My blue necklace is all completed, and sooner than I expected. I originally planned to add a fully beaded rope but, as I worked on it, I realised that actually it would make the piece too "floppy" and it suited a simpler, more structural look. So, once I had beaded all the crystal sections, I simply finished off each end and threaded it onto a neck wire.

It's now simple and striking with no distractions and I am excited to be able to move onto pastures new.

Today was a busy educational day of extremes but a lot of fun. I mentioned the other day that I had been meaning to learn how to meditate for a while and today I finally got myself in gear and attended a class at the Heruka Buddhist Centre in North London.

I wasn't sure what to expect and was anxious, and late, neither of which I'm sure do much for my peace of mind and meant I began flustered and due to the weather having taken a turn for the worst again, wet.

But once I sat down, listened and tried to clear my mind I felt more peaceful. I'm not good at clearing my mind or casting aside worries and am used to rushing around at a fast pace and attempting to complete at least 3 tasks at once at all times, not always successfully, so I hope this will be good for me.

Afterwards I stayed and enjoyed tea, and a chat, as it was such a peaceful place and I appreciated the chance for a break before heading back into traffic, travel and the rain.

Whilst in Golders Green I came upon K-Mart, a Korean supermarket which I had never spotted before, and I took the opportunity to pop in and stock up on some delights. I love strong tasting food, especially anything that's a mix of umami or salty and sweet so treated myself to some salt preserved plums, wasabi peas and lots of Miso but managed to resist these not very natural looking "Natural is best" Chocolates.

Then it was back to work before I headed off through London for my next educational adventure. The School of Everything organised an evening to learn all about home-brewing and having recently attended one of their events on making your own newspaper (which I completely forgot to write about) I was eager to attend this one.

The evening didn't disappoint, with lots of education on the subject as well as some hands-on work capping bottles, milling apples and of course, sampling wares.

We tried newly bottled and aged cider, freshly fermented ale and even a banana wine which drew mixed reactions. Accompanied by a supper of octopus and chorizo surprise, and good company, I went home, possibly less inclined to home-brew myself, but interested in learning more about the subject.

How beautiful do these bottles of cider look? They were examples of single apple varieties waiting to be drunk.