Merry Christmas.

Dear friends,
                   Sorry that I haven,t blogged for a few weeks! Just so very busy that I couldn,t get the umph needed to keep in touch with everybody.
     A funny thing happened on the way to this blog!LoL! Rebecca and I braved the very bad snow to go to church. Only a handful of children had been able to get there to perform the Nativity play so Rebecca and Thomas had to step in to play Mary and Joseph.I was a king,Julie, a shepherd and Chris  was an angel. Everybody mucked in and did their bit! The vicar was only expecting a few people to turn up but the church was almost half full.
   Chris made a comment that we might have to deviate from the script a little! ""Script? What script?" We haden,t seen a script or rehearsed but had to muddle through somehow! We did get bits wrong but on the whole it went really well and there were many tears of laughter when we got it wrong! The whole experience summed up the true message of Christmas as community spirit is still alive and kicking especially during this extreme weather.
   I was runner-up in Beads and Beyonds Jewelry Maker of The Year. I am really looking forward to my goodies in the post after Christmas. I can,t wait to start designing new things! I am also putting forward some designs for Copper Wire Jewelry Magazine,so I hope they like my designs.
   I have been very busy doing commissions for Redgirlsaturday on Etsy. She was delighted with my designs but it is very easy to design with such fabulous beads.I also had my first ever beads from Elaine Ray and Blue Seraphim.They are amazing! I am ordering more beads for my spring designs and will start work on them after Christmas. I am also looking at new packaging designs as planning to do some craft shows next year. I will post pictures  in the next two weeks. No rest over Christmas.
   I will stop rambling now and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Love and light to all,Anne.

Mixed Media Dreams

I know this weeks posting is a little late.I have been very busy making ATCs for the Stampers club.To be honest,I have got a bit behind and have found it rather daunting.I have had lots of books through the post and haven,t had a clue what to do.Anyway,I made some to add to the books and hopefully I can catch up by midweek.
   Beads and Beyonds Jewelry Maker of The Year ends tonight,so if you haven,t voted,now is the last chance.Look for my entry in the mixed media section.
  I have been busy designing for the last few days and now that our huge and very stressful audit in my other job is over,I feel rather mellow and a lot less stressed.I only hope the feeling lasts! Christmas is on the horizon and I need to start my shopping.My sales have increased dramatically off-line but are still slow in my shops.I closed my DaWanda shop as I have not sold a thing there since opening.I am tempted to shut my MISI  shop and concentrate on my Etsy shops and Folksy.
     I went to the Wales versus South Africa on Saturday as part of my friend Sue,s 60th birthday.Cardiff is such fun and we all had a ball. See the pictures on Facebook.
   Just bought some super goodies from Ornamentea,I can,t wait until they arrive.I bought some fab Elaine Reay beads,oooooh!Anyway enough of my ramblings,hugs,Anne.

Craft Shows Etc.

Dear friends,
                  Finding the weather very balmy today.We have had the patio doors open to the sunshine in spite of it being the middle(almost) of november in Wales.Cannot believe how warm it is.Spending some time sorting my studio out.It has got in a bit of a mess again!!!!
     Recovering from a surprise 60th birthday party that we went to last night.Brilliant fun and danced all night.A little bit tired today as a result.Going to watch South Africa play Wales at the Millenium Stadium next Saturday as part of the autumn internationals and the final part of Sue,s 60th birthday celebrations.Really looking forward to that.
  Looking forward to going to the Desire Fair with Debra the week after next.I hope I can fit in some shopping for Christmas as well.I sent a box of my jewelry creations to a craft fair in Solihull to be sold on my behalf.I hope they all sell.It is also the final week of voting in Beads and Beyonds Jewellery Maker of the Year competition.If you havent already voted please do so before 15th November.The mixed-media section has my  entry in it.
   The launch of Arts and Enterprise Centre in Ebbw Vale went ahead on Wednesday.Unfortunately I could not attend as ill with high blood pressure.Very sad!I wish everybody luck with their exhibits
  Love and light to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Desire Fair.

