Old favourites!

I received a lovely surprise in the post today - a copy of 'Favorite Bead Stitches' from Interweave (the publishers of Beadwork magazine).  I knew that I was fortunate enough to have two projects included in this 'collector's edition' but I wasn't sure exactly when it was out and I also wasn't prepared for it being just so GOOD!  There are 41 projects in this 148 page magazine and as I flicked through it I was struck by what a really great collection this is, it's brimming with exciting and innovative projects and although I'm sure I have all the magazines that these projects appeared in, it was wonderful to see them side-by-side - page after page of inspirational designs.

My projects Periwinkle Choker and Frosted Flower Necklace were originally published in Beadwork magazine in 2008 and 2009 and so although it was nice to see them bob to the surface again I wondered whether I might be slightly embarrassed as I have learnt so much since then - but actually, although they are quite simple, I smiled when I saw them and it reminded me that things don't always have to be complicated to make pretty and wearable beadwork.

When I first started sending projects to magazines in 2008 I didn't really have a plan (I'm not sure I actually have one now!) and so it came as another nice surprise when I had a little count up this evening and found that this new magazine actually makes my 30th publication!

Bye for now!

Kerrie ♥

From hot to icy and back to warm!

It looks like it's 'blog day' again today - the sun is shining, the garden is full of flowers and I have some more flowery pictures to show you ... some natural and some beaded!

First of all; we went to Lea Gardens in Derbyshire at the weekend which is renowned for it's rhododendrons and azaleas. Some of them were past their best and others had been damaged by all the rain we've had recently, but there were still lots of bright and brilliant blooms everywhere and the woodland walk area was filled with the scent of the lily of the valley. It was a lovely day out, the weather was perfect and we spent quite some time sat in the sun at the seating area at the tea rooms which overlooks the whole valley, drinking coffee and eating yummy chocolate cake too. If you look closely at their website you may spot a picture of me at the tea rooms taken some years ago!

On the beading front, I have finished the blue flowers that were shown as a 'work in progress' on my last blog post and created my Frosted Flower Fall necklace. In contrast to the hot summery picture above, this is a winter themed necklace with three icy blue flowers worked in various sizes. They each have a frosted sterling silver bead centre and I have just hung them simply from a sterling chain and clasp. It is hanging from a bust beside me as I type and I must admit I am pleased with it - very simple but also quite elegant I think ... I'd love to know what you think, so please feel free to leave a comment!

Finally for today, I have discovered that my Copper Hibiscus lariat is in an Etsy treasury with the fun title of - Cockney Grasshopper - can you guess???? It's COPPER! It's a beautiful warm collection of wonderful coppery tones and blacks and mine is the only beadwoven piece ... and (oh dear) the most expensive!