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Hi,my name is Anne,I am a beadaholique.I work out of my studio in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park.My work is mainly mixed media with some steampunk elements thrown in for fun.I was a finalist in Beads and Beyonds"Jewelry Maker of the Year 2010" I won first prize in Smitten Beads Designer Challenge 2011. I have had my work published in various magazines and in several treasuries,online.I have two Etsy shops and a Folksy shop for my clients who do not wish to shop in US $,but prefer sterling.Feel free to look me up on twitter or Facebook.Cheers,Anne..
Take a look at my Etsy shops by clicking the links below.
CrystalRiverBeads Etsy
Silverpuss Etsy

25 Oct 2010

Autumn Weather

Dear Friends,
                    Autumn has arrived and the weather is crisp and fair.There was the most glorious full moon last night and I just had to grab my camera and walk up on the mountain to take some pictures.Will add the best one at the bottom of the blog!
      I started  my first sale in my Etsy shops yesterday.I found the process rather confusing but somehow managed to achieve what I had started. 20% off all stock in crystalriverbeads.etsy.com and silverpuss.etsy.com.
   My friend,Debra,who makes glass beads has opened her first Etsy shop.She has a small selection of handmade beads in store but will be adding more this week.She has already had some sales so a good start.
    I have been working on some new designs and have started planning my first projects for my book on wirework and mixed-media.I hope to collaborate with Debra on some of my pieces.Really looking forward to putting my ideas into action.I hope I have enough time to fit in some Christmas shopping and want to go into Bath for a day sometime soon.There are two very good bead shops there.So good hunting!Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

17 Oct 2010

Autumn Fun

Dear Friends,
                    What beautiful weather we are having right now.Cold and crisp and autumnal.The trees are starting to lose their leaves and the colors are stunning.Fabulous time to go walking in the National Park.I know I will later today.
   I am currently trying to upgrade both my Etsy shops in time for the Christmas rush.I have a lot of new designs and loads of new ideas.I will be offering hand-patinated brass wire in manageable ten ft lengths for the UK market.This because I have had real trouble finding a UK based supplier and have had to import my wire from America.It is costing a fortune in shipping and VAT!Also the shop/gallery where I sell my work off-line expect us to use  as local suppliers as possible.This cuts out air-miles and I can customise my own wire.I thought if I have this problem then there must be other UK artists in the same boat.So therefore from the end of the month I can offer this supplies service.I will be offering copper as well soon.
  I am also upgrading my shipping options with an add-on offering extra-fast shipping at a bargain $10 dollars for my customers who cannot wait for their goodies.
  Peruzi are haing a sale tomorrow and I hope I can get my mitts on some of Natalies fabulous beads.They are so georgeous they made my heart skip when I had my first beads from her.Aaaaaaah!!!!I hope I have some cash in my Paypal.
    I hope you are all planning your Christmas shopping as there are only eight weeks left.I have twelve coming for Christmas lunch so got to get organised.I have an idea of going to the Desire Fair in November at Winchester,s Guildhall.I might combine it with some Christmas shopping.I missed last years as I was in hospital having major surgery.I longed to go but couldn,t.Winchester is my eldest daughters home town.We lived there when she was born,so a trip down memory lane is in the offing.I met the Duchess of York,Sarah Ferguson in a restaurant there when I was expecting.She was very charming and chatty.A very nice person indeed!
   I have had my pack from the ATC club but I haven,t a clue what to do next,must sit down and study it!I have made a couple of Atcs already.I think mine are going to be a bit more textured than the norm as I cannot resist.Enough of my ramblings for now,light and love to all my beading buddies,Anne.
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10 Oct 2010

Sunny Days.

The weather has been very kind to us the weekend and I have taken advantage to work on the garden before the winter blast begins. I have also done a little painting indoors,freshening up for Christmas. However  this has not stopped me from creating new delights in my little studio.I have been busy using all the new products and ideas that I brought back from the Artisan Show.Gone a bit mad ,really! Nice to be so inspired!  I really need to do some work on my studio but I think that will have to wait until next month.
   Voting has started in the Beads and Beyond Jewellery Maker of the Year competition.The mixed media section is of special interest.I have a link on Face Book if anyone is interested in voting,sooo,go on,you know you want to!!!!!
   Working on altered art and mixed media jewellery for Christmas.I have had some requests for themed jewellery but not the cheap and tacky earrings etc,sold at Christmas.Something more classy is in order so looking into that. Ihad some fab ceramic beads and pendants from Natalie at Peruzi.Got to order some more as delighted with them. Will stop rambling now.Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

3 Oct 2010

Artisan Show and all things beading.

Dear friends,
                  Just recovering from my first ever trip to a bead show.It was brilliant fun.We met Kerry Kester Bogart and she very kindly signed my copy of her book.We attened several demos including a brilliant demo on soldering chain by the girls from Beads and Beyond magazine,a demo on lampworking and a class on making gift bags with the wonderful Yyonne from the Craft Fairy.We also entered every competition at the show and joined the  ATC club.Mickey let us design our very own ATCs and we swapped them for some others.Really brill.
   My piece of jewellery was on display at the show and even though it looked fab,I think that it was not as amazing as the other entries.There are some awesome talents in the UK! I will be very lucky to win.I went to see the lovely ladies at the Altered Element.All the vendors had really cool stuff so spent a small fortune.Did hope to get some cathedral glass and set my heart on a really good texturising hammer but came back with some really good flush cutters,some brass sheet,some fab rough garnet nuggets and loads of findings and mixed media doo-daas and some stamps.
  Had a ggody bag from Beads and Beyond.Will post pics of my haul later on FB.See pics of the show on there.Will figure out how to post pics to my blog hopefully soon.Love and light to all beading buddies,Anne.