Having spent many years wanting to bead a key, but absolutely convinced it wouldn't be possible, my beading over the past couple of days has spurred me on to thinking it might just work, and what do you know, it did!

This is my first prototype and needs some work on one part, but I at least know it's possible. Now I just have to replicate it and try and work out how to explain how I did it. This won't be an easy task. I also have lots of ideas about varying it and removing the crystal to add bittings.

I was ridulously pleased just with the simple oval which forms the bow. It took me a bit of maths and experiments to get it right but when it was right it really worked and made a very satisfying shape. I can see lots of these ovals in my future...

Next up was getting the beadwork to change direction and come off at an angle to form the blade or shank. Seeing as I was using peyote stitch with cylinder beads, this was a hard task as this combination doesn't always want to naturally curve or be smooth, but I think I achieved it.

Once it was finished I sat there just grinning at it and feeling as though I'm somehow managed to break the laws of physics by beading something I was so sure wasn't possible.

Now I want to sit and play around with the idea for a few weeks but unfortunately have got an incredibly busy next 5 weeks with lots of travelling for teaching, skating and my sister's wedding, so I will have to try and squeeze in beading when I can.

Today I received my latest Ebay purchase, a medal of Komitas Vardapet. I had never heard of him before but when I spotted the medal online, selling for a ridiculously low amount, I was fascinated with his expression and the detail the artist caught in the carving. I'm not sure if it's meant to depict him in pain, but it's a strange expression to capture for posterity. Either way I couldn't bear to see his sad face being unloved so bought it. The back shows Komitas' signature and some odd looking birds. Apaprently this medal is part of a "Famous Armenians" series of medals. Off the top of my head I could think of none but a bit of searching gave me this list and I knew some of them. I really wish there were medals for Eric Bogosian and David Dickinson. Maybe I need a new medal shelf devoted to famous Armenians.

Anyway, less medal chat, more beading!