Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone

I have some great things planned for this year on the blog including much more from the workshop but dont worry I will still be working with beads (I don thing that will ever change). So feel free to share the blog with friends and family who you think may like what I have posted and will hopefully like whats coming. Thanks for sticking through this first year with me and watch out for a great surprise later on in the week. 

I Bought an Ultrasonic Machine

I was reading through the booklet from Lidl last week (German discount supermarket thats right by my house) and noticed they were selling ultrasonic machines for only €25. They normally only get a limited number of these types of things and then may not get them again for a year or more so I ran to the shop and got one. Its one thing I need for the workshop. It takes all the polish off a piece so easily. It only takes 600ml of water so its small but I have been playing with it and it can take quite a few pieces at a time. A bigger one would have only taken up too much space in the workshop. Thats one more thing marked off the workshop 'to buy' list for after Christmas.

If nothing else my whole family will have sparkling jewellery all the time now.

Merry Christmas

Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you are all having a wonderful time and I will be back very soon with new posts.

Look What Ana Made

Ana from AcBeads was the winner of my Christmas giveaway and she recently posted on her blog a great picture of a beautiful piece she made using the beads I sent to her. She chose to make a handbag charm and used beautiful antique bronze coloured chain and findings and a lovely little charm!

Here's a picture of what I sent again

Now click here and see the finished piece. Thanks for sharing Ana I loved seeing how you used the beads.

My 100th Blog Post

So this post is my 100th blog post and thought it deserved its own post to celebrate. 100 posts in a year isnt bad but I'm aiming for a lot more n 2014 so be warned I have plenty more to come.

Thank You Beads Direct

Beads Direct had a online party last week giving away loads of different prizes and today mine arrived. I won a mug and pen. Both will come in very handy in the workshop so thank you Beads Direct.

Christmas Snowflake

I picked up the December Bumper issue of Making Jewellery Magazine last week and it came with a lovely packet of Preciosa mixed beads in blues and clear colours and a Chaton Rose. (you can also get the pack of beads in green as well). Inside the magazine where instructions to make a snowflake out of the beads using wire so I had to try it out. Im really happy with how its turned out. Its going to have to go on the tree as soon as we put it up.

A Little Bit Black And White

I decided it was time to go through some boxes of beads and organise everything and see exactly what I have. About 10 minutes in I had come across black and white glass pearls and some wire and a new toggle clasp I had bought a while ago but hadnt used yet so I gave up on organising the boxes and started to make this bracelet. Im blaming the lack of colour on the horrible windy wet weather when I was making it. Had I had some grey beads Im sure they would have gone in too.

I used my wire coiler to make the black wire coils and silver plated wire to attach all the beads. I love the black toggle clasp. I ordered a few of these in all available colours from Beads Direct a while ago but havent tried using any until now. Im going to have to get more. I love the chunky-ness of them.

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Thank you to everyone who entered and came by the blog to check out my giveaway. And of course for everyone who shared the blog everywhere.

And now its time to pick a winner. Everyone was assigned a number in the order that they commented and using Random.org the winner is

Which was assigned to Ana of ACBeads. Congratulations Ana. Send me your mailing address via facebook as we are already connected there and I will send you your prize.

Hopefully I will be having another little giveaway to celebrate my blogs first birthday in the new year so make sure to keep an eye out for it.

A New Piece From The Workshop

I have been practicing away in the workshop trying to get myself used to my new bench and tools and I set myself a bit of a task. I wanted to see how well I would get on doing a more intricate piece. Seen as it has been so long since I used my saw I have surprised myself. There are obvious problems (my circle isnt exactly round and my polishing isnt great) but all in all Im really happy with how the piece has turned out. I need a little bit more practice with the saw and polishing but the design worked out quite well and almost identical to how it should look.

I think its safe to say Im back and soon I can get back to silver and leave the practice aluminium aside.