The Big Bead Show

Saturday was the Bi-annual Big Bead Show in Sandown Race course, I love the Big Bead Show and what makes it even better is that it is walking distance from my home!
This year I was actually organised enough to enter into the British Bead Awards which is displayed during the show and incredibly surprised to receive an email telling me that I had got to the finals! This was my entry into the chainmaille and wire work section....

It's a simple 4 in 1 chainmaile design but what makes it a bit different is that I have used a painted sixpence coin clasp and Kyanite threepence coin connector from my Bits of NikNats shop. Here is the back of the piece....

I soldered the links onto the back of the three pence coin so that the chianmaille would sit flat and look seamless. Now unfortunately I did not place in the competition, but after seeing the entry's this year I was not in the least bit surprised, the work there was TOTALLY AMAZING! I was just truly honoured to have a piece of my work sitting upon the table amongst such stunning pieces of art work, most of which must have taken months of planing and just as long to actually make!!!!

I had such a lovely day and really wish I had taken photos but I was just in total awe of all the beautiful sparkles! I came away with a few treasures too....

My absolute favourite stall at the bead show is Designer Cabochons, I totally love every item on there stand and you can really see the quality and skill that go into each piece, this beauty is a Drusy Pyrite Ammonite, it sparkles! As dose my other piece.... 

So sparkly, Titanium Druzy and I also got these beautiful lampwork beads by Sarah Downton.

This colour glass has to be my all time favourite it is just so mystical/magical looking!

I hope you are having a fab Monday x

Time to relax

We have had an insanely busy week so far, starting with shopping for decorating stuffs, then painting, papering and children, but so far so good....

Living room painted and papered (I now HATE wallpapering, way too time consuming, other half how ever seems to be very good at it), Kitchen painted (even behind the fridge and cooker, yuck!) and bathroom painted, so today was a relaxing day and of course relaxing would not be relaxing with out making some jewellery....

I love how this bead catches the light (by Izzy at Flame and Glass) and have had it sitting on my desk wondering what to do with it for what seems like ages.

Then I came across this barrel pattern on M.A.I.L  (Maille Artisans International League, fantastic site) and thought that they would look great together....

Throw in a couple of plain bead caps, a bit of wire and one of the last of my handmade clasps and job done! 

Now we have curtain poles to hang, light fittings to fit, curtains to choose, kids to entertain (I might even post a few pics when it's completely finished).

Enjoy your day

xxx

Many thanks!

Ok, so thanks to Katy Cameron over at The Littlest Thistle I have now figured out the light tent thingy, seems to work better when it's the right way up (typical me)! Now I just have to figure out the camara settings and stuff about white light!
These are my latest earrings Jens pind chainmaille with the smallest ever seed pearls ever ever seen they are just under 3mm tiny!
I quiet like how the photo came out....

But still room for improvment!