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The Big Bead Show!

Well it's been ages since I've last written, but I've just found out about about the Big Bead Show thats taking place this december...Only problem is that I've spent loads on beads lately :) But it might be worth while going, so I know what to expect from future bead shows and it will give me a chance to meet some Sellers.

Chao for now...

Miss Maisie...

Well my friend Esther is running a Miss Maisie Card competition, so I thought I'd join in by doing a virtual one using photo shop :)

Long time no blog!

Well its june and its been ages since I made a blog entry! Will try and do better for July :)

I've been making up some ear-rings and necklaces, using garnet, amethyst, fire opals, green onyx and lots of Swarovski crystals, other then that I've just been doing my Mummy duties i.e, up till 3 in the morning with my 2 year old who's sleep pattern was messed up after a cold, but I've used that time to look for more beads online...

Will try and get some pics of my work asap....

Long time no blog.....

I've been really naughty! I have been neglecting my blogs...

Well it's going to be a new month with lots of good weather hopefully!

Happy crafting....

Playful Lilac Jade...

Lilac Jade Butterflies are found here amongst a colourful collection of Amethyst, Amazonite, Ruby Agate, Citrine, Orissa Garnet, Rose Quartz and Jade beads in Lemon Olive, Ruby and purple. Hand crafted using Sterling Silver wire and chain, with a Thai Karen Butterfly and toggle to complete the necklace.

This necklace measures 23 inches or 58.5 Cm's approximately.

Thank you for looking!

Gong Fu boys...

Tomorrow My two eldest sons are competing in a inter-club. I think this means friendly competition between different martial arts schools. So they have been training hard for it. They are looking forward to resting afterwards as well, Anthony (14) has plans to visit the local Italian food hall/Cafe for a feast :)

New Pearls and Gems....

I've had a very busy week! But I've started using my new beads and am going to start working on some Coin Pearl ear-ring designs and have a play with my Swarovski crystals, as it's been a while since I've used them. Hopefully I'll get some pictures taken before I sell them! Thanks again Ruth for taking pictures for me...Here's a pic of one of my bag/zip charms.

First listing on Etsy...

I've listed my first item on Etsy! It was so straight forward, no pain:)
I will be adding more items soon and will be creating new pieces this week.

Please have a look, all feedback welcome!

Take care.

Shades of Blue and Silver....

I love all the detail in this beautiful bracelet! This bracelet is composed of beautiful Floral Lampwork beads in partnership with Azure Blue Jade beads, to form the main core of the bracelet. Blue Zircon and White Opal Swarovski crystals dangle amongst little clusters of Blue Lace Agate, Rock Crystal, Czech glass flowers accompanying little Thai Karen butterflies and beads. This bracelet has been hand crafted using Sterling Silver wire and finished with a TK heart toggle.

Thank you for looking!

Blue Lace and Silver......

This elegant necklace has been crafted using faceted Blue Lace Agate beads in combination with Thai Karen (fine silver) Sakura beads. A dainty Sterling Silver Butterfly creates the center piece for this necklace. The wire and chain are Sterling Silver and all other Silver beads are TK (fine silver.) This necklace is suitable for even little ladies due to its light weight and is a treasure that they can continue to wear as they grow up.

Thank you for looking!

Mookaite Butterfly....

This Mookaite Butterfly Necklace has been hand crafted using Thai Karen (fine silver) beads to complement the lovely chocolaty caramel tones of Mookaite. Using sterling Silver wire and chain, I have finished this necklace with a hammered TK toggle.

Thank you for looking.

Amazonite takes flight....

Amazonite Butterflies take flight here amidst Amethyst, Citrine, Red Aventurine, Fluorite, Rose Quartz and Jade beads in Lilac, Lemon Olive, Ruby and purple. With a Thai Karen Butterfly and hammered toggle as extra touches, I have hand crafted this necklace using Sterling Silver wire and chain.

This necklace measures 23 inches or 58Cm's approximately.

Thank you for looking!

More to come....

Silver and Greens..........

Thank you Ruth for taking these pics for me!

I'm totally in love with turquoise at the moment and different shades of green to aqua. This necklace is a blend of Turquoise, Aventurine, African Jade, Green agate, Russian Amazonite, Chrysoprase with Karen silver butterflies and snail shell to keep the green Aventurine butterflies company, giving it a bit of a garden theme. I made this during the winter and was longing for spring to arrive with its greenery! I used sterling silver wire and chain and finished it off with a Karen toggle. This necklace is not symetrical, but theres still a certain balance to it.

Thank you for looking :)

Long time no blog!........

Well what can I say, I've had never ending washing to do and have been sorting out the kids clothes to see what still fits and what needs to be given away, some of the stuff nearly new, but lets hope it goes to a good home. It would be so wasteful to just throw it away and the truly worn stuff can be re-used as cleaning rags.

On the jewellery side of things I've got some new pearls and stones to play with, so I just need to find the time to get creating!

I've been tagged!.......

My friend Ruth's gone and tagged me lol

The rules are

Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself
People who are tagged have to write their 7 things on their blog
Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names
Don't forget to leave them a comment to tell them they have been tagged and to read your blog

So here goes...

1) I watched the Lord of the Rings animation at the cinema when I was 3 and thought it was real. I think I had a crush on frodo, well I was very little too.

2) I Like eating mangoes (Venezuelan are the best!) with the skin still on.

3) One of my things to do, is go to Japan and see the Japanese Snow Monkeys (macaques).

4) I like eating the foam off the top of my cappuccino slowly with a spoon.

5) I hate the smell of salt fish cooking!

6) I was a chocoholic....

7)I haven't had time to read my Juno magazine (holistic parenting), because I have 5 kids and very little peace!

Now who on earth can I tag????

