Busy not Dead

Hello lovely Curling Stones for Lego People friends... is there anyone out there still?

I was really tempted to leave just the title up for comic effect, but I figured that was way too mean... I was glad my last post was about Curling Stones on Instagram, as if anyone does follow me  there you'll have realised that I am indeed in the land of the living, or at least the snoozing.

As fun as it is to post pictures on the go, sometimes I have the urge to write a bit more than just hashtags, sooo...

What did I get up to? Well first there was a glass course in all things sparkly with Trudi from the Glittering Prize, followed by a festival, well technically 3 festivals in a week... brilliant but oh so tiring!

First time glamping at a Festival after 30 years of tents and buses!

The second festival was Flame Off  where I blew glass with Josh and Ann from Hen Ogledd Glass, made some amazing class beads with the lovely Jenny from Raspberry Rings, had my first go at Metal Clay with Tracey at Craftworx, caught up with glassy friends and immersed myself in glass generally down in Uttoexeter.  (That first link by the way is to the 2018 Flame Off and if you fancy a nice day out I thoroughly recommend it).

Photos of things I made over the 2017 Flame Off Event

This was interspersed with LOTS of gigs, a reunion of sorts, an amazing glass course down at a studio south of Bristol.  Unfortunately I was really ill with lurgy but due to the way cancellation fees worked for both my course and hotel I decided to attend - best decision ever!

Work in Progress Photos

My course Working with Images in Glass has kicked off quite a spurt of making fused glass using these techniques as part of my alter ego over at Born of Fire - Beads & Glass.  I've been doing a lot of commissions, and as several of them are for Christmas presents I can't show them on the blog publicly, but these are a few of the ones that aren't Christmas Presents!

Finished pieces inspired by, or made on my course

I ticked off a bucket list item by seeing Marc Almond perform at Pride, had another trip to Wales, wrote my car off, enjoyed another festival, bought a car, hired a car, sold a car and continued to be busy with another Glass Festival, The International Festival of Glass in Stourbridge and a Glass Course with the lovely Gay from Gaysie May.

2017 International Festival of Glass in Stourbridge

I may write about the Festival another day, I was really blown away by the whole experience and next time, which will be 2019 as it's every two years, I'm definitely doing all 4 days.

Phew! No wonder there was no time for writing!  So that was me...

Say hi if you're here, and tell me how you are?

Instagram with Curling Stones for Lego People

As I've been a bit quiet on the blog lately, only posting when I have something I want to say, I find I'm using my Instagram a bit more often for bangle combos and updates...

If you want to follow me there, you can find me at curling_stones_for_lego_people but here are a few shots of what I've been buying and wearing this year so far...

L-R: New copper and brass bangles from Cottingley Treasuers, Work Wear - X Jewellery & Born of Fire,
Gig Time - old favourites with Eske Storm / Trollbeads / ACA Kreations / Endangered Trolls

L-R: Work Wear - X Jewellery and Born of Fire, Time for a Walk - Bluebell Woods, Iron Age Fort in Wales,
Old Favourites Returned - Eske Storm / Trollbeads, Born of Fire glass with Cottingley Treasures Bangle/Stoppers

John Grant's North Atlantic Flux - Sounds from Smoky Bay
L-R: Saturday, Sunday & Monday, newbies on Monday were Chocolate links X Jewellery,
Ohmbeads Typo Collection, Pandora leather with Born of Fire Glass.

My last Instagram post was showcasing that new Brass hammered bangle from Cottingley Treasures, had been umming and ahhing about what to pair with it to get the most out of it... I looked down at the pattern on my top and voila!

Cottingley Treasures Brass and Born of Fire Glass

I often think my Instagram can be quite an odd mix at times, lots of wrist shots but mixed in with walks and cups of tea!

Do you have an Instagram Account?

If you do/did, what do/would you post?

Purple leather bracelets oh my!

Bead wise, or should I say bracelet wise, it's Trollbeads that's had me a bit perky this week as they've launched their new look single leather bracelets in a variety of colours and with a unique bead as part of the package... and they've finally done one in PURPLE* leather!!

New purple leather bracelet from Trollbeads - Stock Image

I love leather bracelets, from being a teen and tying leather thong around my wrist and leaving it on way longer (without taking it off) than is probably sanitary, through to the bigger brand and jewellery options from the likes of Trollbeads, Rebeligion and Story and a variety of artisan makers inbetween.

