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Welcome to my wonderful world of handmade lampwork beads and handcrafted jewellery .

I enjoy making handmade beads that are not mass produced and have that original feel and look. As my beads are not mass produced not every bead is the same and can vary ever so slightly . This is why I feel excitement each time I melt glass as each time is like the first time. Any imperfections are stated in my descriptions so buyer please be aware .

Enjoy looking at my beads.
It is our imagination that lets us create these wonderful designs.

Saturday 19 November 2011

After getting that excited that I nearly wet myself , here are the results

So here are the ' Stormed Beads ' 

The ' Stormed' bit is the bit in the middle of the bumps . 

So 1st nights attempt .

The 2nd day 


The 3rd day 

I tried to do some full round beads that gave the same effect but it did not work and I have no idea on what to do next regarding these beads. As shown on the right hand side of the photo below. So I was a bit disappointed this morning regarding them, but the bumpy ones I want to lick them all and hide them away . 


Hope you like xx

Wednesday 16 November 2011

I got sooooo excited I nearly wet myself

Oh yes I did . Read this twice I nearly wet myself indeed I finally bought myself the storming tutorial byAmy Kinsch . I then had to wait until hubby went to bed this afternoon ( he's working nights until Jan 2012 ) before I could escape into the shed & escape I did. Just doing the first section for storming got me jumping up and down in my seat. Bursting with OMG OMG OMG and listening to Radio 2 . So as I did not have all the glass she stated I made do with what I had and played . Now all I have to do is wait until the morning.

So a sacrifice of the son again has been made to the kiln fairies . I hope they like smelly 13yr olds with attitude . Before I can see if this storming has worked, even if just one bead and one dot works I will be happy .. Pics to follow if it works.

Enjoy your evening xx

Thursday 10 November 2011

It's all in a name

They say it is all in a name. 


These were made by the wood man whose name I shall edit in later that was in Buxton at the weekend. I could have gone for Silly Moo but felt the wording would be too much. These are to be on my stall at the next market , fair that is coming up at the end of November .

Yesterdays Efforts

After my last posting and after much thinking about handmade via lampwork and the fact people say " if you cannot beat them , join them " . I have come upon a decision that it is easy to join the " mass produced " market and I am sure I will increase my sales if I do so. But I have never been one that takes the easy route more mountains over molehills , and taking the long road girl am I . Or just plain stubborn . 

Anyway I went into the shed and more handmade products were made . Yes it is slow and yes it is hardwork for little products . However each and every bead I made yesterday was  handmade by me and each one will be slightly different and are unique.




And you know what I loved every single minute of making these babies ...

Tuesday 8 November 2011

It will never end

The story continues and it is a bug bare with all people who make there own products verses people who sell mass produced products on handmade craft fairs !!!! 

So I shall keep this short and sweet. People come on , if it says handmade or craft then that means no mass produced items should be sold at these events . It is not fair on those who slave blood, sweat and tears over making there products . We cannot even compete price wise with mass produced products let alone knock out the same item out ten a penny.... It also gives these events a bad name and people who want handmade or craft will not come back to future events. 

Mass produced stalls should stay for normal / standard markets NOT CRAFT OR HANDMADE EVENTS. Everybody has to make money and put food on the table but mass produced sellers are giving us handmade artists a bad name believe it or not buy selling cheap mass produced items that we cannot compete with.

Also for those who buy mass produced at Craft / Handmade Fairs . I ask WHY ???? 

Make a stand people .....

Help those stalls that promote there products are handmade. If you are gonna buy , buy from them that's what these events are meant to promote . It sends a message to the hosts of the event and those that sell mass produced. 

Know that each item is made with love and care , that time and effort has gone into each product made. 
That the best quality materials has been sourced and most of all that a large majority of us give excellent customer service because it is products we have made not just bought in large bulk.

This is why we lose artists , crafters , small independant shops because mass produced is bought on price not quality ...... 

I know not everybody has a lot of money but not all handmade is expensive as you find most of us are under cutting ourselves just so that we can sell an item or too .. We never add on our time for making the product ( labour ) or pay ourselves an hourly rate when we do fairs that tends to be for free . So next time you go to an event that says Handmade or Craft , take note of the stalls that actually are all handmade rather than the stalls that just buy in stuff to sell. It may be cheap but you really can tell the difference in the quality .... 

I know I know I said short and sweet. Well I am both short & sweet .....



Monday 31 October 2011

Yeah some play time

Life sometimes really does get in the way. When you are married and have a family , you have a house to keep , meals to cook , washing to do . And that's even before you start your job or run your business. The lists we make , notes that are stuck around the house to be ignored ... No wonder when we want to do stuff for us it is most of the time way way way down on our list of things to do.

But Saturday came and I spent the day in the shed just playing. 

Really I wanted to try this Zephyr Clear Glass by Double Helix and at £8.50 for 1/4 Ilb you really do not get much for your money . But it does what it says noscum, little bubbles and a joy to work with. I loved it .

So starting below I played with Tag Fire Lotus 



Then Kalipso calling

These were Kalipso and then melted in with clear. I wanted to do bumpy beads but it was not working for me saturday , so melted away and gave a few sacrifices to the kiln fairies . They are all organic with a few bumps and lumps but I love emmmmm . Who needs mass produced when you can have one offs that people adore making .





 These are colbat blue with multi dark frit . Must say I am rather impressed with this blue ..



I am at Buxton Farmers market on thursday 3rd november 9.15am til 2pm .

Thursday 20 October 2011

And now

I have run out of gas !!!