Dear Friends,
                    Have you all missed me?I didn,t blog on the weekend as unwell.Due to stress beyond my control my blood pressure has soared so been on rest,rest and more rest!Doctor,s orders!
   However I bought some wonderful beads from redgirlsaturday on etsy.I made a wirework necklace and posted a pic on Facebook!Necklace sold.... that has never happened before,so cool!. I bought more of Debra,s fab beads straight away,so look out for next post.I have also been experimenting with different ways of making chain.I am in the process of making a bracelet with handmade links and wire wrapping them.Will post pics when happy.
 Yesterday I went to redgirlsaturdays studio to craft and hang out with Debra and Della.We made gift bags with the skills we learnt at the Artisan Show last month.Then Debra let us have a go at making glass beads.A bit scary but good fun.I do hope I haven,t caught that bug as awfully expensive to start,and really no room in my studio for kilns etc.
  We are hoping to go to the Desire Fair in Winchester on 26th of November,just for the day.It is held in the Guildhall where the replica of the famous Round Table is displayed.No knights but hopefully a "flame-off" and lots of metalworkers.I am still looking for some good texturising hammers.Must start saving up now.I feel some early Christmas presents for myself coming on......
   Anyway,enough of my ramblings,Love and light,Anne

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.

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.
,

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.

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.

Sunday Blog.

Sorry I did not post a blog last week,way too busy!Is it not strange how we can be pottling along not too busy and then out of the blue everything happens at once!I am in the final of the previously blogged about bead competition.I am chuffed to say the least as I made a piece for last years competition and was too chicken to enter it.Will keep you all posted but cannot blog about it as there is a stage of voting to come and in the interest of fairness I am not allowed to promote it.Will post pics and links after competition closes.
  Attending the Artisan Show on 1st and 2nd of October.Really looking forward to meeting Kerry Kester Bogart at show.She will be attending on the 2nd.Come along and say a big hello.Having my hair done specially for this event.My lampwork queen,Debra is coming along as well.We are staying overnight so will have loads of fun.
   Really busy designing my winter range and listing very regularly at the moment,but selling as fast as I am listing.This is good,very good!!!Just not used to being so busy.Also very busy in my day job.The Ryder Cup kicks off this week at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.We are supplying some products for the show so even busier than normal.Also social life very crazy as well.We seem to be going somewhere different every night!Parties,parties,parties!!!Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Sunshine and Showers.

I have finally finished the two pieces for Beads and Beyonds competition and  taken photos ready for entry.I entered a second piece in the wirework competition as a "wild card"I think the judges will run screaming for the hills as it is a very primitive piece made from hammered copper and sterling wire.However I felt the need!!!!
  All the beautiful butterflies have gone wherever butterflies go when the summer is over.We had clouds of them in the garden for the last couple of weeks.But all the flowers have died off and they have all disappeared into the ether.There seems to have been an awful lot of them around this year and some species that I havent seen for many years.That so gladdens my heart.
  I have been reflecting on the nine years since Sept 11.So many thousands have died as a result of the actions of a few.I cannot describe them as monsters or evil as there are no words to describe the horror inflicted on the world on that terrible day.I am sure we all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard what had been happening.My then  five year old daughter told me.I thought she was watching a terrible movie,not Sky News.What a terrible legacy that these people have left our children.Rebecca has grown up not knowing a world where there is peace and love.But I myself have hope in my heart that in years to come a way can be found to mend some of the damage done so that future generations can feel free to express thier religions regardless of their beliefs.Light and love to all,Anne

Mixed Media Ramblings

Dear friends,
                   I have finally finished the entry for Beads and Beyond competition.Mixed media section.I knew it was finished when the two girls announced that it was "cool".Personally,with mixed media jewellery,I don,t know when to stop adding things.But even so,I am pleased with the result even though when I originally planned it,I had very different ideas in my head.LoL!I  had a lot of fun stamping on metal for the first time for this piece.I will show it to everybody when I know that the competition rules allow it.
  I am very honoured to have won the bracelet in Teena Germano,s competition.I t came all the way from Brisbane to S.Wales in a few days.I was very impressed with the postal service and very impressed with my bracelet.Stunning.On the subject of Royal Mail.I have had two packages this week,one from Ornamentea,and one from Glamourgirlbeads on Etsy.Both  were subject to vat charges,but I was charged £8 handling charge for each one.The Glamourgirlsbeads package only contained vintaj blanks.When I added the charges together,they were more than they cost in the first place.However had to pay for them as they were going to keep the package.I do not like being held to ransom.Doh!
On a very different note,my jewellery is finally in store awaiting the opening next week.Gareth went over to Ebbw Vale with me.I don,t know what he was expecting,but was very surprised that the shop was all shiny and new  with artwork on the wall etc.It has got to that nailbiting stage where I fear that nobody will like  my creations and that nothing will sell.Time will tell,I suppose.Anyway enough of my random ramblings for now,Cheers,Anne.

