Toast to a special friend ... an Irish Wedding

A dear friend of mine will wed her sweetheart today in Ireland at 1:00pm.  Unfortunately I couldn't be there but will be there in spirit.  In honor of the special day, I made her a cuff to wear so in a way I'll be there physically.  Maj and Loman - best wishes to you today.  xo


The Irish Wedding Song
Here they stand hand in hand
they've exchanged wedding bands
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
and all we who love them just wanted to say.
May God bless this couple who married today
In good times and bad times in sickness and health
may they know that riches are not needed for wealth
and help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh god bless this couple who married today
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time
May their children be happy each day
Oh God bless this family who started today
As they go may they know every love that was shown
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow
Wherever they travel wherever they stay
May God bless this Maj and Loman who married today  xo

OTTBS Earring Challenge - Week 3: Ellad Fan Earrings

Although slightly behind in this challenge, I am enjoying perusing the many tutorials on offer by some wonderful designers.  This weeks designer is Ellad2.  She has an incredible arrangement of tutorials on offer and each one comes with detailed instructions and loads of photos so that if you are a visual learner like me you can easily follow the directions.

Following on from my experimentation with Preciosa Super Duos and the Twin Beads earrings from Weeks 1 and 2 - I decided to try Ellad2 fan earrings tutorial.  These were fun to make and I could see that I would have fun with this design in the future.  Here are my Bronze Fan Earrings.  

OTTBS Earring a Week challenge - Weeks 1 and 2

The fabulous facebook group - Operation Tackle That Bead Stash (OTTBS) has given us the choice to create each week either a ring, pendant or earrings.

As I am relatively new to off-looming beading, my second weekly challenge of the year is to create earrings using beads from my stash.  This is going to be a fun challenge and I look forward to sharing with you each week.

These two designs are created using Twin beads, Swarovski pearls and Miyuki round beads.  I look forward over the next year trying many new styles and learning to read patterns. check out new tutorials and expanding my horizon.

On the loom ...

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love ...

Welcome to 2013!  This is the year of the challenge ... I have so many new things I want to try - off loom/free form projects - looming projects, earrings, pendants, metal clay projects, resin, tatting - the list goes on.  I have signed up for a few bead challenges that are taking place within some of the wonderful bead groups that I am a member.  But most importantly - I am challenging myself to come up with some new designs on the loom.


So what are your challenges this year - love to hear your thoughts - add what you will be doing to the comments section  :)

To start the year - here is a teaser of a cuff that is currently underway ...

Black Magic

"That old black magic has me in its spell ... that old black magic that you weave to well ... "  Johnny Mercer

Keeping with the theme of the day - this is my latest cuff using a combination of matt beads, the texture is raw but still keeps the slinky feel of my other loomed cuffs. To complete the piece an ivory pendant was attached.

Design:  Caron Reid of Caron Michelle
Materials:  Miyuki round beads, Miyuki Delicas, Tila, Swarovski Crystal
Technique:  Erin Simonetti Warp Management technique