Stupid migraines

I've had a rotten migraine for the last 3 days which has meant that I haven't really done much at all. I did go into the studio yesterday but only lasted an hour and a half before I admitted defeat! I don't think this weather helps either - it's been really close the last couple of days. It built up for a storm this afternoon but it didn't amount to much. Still, the air feels better now and thankfully so does my head.

The summer holidays are nearly finished now - how quickly have they gone? Thankfully, as the boys are home schooled, I haven't had to get caught up in the mad rush for school uniforms, stationery and all that. Bliss!!

On the bead front, I've just listed some new beads on the wesbite and I've put one set on Ebay. I love these red and black beads - so dramatic!

These are the ones on Ebay - Antique Ivory

Thank you!

Thank you so much to everyone that sent me such lovely messages and happy birthday wishes for yesterday- you're all so sweet! It was also our 20th wedding anniversary! I really can't believe how quickly those years have gone. We had a lovely tea at my Mum and Dad's on Sunday with a birthday cake and champagne too. Yesterday me , hubby and the boys went out for tea.

The winner of the birthday beads draw is Louise B - congratulations! Your beads will be winging their to way you tomorrow.

Birthday beads!!

It's my birthday tomorrow and to celebrate I thought I'd have a draw to win this set of beads. Details are on my website.

Talking of draws, I have failed miserably to keep up with the prize draw event on my website. The last one was April so I still have May, June, July and now August to do! I fully intend to catch up though so hopefully over the next few weeks I'll be able to sort that out.

Updated website!

I've just put some new lampwork beads on my website, in between watching Corrie and Big Brother - I know I'm a saddo! Talking of BB, I'm so glad that awful Nicole has gone. What a sour faced, nasty piece of work she is! Her and Rex are well suited although to be fair Rex has a certain amount of charm which makes him a bit more likeable.

I love these 'Rose Garden' lentils. I've used a frit blend and encased it clear before pressing into lentil shapes. I find frit works much better for me this way as it sometimes tends to pit if used on the surface of pressed beads. I use a coe 96 glass for all my beads made this way so I don't have compatability issues.
I finally got round to updating the customer gallery pages on my website. If you have any pics you'd like included, email them to me and I'll put them on.

A bit of news I meant to share - I was part of an article about British Lampwork in Bead magazine this month. The picture of my beads was a bit pants though!

Trying to keep up with it all!

Oh dear - it's been some time since I posted here. I underestimated the amount of time it takes to keep up with making beads, updating the website, posting on forums, flickr, blogs etc!

We've just been to see the new Mummy film - we all enjoyed it although I think I preferred the second one.

My new studio window has made a huge difference - it's so nice to have lots of light and fresh air. I've been quite busy making beads although as I've been doing a lot of commissions I haven't had time to make many new designs - I'm not complaining though!

I finally gave in and bought some borosilicate glass the other day. I've only made a few beads and certainly none worthy of selling yet but I feel a love affair coming on!! It is quite a different beast to soft glass with such dreamy and vibrant colours. I'll show you some when I've had more of a play with it.

Most of the new beads I put on the website at the weekend have now been sold - thank you ladies! I've got a few new things to put on tomorrow including this tube focal bead.