I have got a huge amount of work to do over the next month from finishing Contemporary Geometric Beadwork to designing a lot of projects for my classes next year and lots of teaching so it's all going to be a bit hectic around here!

Today I had a bit of a day off when my sister came around to learn some basic wirework and when she'd gone I took the opportunity to do some playing around and finally began work on my pieces for the Treasure Challenge StitchnCraft Beads are running. I'll be keeping what I make secret for the moment but here's a sneak peek at my desk today.

I also played for the first time with the Crystal Clay I treated myself to at Beads Gone Wild/ Crystal Creations Bead Institute back in January. It was so easy to use I can see me using this to make myself a few more things...

I also made myself a bracelet using some crystal chain and a big button I bought from Beads By Blanche back last November.

It was a real treat to finally use these things I have bought on my travels and reminisce about my time spent with the people I met there.