Weekend Posting

Elli had her first sleepover last night - they were chatting a lot - until gone 10 and E went and told them to calm down - then just before 6 am they woke again! Urghhh I know tonight Elli will be struggling , normally at the weekend she lies in until 8 (so do we!!) and she needs her sleep (so do we!) and getting up at the crack of dawn all week means the weekend lie ins are sacred !
I'm down to 38 sets of artisan glass beads but I have succumbed twice - I know a moment of weakness - sadly the beads are beautiful and je ne regrette rien ;) (Or I regret nothing for those of you who can't read french - or remember the song by Edith Piaf ( although I wasn't even a twinkle in my Daddy's eye when the song came out!)
The top bracelet is still available but the second - after being spotted on Flickr is off to the US to her new home. I'm now preparing for a party next Friday - lots to make and create - so back to it!!

OK I know

where have my blog posts been - well I did warn you - blog posting with a six year old is hard you get to the middle of a post and get called away - then you come back and forget where you are - I have quite a few unfinished ones in draft this week. I also would like to apologises to my blogging friends for neglect ;)

Part of me is looking forward to normality when Elli goes back to school but she is such good company too I will miss her loads! Yesterday we went shopping - I love shopping but I don't do enough of it (contrary to what my E says!) She is such good fun and loves looking at clothes as much as I do - especially if they come in her size - yes I have a real girly girl :)

I'm down to 40 sets I think (although bad girl that I am I've recieved another 2 sets in the post - do I have to count them lol) I'm working on getting down to 20 arghhh but its hard!

Backwards

I giving up beads for lent - thats the reason for being backwards because as you know lent is over!! Over the weekend I added up all the bead sets I have - now I'm talking about Artisan Glass (lampwork) which is something I have always held my hands up to being addicted too! BUt this I actually hang my head in shame I counted (and this was me being honest - when I say counted these are just the ones I sorted) 47 sets in total (well actually I counted 46 but then found another set under a book) yes you read that right 47!!!


SO because of this I am on a bead buying ban - yes I have to show you in the next month at least 20 pieces made with lampwork - Hopefully you will help me count this down and when I reach 20 I can start buying again - eeeek - this will be extremly painful as I adore buying them!! Please hold my hand throughout April so I keep strong - haha! So all my flame fueled friends please help me be strong and I am not ignoring you if I suddenly stop buying your beads - I need to be strong ;)

Where's the week gone!

Hmmm not that Friday feeling - more a feeling of where has the week flown by too! Time goes by so quickly doesn't it - the good thing about school holidays is Elli and I become more in tune - of course normal school weeks I'm a Mummy who is always saying 'Homework' or 'Bed' or 'Swimming lessons' , but holidays we all become more chilled out and my sleepy 6 yr old really knows how to chill out!
Another wire wrapped bracelet to show you - again with Caroline's beads, the patterns in the glass sung tigers stripes at me, yet once I started playing the other colours just popped! out. I've used bronze fw pearls, prehnite, amethyst, garnet, green apaptite, and of course aa couple of charms, then of course she was Oxidised and hand-polished. Can you tell I love this technique!

Half Term Hols

The half-term hols are here so I have Elli at home - which means keeping my blog updated may be a little tricky! She's very good though , I can't complain and she let me spend an hour or two in the garage (my workshop) while she played her DS Lite. I did have to come in to make choc crispies - I thought she was going to help but the actual licking the choc clean from the spoon and bowl was all she really wanted to do! So In the tumbler I have, 2 chains (one large , one small) 1 x pair of earrings (new style) pebbles (commissions) and some twisted jump rings!

Yesterday we spent the day with Mamma and Nannie (Gump has gone playing golf in Portugal!) we had alovely pub lunch and then on to Trelissick Gardens, on the River Fal it was chilly out of the sun and when we suddenly came out onto the tennis court (Or what was ) the sun and views not only of the house but over the River were stunning - silly me forgot the camera though!

HOpefully I'll be back tomorrow - I'm working on a few commission at the moment and waiting for a few parcels but I'll try!

Ohhhh Wild!

The weather not my jewellery today! Bet you all wondered though. So who has sun, wind, rain, or even snow?? We are forecasted snow but as that happens every blue moon (which I'm sure its not) I'd be very surprised but I promise pics if we do. Elli has a inset day (teachers training day) tomorrow so it would be fab if we did have some. I'm planning cake making and other delights if not - we were planning on going off with Mamma and Gump (My parents) but with the weather being threatened we're not.

I assume my inspiration for these pieces came from the beautiful day we had at the beach on Sunday as well. Kara from Innocent Charms Chats says this one reminds her of the sky and the sea so its probably from Sunday. But my friend Caroline of Crafted Gems also posted a picture from her weekend where she went to the coast - her picture is the opposite of mine - maybe because she lives up in Scotland her picture is cold and wild with the sea crashing on the harbour. Wonderful I love it and of course I nagged her to let me post it here too

Isn't it fantastic!!!

Still here with tooth!

Title to warn anyone who is bored of my tooth tales - so they can run screaming!!



