Jive's Jools Jewellery Making Blog

Some recent work...

2011-06-22T12:06:00.002+01:00

Hello again! Just thought I'd post some pictures of things I've finished lately...

Thanks for looking :)
Rachel
xxxxxx

Polymer Clay Tutorial - Stripey lentil beads

2011-06-21T19:06:00.016+01:00

Hey everyone!
I've done a little tutorial for stripey beads. It my first ever tutorial so if there is anything than I can improve on or do differently please let me know!

Stripey Beads

1. First take 8 diferent colours of clay. I have used 7 shades of pinks and purples and 1 near black.

2. Condition your clay so its soft then roll it through your pasta machine on the thickest setting.

3. Layer all 8 sheets on top of one another creating a stack. It doesn't matter what order you put them in.
4. Gently flatten your stack with your arylic roller until its about 1 inch thick.

5. Cut your stack in half and put the two halves together one on top of the other.

6. Again take your hand roller and go over your stack a couple of times but dont flatten it too much. Cut in half again and stack one on top of the other.

7. Gently roll over your stack with your hand roller to squish all your layers together. You don't want to flatter your stack just fill in any gaps. Mould the stack with your hands, aiming for a rough cube shape. Try to get any air bubles out.

8. Now you are read to slice your stack to make your beads. Take a tissue blade and and cut a 1/2 cm slice from your stack.

9. Gently roll your slice with your hand roller, careful not to distort the pattern.

10. Take a round cutter and cut two circles out from your strip. Set them aside and take a scrap piece of clay of roll into a ball. Flatten the ball to create a lentil shape. You can do this using a piece of glass. Moving it in a circular motion while pressing lightly on the ball of clay.

11. Once you have the correct shape. Take your two cirles and place them on either side of your lentil. Gently sqish together the edges to join them.

12. Reshape you bead and repeat for as many beads as you like!

Discount in My Shop...

2011-03-09T15:56:00.003Z

Hey everyone!

I have a wee coupon code for my shop which will get you 25% off everything in my shop, all beads and jewellery.

Just use code 25OFF at the checkout

www.jivesjools.etsy.com

Thanks
Much Loves
Rach

Some Beads for Sale on Ebay!..

2011-02-21T11:08:00.003Z

I have put some beads up for auction on good old Ebay.

They are all starting at 99p with 99p postage. If you buy more than one thing from me though I do combine postage!

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/rachelboag/m.html

Thanks for looking!

Rach
xoxo

Some new beads...

2011-02-16T15:01:00.006Z

Hello everyone! I've been busy making lots more polymer clay beads :)

Heres some that I've photographed...

Some with warm browns and golds...

Some with gorgeous red, black and silver

And a funky wee set with turquoise, pinks and purples..

Hope you like :)

Rachel

Polymer Clay beads!

2011-02-12T15:24:00.002Z

So, as I promised I have been making some beads . Having so much fun with polymer clay! Its so easy to use and you can do anything with it.

Heres what I've done so far...

Hope you like :)

Rach

xox

I'm back! Finally!

2011-02-08T09:01:00.003Z

Hello everyone,

Well I'm definitely back! A cetain little menace and a certain big meance have been dominating most if not all of my time,

however I'm about to get straight back in to making lots of jewellery and polymer clay beads. Over the next few days I will be filling up my Etsy Shop with lots of jewellery and eventually a section for handmade beads :)

Be back later once I've snapped some pics of what I've been up to!

Much love

Rach

Giveaway winner...Sorry I'm late!

2010-05-16T21:06:00.002+01:00

Hello all!

Sorry I'm late, Had a very busy Sunday!

I would like to announce the winner of the summer giveway!

The winner is

Aestraea from Canada!

Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who entered...and stay tuned for my next giveaway!

Much Love
Rachel

Summer Blog Giveaway!

2010-05-09T15:52:00.008+01:00

Hello again everyone! I know, two posts in one day! Shocking haha

Well as the title suggests I am having a giveaway to celebrate the start of the Summer Months :)

I will be giving you all the chance to win this gorgeous necklace

and this lovely matching bracelet

They are made with red agate and lapis chrysocolla gemstone beads wire wrapped with bare copper wire!