Trials And Tribulations,

Dear friends,
                  Sorry that I haven,t posted for a few days.Truth be told,I have been rushing to get my stock ready for my retail launch.I am exhibiting in a new branch of Arts and Enterprise.I was given the wrong date for the launch,thought it was this week!So run around like a mad thing and rushed my tagging etc.Turns out it is not till next week.I am glad as not hundred per cent happy with branding layout so now have time to improve it.
  I have also been designing my piece for Beads and Beyond competition.That,s starting to take shape   slowly.Had some lovely things from Objects and Elements,incuding some Faux Bone from Robert Dancik.I don,t know what I am going to make with it yet!Will post when I do!
  Had a bit of a worry as I use a fair number of laser cut wooden butterflies and my supplier has stopped making them due to work commitments.After two whole months,I have finally found  a lady in Australia who makes them,what a relief!I have put in a reasonable order so very happy.They are georgeous!Looking forward to their arrival.I will stop rambling now,love and light to all my creative friends,Anne.

Designing for Competition.

Dear friends,
                    I have had a monumentally busy week.Just gone back to work after cruise and spent most of my time organising Sarah,s 21st birthday party.Baked and iced cake,bought balloons,banners etc.Helped with costumes as she had a "games" theme.Hence the snakes and ladders cake!I did fret an awful lot on the day but that is what is mums do!!!!Worry!But it went really well,everybody had a brill time and behaved themselves(even me!).
  In the meantime figured out how to use Objects and Elements website to purchase things.Clue-watch the weight on combined objects in your basket as if too heavy will not process to checkout.It took me two days and some e-mails to work it out!P.S.I was having a "blonde"Episode!!!!
Also have started work on my piece for the mixed-media section in Beads and Beyond competition.A lot of work still to do.I haven,t decided how I am going to assemble my finished piece but have started work on some of the components.Also waiting for some things coming in by mail.Really excited about my orders from Objects and Elements,can,t wait!And some cool stuff from Etsy,too!I also ordered a box of goodies from Ornamentea before I went on holiday.should be here very soon.Anyway enough of my ramblings.Love to all,Anne.

Inspiration for Beading

Dear friends,
                  I have just returned from my jaunt around Europe aboard The Black Watch.Had a brilliant time,good fun and good company.
   I needed the break badly,so feeling a bit more rested and refreshed.Also bought some chain for new designs.I did not find any bead shops but drew a lot of inpsiration from the colors and sights in La Coruna and Vigo.Lisbon was nice,but we really needed some more time to explore.Will return to Galicia when able.Gibralter is just the same as it was on my last visit,some four years ago,still very commercial.I was most inpressed with Vigo,very pretty city and lovely people.I will post photos on Facebook sometime today.
  I will be organising my daughter,s 21st birthday this week,so I will not get much designing done.I might sneak into my studio if very lucky for an hour or two.I am entering Beads and Beyonds mixed media competition,so as soon as dust settles from party will be busy on that.I have already got the bones of my design in my head so just need to gather supplies and get going.Love to all my creative friends,Anne.

Micro beads

Dear Friends,
                    Looking forward to trip.Only one more "sleep"to go!We are going to a Western night while on our cruise.I have made myself an Indian costume from a t-shirt,a pair of old Ugg boots and a suede effect skirt.I decorated them with faux indian beadwork by attaching double sided sticky tape to decorate the outfit then stuck micro beads to the tape.To get some pattern,I cut chevrons from some of the backing tape and attached them to the bare tape.Dipped the tape into the beads.I found it easier to put them out on a small plate first.When I had covered the bare parts of the tape,I carefully peeled the chevron-shaped tape off and dipped these areas into contrasting colored beads.I decorated the headband in the same way.It is very effective.I can also remove it afterwards,if I want.I believe that Martha Stuart is selling micro beads in some nice colors.I got mine from EJR beads.I think there are lots of uses for this method of embellishment.You could decorate shoes or bags for a fairly temporary effect if you wished.I will post pictures soon.I bought my beads to use with resin but the kids have already decided they like them as well.My daughter has had a go with Ice Resin.She had mixed results but learnt a lot.Like me,she is interested in art and crafts so I hope she gets the bug!!Love to all my beady friends,Anne.