A word of warning for newer collectors - the leather on this version of the bracelet, is 4mm so your regular Trollbeads WON'T fit, other larger hole brands will, as well as some select silvers and of course the Trollbeads larger core range, called Universal Uniques, which is the bead that's being sold with the new bracelets.

New Trollbeads Single Leather Bracelets with unique beads

The beads you get are a bit of a lucky dip with only a few retailers showing you which bead you might get with your bracelet.  They are selling in the UK at £40 for both the bead and the bracelet.

I've mostly stopped buying outside of the UK since sterling took a dive last June, however I did find that one jewellery store worked out cheaper despite the exchange rate, so it's always worth having a quick check if you don't mind hunting out a bargain.  I'm fine with the wait knowing I've saved a few pennies - as that's always been the downside of buying outside of the UK for me.

I have a black and a purple bracelet on their way, I'm so glad the new versions just have the logo embossed onto the leather rather than printed, or my logo issue (I dislike obvious logos on jewellery) might have made these a no no for me.

I'm also really excited to try these with my own beads, as I'm hoping my cores will be compatible, especially as I get to make exactly what I want to wear - skills permitting of course!

What's got you a bit perky this week?

*yes I do know there is a purple two tone version, but I've longed for a purely purple one since I started collecting...

Seven of Nine - Hammered Bangle & Stoppers from Cottingley Treasures

Well after some enthusiastic letterbox camping on my part, I was duly rewarded with my 7th bangle; my very first package from Cottingley Treasures from GirleGo.

A beautiful hammered silver bangle with matching stoppers, with an extra set of mini-stoppers for good measure - I love wearing multiple stoppers!

I'm a bit of a sucker for well packaged jewellery that's "just right" and not excessive and this ticked all my boxes, everything was beautifully presented without being over the top.

Not only did I get half my stoppers for free (in an introductory deal whereby a refund is given on the original purchase price) but they also sent out a free amber bead, and a cleaning cloth as a part of the package which was a fabulous surprise.

I was keen to compare this with my current bangles which are all by Trollbeads, as I know that particular shape and size work well for me.

Comparing Bangles

The photos above show from Left to Right, my Cottingley Treasures hammered bangle on top of my smooth silver bangle, my hammered bangle next to twisted copper and smooth silver bangles, and finally one of my smooth bangles on top of my hammered bangle.

As you can see from the pictures the shape and sizing is almost identical, and from wearing this over the last couple of week, it's also just as comfortable.

I used the lovely free amber bead from GirleGo with my Trollbeads Decorative Bee Stoppers and paired with my Eske Storm Dragon Claw on some smooth bangles.

I've seen a lot of positive social media chatter about these bangles over the last month or so, indeed it was thanks to a UK based facebook group that I had come across the brand.

GirleGo are still offering the introductory price and stopper deal throughout March on these bangles.

I liked my hammered silver bangle so much, that after a few scant hours of testing (passed with flying colours) and where I gave myself a good talking to about budgets and sticking to my limits, I threw away my restraint and ordered the brass and copper hammered versions too!

Guess I need to do some more letterbox camping...

So what have you thrown away your restraint for recently?

...and on the 7th day, I'm waiting for the 7th bangle

I've been having a love affair with bangles ever since I plucked up the courage to try the Trollbeads bangle.

Trollbeads Carved Amber with the first Trollbeads Day beads
on the silver bangle

I've never really worn bangles much before this, the odd cuff that could be bent to my super small wrists, or perhaps the 80's fashion of multiple stacked metal bangles but generally bangles don't suit me.

Then there was an oval shaped one that did, and the rest is history.

3 silver bangles with Summer Stones

Very quickly I acquired 3 silver ones, who doesn't like to stack?

Rebeligion Skulls, X Jewellery and 2 silver bangles

Then came the copper version... Then the twisted silver and copper versions, add to this copper and dark oxidised stoppers followed by decorative stoppers and I barely wear anything else.

Copper, silver twisted and silver bangles

Copper and Silver Twisted Bangles

So what is the 7th bangle?

Well you'll just have to wait as although I'm camped by the letterbox it hasn't arrived yet...

