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.

Poorly Cat

We had to make an emergency trip to the vet today. Our cat started growling when he tried to stand up and it was clear he was in a lot of pain so he was rushed to the vet. It turns out that he had a blocked bladder which could have been fatal. Luckily he had a wee in the carrier just as he got to the vets which cleared his blockage otherwise he would have needed surgery. I've now got to try and get some medication down him and get him to drink more which may prove difficult.

I had intended to go to the post office this afternoon and post recent bead orders but unfortunately I didn't get round to it. So if you're waiting for beads they will be sent off tomorrow - sorry for the delay.

Studio revamp

My little room I loosely call a studio is ready for a revamp. I went and bought a new window for it at the weekend - the one that's in at the moment is tiny. I'm going to have my bench moved over to the window which will give me lots more light and fresh air. This has forced me to tackle the mountainous pile of glass on my bench - something I've been promising myself to do every time I make beads. It's got to the point where I put a rod of glass down and it causes a landslide! I've already got 3 carrier bags full of rod ends, stringers and remains of rod explosions. Oh and dust - lots of dust! And that's just from the bench - I haven't even started on the floor yet. I promise I'll post some pics when it's in a fit state.

I had a nice surprise - Ali Perry (All About the Beads) sent me a Sweet Home Blogger Award. How nice of her to think of me - thank you Ali. Being a bit of a newbie where blogging's concerned, I now have to figure out what I have to do. I think I need to pass it on to 5 more people - correct me if I'm wrong someone please.

On the bead front - I put some new glass beads on the website yesterday including these Tanzanite Fantasy Pools. I handmixed the base colour for these which resulted in a gorgeous bluey purple. I'm going to get some torch time in tomorrow before I get my dear old Dad round to get started on the revamp.

Polymer Pebbles

Isn't this bracelet by Gill Child of Bluebell Designs gorgeous? Gill has used some of my polymer clay pebbles and I love what she has done with them. I hope she won't mind me showing this pic here. If you pop over to her website have a peek at her blog too - there's a picture of her absolutely adorable baby girl. Makes me feel quite broody!!

As we were talking about pebbles, I know I said I'd get the newest polymer pebbles in the shop today. I didn't have the time to get them listed today - I forgot that it was my son's archery lesson so things were a bit rushed. I will get them in the shop tomorrow though. I've got another set of lampwork beads too to put on. I've decided to follow the trend and open an Etsy shop. Well I actually had one a couple of years ago but neglected it badly - there's a surprise! The intention is to list a set of beads on there at least once a week.

Lampwork beadies.

I finally got round to putting my growing stash of beads in the shop tonight. I made these ones yesterday using the crunch press. I haven't used this one for ages. To be honest, it's been sitting there with a heap of enamel powder on it for months

that I kept meaning to clear off! Anyway I'm pleased with these ones - the colours go beautifully together and encasing really makes a difference. These have teal and pale peridot encased over turquoise.

I made some more floral lentils at the weekend. These ones have lavender flowers on pale blue bases. I etched these and I think they look even better like this than shiny - the colours seem to pop a bit more. There's something about etched beads - they

look and feel so good.

I've got lots of work to do on my website - I need to update the customer gallery and links pages. If you've emailed me pictures of your creations, I will get them on there soon - I promise. Sorry it's taken so long and thanks for sending them to me. I love to see what you've done with my beads so if any of you have any pictures that you'd like to go on the gallery page, please send them to me.

Feeling brighter

Well I'm back and feeling a lot brighter than last week. I've been making lots of polymer beads - it really is quite addictive you know! Here are some of the latest ones - these will go on the website soon.

The top ones are lovely autumn colours with gold metal leaf which gives them a beautiful warm glow. I'm pleased with the green/blue buttons above. I used a technique to make them look a bit like marble - if you look closely they have little black veins running through them. I honestly think that apart from the weight you would think they were glass. There are several more polymer beads and also some new glass beads to go in the shop including these lentils.
On a different subject - I had a visit from the Local Education Authority today to review the boys home education. I must admit I wasn't looking forward to it. But I needn't have worried - the lady was very pleasant and was pleased with how things are going.

Dull and dreary.

No not the weather - it's how I'm feeling today. I really don't know what to do with myself today - I don't feel like doing anything. I absolutely hate feeling like this - my brain feels numb. I am sparkless. It will pass, I know it will. - soon I hope.