New Challenge: A Protea Implosion!

Hello, thought I had better update my blog and let you know what I have been up to this week.  That is if you are interested ... and if you aren't then I guess you won't be reading this anyway! 

My Cousin popped over to visit last week and whilst we were gossiping away looking through my beads she showed me this photograph of a beautiful Protea.  Now, my Cousin is a professional Horticulturalist and knows everything there is to know about plants.  She is great! A few years ago she went to work at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa and this is where she photographed this beautiful flower.



DPring

Well my creative little mind started whirring and ideas about how I could re-create this flower in glass started whizzing through my head.  I had no sleep that night because I couldn't stop thinking about how I was going to make a bead like this.  My notebook was jammed packed with suggestions, colours of glass, types of glass ...... etc ......

There is still a bit of work to do but I think I have the basic structure and colours now so all I need is to fine tune the design.  Here are a few more pictures of the top and bottom of the bead.

I have also continued making polymer clay earrings for my 52 earrings in a year challenge (I have so much catching up to do).  I keep getting a little bit side-tracked having to make a pendant as well but heyho!  The inspiration for the sunflowers is probably obvious .... the time of year perhaps but also it is a memory from my summer holiday in France this year which was absolutely fantastic!  We met some really interesting and lovely people!

The earrings are a little blurred because I was on the phone to my sister whilst trying to take the photograph.  Maybe I am not too good at multi-tasking!

My Protea Implosion Beads can now be found in my shop on Etsy -

Beadscrumptious on Etsy!

Sarah xx

www.beadscrumptious.co.uk
Hypersmash.com

Bead Magazine - Issue 41

They seek me here ....
They seek me there ....
I'm turning up nearly everywhere .......

I popped into my local branch of WH Smith to pick up a copy with my eldest son.  He was so proud that Mum was in a magazine.  It was lovely!  He wants me to teach him how to make beads so that he can write in a magazine too. 

So what else is in this month's issue that may tempt me, I hear you ask?

Well it is jam packed with projects.  There is a polymer clay kaleidoscope cane heart, a hand knotted bead cuff (that I must admit I am going to have a go at), a swarovski crystal pendant .... what girl doesn't like a little bit of sparkle! ..... A Copper Clay leafy necklace that looks fantastic and more ...... so much more .....

Really you need to take a look for yourself!

Here are some photographs of my handmade lampwork beads that were featured in the magazine!

Sarah xx

How to wear my lampwork beads!

A very lovely friend of mine suggested that I write a blog post to give some ideas about how to wear my beads.   So here goes ......

1  Make your own simple jewellery!

My beads have a 2.5mm - 3mm bead hole and will fit very comfortably on a sterling silver curb or snake chain, providing you ensure that the fastenings are not too large.  I find this to be a very versatile way to wear my beads because you can easily change the beads to match what you are wearing each day.

2  Add my beads to your Charm Bracelets.

Every bead I make is a one off limited edition!  Each bead is hand made by me in my studio and no two beads are ever the same.  Inspiration comes from all around me and from refining my designs.

I also make larger holed beads with a 5mm diameter hole that fit very nicely onto some of the european charm bracelets.  You will soon be able to purchase sterling silver bracelets from my shop on Etsy that you can add my beads to and make up your own unique jewellery. 

3  A simple pendant.

My focal beads can very easily be made into very stylish pendants using different coloured ribbons.  All you need to do is thread the focal bead onto the ribbon, tie a knot to secure it, place it around your neck to the required length and tie into a bow.





This also works really well using any of my bead sets.  Changing the colours of the ribbon can dramatically change the look of the finished piece of jewellery.

If you are feeling adventurous you could even add in a few knots between beads or groups of beads .....



There are so many different options!  Without even realising it you will be on your way to designing your own jewellery.

4  Designing your own unique jewellery!

 It really isn't that difficult, honestly! Over the next couple of months I will be writing blog posts to show you (using step by step instructions) how to make your own jewellery.

All of the beads and jewellery featured in this blog can be found in my shop on Etsy ........

Beadscrumptious 

I would love to see any of your creations!

Sarah xx