grandparents on tap. We couldn't believe ours either - what fab weather. As per normal for my family we tried to do too much in a few days; the boys did Beaulieu, we all went to Exbury and rode the steam train, my son got to wave the flag for the train to go - how excited was he! We visited the otter and owl sanctury; fantastic day out especially if you have little ones - someone had giggles over the otter antics, plus a picnic at Lepe over looking the solent, stunning views.....the list goes on - a fab holiday but I do almost feel like I need another one to recouperate!

Once I had fought my way through the mound of laundry, I found some time for a bit of jewellery making - very theraputic.

Mermaid's Tears

Simple, but very wearable. Freshwater pearls and turquoise, a very soothing combination.

I've received a couple of new sets of lampwork beads in the post recently, so hopefully soon some inspiration will strike. Or more to the point, I find some time.

My BH is off to Ireland tomorrow with work till the end of the week, so I will get my evenings to myself - well most of them.... I couldn't help it, I've just invited the girls over for a curry and a glass or two - well, you have to have a good natter and put the world right, don't you?

Mermaids Tears

We went away for a short mid-week break last week to the New Forest, staying at Sandy Balls. (Sorry I do still snigger like a 14yr old at the name - I am sooo childish!) We had a fantastic time, my inlaws stayed with us in the log cabin and my folks took their camper van. My son couldn't believe his good fortune, both sets of grandparents on tap. We couldn't believe ours either - what fab weather. As per normal for my family we tried to do too much in a few days; the boys did Beaulieu, we all went to Exbury and rode the steam train, my son got to wave the flag for the train to go - how excited was he! We visited the otter and owl sanctury; fantastic day out especially if you have little ones - someone had giggles over the otter antics, plus a picnic at Lepe over looking the solent, stunning views.....the list goes on - a fab holiday but I do almost feel like I need another one to recouperate!

Once I had fought my way through the mound of laundry, I found some time for a bit of jewellery making - very theraputic.

Mermaid's Tears

Simple, but very wearable. Freshwater pearls and turquoise, a very soothing combination.

I've received a couple of new sets of lampwork beads in the post recently, so hopefully soon some inspiration will strike. Or more to the point, I find some time.

My BH is off to Ireland tomorrow with work till the end of the week, so I will get my evenings to myself - well most of them.... I couldn't help it, I've just invited the girls over for a curry and a glass or two - well, you have to have a good natter and put the world right, don't you?

Spending my pennies

You find all sorts of information out being nosy around other peoples blogs and websites. I can't remember now which lampwork artists website I was looking at, but I noticed they were selling their beads on a new website called Folksy. So being nosy I clicked and an hour or so later, I was still checking out the site. Folksy is a newish website that is going to be similar to Etsy but for UK based crafters and designers. Anyway whilst having a good browse, I found some fantastic handmade purses and bags made by Natalie Farrell.

I would love to be able to sew well, but I have an inability to manage straight lines, so I have a lot of respect for anyone who can. Well, I fell in love with this makeup purse and in the end I just had to buy it. For those who know me, it's quite a bizarre purchase as makeup and I only really cross paths about 5 times a year! I do however love the idea of having makeup nicely tucked away tidily in a gorgeous to look at bag.

Even though I found the bags on Folksy, check out Natalie's own website as it gives a much wider range of her gorgeous purse and bags. It was a toss up between this duck egg blue one or the baby blue, but I am trying to wean myself away from blue so the duck egg won! It is even more gorgeous in the flesh so to speak and fantastically made. I am in awe.

Spending my pennies

You find all sorts of information out being nosy around other peoples blogs and websites. I can't remember now which lampwork artists website I was looking at, but I noticed they were selling their beads on a new website called Folksy. So being nosy I clicked and an hour or so later, I was still checking out the site. Folksy is a newish website that is going to be similar to Etsy but for UK based crafters and designers. Anyway whilst having a good browse, I found some fantastic handmade purses and bags made by Natalie Farrell.

I would love to be able to sew well, but I have an inability to manage straight lines, so I have a lot of respect for anyone who can. Well, I fell in love with this makeup purse and in the end I just had to buy it. For those who know me, it's quite a bizarre purchase as makeup and I only really cross paths about 5 times a year! I do however love the idea of having makeup nicely tucked away tidily in a gorgeous to look at bag.

Even though I found the bags on Folksy, check out Natalie's own website as it gives a much wider range of her gorgeous purse and bags. It was a toss up between this duck egg blue one or the baby blue, but I am trying to wean myself away from blue so the duck egg won! It is even more gorgeous in the flesh so to speak and fantastically made. I am in awe.

New Term

Okay, so who nicked the summer holidays? Own up please......

To be honest, I was dreading the 6 weeks or so with my two year old and none of your normal prearranged activities like music and toddler group. However, they have flown by and I have to admit we have been busier than we are normally term time. That may of been my fault though, as I got a bit panicky - aarrggh small child and me, six weeks can't manage - so I did arrange to see lots of people and to do a fair few things. Even the bad weather hasn't scuppered our plans too much. Me being me planned two ideas for days out - one for wet and one for dry weather!

Tommorrow is a big day in the our household as my son whose is two and a half at the end of this month starts preschool. He will go for two mornings a week. I cannot believe how quickly the years have passed, but I think he is more than ready and mummy can't wait to have an hour to make some jewellery.

Not much jewellery from me (as always it seems). Little man went to Nan and Grandads for a few days holiday, but rather than me doing jewellery hubby and I painted what was his nursery (now making room) and then found a leak in the ensuite - fun.

I did get to make this though - Bali Blues, using lampwork which I have had for ages from Tinage Tar. Lampwork beads, Bali Silver and Czech glass. I love the creamy coloured beads, they lok like they have a seam of quartz running through them.

I have also been organising lampwork for a commission piece - watch this space.

Keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well, I think I may be a bit lost for a while and not know what to do with myself - sure I will find something though!

New Term

Okay, so who nicked the summer holidays? Own up please......

To be honest, I was dreading the 6 weeks or so with my two year old and none of your normal prearranged activities like music and toddler group. However, they have flown by and I have to admit we have been busier than we are normally term time. That may of been my fault though, as I got a bit panicky - aarrggh small child and me, six weeks can't manage - so I did arrange to see lots of people and to do a fair few things. Even the bad weather hasn't scuppered our plans too much. Me being me planned two ideas for days out - one for wet and one for dry weather!

Tommorrow is a big day in the our household as my son whose is two and a half at the end of this month starts preschool. He will go for two mornings a week. I cannot believe how quickly the years have passed, but I think he is more than ready and mummy can't wait to have an hour to make some jewellery.

Not much jewellery from me (as always it seems). Little man went to Nan and Grandads for a few days holiday, but rather than me doing jewellery hubby and I painted what was his nursery (now making room) and then found a leak in the ensuite - fun.

I did get to make this though - Bali Blues, using lampwork which I have had for ages from Tinage Tar. Lampwork beads, Bali Silver and Czech glass. I love the creamy coloured beads, they lok like they have a seam of quartz running through them.

I have also been organising lampwork for a commission piece - watch this space.

Keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well, I think I may be a bit lost for a while and not know what to do with myself - sure I will find something though!