Do you stack your jewellery?

Is it piled high, or artfully aranged in it's simplicity?

My ARSE* has arrived!

*Ok, technically it's really my A, my R and my S, and, er, not actually my E, but I couldn't spend another £27 just for a blog title... the E will be coming in the next batch so I don't feel I've mislead you too much with a clickbait title. "Most of my ARSE has arrived!" whilst accurate was not quite as catchy!

Yes, it's the next stage of my Ohmbeads Typo Collection.

This was one of my favourite collections from 2016, and also my first purchases of 2017!  For those of you who aren't following the blog specifically, M arrived courtesy of my Secret Santa in early December, and I was waiting to see what arrived as M or F were top of my wishlist before placing my own order.

For those who've not come across these yet, they are individual letters that form a cylindrical barrel that can spell out words.  They have letters all the way around each "slice" alternating between lower and uppercase so the sequence of letters is always spelt out, they are slim and small, so you're definitely not shouting the words out even when they are all in capitals.

Currently they are available in A to Z and cost £27 each, there are the usual ways to make savings plus most Ohm retailers have the "Ohm discount card" that allows you to get a free Ohmbead after buying so many.

I was being good and not taking part in all the sales before Christmas as I wanted to finish the year within budget.  However now I've got my first word I regret this somewhat as I really want more of these.

There is chatter online about some symbols / punctuation to follow which is a fabulous idea and I can't wait to see those released by Ohmbeads, & # and @ are the obvious ones, but I hope we get some bog standard punctuation as well as the more exciting ones, and maybe a blank one for spaces too!

For me, I have less lofty goals, next up is "Born of Fire" for my glassy side but I wouldn't even attempt "Curling Stones for Lego People" as it's not just about the cost but I'd need a lot of bangles to carry that one off!

Normally I wear beads facing outwards, for example on this bangle the F always can be read by others, and is upside down from my perspective.  However my MARS bangle I prefer to read from my perspective.  It will be interesting to see what words I want outwards, and what words I want just for me!

I've already worked out what other words I can spell once I get my next set of letters which will probably be FIRE. So yes, my arse will finally be complete.

What would you spell and wear for fun - if money were no object?

New Year's Bead and Blog Resolutions 2017

I'd already given my New Year's Bead and Blog Resolutions quite a lot of thought for 2017, so although making some of the decisions has been more difficult, as I've not known what I wanted to do for sure until recently, by contrast writing them down once I'd decided has been fairly easy.

• To blog less, but with more intent - this has been something I've been mulling over for most of the year, but especially since April.  I've been so busy in 2016, that I've blogged less and often at times when I didn't have much to say, or rather I had too much to say so I didn't say much about any of it!  I even considered killing the blog in 2017 rather than carry on in such a haphazard fashion... however... as I also enjoy writing along with everything else I do - I've decided to blog much less, but with more intent...
• So expect fewer and/or shorter posts overall during the year, as I'll only blog when I have something I definitely want to write about, not just because it's a new month!

• To make a "thing" with metal clay - I've been sent 4 sample metal clays; this is a material I've been fascinated with, ever since Tracy over at Black Boots Long Legs started to make her own beads and designs!
• I want to make something in metal clay but from a definite idea, rather than just playing, as I only have a little of each of the four.

• To spend the same or less in 2017 than I did in 2016, but to consider more - Last year was the first time I've come close to being comfortable with the amount of money I spend on jewellery.  This is something I definitely want to repeat this year!
• My goal for 2017 is to spend the same, or a bit less, but with more intent on what I'm buying.  So going for the things I really want, but to think more about the things I buy out of habit or because I "collect", do I really want or need those? This might be a hard habit to break!

So that's all from me for now... I'm starting as I mean to go on,with intent!

I look forward to our chats in 2017 and I hope you have a very Happy New Year in 2017.

Do you set yourself any resolutions, bead or otherwise?  Feel free to share!

Favourites from 2016

I haven't posted many photos recently, and partly that's because I keep wearing the same combos over and over again! So what were some of my favourites from my new buys this year?

ACA Kreations / Endangered Trolls collaboration - I have one each of the high shine and oxidised versions launched in late September. What tickled me is they came the day before I went to Denmark - so I took them straight back to Denmark the following day for a visit.