All you have to do is leave me a wee comment on this post to be entered in to the draw.

The giveaway will close on Saturday 15th May @ midnight.

All the names will be put in a hat and the winner chosen :)

The winner will be contacted and announced on my blog @ 12noon Sunday 16th May.

I do hope you all enjoy!

Much Love

Rachel

Big Summer Sale!!

2010-05-09T13:58:00.003+01:00

Hey everyone!

I've decided to have a big summer sale as its such a beautiful day :)

In my etsy shop I currently have

FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

FREE PAIR OF GORGEOUS HANDMADE EARRINGS

PLUS 10% OFF EVERY ORDER OVER $40

Please drop by for a little peak :)

My Shop

Much Love
Rachel

Sea Glass Treasure Hunt...

2010-04-22T21:37:00.006+01:00

Well me and hubby had the day off as Baby J was with his Granny. It was such a lovely day so we decided to go to Broughty Ferry Beach to hunt for some sea glass. It was bright and sunny when we left but by the time we got there is was raining haha typical of our luck.

Anyway we didn't let the rain put us off and went on our treasure hunt anyway! We ended up having so much fun, it wasn't as cold as it looks and the sun did eventually come back out for a while. Best of all we found lots of gorgeous sea glass and some pretty shells too. So I plan on using some in my jewellery :D

Much Love

Rach

New Etsy Listings...

2010-04-18T18:37:00.003+01:00

I have finally listed some new pieces in my etsy shop!

A new copper piece...

And also a silver piece...

Will say more when I get the chance!

Much Love

Rachel

New Treasury on Etsy!

2010-04-18T18:34:00.003+01:00

I've just created a new treasury on etsy! Lots of lovely items from the Frit Happens Forum Team!

Sparkling Treasures

Please take a little look!

Much Love

Rachel

Well My Son is here...

2010-03-27T22:56:00.002Z

James Sydney Small

Born 10/03/10 @ 02:53am

He is absolutely gorgeous! He weighed 7 pound 11 ounces and is a big boy! very long hehe.

I had a quick labour, so quick that his Daddy had to deliver him. we were in hospital for 7 days as Baby James was in intensive care but he is all better now and we are home enjoying getting to know each other.

Much Love

Rachel

Etsy Treasury...Colour Explosion!

2010-03-07T20:45:00.002Z

I've created a Treasury on Etsy...

Colour Explosion

Lots of lovely goodies from some great UK Etsians :)

Please take a peek...It'll brighten your day...Honest :)

Much Love

Rachel

p.s Baby is 1 day overdue...getting very exciting hehe

Its My Due Date...

2010-03-06T11:21:00.001Z

Well its finally here...

My due date!!

I can't wait to meet my son!

Hopefully he is not going to be too late!

I'll keep you posted!

Much Love

Rachel

Etsy Treasury...

2010-03-03T15:19:00.003Z

I've been featured in a treasury yay! :D

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=116779

Please do check it out...

Lots of gorgeous items...

Much Love

Rachel

xxx

A New Listing on Etsy...

2010-02-28T19:32:00.003Z

Another new wire work piece using lampwork beads by Chameleon Designs.

The focal bead is a hollow with 4 matching spacers. Together with 4mm swarovski crystal bicones and handmade silver plated copper wire squiggly links (yes thats the technical term) hehe

I think it would make a lovely mother's day gift.

I hope you like....

You can find it in my etsy shop

Much Love

Rachel

p.s 6 days to go :)

One Week To Go...

2010-02-27T22:47:00.003Z

Until little baby James is due to arrive...However if his time keeping is anything like his fathers he will probably be late.

I am so excited though, a little scared, but mostly just excited. It seems like I have been pregnant forever. Now I wish I had more time to prepare...hehe

We have mostly everything we need so we just have to chill and wait for him...

And try to keep calm...

Much Love

Rachel

Sunshine Blog Awards...

2010-02-26T18:35:00.006Z

Today I found out I have been nominated for the "Sunshine Blog Award" by the very talented jewellery artist @ Cinnamon Jewellery

"The Sunshine Blog Award" is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others around the blogging world.