Ribbon Wrapping.

I have been finding out all about ribbon wrapping this week.It is great for these beads with enormous centre holes that are just too big to use with wire.I have had a lot of fun as the designs and types of ribbon are huge and if you have some longer scraps of ribbon,this is a great way to use them up.My ribbon stash is rather large so I have experimented a bit.I have made a bracelet to wear on holiday.Smitten Beads have a project list using ribbon wrapping.I combined this with filigree bead caps to hold the ribbons in place and then wire wrapped them for my own design.Really pretty and effective.Smittenbeads.co.uk and go to the top of their home page and click on projects at the top of their product list.
   I am starting to get excited about my summer break next week.Only two more days in work and then we are off!We are going to Vigo,La Coruna and Lisbon and Gibralter.I have been to Gibralter before.I found it very strange  that boiling hot weather and English style pubs,red telephone and post boxes.Marks and Spencer etc.I found that the duty free was good value but everyday things were very expensive.However the rock is not to be missed.The tours are fab.I do not go up the rock as I have a serious problem with heights.I went around the city walls in Dubrovnic a couple of years.I was terrified so will not do that again.Anyway,enough of my ramblings.Love to all my creative buddies,Anne.

Slide Show

I did spend hours trying to set up a slide show for my jewellery.It has not worked out as planned and I will very likely strip it out and start again on the weekend.I think that I had better enlist help from someone who knows what they are doing.I sure as heck don,t!!!!!
   The Royal Welsh Show is on at the moment and the rain,inevitably has not stopped falling since Monday.The food company that I work for have a stand there and have been very busy.The rain has not dampened enthusiasm for the visitors.I wish I had been able to go,but have been left behind to hold the fort,so to speak!I have made some new pieces of jewelry and will probably post these on the weekend.I also ordered beads from Smitten Beads,based in Bath and had some stunning beads from Mermaid Glass on Etsy.Very pretty indeed!I have ordered a few things online and always wait in anticipation for their arrival through the mail.Before I go on my European trip I intend to do my big online shop for supplies for my Fall and Christmas collections.I will also buy some things while travelling.My supplies should be with me when I return.Perhaps I will take some pics of my goodies to post online.Anyway!Enough of my ramblings for one blog.Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Untitled Album - Anne Betenson - Picasa Web Albums

Untitled Album - Anne Betenson - Picasa Web Albums

The Sky Inside

Last night I listed a new mixed-media piece on Etsy"The Sky Inside"earrings.I  just checked my e-mails and it has made it to Patina Reef,s treasury.Brill!It is such a boost to morale when someone else appreciates your work.
I am still new to mixed-media work.I used to think that it was somehow wrong to mix materials and to use old things and plastic.Heaven forbid!Nowadays it is considered a good thing to re-use and recycle objects and materials.I have used copper wire out of a dumpster to make very interesting pieces of jewelry.I even made some rather chunky copper chain with thick recycled copper wire from an old extractor fan.I hammered the links and they looked great.Very industrial.
 Tonight I am going to try to set up the slide-show feature on this blog spot.That will probably take me all night.I can then display part of my portfolio online,which will be cool!I hope that I can get that done tonight and not still be working on it next week.Only a few more days left in work before I go on my trip.Anyway,enough of my ramblings for on day.Love to all my creative buddies,Anne.

Ice Resin,Episode 2!

Thanks to Barbe from ObjectsandElements!She gave me some really good advice about what went wrong with my ice resin first attempts.So I had another go last night.Totally different this time.I warmed the resin bottles up in hot water for a few moments and,hey,presto!It worked.I have made the coolest bezels in town.When they have fully set,I will take pics.I even used up the last little bit to make some pendants.I molded these in a re-used tray that once held antipasto.The oval shaped little compartments are pendant sized,so ideal.I backed them with Chinese newspaper that came wrapped around some goodies I had bought of Etsy.The paper went slightly transparent so next time ,I will seal it first.However,I do like the effect.I even went a little mad and took some tiny flowers from the garden and set them in bezels to make earrings later.That worked really well.But some of the purple flowers changed to a rather interesting shade of green!!!Still looking good this morning though.There were a lot less fumes this time,so I did not have a problem.All in all,a good experience.
  I am getting excited about my trip next week.Looking forward to the flea-markets and new bead shops I hope I find.Only seven more days in work,can,t wait.Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Ice Resin and mixed media.

