posted: Friday, 29th June 2012
My copy of the latest issue of Beads & Beyond arrived today containing not just my 'Spicy Spirals' project but also an extract from Beaded Bugs.
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posted: Thursday, 28th June 2012
I think I have now beaded all my projects for the book- phew.
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posted: Wednesday, 27th June 2012
Normally when I have one of those days it makes me want to stay in bed and hide but today was ONE OF THOSE DAYS. One filled with so much awesome the 24 hours could barely keep it in.
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posted: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
It may look as though not much is going on with the book but I can assure you that behind the scenes wheels are spinning, photos are developing (or doing whatever digital photos do), beads are combining and words are leaping onto pages.
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posted: Monday, 25th June 2012
Back home and busy working away on my pentagon bangle (which will be a project in Contemporary Geometric Beadwork) and also pondering my knitting
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posted: Saturday, 23rd June 2012
About once a year I convince myself that if I just try again I'll be able to knit. Yesterday was that day. It was hardly surprising when I was surrounded by hundreds of balls and hanks of tempting yarn at Glen Gallery Crafts.
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posted: Friday, 22nd June 2012
Yesterday I flew to Belfast, Northern Ireland for 2 days of teaching at the Lovely Glen Gallery Crafts.
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posted: Thursday, 21st June 2012
Phew newsletter written and on its way and 5 new materials packs addd to my kits page- it's been a busy few days!
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posted: Wednesday, 20th June 2012
Today is similar to yesterday with emails, photos and kit packing and planning.
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posted: Tuesday, 19th June 2012
I'm busy today taking photos and writing my newsletter all ready to launch 4 new materials kits (4!) in the next couple of days.
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posted: Monday, 18th June 2012
I'm back home, back to work and back to answering the hundreds of emails which have accumulated over the past week.
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posted: Sunday, 17th June 2012
Today is my parents' actual wedding anniversary and with a lot of us recovering from last night (my main injuries are a sore throat from laughing so much and torn shoulders and some sort of burst blood vessel in my hand from my clambering over the rope wall yesterday) a quieter day filled with...
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posted: Saturday, 16th June 2012
This weekend is my parents' Ruby wedding anniversary so a trip over to France to celebrate it with them was in order. The weather has been appalling recently but as we headed down the motorway we were blessed with the clouds parting and the sun shining.
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posted: Friday, 15th June 2012
Today is my last day in Torquay, and my last day on a course with Frances Pickering. I have enjoyed myself so much and truly advise if you ever get the chance to do a course with Frances leap at the opportunity
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posted: Thursday, 14th June 2012
Six hours of stitching until the early hours of today and I'm much happier with my cover.
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posted: Wednesday, 13th June 2012
After sitting in my room for many hours last night drawing onto my cover I'm much happier with it as I head to class this morning. It still needs a lot of work, and colour, added but I can now see that it should work out ok.
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posted: Tuesday, 12th June 2012
Today is the first day of my course with the lovely and talented Frances Pickering and we dive right in. I've never done anything like this before so the world of transfer dyes, making a book and layering ideas is all new to me.
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posted: Monday, 11th June 2012
I'm off to Torquay today to do a 4-day course with Frances Pickering on making a paper and fabric book. I have longed to do a course with Frances for many years so am really excited to be finally able to do one.
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posted: Sunday, 10th June 2012
A lot of cocktail people hate maraschino cherries but I adore them. My big jar has run out and seeing as I have some Maraschino in the cupboard, some empty jars and some cherries I figured I'd give making my own a go.
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posted: Saturday, 9th June 2012
Back to beading today and unfortunately that means back to undoing work, being unhappy with work, being unsure about colour choices and the million other things which run through my head when working.
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posted: Friday, 8th June 2012
Today I'm back to beading as well as writing up instructions for 2 projects.
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posted: Thursday, 7th June 2012
Today my kit search brings me upon a kaleidoscope kit I bought recently in Cornwall.
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posted: Wednesday, 6th June 2012
Today my hands just aren't playing ball and so beading is out of the question. But I have an urge to make something so I ponder what will require the least fine detail, take up the least room and make the least mess.
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posted: Tuesday, 5th June 2012
Despite having many, many other things to finish beading I have a really strong urge to start something new and different today so out come my seed beads and my bicone crystals and I start playing around with an idea I've had for a pendant.
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posted: Monday, 4th June 2012
Todays visit to Southwold restored my faith in humanity and all that's good in the World. As it always does.
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posted: Sunday, 3rd June 2012
So, not only did I not realise that THIS weekend was the Queen's Jubilee (thus people I love would have extra days off which they could spend with ME and thus leaving it very late to book anywhere to go away to for a nice weekend), I also got confused and thought the river flotilla and most of the...
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posted: Friday, 1st June 2012
My new necklace for Beads & Beyond magazine is all done and the step-by-step pics all taken and on their way to the publisher. I also made a nice bangle to match which I've really fallen in love with.
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posted: Thursday, 31st May 2012
My ankle braces have arrived and whilst I'm happy to notice a difference when wearing them, I am feeling a distinct gloom with the whole idea of them and the fact London is rainy and dark again.
