Snakes Alive!

I don't seem to have much new work to show you at the moment and that is largely because I am in the middle of making some larger pieces.

I did make this yesterday though. The purpose of this piece was to test out the design of the large bail section on this. I am working on a pendant which utilises several of these bail type sections and I wanted to check that the stones set on the curves like this were going to hold nice and flush during firing. I am pleased to say they did. I am not really one for doing much testing per se so I made this into a snake pendant as I have had several requests recently for items with snakes on.

Now I am back off to the workshop to carry on with the creating :-)

IF a bit Zesty

What are you talking about I hear you ask.

Well, Zesty is what I have called my latest Bejewelled bracelet and earrings set I have just made. Fabulous oranges, yellows and monochrome beads all by the wonderful Laura Sparling on one of my handmade silver chains.

And IF?

This weekend I am going a fair at Batemans, Burwash, East Sussex with the East Sussex Guild of Craftworkers. We will be in a marquee in the grounds with really high quality crafts and lovely people.

Batemans is a beautiful house that was the home of Rudyard Kipling. It now belongs to the National Trust property and sits in lovely gardens. Kipling wrote his famous poem IF while he was living there.

See I am not totally nutty (just a bit maybe) ;-)

So do pop along if you are in the area and say hello.

Beads and Beyond magazine

This is exciting. My blog is featured in the new August edition of Beads and Beyond.

Jo Tinley who writes the Spotlight section has featured me as Blog of the Month.

So if you are new here because you have followed the link from Jo's article then

Welcome to My Blog :-)

Please do click and become a follower and have a scroll back through my earlier posts to see what I am all about!! Here I show all my latest work and keep you up to date with what I am doing.

Below are a couple of new rings to show you. Sorry the photography on these is not as good as it should be - we all have off days!!

I am trying to go for a more masculine look at the moment. Not too sure if I am succeeding though!!

Buzzy Enamelling

These titles get worse don't they :-)

Here is a pair of tiny bee earrings that I have just been enamelling. The honeycomb is patinated with Liver of Sulphur. Cute aren't they. I have to use my magnifier working when this small, the optician says it is my age! (thanks a lot!!)

Below is a rather chunky pendant I made a while a go but have only just enamelled. It is reversible with bubbles on one side ...

and stars on the other...

and then patinated for good measure! I am still trying to think of a good name for this piece.

You will remember a few blog posts ago I showed you a couple of Enamelled Accents workshop examples I had been making. If you missed it here is a quick link to it.

I have now patiniated these so here are some new photos.

I do love patiniating things, it really brings up the textures doesn't it.

Tangled Heart Pendant

Trying to make every piece of work different all the while (as I do) can be a bit of a challenge. People always seem to like syringed hearts and I am a great fan of the random squiggle with syringing. I just love that tangled wire look.

Here is my latest heart and I thought I would jazz this one up by adding 2mm syringe set CZs all over the front. It is a bit larger than I normally make and measures about 30mm across.

Here is the reverse with my little name logo. Nice and simple so it can be worn either way round.

This weekend I am at the Small Holders Show, South of England Show Ground, Ardingly, Sussex. This is always a nice show. Lots of little furry animals and ducks etc to look at:).

 I shall be there with Wealden Craftworkers and we will be in the Abergavenny Building as usual. If I have room beside my stand I will be demonstrating Art Clay Silver as well.

Please do pop along for a fun day out and say Hi.

Yay - I made 100!

Actually as I am writing this it is 101 followers now!

Thanks to Beth Murr for being my 100th follower. I just popped over to her blog and she makes lovely things! Do go and have a look.  

Here is a new little pendant I recently finished. I am still in the Japanese mode :)

It is actually square and measures just 18mm across. It is a comfy little pillow shape and is reversible.

One side Cherry Blossom ....

The other side an abstract Bamboo texture (thanks to a texture plate Lesley Messam gave me!)

More one to one teaching this weekend - and looks like it is going to be hot! Time to get out the fan and the humidifier :)

Just one more to make the 100!

I just noticed that I now have 99 followers on my blog so sign up quick if you want to be the 100th!

Here are 3 rings that I made recently whilst teaching a one to one Art Clay Level 1 certification course. That is the great thing with one to one, I can teach and make at the same time so you get to see other techniques as well!! Fun for both of us!

I really love the blue ring in the centre above. I think I shall have to make one of those for me, but what colour stone..... ;-)