I've been away a looooong time!!

Yes I have!  Where have I been?  I'm sorry to say I've been ill.

I am getting better all the time but still not quite right.

My unusual condition is called Erythema Nodosum which has painful lumps over my legs, hands and a few up my arms. Swelling of my legs/ankles and wrists includings my knees recently. It also came with a fever which has gone now but my lumps keep coming up and going away but still it lingers on. Doc is now sending me for blood tests and I've just had a Chest X-Ray so maybe we can get to the bottom of why it isnt going. I do have an idea that maybe I've had something else with it that hasnt come to light but.....  who knows!!!!!!!


Right thats enough of the boring, self pity!!!! 

Down to business, well actually there hasnt been any!!  I have done a little bit recently as I have just completed a project for Bead Magazine for one of my wire rings but that wont be out until September, so cant show you anything of that yet.

I am working on the next project for Bead Magazine which is for there special winter issue, I am not going to give that one away just yet.  You will have to be patient!!

Now because I havent been on here for so long I cant remember what pictures I've shown you so here are a couple just so the post isnt too plain!!!

Triton's Treasure Ring

This has my own bead made with Triton DH glass ~ I love this glass

     

Katie's Ring

I made this one for my friends daughter Katie for her birthday

and she is modelling the ring for you

It has a pink tourmaline gemstone bead on copper wire

I know finally have some liver of sulphur gel and so I will be able to patina the copper so it will be darker. I think it will look much more rustic then.

Well thats it for now, hope to be a bit more active and write much more often. Right I'm off to Inspiration Avenue to see what the challenge is for this week!!

See you all again soon.

E x

Rings R Us

Yep ~ the old ring mandrel has been out AGAIN!!  I am enjoying experiementing with different types of rings.   

arent my hands wrinkly!!!

I am sure its a little unbalanced but I do think I like the idea of this one. I am not sure about the bead as it is a white quartz with a mystic coating on, (you can see it more in the top photo)  ~ its the hole, it is very transparent and very obvious you can see the wire showing through which I don't think I like!!

This one I used the basket weave, this is a bit harder to do as you work with 3 main wires but I got the hang of it in the end.  The main wires I used 1.25mm (18ga) copper wire and wrapping/weaving wires were 0.4mm (26ga). Its quite difficult to finish using the 1.25mm as it doesn't lie so flat as the thinner wires.  I might try 1mm wire next time to see if it is just a strong and stable as the 1.25mm.  I love trying the different weaves I especially loved this one.  

I have made a few other rings since this one but I haven't taken pics of those yet.  And I am still working on a framework for a cabochon, cant let you see that one as it could be a tutorial for magazine.  I am working on other tuts right now as well have been given a theme to work on, so off now to do more research!

Catch up with you all soon.



E x   

Anthea ~ Thumb Ring

I started out just trying to practice the weave technique and it has ended up as my first ring!!

I cant believe I designed it as I went along completely off the cuff!!! There are a few errors and I would probably do it a different way next time but all in all I am quite happy with it!!

Anthea 

Copper wire with an 6mm Faceted Amethyst bead in the centre (which happens to be February's birthstone). Weaving on the sides and some hand coiling and a few curls to finish.

I am hoping this may have enough Texture for the Inspiration Avenue Challenge for this week!!

I am now working on a basket weave one, I just received some  multi coloured Tourmaline beads today so they could find there way into it.

I will try and use my own beads in one soon!

I really must fire up my torch first though!! Dust those cobwebs off it!!  I havent made any beads yet this year, time to change that I think!!

This was the last bead I made a cabochon called Washed Ashore!!

Catch you all again soon.

E x

Busy Weaving!!

I am busy beavering away at jewellery right now!!  I am afraid I've not been in the workshop this year at all, well only to get things out of it, I am missing it and want to rectify that over the weekend and get some beads made!

I have some new gemstones I have been using and just love them!!  I kinda missed them and am enjoying using them in various necklaces and stretchy bracelets once again!!  I have even been making rings, I make rings very rarely but I have got inspired and am really loving giving it a try.

They aren't quite ready yet but when I have one finished I WILL show you!!  Promise!!!

I have also had a little dabble at using weaving techniques using tigertail or beading wire!!

Porcelain Weave Necklace

This one has Porcelain Jasper and Black Onyx in a 3 bead weave, then I finish it with various different shapes of jasper.

I did purchase rather a large selection of the Porcelain Jasper so this was another necklace made using different chains.

Draped in Porcelain

I love the loopy chain which is a totally separate chain necklace so it can be worn with or without it.

I will list it on my website very soon.

I do intend to start using gemstones and my own beads together in my jewellery so they will be making an appearance together soon.

I have also had a little go at wire weaving techniques from my new books, will show them soon too.



Now then my main dilemma at present is my backdrop for my photos.

I need some new ideas of what to do, what to use and do I give it a sort of theme really!! 

I am so rubbish at coming up with themes for that type of thing.  I want something that will show off my jewellery and beads to the best effect but also give it some sort of elegant/sophicated look but also interesting and not bland like they are now!! 

I need new props I think??  My slate is great for certain colours and I like their rustic feel but for darker colours its no good, what to use??

I have tried open books with the piece in the middle on the writing I was quite pleased with those but I do need some other ideas.

If you have any ideas please help!!!


Off now, see you again soon.


Elaine  x