Ohmbead's Luna / Oxidised - I adore this bead, I have both versions but it's this bangle with the oxidised Luna that is so often on my wrist. I've barely changed this since it arrived, here is a pic taken only this week, still going strong from May!

Trollbeads Twisted Bangle / Silver - as you can see below the twisted version is pretty much constantly on my wrist, I love this version of their bangle. It was only released in early September but it's a firm favourite already.

Ohmbeads Typo Beads / M - I only have the M so far, but I intend to get ARS in January to add to it.

True story,  a friend asked why I'd spelt ASS wrong, when I mentioned I needed A, R and S and another friend asked "Didn't I need an E?"... they're all obsessed, or they're trying to tell me something!  In time I also want "Born of Fire" too, and okay, okay, I want all the alphabet plus multiples!!

I do have other favourites (who only has 4??), but these have all stood out for me and either have got, or will get, a lot of wear and be going strong into 2017!

Notes from 2016 - it seems I'm still quite the bargain hunter; there were a lot of preloved and sales buys in my box!  In fact most of the new full RRP items were either very Limited Editions (buy now or forget it!) or stoppers - I seem to have bought a lot of stoppers last year!

Name wise, for 2016 a combined variety of artisan makers topped my buying list, I bought more beads and jewellery from artisans than the big name brands.  In this list I include the lovely Eske Storm, Scott Bouwens and the fabulous ACA Kreations/Endangered Trolls collaboration shown.

Second on my list, unsurprisingly, were Trollbeads, with Ohm coming a close third, plus a much lighter scattering of X Jewellery, Elfbeads, Thomas Sabo Karma and Pandora (only bracelets for the last two).

I wonder what 2017 will bring?

What were your favourite beads or buys of 2016?

2016 New Years Bead Resolutions in Review

Well hello blog! Long time no see...

I've finally got around to having a sort through my bead box, and in doing so my thoughts turned to the resolutions I made at the start of the year, how I got on with these, and that I really should get my arse in gear to tell you the results!

Making resolutions is something I've done for the last 4 years - so I really couldn't end the year without doing my annual review.

My New Year's Bead Resolutions 2016

• To become a better beadmaker - this is a little vague and broad at the moment.  It's been spurred on by a rather unsatisfying session I had on New Years Day at the torch, where I learnt I not only can't bead and talk, but that not beadmaking for 4 weeks does make a really big difference to what I can produce!  I'm fairly sure this resolution is much more than become a more consistent beadmaker, although I'd like to do that too, along with learning a whole host of techniques that I'm spectacularly bad at, at the moment!  Perhaps this will morph into mini goals as the year progresses, we shall see!

• To spend less in 2016 than I did in 2015 - This is my repeated bead resolution, I've actually achieved it every year, so it's not because I can't reduce my spending... and I am starting to get into the ball park of what I'd like to be spending on beads per year, not what I actually spend. So I've kept it in for another year as a reminder that I'm not quite there just yet.

• To share more of my beadmaking journey - I've not really done this much apart from where the blog naturally crosses over with my beadmaking e.g. my Element bracelet where I wanted to make a glass set to go with my silvers.  I've been promising to do this more lately, so I'm going to set it as one of my resolutions to talk specifically about beadmaking, and learning to make glass beads, from my point of view.  As I'm writing this down, I think it might help me with No.1 too!

Okay, in no particular order... I dedicated my AtoZ to my beadmaking journey, so there were a whole 26 posts dedicated to glass.

However once the AtoZ finished that was pretty much it.  Not only for the spilling the beans about the beadmaking, but also for a lot of my blog posts and content, it's been rather sporadic for 2016!  So what happened?

Well a whole heap of things; I started going to college in April for half a day a week to learn more about glass fusing and kilnforming, I continued to make beads and fused glass and sell them via my new business and the day job got super busy.  Something had to give and that was usually the blog, and er, a lot of my social life!

For those curious about my beadmaking journey, the most updated place for information is probably the Born of Fire - facebook page (apologies for those not on Facebook), or my Born of Fire - Instagram (on occasion), or (rarely) my Born of Fire -Twitter.  The Born of Fire - website gets updated once in a blue moon when I remember... or I have to pay the fees!


