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 ♥

A big crafty circle!

This last week has reminded me how great it is to be part of the huge on-line crafting community.  First of all, I posted on my facebook page that I was struggling with getting a good picture of my latest piece 'Lily Cuff'.  No matter how hard I tried, the orange beads just didn't want to play and I ended up with a fuzzy middle and a grey background.  Then my friend Sue from Beadweaver came to the rescue and enhanced the photograph for me.  It's still not as sharp as it could be (after all Sue only had my original shot to work with) but the picture looks a lot more professional than it did, so I am very grateful to Sue who also gave me some top photography tips.  I'm currently making another cuff in a completely different colour, so let's hope this one behaves itself!

Then I found out that two of my crafty friends have included one of my pieces in their Etsy Treasuries.  Claire of Rhodes Annals Designs added my Flamenco Flowers choker to her Treasury and Ileana of Enchanted Beads featured Poppy Supernova choker in her Treasury West.  Thank you ladies!

I also discovered that Sig Wynne-Evans of Beadedbear passed the 'Superior Scribbler' blog award on to my blog.  Thanks for the honour Sig and I'm glad you enjoy my blog :0)

The five blogs I am passing the award on to are;

Amari Jewellery

Beadwork by Joanne

Bianca Velder Creations

Colour Challenge

Haute Ice Beadwork

If you want to play the game the rules are as follows;

* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 bloggy friends.

* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & name of the blog from whom he/she has received the award.

* Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the award.

*Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List - that way, we'll be able to keep up to date on everyone who receives the award.

* Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So you see, these are just a few of the reasons why I enjoy being part of the international crafting community.  You could view it as cold networking, self-promotion, climbing, whatever you want to call it.  But, if you really get involved, there is a lot of fun to be had along with the rewards of making friends, learning lessons, seeing lots of amazing work and helping each other out.  And to me, all of that makes the modern, uncertain and often scary world seem a much better place.  See you next week!