I found the experience with the ice resin interesting.I have to admit even though it did not go 100% to plan.I will have another go on the weekend. I have just bought the latest issue of Cloth.Paper,Scissors and saw some mixed media pendants.I have seen some really fab looking bezels Theres a fab website ,Objectsand Elements.They sell all sorts of quirky bits and pieces.Been a bit of inspiration for me,especially the idea of recycling old things.Especially using bits of fabric,old keys and polymer clay together.Will keep everybody posted.
  I mentioned that I found my Araceli Booth painting in the wardrobe!I have since found out that she now resides in Spain.I bought my painting in a gallery in Alton in Hants where she used to live.It must be quite an early one as it is not on her online portfolio.I love the painting and always envied her talent.I used to teach art to residents in a nursing home some years ago but cannot paint anywhere as well.I just dabble these days.I don,t know whether,if I did scan it,would I be allowed to show it on my blog.Perhaps I will e-mail her when I get time and ask very nicely.All my love to my creative buddies,Anne.

Mixed Media Results and assorted ramblings

Dear Creative Friends,
                                 The experiment with the Ice Resin proved interesting.The resin did set but remained sticky to the touch so was no good.However the smaller ones I treated to a coat of Diamond Resin and they set nicely.The others I have pulled out and will redo.
Probably on the weekend.The butterflies were really nice and I made them up into earrings and bracelets and have already listed them on Etsy and Folksy.
  The studio makeover is going to take some time and as I am going on tour around Europe in two weeks will probably not be finished until the end of August.My eldest daughter will be 21 on our return and has booked our local pub to have her party.So I will be busy with that as well.I cleared two huge bags of old clothes and toys from when the kids were little and a local charity is picking them up tomorrow.That makes more space for beads,LoL!I found my missing Araceli Booth watercolour painting at the back of the wardrobe.The frame needs some repairs but will be very nice in studio.I bought the painting over twenty years ago and it has survived all sorts of ups and downs including divorve,homelessness and everything in between.It therefore deserves some love and attention.I remember seeing the lady who painted it on a watercolour masterclass on TV years ago,she was amazing!I will look her up on Google later to see what has become of her.Love to all my creative buddies,Anne.

Mixed Media and Resin

Hello friends,
                    I have finally taken the plunge and got the box with the ice resin out today and had a go.I read the instructions carefully,but the resin bottle would not pour as it have gone very thick and gooey.There was nothing in the instructions about this so I just spooned out what I thought I would need and added the hardener.It said to mix for two minutes until it went clear,so I did and it didn,t!!!!Arggg!However it did clear eventually and I made up some bezels and filled them.It was rather tricky to guess the right amount so a couple have overflowed.I am rather messy.My daughter came back from her friend,s house and helped a little.Just as well,really.In spite of having a well ventilated studio,I was overcome by the rather noxious fumes given off and was nauseous and dizzy,very yuck!Next time I will work outside.The bezels look good but I will not know whether I got the mix right until they set.That means I will have to wait until tomorrow night after work,after I have been for my dental check-up as well.Can,t wait.Also have done some more work on my studio makeover,got rid of lots more junk.I think I might have to put a ceiling  up when I come home from my European tour.The beams are very dusty and I think I need a new ceiling light to replace the old flourescent one.So I might as well do that at the same time.It will not cost too much as I can do the work myself.I nearly took some photos to post but have decided I will wait until finished.Anyway enough of my ramblings for now,love to all my beading duddies,Anne

Redesigning my workspace.

I have taken the plunge and started to re-organise my studio into a more artistic and creative workspace.Gone is some of the junk and theres more to go when I have room in the bin for it all.I am being ruthless.I have also started to put a base coat of paint on the grey breezeblock walls.It is looking less and less like  a prison and more like an artists studio. I will have to purchase a storage cabinet of some sort but have been given a very large sheet of white laminate which I have sawn down to make a new table top.I have started to dream of the new artwork that I can hang on the walls when finished.Will post pictures when finished.
  I have  had some delicious beads from Caledonia March on Etsy,Connie never fails to please me.I also have had some fab charms from Lima Beads.I will leave you all now and go and lie down after all that painting.Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Expanding my business.