Last night after pilates *Have wonderful story to tell you in a bit so scroll down if you don't want a tooth tale. I rang my best friend from school who is a dentist up near London, she was fantastic and told me to hold onto my tooth - apparently the last thing that should happen is an extraction. She also agreed with the drugs so yippee I have valium (Or an equivelant) and I have to have a trial run so tomorrow night is a right off lol!!



ok funny story from pilates - My friend Vicky drove last night and when we came out it was very dark with no street lights we walked up to the car and Vicky was having trouble getting her key in the keyhole - all of a sudden it unlocked and we climbed in. Vicky was a bit worried because she said she hadn't got the key in properly and with that the lights went on and off and the door locked and unlocked itself again. WIth that a lady knocked on the window - you guessed it, we were sitting in her car - luckily she saw the funny side of it - we were crying with laughter!!

© Gemheaven 2008

Man Flu

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Yes I caught my husbands Man flu - I felt yucky all day Friday but had my final party of 2007 to prepare for so had to soldier on (whose playing that violin!?!) party was fab but when I got home this stinking cold piled in and on Saturday I took to my sofa (caught up on some tv lol) and didn't really move off it all day - yesterday I pottered but still feel awful BUT because my lovely husband kept working through his I can't go hibernate I'd never hear the last of it ;)

I've nearly uploaded all my new pieces onto the website but this month I will try and add something as soon as its made - as much as I can anyway!!

The charm bracelet is with of course Caroline Hannon's charm beads in black and silver with black agate, onyx and crystals, lots of silver and some jingling bells - Elli says its sounds like Santas sleigh!!

She's back!

Yes my muse is back and I'm creating again woohoo!! I felt like my arm had been left somewhere - and to create with hardly any pressure is such a good feeling (Yes I still have commissions to do !)

This necklace with a load of Karen Hill Tribe with Caroline Hannon's beads as focals is named after the Goddess of healing and fertility.- I love the silver beads!

The bracelet, in one of my favourite styles is again Carolines beads with lots of sterling silver jump rings - she's named after Coventina, goddess who personified a holy spring (that was reputed to have healing powers). I seem to be inspired by Goddess at the moment - last time it was Celtics lol - I wonder why!!
© Gemheaven 2007

OHhh cold today

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OHHh its been cold today and we've stayed in kind of hibernating I suppose!! We watched Narnia on the tv and we snuggled - well E and Elli did I was more moving my arms in an iroing motion lol - but yay I got close to the bottom of the pile!! Now I have a fabulously gorgeous smelling joint of beef in my oven ready for later while I actually made something yesterday (well two things) - so fingers crossed my muse WAS on on a short break!

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I'm slowly working my way through my commissions to - so everyone who is waiting - I'm getting there - Its a great feeling to tick them off on my book! The above two charm bracelets are of course Caroline Hannons charm beads with a variety of fw pearls, gemstones, czech glass, crystlas and silver - Autumnal beach needs some more pictures taken but apart from that I@m really happy.

I did make a new chain and have a variety of charm beads ready so watch this space!! And a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on my new website - much appreciated :D

© Gemheaven 2007

End of a restful week!

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As promised I have a couple of charm bracelets to show you - I love making charm bracelets and Caroline of Crafted Gems can really make some beautiful beads perfect for my bracelets. This one didn't start out to be blue but slowly while adding the beads it sort of ended that way!!

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This one reminds me of a clear but cold morning with the rose quartz and aquamarine - what does it remind you of??

Sorry for the very short post but I decided to put my feet up tonight before I begin a week of non stop making !! Of course that means lots to show you though ;)
© Gemheaven 2007

Change on the cards!

We've been so lucky with the weather but today its truly broken lol - misty drizzle and cold for the walk up to school yuk! The above charm bracelet was actually inspired by the beautiful early evening skies we've had here recently - the beautiful tapestry of colour has been amazing - sometimes nature has a way of waking us up to its beauty!

The blues, pinks and purples in the sky apparently - according to my daughter were painted there just for us (Our favourite colours - you see!!) have you been seeing the same skies???

This charm bracelet is slightly different to my others in the fact I created the chain using a simple 2x2 - not only does it give a very chunky feel I also believe the gemstones, fw pearls, crystals and Caroline's fabulous beads a better sitting position! I absolutely adore this charm bracelet and will be having a very hard time letting this one go I think!

© Gemheaven 2007

Mountains

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You know you need to do the ironing when not only are there mountain goats grazing on the top but rabbits burrowing in - mind you the last school shirt for Elli should have said it all!! I don't mind ironing its the one time I can catch up on MY programmes, such as Greys Anatomy, Men in Tress, Brothers & Sisters, Americas Top Model rofl !!

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The above two charm bracelets, incorporating all the colours of Autumn to me include Caroline Hannon's artisan glass, czech glass, gemstones and crystals - the effects are great and I do feel the view out of my bead room window helps inspire this.

