Something Old ~ Something New

Ok ...so our newly built deck isn't exactly old yet but I thought I'd share some photos

now that I've ''prettied it up''!

I found these cute wall features and just had to have both of them!

We had dinner on the deck for the first time last night.

Spencer actually refrained from blowing out the candles we had lit...ok I had to tell him at least five times... but they remained lit!

We still have some work to do on the yard surrounding the deck

but you can only get so much done in two days.

Why is the weekend the two days of the week that seem to go the quickest?

~~~~

And my something new is a new piece I am working on for the Bead Maven's Ice Queen Challenge.

I have never created a collar piece so this is definitely something new for me.

I am a wee bit nervous about how it is going to turn out, especcially with it being a challenge piece, but I guess that is half the fun of the challenge!

I did get a little technical and used a saucer from an espresso cup and saucer set for the circular part of the collar!!

At least it looks like I know what I am doing!

Watch this space...

♥

Brasstastic...

I have a few design ideas floating around in this old head of mine...pieces that I've wanted to create for a long time now but just haven't been able to find the right ''bits and pieces".

One piece I have in mind is a wearable Egyptian style collar. I say "wearable" because I'd like to actually be able to wear this one....rather than store it on a box like some of my other pieces. When I see some of the amazing collar pieces some people create I have to wonder how many people actually wear these pieces as they are always quite large and elaborate. 

I've wanted to make a collar piece for so long so I figure with all the time and effort that is going to go into making this piece I'd like it be one that I can actually wear.

So here are a few of the components I recently ordered through a fantastic store on Etsy... aren't they great! 

I especially love the scarabs which will of course be for my collar piece but I also can't wait to use the koi fish in an oriental/Asian inspired piece. I just need to collect a few more bits and pieces for that one.

Of course I have already used one of the sea horses in my winning Use the Muse piece, Treasures of the North Sea, but couldn't go past buying another of these as they are so damn cute!