Dear friends,it has been a busy week and has gone very fast,perhaps too fast.I have had some sales this week,but not enough to let me give up the day job.I am working on improving sales but it can be a bit like pushing a boulder up a very steep hill.I have two etsy shops,one folksy shop,a presence,of sorts on MISI but sales are still hard come by.I work hard on my marketing but has yet haven,t cracked it.I have put one of my Etsy shops up for consideration on Paper-N-Stitch and started my new shop on dawanda,just to see how I get on.Will post findings when I am able.I will look at Poppytalk this week to see if suitable.I have also upgraded my Paypal account to a business account in line with going professional.I will have to "suck it and see"so to speak!I don,t know if there is a secret formula that gets the customers thruogh the virtual doors of my online shops.Perhaps someone knows it!!!!It is not easy putting effort into working in a fulltime day job,looking after a home and family and then working on building up a business from scratch in "spare "time.I would like to know what my fellow travellers think on this and perhaps share experiences together.Enough ramblings from me for one blog.Love to my creative friends,Anne.

Bead Shopping

I went into Cardiff today to top up my studio supplies.Had a fab time as it is Armed Forces Day in Cardiff.There were military planes flying displays over the city.Doctor Who finale of series tonight so roadshow on the Hayes.I saw the T.A.R.D.I.S in the flesh.Paul MacCartney concert tonight as well so very busy in the D2 shopping centre.Cardiff rocks!!!
Back to beading now.Went to my favourite bead supply shop Crystals and Ice in the arcade by the castle.Bought some really nice lava beads and pendant to embellish.Bought some more wire and some silver findings.They have started to stock Sculpey polymer clay and had some good texture mats and cutters.I could spend hours in there and a small fortune too.However I was good today.
Still debating how to make the studio nicer to work in and will post pics when done.Love to all my beading buddies,Anne.

Summer Travel.

Dear Beading Friends,
                                 I have been dreaming about how to decorate my"studio"when I have finished sorting it out.I am going to Lisbon,Vigo,La Coruna and Gibralter in the summer and hope to add some goodies to my beading stash and perhaps some artwork for my studio.We went to Barcelona late last year and I found a wonderful ephemera market in a square just off La Ramblas.They were selling stamps,bottle tops,all sorts of goodies.Total heaven.I did only find one bead shop in the Gothic Quarter.Rumour has it that there are at least four of them.I hope to find some bead shops in Portugal to add to my stash.I hope perhaps to find a flea-market or antique fair.However that is weeks away so just get on with sorting things out and get the paint brushes out.I have my expo soon so will let everyone know how things are going on the creative front.Love to my beading buddies,Anne.

Dear Friends,I have just been blogging about workspaces on my Etsy Team Cymru blogspot about. I am in the process of trying to improve mine.It is a corner of the garage and is not as aesthetically pleasing to my eye or heart as I would like.I am working on improving storage and layout.I am rather messy when working and my desk often looks like it has been ransacked and I need to address my untidyness.I have bought some small plastic drawers sets and have at least began to organise my materials by type.ie,wire,beads,ceramic,etc.The walls are grey breezeblock and the lighting could do with improvement.If I add some colour and some new lighting I think I can improve things so as to enhance my enjoyment of the time spent there and therefore be more creative as a result.I know a lot of artists who work from home have very limited options about how and where they work.If  you are interested in contributing your views on this add your comments,Love to all my creative buddies,Anne

My First Blog!

Dear fellow bloggers,I have finally taken the plunge after months of procrastinating.This is my first blog.
I am a art jeweler from South Wales though I am originally from the Inner Hebrides in Scotland.
I have two shops on Etsy,crystalriverbeads and silverpuss.I also have a tiny presence on Folksy and Misi.
I have realised recently that I need to spread my wings creatively.I am hoping to exhibit in the Valleys this summer and move into local craft shows.I have started to collaborate with a new and very talented lampworker and ceramic artist from Wales,Debra Roberts.I also make some of my own beads and buy from fellow Etsians as well.Watch me begin to establish myself as a leader of the pack in Wales over the next year.Come follow me!All the best,Anne.