Kirra Magic

Whilst strolling along Kirra Beach I came across this gorgeous flower that had escaped the sand dunes. Isn't it gorgeous...

A day at the beach

We recently had a weekend at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast. As you can see Spencer had a great time!

Sunshine Award

I was honored with two Sunshine Awards this week from my gorgeous friends and fellow beaders, Belinda of Bead Fetish and Bree of Beads by Bree. Thank you girls - you certainly did bring some sunshine into my day.

Receiving one of these awards always makes me smile knowing that someone is thinking of me enough to send me a little award.

So in return I would like to share a little sunshine with the following people.

Julianna of Julsbeads

Nicole of Beadwright

Chanel of Bead Journal Project 2010 Chanel

Traci of Amazing Mae

Cindy of Behind the Scenes at Jewelry Tales

Sandee of Sandeelee Design

Please share some sunshine with your fellow friends by:

- Put the Sunshine image on your blog or within your post.

- Pass the award onto six bloggers

- Link the nominees within your post.

- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

The Muse a Must

I am excited to announce that this year I will be taking part in Use the Muse IV Contest. This is a fantastic beading contest organised by the very talented, Scarlett Lanson.

This is my first Use the Muse and I have to say I am a little nervous about entering as the number of extremely talented beaders that take part in this event is huge.

My dear friend, Chanel, encouraged me to take part and I have to admit I am glad she did as we have already been chatting excitedly about what will be in the kit!

We were just chatting and she informed me that a picture of the kit had been revealed and I managed to hold off for a few minutes before taking a peak... and here it is!

I am a very happy little camper as these are my favourite colours!

If you are interested in joining me in this exciting event you will need to sign up by 25th February. If you sign up before this date you can get your hot little hands on a kit at the pre-order price of $30. So visit Use the Muse NOW!!!

Images thanks to Use the Muse website

Seaside Swap

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of some glass fused cabs I made for a swap on the Australian Beading Forum.

As promised here are the gorgeous beads I received!

Many thanks to Nat of Beadmonki Lampwork who provided me with this great photo of the beads we received, cleverly labeled with their maker...

Thanks Nat ♥

A big THANK YOU!

I just wanted to thank everyone for supporting my humble little blog.

My Follower numbers have been increasing by a few each week which is really encouraging. It is extremely rewarding to know that there are people in this big wide world interested in my life and what I am creating.

Our world is full of some incredibly talented people and I feel extremely honoured to be sharing my blog with just a few of them.

You all inspire and encourage me to continue creating

sooooo....

Thank You!

♥

A bit of light reading...

I've decided a beader can't have too many beading books so on that theory I ordered 4 new books from the Book Depository today!

I can't wait to get my hands on these.

The first book, Beginner's Guide to Beadwork, is a basic beadwork book but I borrowed it from the library a while back and really enjoyed it... and it was only $12.00 so how could I resist!

I've had my eye on Beaded Opulence for a little while now and have resisted buying it when I have seen it in the book store. I decided I couldn't wait any longer!

I only just discovered Beaded Colorways and WOW what a gorgeous book this looks to be! Gorgeous colour and freeform beading...ohhhh I can't wait!

And finally Bracelets, Buttons and Brooches. I have to say I had never heard of this book but the cover photos caught my eye and the reviews on good old Amazon read well so I added that one to the list as well!

My past orders with Book Depository have only taken 7-9 days to arrive to me in Australia all the way from the UK so they should be here soon!

Let the countdown begin!

Seaside Exchange

The Australian Beading Forum recently conducted an exchange within their Lampwork & Fusing section. The theme chosen was "Seaside".

Each participant was to make 10 beads/cabs exactly the same then all the beads would be exchanged so that each member received 10 beads/cabs back. The group of 10 ladies, including myself, consisted of lampwork artists and glass fusers.

So here are my seaside cabs.

I was trying to achieve an abstract image of the sea with the yellow at the bottom representing the sand, then the blue representing the ocean and then the yellow sun and blue sky at the top.

I have to admit this was quite a challenge for me. As you can see from one of my previous posts I had a bit of trouble with the glass not exactly cooperating. I also had trouble creating the cabs exactly the same size, which for this exchange wasn't a huge drama but if I was required to make the cabs as part of a set then I would have been in trouble. Overall I am quite pleased with the end result and proud of myself that I took part and persisted with the personal challenge!

The deadline for posting our creations was 5 February so hopefully we will all be receiving some gorgeous beads in the post in the next week or two.

I will be sure to post a picture of the beads I receive in return when I receive them!

Works in progress

I thought I'd take a break from bead weaving and get back into some bead embroidery.

Here are two pieces I am currently working on.

The first piece is a gorgeous sunflower czech button and gemstone cab which I believe is rhodonite? I am not certain so if you can enlighten me please do so! This is my daytime piece that I am working on during my lunch break at work!

The second piece is a gorgeous 26mm ceramic tile made by Marsha Neal and teeny tiny 6mm tigers eye cabs. This is my night time piece that I am working on of an evening!

Watch this space to see their progress!