Now this Blog has been inspired by my local Berry Fields. Living in Blairgowrie, Perthshire I am surrounded by masses of berries, mmmmmm!!
Blairgowrie is famous for Berry Picking and the industry here was born about 100 years ago sending berries all over the country. Pickers would come here for their summer holidays - OMG!.
Nowadays we have The Jampionships, which is a search for the Worlds Best Jam maker. I have never entered myself but am known to make a cracking Raspberry Jam. I hope you agree that these Gorgeous jewels capture the Berry Essence...........
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| Raspberry Dreams |
.....so how did I get started on this then! Well I saw a tutorial on a bead website and liked the look, but never got around to doing it until there was a delivery of coloured wire to my favourite store Smitten Beads. I thought I'd be clever and search the web for a book or magazine to help me on my way. Stumbling onto a forum with the promise of a free wire jewellery book I thought yipee home run!! Ha ha too good to be true it was all about crochet and knitting.
Never fear I plodded along anyway (those that know me will say thats because I'm stubborn and determined) and browsed through lots of pics on the web before starting.
Here is my first attempt:
and because I got carried away with the moment the second:
Of course there was lots of encouragement along the way from my fellow beaders, including tips for picture taking (thank you Lesley The Gossiping Goddess.) I feel like it is becoming an addiction and I just can't stop!! Help me please :D
Of course there is a whole other story to the collecting of the branch for the picture...............
How exciting my first BLOG!! I am so hyper after creating my first cuff bracelets today using wire another first. But before I get carried away I should probably start at the beginning.
It's almost a year since I went along to my very first jewellery making class all nerves and excitement. I could barely keep quiet, although most would say that this is normal for me any day of the week. We were introduced to crimp necklaces by the most kind and lovely teacher. I followed this with another two classes; one for simple knotting and another for charm bracelets. Since then, I have plodded along slowly testing out different things and making jewellery for my friends and family. Last Christmas my workmates were all hoping that I would get them in the Secret Santa draw. Needless to say they shouldn't have worried as I was asked to make a few pieces for Santa's pressies.
I must say I rather enjoy getting my monthly Beads & Beyond magazine to look for different ideas and inspiration. Then the other week I was invited to join a group on facebook - BeadSmitten, created by the one and only Claire Braunbarth; designer and owner of Smitten Beads. /http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Now The Group BeadSmitten was created by Claire to bring together her customers and fellow designers. What an inspiration though it has it's drawbacks!! I dread to think how much I have spent on beads and the new gorgeous silk chiffon in this last two weeks. I have to say the group has helped me find my jewellery making mojo again and this last week I have created these:
Leaving you with these, my next blog will bring you my wire making jaunt into the wilderness.............. what fun :)