THE RULES OF THE AWARD

1. Put the Sunshine logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let your nominees know they have been nominated by leaving a comment on their blogs.

5. Link to the person from whome you recieved this award.

Here are the 12 wonderful bloggers I have chosen:

~Chat Elaine Jewellery~

~All That Sparkles Beads~

~Chameleon Designs~

~Crafted Gems~

~Raspberry Rings~

Happy Blogging!!

Much Love

Rachel

Another New Addition...

2010-02-26T11:50:00.004Z

This funky little bracelet...

Using another set of Dori Wallace lampwork beads.

Its in My Shop...

Thanks for looking...:)

Much Love

Rachel

p.s 1 week untill baby James is due :)

Free UK and International Shipping in My Etsy Shop..

2010-02-26T08:56:00.002Z

Just to let you all know that there is no shipping charge in my shop at on all items untill Sunday 28th @ 12 midnight.

My Shop

Much Love

Rachel

New items in my Etsy Shop...

2010-02-25T19:00:00.004Z

A lovely new bracelet made with handmade artisan lampwork bead by talented glass artist Dorothy Wallace. Together with my own handmade silver plated copper wire hammered spiral links and finished with a handmade hook and eye clasp.

Also a pair of matching earrings on silver plate ear wires.

They are freshly listed in My Etsy Shop

Do drop by and have a look...

Much Love...

Rachel

Finished a Commision...

2010-02-25T16:06:00.004Z

Hey everyone!

Well I had a commision to make for a lady's 50th birthday, this is it...

The focal and spacers are handmade lampwork beads by Claire-Louise @ Ciel Creations. You should really check out her work, its beautiful.

The wire links are handmade by me using 1.25mm silver plated copper wire.

Thanks for looking...

Much Love

Rachel

New Necklace at long last...

2010-02-22T10:10:00.005Z

Hey everyone!

Well its been a while since I posted any pictures because its been chaos around here the past couple of weeks. I started this necklace about 2 weeks ago and just finally managed to get it finished last night. I had to move house at very short notice because of a flood which meant packing up all my beadies :(

Anyway here it is finally, the finished piece...

Its made up of large orange glass lentils with a really nice finish and handmade hammered links. Finished with a handmade, hammered, hook and eye clasp. The wire is 16gauge and silver plated copper. It will be listed in my etsy shop later tonight, if you fancy having a browse!

Thanks for looking, Hope you all had a fab weekend!

Much Love

Rachel

OWOH Giveaway: Yay! I won!

2010-02-15T18:33:00.003Z

Hey Hey!

I have won a prize in one of the fab One World One Heart giveaways!

I won this lovely basket full of treats from the "Magical Holiday Artists Etsy Team"

I am so happy!

Thanks so much to the talented members of this wonderful Etsy Team!

I also won another 3 giveaways!! 3!!

I won these beautiful earrings by Deryn Mentock @ somethingsublime.typepad.com

And a gorgeous pearl necklace by Debra @ http://thewickerpatio.blogspot.com/

Much Love

Rachel

OWOH Giveaway: Draw Results

2010-02-15T15:13:00.002Z

Hello everyone! As you know entry in to the giveaway is now closed and I have drawn the winner!

I was supposed to be waiting until 5pm tonight to announce, but I just could not wait any longer!

I would like to thank everyone who entered! A whopping 337 Magic Carpet Riders! Wow!! I Never imagined that many!

I am so glad I joined in the fabulous event and met such lovely people! I did manage to look at most blogs but there were so many to get through I did miss out 1 or 2. However I will go back and look even though the event is now over! A big thanks also had to be given to Lisa Swifka for starting this wonderful event off!

Anyway the moment you have all been waiting for, The winner of my Jewellery Giveaway is:

Wondrous Strange #290

I have contacted her to let her know and will ship her prize as soon as I receive a shipping address :D

Thanks again to everyone who visited my blog on their journeys! I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back again soon!

Much Love

Rachel

More wire work...show off :)

2010-02-09T15:00:00.006Z

Hello guys! Thought I'd post a quick one just to show off my latest wire work!

