Winter Enchantment

There is an old saying "better late than never" and that certainly applies to my latest piece created as part of the Artbeads Design Partner Blogging Program.

I have to confess that I should have blogged about this at least a month or so ago but life has it's ups and downs which doesn't always allow us to meet our deadlines.

The most recent theme for the Design Partners was "Winter Enchantment" and as previously mentioned I had decided to use a Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom that blooms in Australia during winter, as my inspiration.

Aren't these the most divine blossoms you have ever seen?

I was originally going to be making a necklace constructed of gum blossoms created using Melind Barta's addictive "Sparkly Wheels" but there were a few bumps in that road

so a gum leaf and blossom brooch was born!

The leaf has been embroidered with size 11/0 seed beads and Czech fire polished beads.

The blossom has been stitched using Czech fire polished beads and size 11/0 seed beads and then fringed with size 11/0 and size 15/0 seed beads.

The leaf is life size measuring approximately 6.5 inches (15cm) long and around 1 inch (1.5cm) wide.

My little man, Spencer, actually said "mummy this looks like a real leaf but with sparkly beads''... ahh an honest critic!

Unfortunately I still need to add the brooch backing as the only ones I had included a loop so it could be worn with a necklace but in the mean time it looks great sitting next to my computer!

As my original design idea had not come to fruition I decided to use the left over beads to make a bracelet to kind of match the brooch!

I love this bracelet as it is so colourful and just has such a happy feeling to it...not to mention you could wear it with just about any outfit!

It's just a pity I will be giving it to a friend for her birthday...

...but hey I can always make another!

♥

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Disclosure: I am a reviewer of Artbeads.com products and a participant of its blogging program. I received all the components free of charge. This post reflects my honest opinion and Artbeads.com is not compensating me for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Sweet treats ♥

Look what arrived for me yesterday!

 Gorgeous beaded hairpins, some cute little "Made with Love" charms, an adorable little crocodile and some scarab cabochons.

I was lucky enough to win the beautiful hairpins, made by Jana of Stories of the Secret Garden  via a giveaway hosted by Lelanie at To Sew with Love but Jana was so kind to surprise me with the other treats!

How cute is that crocodile.
Jana recently created a gorgeous pendant using one of these little fellas

which you can find HERE in her Etsy store.

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Also arriving today is my gorgeous loot from Artbeads for my "Winter Enchantment'' piece as part of their Design Partner Blogging Program.

You might recall that it does not snow here in Queensland during Winter so I decided to use this gorgeous Winter blooming Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom as the inspiration for my piece.

I think the beads I chose below will work beautifully and I have something quite different in mind.

(please excuse the dodgy photo...I didn't want to have to take the beads out of the bags)

What do you think? 

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I am excited to announce that this year I am entering not one...not two... but three pieces in the Fire Mountain Gems Seed Beads, Glass or Acrylic category.

I have a piece in mind for their Gemstones category as well but will have to think about that one.

I am also working on a few other pieces which I am hoping to enter into some challenges so the next few months should keep me busy from a creative perspective.

Which is just how I like it!

♥

Summertime blogging

As you know I am an Artbeads Design Partner and the next theme for their blogging program is "Summertime".

I have just ordered my beads but thought I'd give you a bit of sneak peak of what I will creating.

I will be using one of the glass fused cabs below which I made back in January of this year.

My order from Artbeads includes seed beads, lots of delicious czech glass beads, some stunning Swarovski components as well as a funky sterling silver clasp!

It's hard to get motivated to create something along the lines of Summer when we are into our second week of Winter here and it is starting to get rather chilly but looking at my seaside cabs is starting to get me in the mood...

...shall I order a Pina Colada now or later?

Watch this space!

Proud to be a Design Partner

I am so excited and proud to announce that I have just been selected as an Artbeads Design Partner in conjunction with Artbeads' Blogging Program.

I am the only Australian taking part in the program so I feel extremely honoured to have been selected alongside some wonderfully talented beaders, some extremely well known and respected within the beading world.

As part of the program I will have the opportunity to review products from the Artbeads range, design and create jewellery using these products and then share my creation with my fellow blogging friends.

Be sure to check out Artbeads fantastic Blog for Beaders blog which you can view here.

Watch this space for future pieces created as part of this program!

Can you tell I am EXCITED!!!