To become a better beadmaker, looking back as what I was making December 2015 to what I made throughout the year, I think in many ways I did, but I also fell down the fusing rabbit hole, which was inevitable I guess given I started college in April so there were a whole load of new ideas I was trying out!

One of the best changes I made was attending Flame Off in April.  In turn this gave me the confidence to finally try some group lampworking courses which I had been too nervous to do before.

After a quick 1-1 lesson in Borosilicate to give it a go (different glass, different rules), my first course was with the lovely Marcel Rensmaag to make eyeballs!  We did make other things but it was the eyeballs I really wanted to try out.

Later in the year was a quick fire course with Ray Skene.  This really boosed my confidence and I learnt a whole host of new tricks, my favourite make from the day was my leaf pendant!

Finally on to the money, to spend less in 2016 than I did in 2015. In spite of a trip to Denmark, where I had a lovely splurge on Trollbeads and Eske Storm Jewellery, I managed it!  By quite a considerable margin actually, my spending on jewellery is finally coming down to something I consider more reasonable for a jewellery addict - although it's probably still a lot by "normal" standards of course!

All things considered I think I did okay on the 2016 resolutions.

What did you get up to this year that was different to last year?

Or did you want to do more of the same as it was so good?

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

Earlier this month I packed my bags, a few beads and got on a plane.

Endangered Trolls / ACA Kreations Trolls

It's a trip I've been longing to do for some time and a few chance conversations on the Internet (don't you just love the ones that lead to adventure) and one emergency Passport Application later... I was in Copenhagen!

The timing couldn't have been better, Tivoli Gardens, the world's second-oldest operating amusement park in the world (the first one is in Denmark too in case you were curious) had just opened up for Halloween 2016, a long time after first opening it's gates in August 1843!

Now I must confess; Trollbeads is the reason I'd even heard of Tivoli in the first place...  However my longing to go to Copenhagen had way surpassed my love of Danish Jewellery quite some time ago - the more I read, the more I wanted to visit.

There is only so much one can accomplish in 72 hours across 4 days, however Tivoli was right up there on my list.

I'm not a fan of rides, but I love wandering around fairs and one permanently set in the middle of a city, with extensive gardens and an unending supply of Glogg to take the edge off an October Denmark chill was just the ticket.

I spread my visits across two days, one with friends during late afternoon to early evening, and one at night so I could indulge my photo habit at leisure.

The decorations for the seasonal opening for mid-October to early November are beautiful, it's definitely worth having a look at the gardens during the day, and then a visit at night to appreciate how beautiful it is when it's all lit up.

Trollbeads aficionados will no doubt be disappointed by the closing of the Tivoli Flagship Store, (it now sells nuts), however I recommend you don't skip Tivoli Gardens on any shopping trips; you'll be missing out otherwise!

I love spontaneous trips, I love the adventure of something last minute!

Are you a planner or a "Let's go!" "When?" "How about next week?" person?

#HullBloggersMeet at Liquid Jade

Well it's one of those rare times when I don't talk about jewellery, well not much anyway!

As regular readers will know I don't do many *traditional* Blogger type things, but I do love the #HullBloggers and from time to time I get the opportunity to meet up with them and chat about all things bloggy.

It wasn't a hard decision about whether to attend or not, as they were meeting at one of my freshly discovered, new favourite places to have a pot of tea and a bite to eat.  To be honest they could have been talking about "insert random thing I'm not interested in" and the mere mention of Liquid Jade would have persuaded me to come out on a Sunday!

My arrival was a little trickier than I'd anticipated due to the wonderful Freedom Festival being held on the same weekend, as several of the entrance gates were locked off for the festival, a bit of texting to Courtney from Retro and Thrift to find out how to get in soon sorted that one out.

On arrival it was straight to the counter to put in my usual order of Earl Grey and choose something to eat, I'm afraid you'll have to imagine the wonderful teacake with butter and jam as I ate it before photographing it... you can see why I don't do a lot of the traditional bloggy things - Photos before drinking and eating anything is probably #Blogger Rule No.1... not that I've ever bothered with the #Blogger Rules so hopefully you'll forgive me!

Courtney (Retro and Thrift), Hannah from Ha-pea-days and Charley from Charley Lucy had organised an agenda for the afternoon and some fun things for us to do, so we spent a lovely time catching up, making new friends and working on our Bucket Lists! Oh and drinking lots and lots of tea, eating cake and having lovely coffee (mocha for me in case you were curious)... all of which I also forgot to take photos of!