This one is made up of these gorgeous royal blue glass beads with cool glow in the dark flecks! Would be great for going clubbing! I never new they were glow in the dark untill i started using them! Very cool :) Also with silver plated copper wire links.

This one is bare copper wire spiral links and turquoise beads :)

Anyway thats all have time for just now, These will be up in my shop tonight...

Much Love

Rachel

One World One Heart

2010-02-05T14:47:00.015Z

Entry Now Closed, Thank You!

This super fun event was created by blogger and talented artist "Lisa Swifka" in 2007 and has grown and grown each year. Its a fantastic blogging even which helps bloggers interact and meet lots of new and interesting people! And as an added bonus maybe even win some lovely prizes! Well I have joined the fun and you should too!

If you give the badge above or to the right a click it will give you all the info you need with a list of all the participants!

Every blogger who is participating is giving away a prize! All you have to do to enter the giveaways is leave a comment on their blog, its as easy as that!

Please click the logo and join in the fun!

Anyone can participate!!

The only requirements are that you:

-Have a blog that you write in. So if you don't already have one, get blogging!-

To enter my giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment on my blog, with contact details incase you win!

My giveway is this:

A gorgeous necklace and matching bracelet made from silver plated copper wire, handmade polymer clay beads, black glass cubes and large black/clear crackle glass beads.

So just leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning this lovely set!

The giveaway ends @ 12 noon on the 15th February 2010!

Names of everyone who has entered will be put in a hat and I will draw a winner which will be announced at 5pm on my blog! The winner will also be contacted for a shipping address :D

Thanks

Much Love

Rachel

In Loving Memory

2010-02-04T19:22:00.001Z

Uncle Sammy

January 7th 1950 - January 28th 2010

My Latest Wire Work Creations This Time With Lampwrok Artisan Beads...

2010-02-04T16:24:00.006Z

Hello Again! Just showing off some more Stuff.

This first one is made from 1.25mm bare copper wire hammered links. The focal bead is one of Pauline Holts from "Jazzy Lily Hot Glass" http://www.jazzylily.com/

This one is made from 1.25mm silver plated wire hammered links, swarovski crystal bicones and 4 large artisan lampwork beads by "Lemon Kitten" @ http://www.lemonkittenglassbeads.co.uk/

Hope you enjoy! If you are interested in either of these pieces I will be adding them to my etsy shop tonight :D

http://www.jivesjools.etsy.com/

Much Love

Rachel

Insomnia blogging...

2010-01-31T01:40:00.008Z

Hello World

I thought seen as how this baby of mine doesn't believe I need any sleep I better get some blogging in. Have not slept for three nights but apparently its just another one of those brilliant pregnancy problems :)

Great!

Anyhoo I thought I'd post some pictures of my latest wire work creations so here goes :) Hope you enjoy!

This one is Sponge Coral and Lava Rock, with little hammered spirals and a handmade hook and eye clasp. Although the Coral looks rather chunky its actually really light weight so won't weigh you down :) Although its so lovely it probably wouldn't matter anyway :) hehe

This one here is Tri-coloured Jade Diamonds wire-wrapped with 0.8mm silver-plate copper wire and coupled with 4mm clear AB Swarovski Crystals. I love this one and am thinking about keeping it all to my self :) But you may be lucky I might just list it on etsy ;)

This one here is Korea Jade nuggets and Light Red Agate wire-wrapped with bare copper wire and finished with a handmade hook and eye clasp. I really like working with the bare copper wire so be prepared for lots more of this kind of thing :)

And last but not least some more Korea Jade nuggets but this time together with Tigereye beads wire-wrapped with silver-plate copper wire. And some coil links :)

Anyway thats all from me just now. Away to try and get some sleep before I go completely insane haha. Goodnight.

Much love

Rachel xxx

Gem Stones

2010-01-04T18:52:00.002Z

Hello

Well I picked up my beady package from the post office today and the gem stones are absolutely beautiful :) I cannot wait to make some great pieces with them.

Have been fidling around with wire wrapping and other wirey techniues so will try to combine them in my next design..

Will hopefully get my new digital camera this week so will be posting some decent pictures soon :)

Thanks for reading

Much Love

Rach

Lots of Lovely Gemstones...

