My first bead embroidered cuff

This is my very first bead embroidered cuff, which you may have already seen in a few of my recent My Creative Space posts...
...but this time...finally finished!

Please click on images for more detailed view of the beadwork

I have used an Eagle Eye Agate cabochon as the centre piece and then some gorgeous 

Desert Picture Jasper tear drop and oval cabs adorned with a mixture of seed beads, cube beads, delicas, Czech glass beads and wooden beads.

I wore it on the weekend and it was so comfy to wear... the deer leather I backed it with is super soft.

I can't wait to make another cuff and as mentioned in a previous post, I've already purchased the cabs!

If you love bead embroidery haven't already treated yourself to a copy of Sherry Serafini's new book "Sensational Bead Embroidery" then I suggest you do so.
This book is full of bead embroidered eye candy and definitely an inspiration.
Thanks Sherry!
I hope I have done your book justice...

♥ 

My Creative Space

Here are a cute little pair of earrings I have been working on over the past couple of days.

The cabochons are onyx and I have simply used size 15/0 and size 11/0 seed beads as well as Czech fire polished beads and drops. 

I have backed them with some incredibly soft deer leather.

I love the simplicity of these... perfect to wear to work or will look quite stunning for a night out on the town!

I am thinking a ring to match might be in order!

I am impatiently waiting for my cabochons mentioned in my last post to arrive. I already have many ideas in my head as to how I am going to use these and can't wait to get started.

How is your Creative Space looking this week?

♥ 

My secret fetish...besides shoes and handbags!

What can I say ...I l♥♥ve cabochons. 

I don't think I have ever seen a cab that I haven't loved...

...ok that probably isn't entirely true as I am not super duper keen on the plastic variety but....there are so many gorgeous cabs on the market in many shapes and forms, colours and sizes and textures.

I thought I'd share my latest Etsy adventure with you.
I can't wait to receive these beauties.

I have another cuff in mind for these gorgeous blue opal cabochons.

These Picasso jasper cabs are going to be perfect for earrings.

Not to mention these gorgeous picture jasper drilled cabs.

And these stunning labradorite cabs are going to be showcased in an extravagant collar piece!

Let me know if you're' interested in the seller's store. 

I am not associated with them in any way...just happy to share some beady cabochon goodness with you all!

Now please excuse me while I go wipe the drool off my chin!

♥ 

Something special...

On our recent visit to the Gold Coast we visited the Surfers Paradise markets. These markets are a wonderful place to visit on a Friday evening, located along a small stretch of the beach. 

You can find all sorts of goodies including the most beautifully fragrant soap (I spoiled myself with lavender, tea tree-eucalyptus & lemon myrtle, and lavender & geranium) as well as lots of handmade arts and crafts.

Many, many years ago... perhaps around 18 years ago, whilst on a holiday in Brisbane we visited the Riverside Markets. Here I saw a man creating the most amazing pendants I had ever seen. He was using old coins and using a fine saw to cut within the coin. One of the coins he had was a coin from Thailand. I had visited Thailand twice many years ago and it has always held a special place in my heart. Unfortunately I could not afford to buy the pendant at the time, being a young unemployed teenager!

So to cut a long story short, whilst we were at the markets on our holiday we found another guy using the same technique and I was lucky enough to find the same Thai coin I had seen all those years ago. Ok so it wasn't the exact coin but you get the picture.

I wasn't going to let this one go this time...look how special it is.

This is how the coin looked before he turned it into my beautiful pendant.

Spencer also found himself this awesome pendant that had been crafted using a coin from Portugal!

The talent of these artists just blows me away. The work is so fine and detailed.

I also found another artist making name pendants out of wire.

I have always been amazed by the craftsmanship of these pendants, especially as wire, tools and my  hands do not go well together.

Keep in mind this is one piece of wire!

I love my new pendants, especially my Thai pendant that I have wanted for oh so long.

Spencer loves his necklace too and thinks he is now a Pirate of the Caribbean!

Is there something you had seen when you were younger that you wished you bought and have found many years later?

♥ 

A weekend away...

Last weekend we visited the Gold Coast...one of our favourite places for a quick getaway.

One of the highlights was visiting Burleigh  Heads National Park so here are a few shots that my hubby took. 

The photo of my hubby and I together was taken by my little budding photographer, Spencer.

Happy times.

♥ 

Slight heart failure and the dilemma of a clasp!

As you might already know I've been working on this cuff for a few weeks now. 

I am so happy with the way it's come together. 

The earthy tones are definitely me and as this is my first cuff I will definitely be keeping this one for myself!

BUT before I finish it I need some design help from all of my wonderfully talented friends.

I want to keep the cuff flexible and soft so I won't be adding it to a metal cuff base but I am not sure what kind of clasp to add.

I have this toggle clasp which I thought I could attach with some beads.

But then I thought I could do a peyote toggle but thought that might be ''too much".

I also have some antique brass and copper lever clasps which I just ordered but they are a lot smaller than I had anticipated so I don't think they are going to work.

For the first time EVER I actually cut through my thread when trimming the edges...you can see the section where the beads are missing in the photo above...just near the clasp...
I can't believe I did it...
I think I was just rushing to trim it so I could photograph it in the last of today's daylight and get it posted here to ask for your help.
Thankfully it is easily fixed but the sound of the beads falling onto the table still gave me slight heart failure!

Ok. Now that my heart is back to beating normally.

Any suggestions on what kind of clasp to use?

♥