No sooner had I found my new local branch of HobbyCraft last night than I discovered it had only been there a few days and most importantly was having a 25% off sale on everything this afternoon. Well that quickly answered my question about when I would manage to visit it...

I knew I didn't actually need anything but I love browsing craft shops and being dazzled by all that is out there. I also love almost anything to do with Christmas so this was the perfect chance for me to combine both loves and spend hours looking at colourful, shiny things. I was very restrained and managed to only spend 59p on some cracker snaps as a present for a friend. I hope they get customers who spend more than me or the shop won't last too long if filled with browsers such as myself.

Back home it was back to beading and I finally managed to complete the rope of my latest Jaipur Jewels piece. Any hand work has been slow recently after first fracturing a finger and then burning my hands. Add to that my current aversion to repetitive work and finishing the herringbone rope was a struggle. But I'm delighted with this double-sided piece and can't wait to wear it. Each time I look at a side I decide that one is my favourite and then I turn it over and my mind changes. I'm teaching this class on the 19th November in New York if you're interested in learnign this versatile project which can be a collar, necklace, bracelet...