A Little Dotty Set

Here is a little set of beads that I managed to make over at my parent's house.  As I keep saying, all my kit is packed awaiting a new home - which isn't far away now - so I am limited to torch time when I can get over to mum and dad's.  Anyway, here it is a pretty set of 5 beads they have already been made into a bracelet, details to follow pending a sunny day for photos.

I also made some 'Beau Beads' for some commissions that I picked up at a Christmas shopping evening that was held at our school.  I will try to get some shots of them before I pack the camera!!!

I can't believe this day has arrived!

This afternoon we are going to see our finished house.  We bought it a year ago from plan and now it is finished!  This is a view of the front of the house, it was taken a few weeks ago so the site is looking more finished now.

This is the view looking out from the front of the house.  We are really close to the town centre but with open fields to the front.  It will be so nice to get our boxes out of storage and for me to set up my new studio.  It will be like a pre-Christmas Christmas.  Not looking forward the actual moving but I know it is going to be fantastic.  Move date is Friday next week Yipppeeeeee!

Daisy Daisy

give me your answer do.......  Here is a picture of the daisy chains as promised.  I have got lots more in all sorts of colours.  That is what I love about making these, the colour combinations are limitless and they are such a pleasure to make

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.  Its such a contrast to yesterday's weather here in Wiltshire.

Buttons

Having a play with buttons at the moment inspired by my friend's request for some childrens jewellery for her shop .  Eggcup Clothing have opened their first shop in Devizes and it is beautiful.  I make daisy chain necklaces with matching bracelets (pics to follow at some point), which are lovely but I wanted to offer something more affordable as well so I came up with these:

They don't look much here but they are really pretty when worn.  They beauty is in the selection of buttons.  I'll be popping into the shop to see what she thinks, wish me luck!

Bear With Me

You may notice that I have now got a 'Buy Beads' page as well as the links to my Folksy and Etsy shops.  Please bear with me as I get everything in order.  I want to offer as many ways for customers to buy as possible.  The plan is to offer my beads for sale from this blog while the jewellery is listed in either the Etsy or Folksy shops.

It's my organic approach to my business plan....... 

Beau Necklace is Born

As promised here are some photos of a Beau Necklace.  It is a bit short so I will need to get some more of the pvc tubing.  The idea is that it sits quite high on the neck but not quite a choker, although I guess it could be a choker...... 

I will be putting this beauty in my Folksy shop, please see link on the right. I'd better get a move on as the children will be back soon.  They went to my parents' yesterday for a sleepover.  We made the most of a child-free night by going to our favorite curry house. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Just A Quickie

To let you know that I have opened a Folksy shop at www.bluekilnbeads.folksy.com.  It needs abit of a jig about and personalisation but hopefully I can reach out to my UK customers more easily.  I have kicked off with a Beau Watch

I'll be back soon with some shots of the 'Beau Necklace'.

Autumn Leaves etc..

It doesn't feel much like Autumn today, its grey and wet.  Yesterday was a totally different story with beautiful blue skies and bright sun.  I pulled out my bead stash and found these lovely leaf beads which compliment the green and yellow glass beads that I reclaimed from an antique shop.  I don't often use autumnal colours so this is something different from me.   However, if you look closely you will notice that I have still included the obligatory lampwork in the form of some buttons!

I managed to get some torch time in at mum and dad's on Friday.  We still don't have a definite move date yet so we are still in our rented accomodation which is beginning to wear abit thin!  This means that I am confined to getting torch time over at my parents' place.  This is what the kiln fairies left for me. 

This is a a little set of two 'Beau Beads' with a matching small hole bead.  They have got light blue centres, encased in clear with cobalt blue and white dots on the surface.  I have an idea for these along the lines of a Beau Necklace....  I have also started to play with making buttons and this is what came out of Friday's session.

These are cute little buttons measuring approximately 8mm accross.  They have a cobalt blue base with copper green flowers.  The next picture shows you what the buttons look like from behind.

These buttons make me want to get out the sewing machine... not enough hours in the day at the moment.  I have a tunic pattern that I have cut out and now needs sewing together - one day I'll get it done *sigh*.  Now, better get on and make that Beau Necklace prototype, stay posted for an update.

Beau Watches

I have a watch like these that I made a while ago.  It has had so many admirers that I decided to create a few more.  The green one is a commission for my friend's Mother In Law.

Each watch is based on my Beau Bangle design with a pvc bracelet that can be slipped over the hand.  The clasps can be pulled apart and more Beau Beads can be added.

The pink watched will be listed on Etsy shortly.