© Gemheaven 2007

Waiting Game

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The postal strike is over for a few days and I can see people like me who rely on the RM to deliver supplies and send parcels to clients going mad today posting and then tomorrow sitting on their doormats waiting!! I would happily pay courier for some orders mainly because waiting isn't always something I can do - waiting for silver supplies is a nightmare - I have the bead etc but need the clasp or some silver beads to complete the work - can you see how frustrating it can be!!
Luckily for the moment I have a good supply but it can fast run out and with party's and internet sales I really can't afford to do that - so lets hope it all gets sorted quickly!

The above bracelet is fabulous purple (remember the shops are full of this colour ;) )I did make earrings with the same beads which I can't remember if I showed you before so for the slight chance of repeating myself here they are!!

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Enjoy!!

© Gemheaven 2007

Swimming in Cool Waters

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Today is my swim day, today I did my 50 lengths as usual - does anyone who reads this swim?? I want to know why the first 20 are the hardest, thats when my arms ache, I want to stop, its tiring and I want to just float, after that it gets easier and although the 49 is hard and tiring I also have strong arms and feel like I could go on - why is this???

The above bracelet is with Carolines beautiful beads, I don't know if you can see but the colours in the encased beads are from darkest blue to pale and greens, wonderful bali beads and clasp with a crystal quartz rondelle to enhance the clear - funny why I called her Cool Waters!

© Gemheaven 2007

Transition

Hurrah I'm better and my mojo is back!!! I decided after making my commission piece chamr bracelets are very theraputic to make - well for me anyway!! Caroline made me these fab beads which to me have all the essence of autumn and the transition from Summer (Hence the name!!) LOts of fabulous colours, browns, greens, blues, purples, golds so hopefully I managed to pull these colours out in my photos.


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Using a mixture of swarovski crystals, gemstones and silver leaf charms this bracelet has turned out to be a wonderful swishing bracelet! Imagine walking through piles of fallen leaves - thats the sound I mean!!

Elli has lost tooth number two now - she was thrilled by the fact she asked the tooth fairy for 2 x 50p and thats what she got (good job she told Mummy first - so she could ring the tooth fairy and prepare her ;0) ) My baby is making some transitions of her own!

© Gemheaven 2007

Double Countdown!

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Double countdown - one day until the party and 2 days until my silver course begins!! SO Of course I'm beavering away trying to get inventory and pricing done and hoping I have enough stock for everybody!! Its not something I enjoy - the inventory I mean - I much prefer the creating the preparation and paperwork is just something that has to be done!

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I thought firstly I would show you a couple of commissions I've been working on. The first a very chunky charm bracelet with Caroline Hannons beads creating the starting point, with lemon quartz, citrine, silver, and swarovski crystals. The second is a chunky chainmaille bracelet with crystal quartz focal to signify 15 year anniversary - and it looks delightful on (Congrats Clare and Ian) Now I'm going to show you something I have never done before - use gold - I actually used Gold Vermeil which is 24k gold over sterling silver so I haven't strayed too far off the path and don't panic I won't be changing my alliance lol !!!

But don't they look warm and inviting!! I have used Gold rutilated Quartz and citrine - which adds to the warm look - these earrings are so dainty too!

So comments please :D

© Gemheaven 2007

Ooops

I so meant to post yesterday!! We are planning a little trip to Bath and can we get a hotel room - you must be joking! So instead of showing my new pieces I was searching the web for 2 rooms (One family one) in Bath city centre! But I'm here now!

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This bracelet is one of my favourites, artisan beads by Isabelle Anderson with gemstones and silver! The colours just pop and look incrediable - sadly this bracelet is reserved already! This little beauty is still up for sale -of course she will be coming to the party on Friday - artisan beads by Caroline Hannon - its got a ethnic feel to it with the bali beads and clasp.

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Another view of Fiji and I really must add some new goodies to the website later if I get time!!

© Gemheaven 2007

50 Lengths

Why the title I hear you all ask??? Well today is my swim day with my lovely Mum - my Mum suffers from Polymyalgia which is an arthiritis of the joints - its supposed to stay with you until your body learns to fight it - my poor mum has had to cope with it for 3 years now and although she has cut her steriods down to one a fortnight today she was stiff and in pain and a swim always relieves it!! And yes I did my 50 lengths!!!

THis necklace is made with labrodite nuggets, silver and Caroline Hannons beautiful artisan beads - the blue flash in the stones is almost like peacock blue - that shimmer between blue and purple and I used Carolines beads to enhance this flash. ITs a long necklace, one to wear with higher necklines and I am rather proud of this one!!

© Gemheaven 2007

Sun day, Sunday

Its been a beautiful day today hasn't it (well anyone in Cornwall can answer this!) and yesterday was even better - we went to Fowey - one of my favourite places. The gig racing was on as it was the end of Regatta week and it was fanstastic to watch. I'd love to live somewhere like Fowey with views over the estuary * sigh but sadly the house prices in Cornwall are horrendous and according to the papers yesterday Carrick, North Cornwall and Restormal are in the top four :(
The above pieces are part of my obsession with the flip flop weave - with Caroline Hannon of Crafted Gems beautiful lampwork beads - aren't they fabulous? The names well its because the earrings which strangely I made first reminded me of jellyfish and so the name came from that - but I think it fits don't you??

© Gemheaven 2007