Cold weather and uninvited guests

It's cold. So cold I couldn't even bring myself to go into the shedio and make beads today. Bad times. Those in the know say it's going to get much colder though, so I'd better man up and get my thermals ready!

However, I've also put off by the enormous spider that seems to have taken up residence in the shedio. I've been trying to get over my fear of spiders and was actually doing rather well, but this is a real beast! Five minutes into my session, he'll suddenly saunter casually down the wall in front of me and disappear into some nook or cranny. I'm too soft hearted to actually kill spiders though, so I've named him Harry and I pretend to ignore him while I continue to make beads (but am constantly alert and poised for flight!).

I have managed to make some beads though, in between shivering and spider watching, including this little beauty...one of those that looked completely different in my head and was much more wonderful in real life!

You will find 'Sedona' in the usual place!

All or nothing

That's kinda how it is with me at the moment. It's been either a lack of time or inspiration (yup, the old mojo is still being a little elusive!). But I have finally cooked and cleaned some new beads...and wow, I hadn't realised quite how many there were! Which is good for you, but it took a loooong time to clean, photograph and list them all.

You may notice a weather theme with these beads - that will be due to the fact I am currently studying the weather as the next module of my course. The resulting beads are rather more colourful than they have been of late...which makes quite a nice change!

If you like them, pop on over to Etsy and have a look...they are being added over the next few days.

Oh and if anyone is interested, I passed my exam!

Playtime

I've just got some new glass :o)

Oh, the excitement when the parcel arrives at my workplace! I open the box, rip out all the packaging, eat the sweet...and there it is...lovely, shiny new glass. It has to be touched, stroked and held up to the light...then it has to be put away again until I get a day off and am finally able to play with it.

Today was that long awaited playtime and I can't wait to see what comes out of my annealing bubbles!

Autumn

Looks like Autumn's here...

And it really feels like it on a blustery, chilly drizzly day like today!

Rocks, the Universe and all that...

Well the mojo seems to be back, although I've not had much time to make many beads lately. I've come to the end of the first module of my degree and am currently revising for the exam, which is in a week and a half...wish me luck!

The unexpected bonus of the course was how much it influenced my beadmaking! I know I've commented on it a few times in my blog, but I'm rather chuffed because I feel like I've finally found my style. I've always loved making organic beads, but my interest in rocks - and most recently (and surprisingly!) in astrophysics - has been really fun and challenging to translate to glass.

Here are some of my latest Etsy batch. The first is a style I particularly love...a little ribbon of galaxy within a rock. Just fabulous :o)