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posted: Tuesday, 29th May 2012
All my searching online for an apron the last few weeks got me thinking maybe I could make my own one. Then I remembered that I am completely incompetent at such things and perhaps I needed a lesson
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posted: Monday, 28th May 2012
Back in my workroom and answering emails, opening the post and sending out kits today.
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posted: Sunday, 27th May 2012
Yesterday was a lovely day with the Worcestershire beaders teaching my Geometric Stars. With 15 people in the class there were some amazing colour combinations created, but despite taking fancy camera (note the name change) the day passed in a blur of fun and I completely forgot to take any photos.
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posted: Friday, 25th May 2012
After a day of beading away yesterday, today is our last day in Cornwall and the sun really has come out-just in time for us to leave anbd spend 4 hours in a non-sirconditioned car sitting in traffic.
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posted: Wednesday, 23rd May 2012
Another trip to St Ives today to see the tate and have a wander around. Of course the tate won't allow ANY PHOTOS ON ITS PREMISES (what the?) so I can't show you how the sun reflects of the glass work on the rotunda or how the glass shows you a perfect reflection of the sea.
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posted: Tuesday, 22nd May 2012
Today started well, with me treating myself to a podiatrist so my poor feet could become presentable for the summer.
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posted: Monday, 21st May 2012
I wrote last year about my love for Porthleven so it's no surprise that top of my 'to-do list' for this holiday was a trip there.
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posted: Sunday, 20th May 2012
A quiet day with just some beading and reading the Sunday papers so here are some more photos I took on my walk yesterday.
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posted: Saturday, 19th May 2012
Today I went for my walk again and this time remembered to bring everything I need to take photos. If you want to see any of the photos I have taken then check them out on my Colour Blog: here, here and here.
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posted: Friday, 18th May 2012
I am not a natural-born photographer. The other day I went out, camera in hand, specifically to walk and take photos, and I left the battery plugged in at home in the charger.
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posted: Thursday, 17th May 2012
Arrghh, I spoke too soon about my finger. It's nicely infected now but at least not so painful but I'm going to go slow on the beading just in case.
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posted: Wednesday, 16th May 2012
More beading today, with lots of padded sticking tape acting as a temporary thimble to help my finger, and, after my prototype yesterday not working, I have decided to move onto something I know will work- some geometric beaded beads using seed beads and pearls.
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posted: Tuesday, 15th May 2012
Back to beading today and I'm working on the clasp for my latest piece. I did plan to have a hidden clasp but have decided that it won't work. So instead I'm trying to make a clasp that wil be seen, but not obviously appear to be the clasp.
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posted: Monday, 14th May 2012
I started today all fired up to bead but had to have a day off after beading too much recently has hurt my finger. It sounds pathetic doesn't it? But I find when I bead I often use part of my ring finger to push the needle
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posted: Sunday, 13th May 2012
One of the beading projects I have brought with me to Cornwall is a big, bold necklace with a dramatic geometric and crystal pendant. But unfortunately as I beaded it last week I realised that I was ONE bead out.
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posted: Saturday, 12th May 2012
Because there hasn't been nearly enough travelling in my life so far in 2012, I've headed out of London for 2 weeks to rest and recuperate in the hopefully very sunny Cornwall.
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posted: Friday, 11th May 2012
Back to work today in my little workroom (oh how I missed it) and trying to find somewhere to store all the pieces that have begun arriving for the kit to accompany Contemporary Geometric Beadwork.
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posted: Thursday, 10th May 2012
Today is my last day here and whilst it has gone far too quickly my body is crying out to return to a colder London.
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posted: Wednesday, 9th May 2012
That's it, I'm done. The excessive heat (over 90 degress) the dust, the busyness and the late nights have worn me out. I wake up today knowing I am physically and mentally not up for anything. Fortunately Indiana feels the same and we agree to a day of practically nothing.
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posted: Tuesday, 8th May 2012
Today is busy from start to finish with the exhibition needing setting up and then the VIP opening taking place.
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posted: Monday, 7th May 2012
Having flown so much this year and been in so many different time zones, and climates, my poor brain and body have given up trying to work out what day, time, month or season it is and instead are wearily going with the flow.
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posted: Sunday, 6th May 2012
I'm heading back to Egypt today for the exhibition of work completed by all the students from the 4 different workshops organised by Azza Fahmy: Nubre.
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posted: Saturday, 5th May 2012
...and its already started drawing a crowd.
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posted: Friday, 4th May 2012
My latest star is finished and, after a trip to my local bead shop, hanging from a colourful strap. I really couldn't resist the perfect green and copper ribbons and bought some extra blues for the other star I'm going to make
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posted: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
I guess you know by now I sometimes bead triangles. That and stars are the main things I guess I'm 'known' for. They're the pieces that whenever I teach, and bring beadwork along, people say 'I saw that in a magazine'
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posted: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
I read this quote today from Charles Mingus: "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity".