So baileys truffles and winter chutney made instead.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Ahhhhhh ! That's Better !

I have been in the shed ..........

Monday 17 October 2011

A very busy weekend and I was not beading

It started on my son's birthday ..

I made ..

Friday
Double Chocy Chip Muffins.

Saturday
The Christmas Cake .

Sunday
It started at 9am with fresh apple sauce for the pork roast I was making that day. Then a double batch of Jam Tarts some Mince Pies for the freezer. A hot and spicy Tom Soup for lunch, a spicy apple Tart Tatan for desert after the roast. A batch of Lemon Curd and Peanut Butter Truffles. I think that was it for Sunday .  No time for beading this weekend !!!


Saturday 8 October 2011

First Buxton Farmers Market & Home Sweet Home

This was my first Farmers Market at Buxton Pavillion & finally a display I was happy with . 


Some people have stunning tables and they all match. Me ! As you can see, I am a mix and match sort of girl.  Not that you can tell of course. My banner decided not to play so had to put up the back up one on the day.  I have to get clamps I think for next time. It is always a learning experience every event changes to be made , lists to be created .




The weather had changed that day and it was the first day for the central heating & this shown below.


               
                         Ahhh Home Sweet Home ................ Take away anyone !

Monday 3 October 2011

Kalipso warning



And here are some of the Kalipso Focals I made the other day .

Thursday 29 September 2011

Too warm to bead ?

I think not , I just went into the shed earlier that's all.

I have been playing with Kalipso again. Back to the double helix glass, just like the handbags I like , both expensive and once you use one you cannot go back to the cheaper type......

Pictures will follow in the next few days , as I have been away from the torch for a while I need to get back into the swing of it again. Although it is amazing how it tends to lighten my mood when I have melted something . That is as long as I can make at least one decent basic bead.
 Now the hubby's accounts are nearly done just the bits that need going over I will have at least a week before my next farmers market . I still need to work on my displays , if the look pants that's because they are. Either too cluttered or too bare I cannot seem to get the balance yet. So more work to be done on that front this week too .


Thursday 22 September 2011

Shed

I have been in the shed ... Can you see my smiling face ..

Wednesday 21 September 2011

A quickie

Just to let you know . I am getting ready for Stockport Handmade Market Sunday 25th September 10am until 4pm.

So no new beads this week until next week I hope .


Friday 9 September 2011

Been in the shed again.

I spent a few hours in the shed yesterday. After lacking with the mojo I have begun to follow this blog for some colour mojo. Here's the link http://color-collective.blogspot.com/ have a look .




So here are the colours I took and here is the beads I produced . I decided to lightly etch them to give that matt effect too.

I then tried my new button tool so these are my first ever attempt at buttons. need some work but I was pleased with the handmade look . Better than mass produced anyday.


Wednesday 31 August 2011

End of season clearout

I am having an end of season clearout in my etsy shop .

So use coupon code moo111 and get 20% off .....

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday 28 August 2011

A full day in the shed


Kalipso , Kalipso , Kalipso 

I just love double helix glass.




Saturday 27 August 2011

Thursday 25 August 2011

I don't believe it !!!!


Look !!! I was in shock last night when I saw this on Facebook . I got a mention on the ' Frit Happens Forum Team on Etsy ' 

Thanks Guys it does give us a boost .  


Ok I went to drool at the cows and then lost myself in the focals. Another stunning shop from a member of our team - Stacey and her Silly MooZ
www.etsy.com
Welcome to my wonderful world of handmade lampwork beads and handcrafted jewellery . Enjoy looking at my beads.It is our imagination that lets us
15 hours ago ·  ·  · 

Wednesday 24 August 2011

I have a drawer

I have a drawer that has lots and lots of lovely beads that other bead makers have made over the past two years I have been buying them .. I bought them with the intention of making them into jewellery , this was before I started making my own beads. Well I never did get round to parting with alot of the beads because I fell in love time and time again with each and every one of them. 

However now I am take the bull by the horns and I am starting to make them up as why keep such stunning beads in a drawer. They should be worn and loved just like I love my beads.


Todays selection are made by Glittering Prize .. Trudi oh Trudi is her name.





Monday 22 August 2011

Can you see a change in the colour mood

You know what I am saying .....


                                                                It's not too far away



                                             It's beginning to feel alot like ........ OR is it .......


I am waiting personally for Strictly to start. Forget everything else my Saturday nights will be taken up .. Whooop whoop !!!!

Sunday 21 August 2011

And now the end is near

I did it my way... 

Love a bit of Frank 






Saturday 20 August 2011

Major SOS

I HAVE RUN OUTTA LARGE DRUMSTICK SWEETS !!!!!!

OMG what ever shall I do in the shed with no drumsticks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday 15 August 2011

Beads Yeah Beads

Need I say anymore 



                                                     Below Tag Fire Lotus Encased ..






Sunday 14 August 2011

And Breath

I have been in The Shed.... I have been in the shed .......... I have been in the shed .....

Started at 10.30 this morning and came out at around 4.30 this afternoon. Much better than last week when nothing would happen. At least I might have some spacer beads to put on Etsy . And I have been playing with Fire Lotus. So fingers crossed as I will only show if they turn out .


Saturday 13 August 2011

Finally something to show

I still cannot get onto the shed . Guilt about going into the shed , guilt when I do not go into the shed. I NEED to get in there...........

So here's some pieces I made up instead. 









And finally One Silly Moo is here to hunt me forever , I love the simple yet stylish cards , yet I am remembered as One Silly Moo . Good or bad I will be noticed.