A beady Challenge!

Well I vowed this year, due to a 'bead overload' not to buy any new ones until I'd used them all up to make some beautiful creations! This worked well until recently when I was left with only beads I found totally uninspiring, didn't like much, or were an odd shape or colour. This didn't fill me with much enthusiasm to sit and get creative, but with Christmas round the corner, and several fairs in the pipelines, I wanted to make some stunning new pieces.

It turns out, this is possibly the best thing I could have done! It has forced me to look at all of my beads much more closely, and spend a lot more time considering which colours and textures compliment each other well. I've even added a few bits of wire work to an odd agate bead I had, to create a gorgeous pendant. I then added some chain to make the necklace a bit more interesting.

I even had my three children getting creative with me one rainy afternoon last week. They made a necklace each from a big plastic bag filled with odd glass beads that I've collected over the last few years. They really enjoyed making them, and have proudly shown them off to anyone and everyone.

I've learnt a lot more about jewellery making this year, and how to create some truly unique, unusual and beautiful items of handmade jewellery. I now look forward to my next big order of beads, so i can start the whole process again :-)