One of our bucket list items was to take a photo of your favourite bit of your outfit, well for me that was a no-brainer...

As much as I love my new flowery t-shirt, it has to be my Eske Storn Dragon Claw on a Trollbeads Silver Bangle, and my Ohmbeads Dark Luna on a Trollbeads Copper Bangle.

We did some mini Blogger workshops and Emma from The Pin Picker is my new hero for showing me how to link my two Instagram Accounts.  It's been a bugbear of mine for months, and I hadn't even realised Instagram had allowed that as a new option back in February.  I *always* learn something I didn't know at a Blogger Meet, thanks Emma!

Time for the raffle, and here I know I was on a lucky streak!  3 perfect prizes, vintage shopping event this week with Poor Boy Boutique, Prosecco from the lovely Liquid Jade, our venue for the afternoon and tons of hair care products from Paul Mitchell UK for my tons of hair!

However the best reaction has to go to Jenny from Curious Alice Loves who won the Nanshy make up brushes and I'm still smiling at her excited squeal of delight!

I was really delighted that the organisation we were raising money for was the Purple House, and that #HullBloggers were also organising donations for those that were able to help in a practical way too. It's a fab place and I'm stoked to see how it's developed 16 plus years later, especially given I'm old enough to remember it starting out, *a'hem*.

The afternoon was rapidly coming to a close and soon it was time to say our goodbyes and pick up our event goody bags.  

One thing I have planned as a result is I'm off to Tessies to spend my gift voucher and say thank you for the fun fashion rings!  Hmm, busy week if I'm going to Poor Boy Boutique too!!  I especially love my Hull Bloggers tote bag - which came in super handy immediately as I somehow had to get all my lovely prizes back to the car.

Thanks so much to everyone involved in the planning and to those for making the event such a lovely afternoon, I wandered off to sample a bit of the Freedom Festival, popped in to see my lovely friends at Oresome Gallery and then had a mad dash around a supermarket before it closed... well it can't all be glamorous now can it?

Mars xx

What's  your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Please note: All brands involved who supplied items for the raffle and/or our goody bags, did so free of charge with no obligations; all food and drink consumed at Liquid Jade was paid for by the Bloggers attending.

Budgets and Decisions... and a pre-order discount!

Bank Holiday Weekend in the UK and I have a rather sedate time planned.  

The weather is somewhat grey today, and as I had unexpected expensive expenses this month (as both my car and my fridge/freezer needed repairs and replacement respectively) - you can imagine some online shopping for beads with my budget next month seems super exciting by comparison!

I've actually been really good over the last few months and have been underspending my budget which is practically unheard of, plus it means I have a bit extra to spend for September.

So what to choose? 

As a fan of Ohm's Bead of the Month I've been given a break as I was less keen on August and September's offerings, lovely charms just not for me!  The new Trollbeads release is ready for pre-orders for September delivery and X Jewellery have just released details of their new collection, oh, and I did rather like the new Thomas Sabo Karma release and it's not long before details will emerge on Redbalifrog's next release, Enchanted Glade.  Plus at the end of next month it's Endangered Trolls first release partnered with the fabulous Alex of ACA Kreations. 

I was going to wait to see what Redbalifrog had to offer, and I definitely wanted a Troll from Endangered Trolls and Alex's collaboration, so I thought my spending would be at the end of September... but I have been tempted down a different path a bit earlier than planned.

New twisted bangles in silver and copper from Trollbeads - release date 9th September 2016

Trollbeads 15% off Bank Holiday Weekend deal via Acotis, who are offering the 15% on new pre-orders as well as existing collection, spend over £100 and you can throw in a free travel case too!  

I had to stop at just Trollbeads as they are offering the deal across all brands!!

My choice?  One of each of the new twisted bangles and lots of stoppers are on order... I still can't get them until September but it will be something to look forward to next month!

What's tempting you at the moment?

Mediterranean Sea Bracelet

It's been a while since I've posted a completely new bracelet; so let's have one full of beads I've not mentioned before to make up for it!