Hooray I have a buddy

I have a buddy for the Etsy Bootcamp now hooray!  Her name is Every Last Bite and she makes fabulous Quilts, Eco Lunch Bags, Applique Shirts, Wall Hangings in georgeous fabrics.  Go visit her Etsy shop .

Its all going on

behind the scenes.  I have been busily dashing around the virutal world, joining groups and generally trying to link up with other makers, designers.... 

It has been brought to my attention that my Etsy shop is looking sparse.  The plan was to drip feed the shop but perhaps shoppers will feel reassured by a better stocked shop.  So, my mission for the coming week is to photograph and list more items.  Especially as the week after may prove to be quite on the work front with it being half term.  Speaking of which, I can't believe that it is upon us already - it will be nativity plays before we know it!

The Weekend etc..

I had a great weekend which was kicked off on Saturday morning with a monthly craft market held at the  Green Dragon . One of my customers bought a pretty bracelet and wanted a similar one for her other neice (the nieces are sisters). Hopefully this is similar but different enough. 

The afternoon was spent with friends on our first Geo-Cache Treasure Hunt.  It was great fun, the children walked miles and we were taken on a route into a neighbouring village that we didn't know existed. The day ended in the beer garden with a refreshing pint.

Sunday saw us spending the afternoon in the allotment.  We cleared some more of the bindweed that has claimed the fruit canes and we planted some more green manure.

I also managed to create this little fella which is about to be listed on Etsy.

Beau Bangle Green Elephant

I hope your weekend was relaxing.

Anyone for a Cupcake?

I had a real craving today for some cake.  The other day I bought a tin of notecards from The Hummingbird Bakery and each card has a very tempting recipe on the back.  So, I whipped up these Marshmallow Cupcakes.  I over filled the cases abit so they have spilled over.  However, they certainly did hit the spot with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea mmmmm...

My First Listing

This feels like such an achievement because I have wanted and intended to start to sell online for a long time.  Today is the today I actually listed on Etsy.  I'm really pleased with how photos look but I think I need to work on the description part a bit.  This is what I have kicked off with:

A bangle made with pvc so it is light, soft, flexible and so easy to wear.  The beads are my own lampwork beads made using 5mm mandrel.  I'm off to take some more photos of my Beau Bangles!

http://www.bluekilnbeads.etsy.com/

A Pledge

I have already decided to make steps to start earning a real income from my bead and jewellery business, so the Etsy Boot Camp has come at the right time for me.  Ofcourse there was that little voice in my head saying 'are you sure you are ready, you are waiting to move house, have you got enough beads, have you got enough time....' but I know that I have to quiet that voice because it is one that holds me back.  Its down to that old addage, nothing ventured nothing gained.  So, I have decided to take the pledge and try my best with the situation that I am in at the moment, its got to be better than not bothering at all right? 

I, Yvette, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere! 

Wish me luck !!

The Good Life

Another full on weekend.  We had our Nursery sponsored walk on Saturday morning, a quick lunch and then off to the allotment.  Friends of ours took up an allotment in March.  Duly dug it over and then spent most of the summer holidays abroad.  During this time the weeds decided to reclaim their home.  Said friends decided that they would probably do better if they shared the allotment and so ta da we have a share!  We arrived on Saturday with forks and spades and bags of enthusiasm.  It was hard going and there is bindweed like you wouldn't believe.  We made good progress and agreed that we go back today for round two! 

I woke up this morning and rather gingerly lowered one leg and then the other and slowly stood upright expecting to be incredibly stiff.  But hey presto I practically skipped to the bathroom. Full of vim and vigour we decided that we would head on down the allotmant this afternoon too!  Progress was slower than yesterday and my back soon started to grumble.  We did however manage to clear some more weeds.  We also planted some broad bean seeds for next year and some green manure.  The idea is you sow the green manure which stops the weeds coming up over winter, in the spring you then dig in the plants and they become fertiliser.....  Time will tell.

Sorry, still no bead pictures.  I did make some at mum and dad's but I had to leave them cooling in the kiln so I haven't seen them yet!

The Artist Formerly Known as 'Y-Beads'

Y-beads is having a re-vamp and is now Blue Kiln Beads.  It is a slow process but I have started with getting my banner from the very talented and patient Joanne Askey , I am over the moon with the results.  Now that I am armed with this new banner I can stroll on over to the online high street and get some business cards sorted.  I also want to refresh my stall, open an Etsy shop and basically get out there. 


We are between homes at the moment which means that my 'studio' has been dismantled.  I did however manage to get over to mum and dad's today and have a session on mum's torch.  It was all very strange, getting used to a different set-up but I did manage to create some beads.  I will try to get some pics up soon.


Better get on with the revamp!