Tiara making course…….

As I remember my course on Saturday in order to type about it, one word comes to mind to describe it! OUCH!!!! My fingers were bleeding by the end of the day!

So tiara making, not something I may do on a regular basis! The course was great and I had a wonderful time, but sometimes in life you realise you can’t always do what you learn! Or at least it is a challenge to do!

I undid my tiara 2 times and still could not find a design I liked. So let me start at the beginning and explain my day.

The course was in Bury St Edmunds which was about 50mins drive from me, so no lie in on Saturday! It started with us going over the tools and materials needed, the different types of wires and beads etc. We then moved onto design and construction. The tiara is made with a metal base and wire and involves loads of twisting and shaping.

So my problem is that the twisting alters all the time, because each time you put a new piece on it moves and so you have to try and reshape all the time. So for me it is a control issue and I think if I used stronger wire that did not flex as much and had more strength to it I would get on better with it.

I am still aiming to make my bridesmaids tiaras, but I want a more structured, sturdy design. If it does not work then I will buy them but I will be annoyed if I don’t give it another go first!

Also, because there were no drinking facilities at the college I got very dehydrated and ended up with a really bad migraine which did not help when you are trying to learn stuff, so I will give it another go and fingers crossed I can master it!

Even thought I have struggled with the design I would recommend the course as it is a good skill to have!

Rest of my week

So what does the rest of my week hold, can it get any busier or more exciting………..yes it can!

Tonight Si is home, Yippeee I can’t wait, I have missed him so much, but he is away again next week!

Tomorrow (Sat) and I am off to learn how to make tiaras, bridal and celebration! So excited, can’t wait, as I can’t wait to learn as I really want to try and make my bridesmaids jewellery so I do hope I grasp it and can do it!

Sunday my family are down for a visit which will be great, and that is it.

Back to normal life on Monday! I am off to join a Stitch ‘n Bitch knitting group on Thursday and can’t wait!

So check back next week for my tiara making update!

Beadweaving Course – Thurs 19th Oct

Today was my beadweaving course at Assington Mill in Assington, Suffolk! I had a great day!Here is what I made :-

The first picture is a collection of all my pieces, then we have peyote stitch, tubular stitch, ladder, brick and fringing and then twisted weave.

It was fantastic and I am so glad I have done it.

The mill was a great place to learn. The surroundings were very rural and quiet, and we worked in a straw bale built building which was rather unique.

Lunch was a wonder 2 course home cooked meal and we had tea and cake at 3pm.

The course ran from 10 – 430 and it was great!

Well worth attending if you are in the area and it is something you are keen to learn!

Over a week since my last post!

I can not believe it has been over a week since my last post! Where does the time go? So what have I been upto…….

Went to The Bead Merchant in Colchester on Saturday, that was great fun, as they only open once a month and so I decided to go and have a look. I was really proud of myself as I found it etc and had no problems. I also went to a shop called Pandorion in Colchester and that was a great little find as well. So many bead shops I am coming across it is great. Never really bought too much but had a great day anyhow!

Sunday 8th and I decided to drive to Harrow, some 95miles from me to attend the Annual Bead Fair. It took me about 2hrs 15mins to get there and the drive was fine, but finding parking was a nightmare. 40mins to find a space! The show was great, once again I was armed with my shopping list and prices so I knew if it was cheaper or not! Needless to say not all of it was! I joint the Beady Society whilst I was there, and had a great time walking round looking at everything. Saw lovely crystals I can use for the wedding! Also had a demonstration by a lady that was making polymer clay beads, that was so interesting! One day I may have to try my hand!

Travelled from the fair to my parents, to spend Mon and Tues in the office helping out.

Wednesday 11th and the florist came to finalise the flowers for the wedding. That went really well, managed to get everything I wanted and am well chuffed! So flowers all done!

Tomorrow (Sat) I am off to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally and can’t wait. I believe there are loads of bead shops going to be there, so I am prepared to shop loads! I want to look at beads, wedding stuff, knitting and a bit of cross stitch! Can’t wait.

Sunday we are off to another wedding fair in the local area, whcih should be good.

Then Mon – Wed I am back in Peterborough for work, have various meetings I need to attend. OH is in London all week!!!

Thursday is my bead weaving course and I can’t wait, so excited! Sat 21st I do a tiara making course and then it is quiet for a while!

So things are starting to get manic, but I am so enjoying it all right now!

Check back for updates!

My second necklace

Here are some pictures of my second necklace. It took a while for me to used to doing the flowers, but I did enjoy it!

Not been a good blogger!

Well I have not been a very good blogger recently sorry!My second bridesmaid shopping event on the 12th went very well, and the dresses are ready to go! Am so chuffed, got the colour and style I wanted. 2 are being made and 1 is being bought from a shop. So it means my chief will be slightly different to the other 2 but that is what I wanted! Another tick on the list!

Went to a wedding fayre on Sunday and it was ok, not great, but it was good to see what is out there anyway!

I have 3 bead courses next month and I am so excited. I am doing Beaded Jewellery Making, Bead Weaving and Tiara making. I am hoping to get a few more done but we shall have to watch the purse strings!

Things in general are going well, but will update in a different post about that!

My first necklace!

Here is my first ever necklace I have made!

I will be honest and admit I have made an error, but I am not going to undo it as I want to keep it as a what not to do in the future!

I will make it again with different beads etc, and I will use a better clasp as I don’t like this one at all.

What do you think?