Here's a 23-inch funky necklace using the spiral rope technique and a 7-inch centre. I got my inspiration from the tongue twister "She sells seashells on the seashore!" If you notice, I used tiny seashells (they ARE real!), freshwater pearls, mother of pearl nuggets, turquoise nuggets, coral beads, Swarovski crystals, and other types of shells. I have a dried seahorse but I thought I'd keep it for another necklace!

Find Rest My Soul!

This Sunday, about 11 gals and I will embark on a four-week journey of interpretive dance working with the song STILL by Reuben Morgan for our church services at the end of May.

Here's an 18-inch necklace I made using inspiration from Isaiah 40:31 which says "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."


The main necklace is made from 3mm white cube glass beads using the Ndebele technique of beadwork incorporating 11.0 Miyuki glass seed beads in pink and orange sorbet colours. For the centrepiece, I used a rose quartz eagle! Lots of freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and 15.0 glass seed beads.

To my friends out there who are going through some struggles in your life, keep that chin up and find rest in Christ.

Thank God It's Friday again!

This week has been another challenging one with a health problem in the family. After hours of pain and waiting in three doctors' offices, we finally managed to see the specialist at the hospital who is a friend of ours. This health problem has persisted for almost four weeks so it was good to have an expert opinion. A battery of tests was carried out and medications prescribed. This morning, the pain is much under control and life is beginning to look a bit more manageable.

Needless to say, amidst all the waiting, I still managed to make a few pieces! (May I just mention to my friends out there that I don't post every single piece I make). So if you're looking for more pieces, do contact me and I'll be happy to show you more!

It's been months since I last made a necklace using the St Petersburg weaving technique and it was nice to pick it up again. This 17-inch necklace uses 11.0 and 15.0 Miyuki glass seed beads and Czech fire polished beads. For the centrepiece I used a Swarovski tear drop crystal. The green and blue gives you the feeling of being by the beach!

These cuboid beads are quite substantial. I used 6 14mm Swarovski rivolis together with 11.0 and 15.0 Miyuki glass seed beads and Swarovski bicones for the corners. I love how it can be strung on a simple chain (has to be medium sized). In the samples below I used a stainless steel choker necklace for one and for the other I did a spiral rope with Swarovski bicones.

Another New Week

It's only Tuesday and I'm already feeling the strain of this week! My husband's organising an Asia-Pacific conference which begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday so he's been running around taking care of details and last minute arrangements, while at the same time working and picking up A from school.

The children have the national fitness test this week (which means aching muscles, fatigue and whining about not being able to complete their chores!), and my daughter has been invited by a classmate to the Ministry of Sound to watch Sean Kingston tonight. With dance lessons on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and my husband involved in the conference, I have to travel back and forth to caperone my daughter. My son has Chinese tuition on Wednesday and Friday so lots of planning for dinner arrangements.

This morning, while I was waiting for the family to get ready for school and work, I was already feeling the stress. I have some orders to fulfill and new designs to make. However, I felt so much better when I looked out of my study window. I could see the sun rising. Here are two photos, taken at 6.30am,10 minutes apart. Two phrases come to mind: "From the rising of the sun, to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised!" and "His mercies are new every morning."

I've been working on a new design for a necklace using 6 Swarovski rivolis and just completed it. Really nice. Will upload photos later. Now working on a lovely, sparkly bracelet! Have a great day, friends.

Whimsy

Here's my completed my 19-inch whimsical spikey necklace! It took a while to get the right combination of colours. After a few false starts, I decided on green for the centrepiece, graduating to pink. I love how it has come out. The black Swarovski pearls in graduated sizes also bring out the vibrant colours. A magnetic clasp completes the necklace.

I like this so much I may make another one in blue! However, since it takes so long to complete, I'm moving on to another design first. Stay tuned!

Tubal elegance III

Here's my peach 18-inch necklace! I added a bit of turquoise, lime green, beige and rusty red to make it look a little bit American southwestern in style.

The tubal beads are flanked by Swarovski pearls and crystals.

I'm now working on a labour intensive necklace which is whimsical. My daughter suggested a green version which will look exactly like durians! Can't wait to show you the finished product sometime next week.

Tubal Elegance II

Here's my completed green necklace, 18 inches in length. I'm going to make one in 22 inches for my friend, Y. She loves green and orange colours!

Now on to complete my peach necklace!