What have I made???

I have been trying to get back to making either beads or jewellery, with not much success so far!!!

I went to my bead group a few weeks ago now, it was great to see the girls as I hadn't seen them for a few months. There were a few new faces which is nice but not many of us turned up but it was lovely to be there even only for a short while!

BUT..........   wait for it .....................

I did actually make something while I was there  ----  Hoooooooray!!  Well I say make really it was alter ........    

one of my own necklaces -- steampunk in style --- I love it, but it had to be done, it was quite difficult to get on over my head because of some chain drapes which didn't leave me much room to get my head through the remaining space/gap!!!! 

I had previously removed a few charms and the locket watch which was the focal, as I had decided to use it on something else instead. So I thought I would dismantle parts of it to begin with, then I added a couple of steampunk charms here and there,  then I adapted the chain drapes so I could get it over my head easier.  Not sure if its quite complete yet, may need a tad more tweaking!!!

So I did make a little progress in the jewellery making department but not so in the beadmaking department, however! 

Getting out into my cold workshop doesn't seem very inviting, now the weather is chillier, may try now all the festivities are over and no more rushing about to do!!

I didn't get any of the gifts done, I wanted to do, at all, must get myself organised better this year!!  Ha ha!! Same old story!!

E x

 

New Listings ~~~ Finally

Yes I have finally got to listing some jewellery into my ChatElaine Creations Etsy store.  My intentions are always good but get very sidetracked when I'm online (plus I have to admit I don't really enjoy listing it just takes such a long time!!!)

 

Tempest Seas in copper

So I will be trying to pop in a few things I made for Bead Magazine and maybe if I feel like making some earrings I will list those too.  I have been very off jewellery making lately, as I have been doing other things around the house instead! Like tidying up my work area and getting my beads storage more streamlined so I can actually find what I want, when I want it!

So Tempest Seas Pendant Necklace is now in my store, with copper wire and my own lampwork focal bead in it. I have one or two others to list still but I will get them up this week.



Cant believe how quickly Christmas is looming up, time to sort out my list to Santa, I think there will be tools on there somewhere! Ha ha!  80))


Till next time

E x

Saturday Snippets ~ DAY 5

Its rather late as I forgot to take some pictures of my bead session this week so I have decided to do something else!

New issue of Bead has been published and this issue has my Steampunk Fashionista Necklace tutorial in. 

 

 

I enjoy making long necklaces and I am so 'into' steampunk right now, I love this very popular current trend. My Pinterest boards are full of all sorts of lovely creations.

 

Purple version

 

Green version

The purple version used for the tutorial has a locket watch for the main focal whereas the green version had a large watch/bee charm. 

It has inspired me to have a go at making some beads or cabochons within the steampunk genre!!  I reckon I will have a play this week and have a little go at seeing what I can come up with.

 E x

Latest Bead Magazine

I know its a bit late but I am in the latest issue of Bead Magazine

here is my tutorial piece(s)

Swirling Tempest

Its wild and stormy - this issue was a special issue with the theme Back to Nature.

I decided to use one of my seascape beads as the focal I dont use my own beads very often but as I am also profiled in this issue of the magazine as well,  I was able to use my beads in the project, so the article had a 2 page spread and the project had a 4 page spread so lots of pages - huh!!!!  80))

It was quite a large advanced project and it took me a while to write it so my next one isnt so large but I did enjoy making it and I am pretty pleased with it.   I hope the readers will like it.

 

 

I also made the connectors and the beads on them too. Its my first major project where I made the majority of the components, so I am pleased with this achievement and one I have had on my long list of goals to fulfill. So thats another tick in the box!!


Next time I will show you what new ideas I have been working on.

So till next time

Toodleoo

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

Hi and Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. 

I have been blogging for a few years now at my other blog:  http://chatelainejewellery.blogspot.com  

it is still up and running but because of the technical problems I have been experiencing I thought I would give a new blog a try so here we are in 2012 and a new venture ahead!!

Now, time to find some of my friends which will take me a little time but I would love to collect some new ones along the way too.  So come one, come all!!


What do I DO, what shall I write ABOUT, who the heck am I???

Well, I am Elaine Thornton a Jewellery Designer/Maker, Lampworker (glass beadmaker), Wife, Mum (to one teenage daughter) and my day job is a School Lunchtime Assistant (or dinnerlady as you may know it!)  An all round ARTISAN!!  Ha ha ha!!!

Do I sleep ~~ NOT MUCH!!  
Am I busy ~~ A LOT OF THE TIME!!
Do I love to chat ~~ YEP YOU BET, thats how my business name came about!! 
Do I love to eat ~~ OH YES!!
Do I need to lose weight ~~ ABSOLUTELY!!
Will I ~~ I MUST!!
Do I HATE housework ~~ YOU BET I DO!!
Do I do it ~~ I TRY NOT TOO!!

80))

What else do I like to do?

I love to watch films (along with my family).
I love meeting my friends and CHATTING (having a few drinks too)!!
I enjoy meeting up with my family when possible (had a lovely Christmas Day with them!) Both my brother and us are having an extension on the house right now, so lots of comparing notes on how its progressing! (Thats a whole other story which I may fill you in on at a later date!!)
Plus my nephew has just announced his engagement and the Big Day has just been set in August! Wow! He only has 8 months to organise the wedding and getting a house sorted out for them.  Cant wait, I just love weddings!!  Maybe his fiancee will need a tiara and special jewellery made!!!  MMmmmmm, I think I might have a little chat with her very soon!! 80))

I also teach!! Jewellery making ~ beginners & intermediate along with wirework techniques and tiara making.  I love it, I do one-2-one, workshops and even jewellery making parties.  I have also started writing tutorials again for one of our UK bead/jewellery making magazines.   

All details are on my website:               www.chatelainejewellery.com

Good grief, its taken all this time before I give my website a PLUG!!

Ha ha!!

I also have 2 Etsy stores (US) ~ one for my jewellery and one for my beads.
One Folksy store (UK)  (Empty right now)
One Misi store (UK)  (A few items in there)

Details should be in my side bar!  If not yet it will be there soon!! 

So much to fill in, so little time!! 


So I think you maybe getting a bit of a picture on what I might write about here!!


Would you like a few pictures now?


Here are some of my wire hoop earrings ~ I do mean MINE because they are MINE!

Antique Jangles Hoops

with pearls on brass wire

Mary Q Hoops

these are black onyx and crystals on sterling silver wire

I've been preparing some samples for my first workshop in March. Gosh its coming up fast!!! Its a beginners course so some very simple stringing jewellery to show you!

Chunky Monkey Necklace

Mean Green Necklace

Love doing simple things sometimes, gives you a break from more complex stuff!! And I do love chunky too, very popular in the shops right now as well!! These are both made using ceramic beads with metal spacers and bead caps.

Well I am a bit 'pooped' out so best be off to bed and will check back later and get some more uploading of info. done!

Catch you all soon.

E