2010-01-03T20:50:00.003Z

Well I have just bought heaps of lovely gemstones from Beadsdirect.co.uk and have finally got my tool kit together to start some wire work so be on the look out for some lovely new designs in my online shop and etsy shop :)

Much Love

Rachel

A quick one...

2009-12-21T09:08:00.002Z

Just to show you my most recent make...

A wire wrapped necklace with lots of purples and greens and swarovski crystals :)

You can find it for sale here...

www.etsy.com/shop/jivesjools

Thanks for reading :)

Rachel

My birthday present...

2009-12-08T15:59:00.004Z

Well I got my order from Beads Direct! I'm so happy with it! I got the Christmas Bead Hamper and it was well worth the money:)

Lots of lovely beads!!!

I will def have to order more! Glad christmas is coming up :)

Website up and running...

2009-12-06T17:37:00.003Z

Got my website back on the air and my shop is full of lots of goodies :) Drop by and have a look!!

Thanks everyone

Rachel

Back on track...

2009-12-06T17:35:00.002Z

Hello everyone...

The craft fair was yesterday and went very well which was such a relief :)

I sold quite alot of jewellery which was great..I love selling face to face!

Rachel

Been a while...

2009-11-19T08:36:00.000Z

Hello everyone, I know its has been an absolute age since I have been on , but no I haven't dropped off of the face of the earth haha.

I've been busy busy busy. I got married to my Fiance James on September 18th which was great! Had a wonderful, slightly stressful day :)

Also I am 6 months pregnant at the moment with my first child, a little boy, so exciting hehe.

However I am well and truly back on track with my jewellery making as I have a craft fair coming up on the 5th of December so I need to get a move on with building up my stock haha.

More from me later

Rach

My New Website

2009-06-12T08:47:00.001+01:00

Hello again everyone!

Well I now have my website up and running, www.JivesJools.co.uk, finally :)

I have added a few things to my shop and will be adding more as I go so please feel free to take a look.

There is also a mailing list so please do join so I can keep everyone up to date with whats going on with Jive's Jools.

Thanks

Rachel

8 Things...

2009-06-11T07:45:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone...I've been tagged by Keiara from www.bykeiara.blogspot.com. (Check out her blog, some fantastic work over there). What I have to do is fill out the 8 things survey. Sounds like a great idea. Fantastic idea to get to know each other and promote each others beautiful work. Please keep it up everyone :)

The Rules

Mention the name of the person who tagged you
Do the lists of 8
Tag 8 bloggers of your choice
Let them know that they have been tagged

Heres mine...

8 things I'm looking forward to

1.Going for a romantic meal tonight with my Fiance
2.Getting the book I've been waiting for from amazon (how to make polymer clay beads hehe)
3.Getting my business cards from vista print
4.Going away with my fiance for my 21st birthday in December
5.Getting married
6.My first sale from my website :)
7.My days off so I could make more beads :)
8.My Gran getting the all clear from cancer.

8 things I done yesterday

1.Went to work at Kingscross Hospital
2.Got soaked in the rain
3.Went to visit my Dad and Step-Mum.
4.Watched Still Game Live.
5.Made some polymer clay beads
6.Had dinner with my family
7.Looked at lots of old photos of my dad when he was a baby.
8.watched my Step-mum homebaking lots of goodies that she sells for charity! yum yum!

8 things I wish I could do

1.Quit my dead end job
2.Concentrate on what I love, Making Jewellery
3.Open a bead shop in Dundee
4.Make a living from selling jewellery and beads
5.Travel with James
6.Get married right now
7.Cure Cancer
8.Be more approachable

8 things I watch

1.Supernatural
2.Laddette to Lady
3.Charmed
4.Coldcase
5.Still Game
6.Friends
7.The Apprentice
8.CSI Newyork

8 people I am tagging

1. Amber over at www.arohajewels.blogspot.com
2.Victoria over at www.lampworkandsilver.blogspot.com
3.Jo over at www.jrjewels.blogspot.com
4.Saffie over at www.saffieandherblog.blogspot.com
5.Elaine over at www.chatelainejewellery.blogspot.com
6.Heather over at www.bumpybeads.blogspot.com
7.Josephine over at www.josephinewadman.blogspot.com
8.Billie over at www.glassbybillie.blogspot.com

Have Fun :)

xxRachxx

Another herringbone...