Mediterranean Sea Bracelet

I love this bracelet, I've not rearranged it since I first put it together so it's stayed pretty much as it was when the beads arrived.  The silvers were inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, the artist behind the collection which is called the Mediterranean Dream Collection says:

"...the history, the influences from different cultures which were often told by artifacts archeologists had found. But I also love the animals who live here and who create a paradise for divers. All these sunny and happy memories and things I have seen in the surroundings are coming back in this collection. I hope you will love them and may bring vacation around your wrist or neck..."

For me, it does exactly that.  I love the Med and this reminds me of many lovely holidays I've taken over the years.

The silver beads are Turtle in Egg, Neptune, Atlantis and Amphora, the lock is by Trollbeads and I'm wearing these on a Trollbeads chain.

The beads are beautifully detailed, I love how Atlantis has the chain threaded through and looks like two different beads depending on whether you see it from the front or the back, the turtle is delightful, I have quite a few turtle beads but this one is definitely my favourite.

Neptune has a tail which fans up his back and the Amphora bead has a small hollow like a real Amphora, atlhough it's still a very weighty bead!  I've even heard of some people filling it with something sentimental and having it "capped off" by a jeweller.

The glass is by artist Gea Hines, I had to track her down after I'd seen some small hole beads she'd made that looked like sunlight on water.  I asked if she would be able to make something similar as a big hole bead (so they would fit onto my bracelet chains), and once she confirmed that was possible; I ordered 10 of these to be made especially and I'm delighted with the results!

I may at some point be tempted to core these with silver myself, but for now I'm leaving them naked as it's such a pretty look.

I love the Mediterranean, what are some of your favourite places?

Happy 4th Birthday!

I almost missed my blog birthday again!

I feel like a very neglectful blog mother.

It's not that I don't love my first born (the blog, I'm not actually neglecting any human children), it's just that I seem to have acquired a whole brood and it's hard to devote enough quality time to all of them at the moment.

They are all latchkey kids by necessity right now, which I try (and often fail) not to feel guilty about, which is crazy... as I'm under no obligation to look after them at all, but my first born, well she's special - and she is a she for some reason.

So baby, Happy 4th Birthday, you're always in my thoughts even if I don't make it home in time to write you a bedtime story these days.

Help me share the guilt...

What would you love to devote more time to that you're not at the moment?

Meeting myself coming back...

I don't think anyone would be surprised if I mentioned I was a wee bit busy at the moment... it seems to be just what I do these days rather than being anything out of the ordinary!  It does make blogging a tad difficult though... loads of content, not enough time to write about it!

I did almost meet myself coming back at the end of the month due to two epic trips - of the travel kind not the oops accident kind thankfully.

The first trip went without a hitch and a marvellous time was had by all, but the second, which although last minute, should have been relatively straight forward... turned into a large saga.  I don't mind, as I often think some things happen for a reason, and it led to a chance conversation as I was somewhere I wouldn't normally be at that time... which led to another conservation which I had no idea was even possible, which, if any of it goes to plan (ha!), could lead to some exciting opportunities next year - so it's had a very interesting, but totally not expected outcome... nor anything I could have possibly imagined...

...and yes, that will remain cryptic for quite some time, but when I can eventually tell you about it, whether it happens or not, I'll remind you of this post!

In other news, I have been steadily buying bits and pieces, however, unbelievably I'm well on target for my New Year's Bead Resolution of spending less, go me!  Yay for preloved beads, lovely artisan makers and sales with HUGE discounts!

There have been a lot of Skeletons turning up; on X links, bone beads and full skeletons, not THE skeleton though before anyone gets too excited.  I've been a very happy bunny to have so many arrive!  I haven't taken many photos (bad Mars) so I'll just tease you with these two, the X link and the Bone Bead which is my new favourite bead.

One of my big treats was via a sale.  I added the Trollbeads Amethyst and Malachite Fantasy Necklaces to my collection; I'm ashamed to say that after waiting so long for an opportunity to buy them during a sale I've not done much with them... it's the whole meeting myself coming back effect.

I've indulged in some of the new Trollbeads Spacers, or new stoppers, but more on those another day... and I've even bought myself a Pandora Bracelet, well ordered it at least!

Yep, all of this in the last 6 months and I'm still on track, I can barely believe it myself!

What has surprised you this year?

Do you think I'll blow my "half year" budget in the last 2 weeks of the month?!