Charm Bracelet

This bracelet was very theraputic to make after a rather stressful day at work! Each of the charms is attached using a head pin and wrapped round to ensure they are not going anywhere! It attaches using a toggle clasp. The bracelet is really quite heavy (saying that it has around 22 glass bead charms on)!

Make-Your-Own-Watch-Kit

I treated myself to some new pretty beads with this watch in mind. The kit will be put on ebay tomorrow for people to buy to make their own watch! The beads are so easy and it is a great project to get into, especially for beginners. I only have black or pink kits at the moment but, watch this space, there will be more on the way shortly! If anyoine is interested, the kits are £15 +2.50 p&p. Let me know asap so I can make sure they are taken off ebay!

Murano Bead Watch

Handmade watches make fantastic gifts, they look great and are incredibly useful to the recipient! This watch is made from Murano glass beads and silver beads. I am in the process of putting kits together in the hope to sell them with step by step  instructions on Ebay/Amazon. I can also make watches up in a range of different colours to suit almost any outfit!

This one is in shades of black and silver although there are hints of pinks, purple, blue and green in the rhinestones on some of the beads! I need to start practicing making bracelets and watches for bigger wrists, I always measure to my own wrist size and I only have little wrists! (as I have a rapidly expanding body due to a rapidly growing baby, my wrists are the only small thing about me)!

Chainmail Watch

I like experimemting with different styles and designs and using different materials when making jewellery. There is so much to chose from and I want to try as many as I can!

I also like to try to buy sterling silver, especially if it is for a present. this watch is made using sterling silver jump rings. There is around 320 jump rings in total, intricately knotted together to make a byzantine chain link. I made this for my Mum's birthday a few years ago now. It is a  beautiful watch complimented by a sterling silver toggle clasp. For something that looks really quite delicate, it has a good weight to it. It took me a few nights to  make as the jump rings are so small and I was going  bog-eyed trying to knot them together! Also my fingers were wrecked after (not even starting on how many nails I broke)! It was well worth it and my Mum loves it!

Jewellery and Card Making Parties!

I have spent months thinking about how this would work and I think I am getting there! I am looking into hosting jewellery and card making parties.

Do you fancy making your own wedding/party invitations but don't know where to start? Do you have an idea in mind but are unsure how to get it onto paper? I have been making cards and invitations now for about 7 years and, in that time, I have had the honour of working on numerous wedding invitations. More and more people are wanting to make their own invites but find going to local craft shops really expensive. Why not get several of your friends together, a few nibbles and a few bottles of wine and let me come round with everything that you need to get going on your invites!

When you are booking the party, I will meet with you to discuss your requirements and colour scheme and bring with me some samples. Once you have chosen your design, I will price it up and it is down to you to arrange the party!

On the night you will get 1 1/2 hours of me and my design knowledge, along with all the materials and if you have not finished, I will leave you with everything you need to send off your handywork!

Similarly with jewellery. Why not arrange to meet at yours before you go off for your hen night and make co ordinating sets of jewellery? What a fab warm up to your night! Or, have a hen night at home and make jewellery for the wedding? The bride could even have a go at making her own tiara? Jewellery and card making parties would be great for children, they could make a beautiful necklace or some fab keyrings/mobile phone charms or a handbag charm!

Fingers crossed, I will be starting the website soon. I will keep you posted!

Feedback for this would be greatly appreciated!

Making Jewellery

I was intending to do some more work on the wedding cake topper I am making for my friends wedding. instead I have spent the best part of the evening updating ipods and messing with new software of the computer! I think I may have time to at least make a hair pin (they are trickier than they look). I am hoping it is going to take my mind off the pregnancy acid I am feeling. I have taken a tablet but it does not seem to have kicked in! There is no way I can manage Gaviscon!!!!!

I first got into Jewellery making the Christmas after having my little boy. My family and friends were so supportive during, what was, a very difficult time (he was 8 weeks early and I went through a really bad spell after he was born). I wanted to show people how much I appreciated their support but I couldn’t afford much, plus I wanted something that would really  mean something.