2009-05-08T18:27:00.000+01:00

This time with gold, copper and silver wire and ceramic beads :)

Told you I was addicted he he.

Hope you enjoy :)

Rach

Getting Started : Beginning Jewellery Making

2009-05-07T19:39:00.000+01:00

Hello again, yeah I know, I know, two posts in one week, amazing ain't it! Haha I told you I would get better at blogging...

Ok so when I first started making jewellery I found it really hard knowing what to buy to get myself started. There are so many tools and things around it can be quite confusing getting the essentials or getting non-essential thingy ma-bobs and gadgets. Then there are books, beads, threading materials, wire, findings, storage....do you get my point? So I thought it would be a good idea to write something that will give newbies an idea of what to get and how to get started.

I'll break this up into sections:

Tools

When I bought my starting tools I did end up with alot of things I never use. I bought a plier set by Bead Smith. The set I bought was one of the cheapest ones. It is an 8 piece set, consisting of: Round nose, chain nose, nylon jaw and flat nose pliers, thread cutters, knotting tweezers, side cutters, and a bead scoop, all in a nice little case.

I do think it is good value for money as it only cost me around £9.99. However I don't use everything in it. I mainly use:

Round nose pliers

Flat nose pliers

Nylon jaw pliers

Wire cutters

Because they were not the best quality they are showing the wear and tear. So I would suggest investing your money in getting these 4 tools but of a better quality.

Books

Okey well there a probably hundreds of jewellery making books out there but these are the ones that I got to get myself started.

All About Beads by Barbara Case

Bead Fantasies by Takako Samejima

These are the only two I bought, and the are both excellent. However as I said there are lots out there to choose from and we all have our own tastes so that really up to you haha.

Amazon is great for all your beady books : http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or http://www.amazon.com/

Storage

Well there are lots of storage options available. However I prefer tool organisers, like this one from B&Q:

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9380709&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=organisers&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1241725284831&isSearch=true

You can pick bead storage up at most craft shops and bead shops and they vary in price.

I also picked up a great deal in Lidl, it was a black and decker organiser and its fab so keep an eye out in Lidl and Aldi because they often have special offers.

Beads

Now beads, there are absolutely thousands upon thousands of beads out there in all different styles, colours and materials and its really down to you to pick your own. I will warn you, you will spend LOTS of £££! There are so many beautiful beads!

Some of the suppliers I like to use that are reliable, good quality and good value are:

http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/
http://www.empirebeads.co.uk/

and the ebay shops I use the most are:

Sanctuary Beads (http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/SANCTUARY-BEADs)

K2-Acessories (http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/K2-Accessories)

The Bead Basket (http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/the-bead-basket-uk)

They are all very reliable seller, with very reasonable postage rates and a great variety of beads and everything else you need.

Findings

Personally I always buy silver plate finding and Sterling Silver findings. But its totaly up to you. Theres lots of different colours, metals, finishes that you can buy. There silver, gold, copper, bronze, antique...etc.

Heres the basics:

Head pins
Eye pins
Jump rings
Chain
Earwires

Other findings that are good to have are:

Crimps
spacers
Ear posts
challotes

These can also be purchased from the above supliers.

Threading materials

The materials I purchased were:

Tiger tail wire which comes in an array of colours

Strong and stretchy beading elastic which also comes in lots of colours

Hemp twine comes in lots of colours but I only every buy the natural one.

Anyway hope this help all the newbies a little bit. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need any help or have any questions. Will speak soon, Thanks for reading..

Love
Rachel

A Little Catch Up...

2009-05-05T13:09:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone!

Well I haven't posted much recently been a busy bee-eader!

While I was at the flame off, I bought a lovely little kit from Dizzy Di (http://www.dizzydi.co.uk/), a wonderful Artist who was selling at the Towcester bead fair. I bought the Herringbone Bracelet kit, with the hope to learn some wirework. Well I absolutely loved it, it was so easy to understand and came with everything you needed to make the bracelet and some extra bits and bobs. The kits are available from her website along with some other kits. I also purchased the gypsy bracelet kit which was fab.

