For each issue of Bead magazine (my main job is editing it) we film 2-3 projects and techniques which readers can watch for free on Bead-TV.

This usually works great- I know so many people learn better from watching, so I really enjoy being able to help them with the films.

But of course it's the week before Christmas and, with the recent snow, getting people into the studios to film hasn't been easy. So today I came up with the bright idea of going in on Monday and filming making paper beads.

Except of course I've never actually made any.

I mean I get the principle and know how to do it, but just have never done it.

So, to ensure I don't look a complete fool on film, much of my Friday evening is spent practising and practising.

Hmm, finding time for that Christmas shopping is looking less and less likely!

Good job I plan to make some of my presents. Except of course I have never actually made what is in my head...

Can you see a theme developing here?

My idea is to embellish gloves with a small leather butterfly so when you wear them it looks like one has just fluttered down and landed on you.

It was only after I bought the gloves, leather needles and scraps of leather that it coccured to me that sewing items onto the fingers of a glove where you can't easily get into it or hold it might not be the easiest of tasks.

This panic led me to stop buying gloves, so I only have the ones I plan to experiment with and keep for myself. If this doesn't work I have no idea what to give my sisters for Christmas!

Fortunately it turns out to be a lot easier to do than I imagined and pretty soon I have my three pairs of gloves completed.

Now I just need to be at the shops when they open tomorrow to buy 2 plain pairs all ready to embellish at bead group.