My Creative Space

I've been working on this piece for a while now (my famous last words!) as part of the Artbeads Design Partner blogging program. 

The theme was "Winter Enchantment" and the inspiration for my piece is a Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom which blooms during the Australian Winter.

Originally I was going to create a necklace made up of several gum blossoms created from the infamous "Sparkly Wheels" design by Melinda Barta.

To this I was going to then add some lampwork gum blossoms and leaves which were being made by my very talented friend, Sally, of Happily Ever Artist. 

But unfortunately the blossoms didn't turn out as planned so it was back to the drawing board...

...when I had a lightbulb moment and decided to make my very first beaded brooch!

Although I had already made several Sparkly Wheels I decided to use just the one...

and add to that a bead embroidered gum leaf...

And of course a beading session over Easter would not be complete without one or two Easter eggs thrown in for good measure...and creative motivation of course!

Hopefully I should have this one finished over the weekend.

The picture posting for this theme was quite a few weeks ago...

I guess as the saying goes.. better late than never...

♥

7000 Bracelets of Hope ~ Blog hop

You will recall that I recently posted details of 7000 bracelets for hope.

Well today is the day for the blog hop where we all reveal our beautiful blue bracelets!

The rules of the blog hope were that each participant had to make an adult sized bracelet in denim blue.

The bracelets will then be sent to The Global Genes Project, a group who raises funds for children suffering from rare diseases. The Global Genes Project will then send the bracelet to one of then 7000 families having children with rare diseases to show them love and support.

So without furtherado here is my bracelet.

The components of the bracelet were created using Melinda Barta's wonderful Sparkly Wheels pattern using Czech 3mm fire polished beads and size 15/0 seed beads as well as 4mm fire polished beads and some blue glass pearls.

I seriously cannot get enough of these sparkly wheels...

...they are so quick and easy not to mention oh so versatile!

Be sure to check out Lori's blog at Pretty Things to see the list of all the other participants in the blog hop. Unfortunately I could not get the links to work...

Also please be sure to check out The Global Genes Project site.

♥

I Kumihimo

A few posts ago I was discussing  the wonderful art of Kumihimo.

This is a craft I had wanted to try for some time but I have to admit every time I'd seen it being demonstrated at the craft shows it always looked extremely confusing!

As a few of my friends have been Kumihimo'ing I decided to buy myself a disc and give it a go...
...and here is what I created!

I used these gorgeous wools.

The green, yellow and grey wool is from Spain and is a combination of wool and mohair.

I am not sure what the other wool is as I received this in a fibre swap many years ago but it's very nice and created a great bumpy (very technical!) effect throughout the braid.

This piece was created using the round disc which creates a tubular braid.

I have also bought a disc which creates flat braids.

If you haven't given Kumihimo a go then I strongly suggest you try it. You can buy the discs for around $9.00 each and if you already have a stash of wool like me then creating a necklace works out to be pretty cheap!

Apart from it being cheap it is sooooo easy!

I created this piece over two nights, each of about 1 hour...so I reckon 2 hours maximum... let's just say you could definitely create one in an evening if you don't start working on it at 10.30pm like I was!

I have a shopping bag full of yarn and different fibres so I can't wait to choose the colours for my next piece.

♥

Another fantabulous giveaway

Lori of Pretty Things is having yet another fantastic giveaway.

You can win all sorts of goodies including this gorgeous pendant...

and these

and even these!

Be sure to stop by  her awesome blog and pop your name in the draw.

Good luck!

♥

7000 bracelets for hope

I am proud to announce that I will be taking part in

7000 bracelets for hope

"The Global Genes Project (GGP) volunteer team is collecting blue jean/denim inspired bracelets for families living with rare disease, the campaign is called “7,000 Bracelets for Hope.”

To help raise awareness we’re asking 7,000 jewelry designers, volunteers from the craft community and various artists to donate one bracelet to this campaign to show their support for kids living with rare disease, disorders or conditions. These bracelets will then be distributed to participating families in December 2011"

For more details please visit The Gloal Genes Project site.

The idea is to make a bracelet in denim jeans/blue colours.

All participants will be posting pictures of their bracelets on their blogs on

Saturday 16 April

so watch this space!

Lori of Pretty Things is also running a Bracelet Blog Hop where you can check out everyone's creations so be sure to take a sneaky peak on or after 16 April!

♥

Do you Kumihimo?

A few of my beady friends have started Kumihimo and I tell you I am keen to give it a shot.

What is Kumihimo?

"Kumihimo is a method of braiding silk threads developed in Japan which is traditionally performed on special wooden stands called Maru Dai and Takadai. The literal translation of Kumihimo means the "coming together (kumi) of threads (himo)".

I remember attending a craft show many years ago and seeing a wonderful Japanese lady providing demonstrations of this craft. She had the most beautiful, old wooden disc that she was using and had an assortment of the most beautiful threads and yarns I had ever seen.

I figure I already have a list of things I want to try so I may as well add Kumihimo to the list!

Just look at some of the beautiful braids you can make.

I reckon they would look rather delish with some of the special lampwork beads I own.

Have you tried Kumihimo?

♥