Anyhoo, since trying out the kit I have been addicted to the Herringbone wirework. So when it came around to my sisters birthday it was the perfect excuse to make a jewellery set he he :)

And here it is...

The Bracelet...

The Necklace...

She loved it :) There will be more of this as I can't seem to stop making hehe.

I also bought alot of Hemp while I was away so have been practicing with that. Will no doubt be posting pictures of that soon too :)

Will Speak Soon

Love...

Rach

WOW!

2009-04-20T10:00:00.000+01:00

Well the Flame off is finished :( *sob*

But wow! I had a fantastic time, met some really lovely beady people and spent all my money he he.

This is just a quick post before I sort out all my beady buys. I will be posting pictures soon of my Glassy Stash :)

Catch ya later

Rachel

The Countdown: Towcester Flame Off

2009-04-11T17:35:00.000+01:00

Oh my god, so its only like 6 sleeps until the Flame Off :) he he, and I am so unbelievably excited. Its my first glassy event, and I'm far too excited about seeing all the wonderfully talented glassy people doing their thing.

I'm officially off on holiday from work for a whole, well earned, 11 days! Whoop whoop, and whoop again. However, I have taken to sitting around fiddling with beads and counting down the days until I get to spend a hell of a lot of money on all things sparkly and glassy he he.

I have prepared myself for going down to Towcester loaded with cash and coming back with bundles of beautiful beads, glass...a brain full of new found knowledge and inspiration and absolutely nothing in my bank account..sounds like a fair exchange I think.

Also, I do hope to make lots of new friends, as, of course, I will be equipped with my snazzy FritHappens badge :)

Anyhow I will go now and spread my total over excitedness somewhere else

Love and Sparkles

Rachel

2009-03-21T11:46:00.001Z

Well, with Mother's Day being tomorrow, I have been busy, busy, busy!

I took a trip to "Bead Crazy" in Perth, http://www.beadcrazy.co.uk/, to stock up on lovely beady supplies. I did end up spending an absolute fortune but it was well worth it hehe.

The shop is amazing! It has a massive selection of great quality beads, and jewellery making bits and bobs. You could spend hours in there honestly and the prices are quite reasonable. Also the lady who owns it is really helpful and she also has a shop in Aberdeen which is larger.

Anyway, so after stocking up on lots of beautiful beads I have been busy making Mother's Day gifts for my Mum and my other halfs Mum.

This is the result...

This is the set I have made for my mother in law. Its made with aqua mother of pearl and purple mother of pearl beads with swarovski crystals on silver plate finding.

And this is the necklace I made for my Mum. Its mother of pearl in dark pink, baby pink and cream with swarovski crystals...

And matching earrings...

So hopefully they will be liked :)

More from me later..Thanks for reading...

Hello World...

2009-03-16T18:59:00.000Z

Hello fellow bloggers and general web surfers,

My name is Rachel and I'm from "sunny" Dundee in Scotland. I have always been a creative person, and love to make beautiful handmade jewellery. I first studied Jewellery Design when I was in high school and have been absolutely fascinated ever since. I just love plucking a design from my imagination and making it real. Its become somewhat of an addiction. And I seem to get my inspiration from the most unusual places!

At the moment I use glass beads, swarovski crystals, natural gemstones and silver plate findings. However I do intend to introduce Sterling Silver in to my work in the near future, so watch this space.

I have also set up my own lampwork home studio, after finding it hard to find the exact beads that I wanted to use for my designs, where I am currently learning to make lampwork glass beads, so I am hoping to begin using my own unique beads in my work, which is very exciting!

My jewellery making started out as a hobby, and has quickly taken over everything! I have recently began selling my creations so you can purchase my Jewellery at

http://www.folksy.com/shops/Jivesjools.

Anyhow this is my first attempt at blogging so you will have to bare with me as I am a newbie. I just thought it would be a good idea to start keeping track of my journey especially if it helps other people who want to start out.

Thanks for listening to my Ramblings,

Rachel B
(Jewellery Designer and full time beadaholic)