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posted: Tuesday, 1st May 2012
A lovely day today teaching my Geometric Stars and getting to see all the colour combinations created.
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posted: Monday, 30th April 2012
I headed off to Torquay today to teach at Fab beads/ Beads For Beauty and whilst the 2 hour delay on the trains, due to flooding, meant my 3 hours train trip turned into a five hours one and I got there later than expected, I took full advantage and beaded up a frenzy on the train.
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posted: Sunday, 29th April 2012
I'm still busy working on book projects, this time a new version of my Geometric Secret pendants which uses larger beads and an extended shape, with a new pattern, resulting in a bigger pendant with more room to hide secrets in...
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posted: Saturday, 28th April 2012
Back home and back to the book- if you want your order to come with extra swag, including some previews and extra instructions which are going to start winging their way soon, then you need to complete your order by the 30th April.
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posted: Friday, 27th April 2012
I headed off to Dorset today to teach at my Jaipuir Jewels projects at StitchnCraft Beads. I alway love teaching here as not only are the people and venue lovely, but I get to see all the new products and gorgeous beads for myself. This is of course not so good for my bank balance!
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posted: Wednesday, 25th April 2012
My new bangle is done- how nice to finish a piece of beadwork in a few hours!
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posted: Tuesday, 24th April 2012
Work is progressing behind the scenes on Contemporary Geometric Beadwork and if you want your order to come with extra swag then you have only another 6 days to order.
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posted: Sunday, 22nd April 2012
Tonight is the real reason we're here- a 12-course tasting menu at Viajante.When we visited recently for the cocktail tasting we got to try some of the food and loved it so it was just a matter of when we'd return, not if.
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posted: Saturday, 21st April 2012
After our meal last night we're staying in Bethnal Green at the jaw-droppingly awesome Town Hall Hotel
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posted: Friday, 20th April 2012
The best thing about living in London is just how much there is always going on. A few Google searches for 'secret London' (or a obliging friend) and you'll soon have no end of weird and mysterious ways to spend your evening.
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posted: Thursday, 19th April 2012
Just as I get my new project for Beads & Beyond all done their latest issue, with another project of mine in it, pops through my letter box- and very excitingly they've managed to photograph my pendant better than I had- and they really show it off nicely
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posted: Wednesday, 18th April 2012
My latest piece for Beads & Beyond magazine is all done and ready to pop into the post. I am in love with this colour combination, especially the amazing matte gold which I have begun using a lot recently, either in seed beads or Delicas.
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posted: Tuesday, 17th April 2012
Today I not only finished my work room (I'm still not able to sleep with excitement- I hope the joy of it never wears off) but also my beaded hand picture for the exhibition in Egypt.
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posted: Monday, 16th April 2012
I have two rivoli classes coming up soon, one is a private class with a bead group, but the other is a weekend workshop open to all at Missenden in Buckinghamshire.
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posted: Saturday, 14th April 2012
I have a confession, for many years now I have envied others for their workrooms. I have coveted their sheds and longingly craved one of my own
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posted: Friday, 13th April 2012
It's been a busy week here at Missenden which has flown by in a whirl of increasing and decreasing. Everyone has worked really hard and here are a few of the pieces they've made
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posted: Thursday, 12th April 2012
Another day, another project with a huge crystal, except this one works!
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posted: Wednesday, 11th April 2012
Having decided to put yesterdays experiments to bed for a while I've moved onto something I've been itching to bead for a long time- a new Rick Rack bangle.
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posted: Tuesday, 10th April 2012
I've travelled to Buckinghamshire for a few days to teach at the lovely Great Missenden. The theme of the week is Geometric Beadwork and I plan on working everyone hard
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posted: Sunday, 8th April 2012
I wrote yesterday about producing work to set criteria and here is another example of me doing that.
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posted: Saturday, 7th April 2012
I have written before about my feelings on people using others to make their work and today the subject comes up again both with a trip to see an exhibition of Damien Hirst's work at the Tate Modern and the death yesterday of Thomas Kinkade.
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posted: Friday, 6th April 2012
I've had a few projects I've been working on recently which I have kept secret, but today I realised I can show you one of them. I had decided to keep it secret, at first for no particular reason and then in case I submitted it to a competition
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posted: Thursday, 5th April 2012
I have had an idea in my mind for a herringhbone rope with a beaded clasp for quite a while now and whilst I have pondered and slept on the design, working out all the kinks and problems I can think of, the time has come to put beads to thread.
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posted: Wednesday, 4th April 2012
Recently I was talking with someone about wearing jewellery and how I'm generally comfortable wearing anything no matter how large or bold, except for one brooch I bought a few years ago.
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posted: Tuesday, 3rd April 2012
I'm off teaching at Missenden Abbey next week and looking forward to a few days immersed in geometric beading.
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posted: Monday, 2nd April 2012
...for now at least, though I have at least 6 other beading projects I want to get done by the end of April. Hmm...
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posted: Sunday, 1st April 2012
I've been quiet recently on the subject of the new book we're working on but rest assured that behind the scenes I'm working away.
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