If you'd like to be tagged let me know, because most people I know don't even really know what blogging is...

Tummylicious......................

I've started a new blog called Tummylicious and it's all about food! As I have to feed a family of seven, five of which are children, I'm always having to think about food from various angles. I also love talking to other people about it and finding out what they eat and how they prepare it. Have a look, you might learn something new!

We've got stamps......

Well were to start.....I took my daughter Nyah to our first Big stamp and scrapbook show, it was nice and sunny so we walked to Alexandra Place. Once there we bought our tickets with no probs, there were no big ques, so we entered the main hall and in a word it was hectic! For beginner's to the whole card making/stamping craft it was kind of hard to know were to start. There were ladies with suit cases doing serious shoping and I was so glad/lucky that I had left my bank card at home, as there were so many beautiful stamps, papers,buttons and prima flowers to buy and I would have bought them! We were glad that we went, because we were able to see all the different marterials and even some technique demos. We bought some Colour box cats eye ink stacks and some transparent stamp sets and as soon as we got home the kids started stamping and they loved it!

Weddings by Ruth.........

Here I had a quick play around with these photos of Ruth's beautiful wedding pieces, hand crafted by her with care and many years experience (we started making jewellery when we were still at secondary school!) Above is the before photo, below the after pic.

This photo was taken using the flash mode on her camera and I managed to make the table disappear. To see more beauties, visit her blog!

The 18th annual bead work and bead fair......

Just found out about this fair! will try and get more info on it.

Sunday 7th october 2007, 11.30-5.30, at Byron Hall Harrow Leisure Center, Harrow N.W. London Uk

At the beach......

This is a more recent necklace that I made using Fire "Crab" Agate. I really love these beads!
I'm thinking of selling this one on Etsy. Thank you Ruth for taking this pic!


This photo is maybe a bit bright, but it gives you an idea of the layout of the necklace.

Black Silver.....

Here is a piece I made using Thai Karen black silver, along with peacock baroque fresh water pearls and sterling silver chain. This is one of the few pieces that I actually made from a sketch that I drew, I normally never sketch! I like having charms, pendants and other bits hanging down from my necklaces. I like the sound it makes as you move around. This photo was taken after this necklace was sold, so it now has a new home.

Beautiful cards by Ruth.......

These gorgeous cards were recently made by my amazingly talented friend Ruth. I've even started buying little paper punches and paper flowers, so I can blame her for inspiring me to shop..hehehe.

I just love this 3d flower. Nearly every day she's adding new pictures of her creations onto her blog, so I've got a daily source for inspiration.

So if you want an original card, she's the gal to contact!

Happy Easter.......

..to everyone!

Found these little bunnie pics in a file. Made them as digital card toppers, but never got to print them out to find out if they are any good.

Looking for bead shows......

Been looking on the Internet for bead/craft shows/fairs, but not having much luck so far.
Did find the Rock n Gem one at Alexandra Palace. Will keep looking.

The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show....

Just found out about this show at Alexandra Palace, London, on the 14th and 15th of April.

In search of the perfect picture......

Thanks to Ruth I have some more up to date photo's of my jewellery! I've taken the pic's into photoshop to adjust the levels. What do you think Ruth. It's an on going project I guess.

This bracelet is made with sterling silver twisted wire, which I found really easy to work with, lampwork beads, fresh water pearls, rose quartz, swarovski crystals, Thai Karen silver butterflies and small beads. Most of the Thai Karen silver that I use is fair trade, including those used here.

This bracelet is also made with sterling silver twisted wire, lampwork beads, moon stone, rose quartz, swarovski crystal butterflies, Thai Karen silver butterflies and small beads.

I like making necklaces and ear-rings that aren't symmetrical, but yet are still balanced. I've used ruby agate, amazonite, amethyst, orissa garnet, citrine, rose quartz, red, lemon and lilac jade. The metals used are sterling silver wire and chain, with a Thai Karen butterfly and toggle. I always prefer using real semi-percious stones!

Getting into shape.....

Found this pic whilst going through my old files. It's Neo Nyah in Rocky mode.

I'm going to start on the jewellery today, thinking of buying some more coin pearls.

Getting started....

Well I've been trying to get myself sorted out. First thing was sorting out my watermark to put on to photo's. Second was to phone up a friend to arrange meeting up, she works with leather and we've agreed to make at least two pieces by next week, so that's the third thing I have to do.

I really, really need to try and experiment taking photo's of my jewellery.

Back to the jewellery making, I've been thinking of using pearls. I've got the colours peach,orange and yellow in mind for some reason.

All I need to do is get started now.

Presenting Neo Nyah and Ah Soo....

Neo Nyah is in fact my daughter Nyah. I drew these pictures in flash and added photo shop magic to them a few years ago.

Here's a Neo Nyah montage. I still like this picture after 5-6 years!

And now I'll introduce Ah Soo, who by day goes by the name Sue Cole. Soo's a friend of mine who trains at Shaolin Temple Uk and loves all things Gong Fu!

In the above picture I drew Soo in flash, but the trees are from a hand drawn picture I did and scaned in.
The lily in this picture is from a photo I took at Kew Gardens.

Pieces from the past...

Here are some examples of pieces that I've made in the past. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of most of my work, but I'm hoping to change that.

The begining of bloging for me!

So here goes, my first ever blog!

Welcome to my little space on the Internet. My name is Carolina, for those who don't know me, and I'm a stay at home mum of five (yes five) very energetic children. I've lived in London for most of my life and have many interests including making jewellery and watching Studio Gibli movies with my family. My main reason for starting this blog is to showcase my jewellery and any other creative work that I produce, for friends, family and anyone who's interested, to have a look at.

So hopefully I'll get the hang of this soon!