Bead deliveries

Yet again my desk has been so full I can’t work. This time with lots and lots of new beads! I’ve had some huge deliveries and have been really excited getting everything sorted out.

One box of beads being opened

And now I have so much choice with what to work with. I can’t wait to get started! Just one question, what to make first?

Small selection of semi precious stones

Boxes of glass beads

Bird's nest

I love making wire bird's nests. There's something wonderfully creative about forming the shapes out of straight wire, then nestling you bead "eggs" in the centre. Once made they can be hung with jump rings from ear hooks or necklaces. My preference is to mount them on a ring or bracelet shank, a really extravagant option would be to make a bracelet just of bird's nests - each attached to the next with jump rings!

Bird's nest bracelet and ring, using silver plate wire and blue glass "eggs"

Memory wire bracelets

These last two months have possibly been the busiest two of my life. Including one very exhausting but rewarding week that will be life changing. At times like this it's nice to fall back on simple skills and so I've done a big batch of memory wire bracelets. It's a type of jewellery making I often overlook as the focus is on the beads rather than the wire. But the results are striking in their simplicity. The bracelets give a wonderful stacking effect that can be either chunky and bold or fine and delicate. Here's a small selection of what I've been making.....

Green bracelets with butterfly charm detail and red bracelet

Pink nugget bracelet and purple mixed bead bracelet

Monochrome bracelet and chunky pink bracelet