I already made cards and I decided to try my hand at jewellery. I bought some cheap bits and pieces to get me going and it soon became a huge addiction! I went onto make some amazing pieces for people which were very well received!

I like making pieces of jewellery that are different, not things that you can get on the highstreet. I have experimented with various different techniques from basic beading to chainmaille to wire work. I have never settled on one specific technique, they are all too addictive!

I confess, I keep things  very simple, I like elegant. I keep having to remind myself that not everyone likes the same things I do!

Wire Wrapped Necklace

I have now ordered a new camera, it really doesn't pay to go for the cheapest of the cheap! I cannot seem to get a picture that is not blurred! The picture really does not do this necklace justice. Each of the haematite beads is attached using fine wire and the wire also goes round each of the beads to add extra detail. It is finished off using leather thong and a silver clasp. This was great to make, I actually made it at a jewellery class at The Bead Shop in Wigan. The classes are so easy to follow and it is a great way to get inspiration, especially when starting a new (ish) technique.

The thing about jewellery making (like with most crafts) is there is something for everyone. I would love to try using the silver art clay and to make some intricate embellishements. It is something I intend to try, it is really having the confidence to just do it! The clay is pretty expensive so I don't want to waste it! I am sure I will tell all on here if (when) I try it!

If anyone is experienced in using silver art clay and has any tips, I would love to hear from you!

Hairpins

Hairpins look simple yet elegant in both long and short hair. I have used silver hairpins however brown or gold can be used if you want to make sure that the pins are disguised. They are a bit fiddly at first but, with a little practice, they take no time at all. The key is to ensure your wire is not too hard or too soft. I have used 26 gauge (0.4mm). Don't over work or the wire is likely to snap (I know this from experience). The best thing about making your own jewellery and hair accessories is that you can make any colour to suit your needs and wants. I have used a swarovski cube. Other shapes work just as well and you can make them as simple or as intricate as you want. Unfortunately the pictures are not that great, I will try to take better ones to add.

2 days running!

I can't believe I have added to my blog 2 days running!

What a busy weekend. I have actually ticked off a few things on my to do list, even with a very poorly boy in tow today! I don't do well with sick at the best of times but, along with my pregnancy comes a heightened sense of smell (and hearing come to mention it)!Not a good combination! What with the smell of sick and baby Froggie (William's name for bump!) turning somersaults! It's not good!

I have, eventually dropped off the wedding invitation sample off to my friend (yes, I also do card making) and have done some more work on the cake topper (is there no end to my talents)! Can you believe this is all just my hobby! I also run TinyTalk baby signing classes as well as woking part time as a Forensic Mental health Advocate!

Early night for me, I think. Scrubbing sick off the carpets of the car and various other places has worn me out!

Take Care,

Becky & Froggie! xx

Wire wrapped button ring

You oreally need to see these rings to appreciate how lovely they are! The shell buttons can be found in loads of different colours and sizes to suit everyone. They were well received at Christmas, especially when I used sterling silver wire! I love the rings made with the swarovski buttons but, I have to say, I think these actually look m uch niceer and has much more character!

Swarovski crystal and pearl headband

These butterflies look beautiful and sparkly and I love making them. They are more suited to younder bridesmaids and can be made in pretty much any colour!

Crocheted necklace

This was my first attempt at crocheting with wire! I used swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. The end result was beautiful! I was so proud of myself!

Wire wrapped rings

I have recently taken to wire wrapping. Only on a very basic level! I find it really theraputic and the designs can look really professional and intricate! It is very satisfying sitting back and looking at the finished products, I have also had quite a few compliments about the wire wrapped rings I have made using buttons! They  make a great present!

hair combs

It really has surprised me how quick some designs are. The tiara took less than an hour to make (not bad for a first attempt)! These haircombs took next to no time too!

Weddings!

I am really not very good at keeping up with this blogging lark! I spend more time making jewellery and don't havetime to write!

My friend is getting married in August which has inspired me to make tiara and hairpins. I am also making a wedding cake topper. Seeing as the topper is for Laura's cake, I won't be posting pictures until after the big day!

For now, here is a picture of the tiara. I have only been practicing really!