Alberta Pendant

The Alberta Pendant started out as something completely different. I bought a pattern on the internet, but my French had let me down this time. I am just to ashamed to mention the original designer here - her work is outstanding! When I realized that I am -what we in Afrikaans say busy to- "gorrel tjorrel" -that means that I did not know what I had been doing and had been making up my own instructions - because between the illustrations and the French instructions something went wrong and my pendant was strange-looking and did not resemble the awesome design it was intended to be. Well, as my pupils by now know - my motto had always been that you do not make a mistake, you only create a new design. See girls, I sometimes do practise what I preach. Now, to go as sit down and to put it on paper for you.

Fun and more fun

I love this round objects. A lot more will have to be created to finish a project, but this is fun.Thanks Holle!

The Grumpy Secretary

Lulu Bootha, my unofficial secretary, had been ill this week. Very grumpy and fussy, but this morning she is much better. She is actually my son's dog, but adopted me as her one and only mother.

She is a Bull Terrier and is very lovable. Lulu can't be in my office with clients or pupils, she dislikes it when they sit on my chairs or even want to have a conversation with me, so she sits outside and pray to doggy heaven, that the people should leave mommy's office as soon as possible, so that she can come inside and sit on the chair. Very inquisitive and the reason why I had been on my hands and knees more often than not, when she pushed my bead tray off my desk. And, as you beading fanatics will understand, the expensive beads will have to be picked up.

Russian Lady

Years ago, I bought these ceramic faces (very expensive) for another craft project. I just began beading and came back from America with a bag full of delica's and was inspired to create my Russian Lady brooch. Peyote stitch with increases. She is still admired by everyone visiting me, that little smile never changes.

BEAD CANDY

On Saturday, Barbara and the girls from Twines and Beads in

Boksburg, came for a class. Well, for the overseas girls - I live in Randfontein, on the West Rand, and they came from the East Rand, and Johannesburg is in the middle. It is quite a distance apart, for me, anyhow. When Barbara left, look what stayed behind. The (eye) Bead Candy, she is the wholesale importer of TOHO beads,in South Africa. I'll act as a "satellite bead shop" for Barbara. I teach mostly from home, and this will help my pupils to have access to quality beads. The only problem I had after they left, is that I could not bead a stitch, nothing at all, no inspiration. Because how to design a project with all the correct sizes and colours,I need, in front of me. I usually use what I have in my stash. That is why I use the odd colour or size bead - had nothing else available. Have some sympathy please!

Completed! at last

Received the beads - had to complete this project. I really love this pattern from http://framboisesauvage.canalblog.com/
There are so many options to creating this bracelet.

The Leafy

We experienced 4 days of rain and wind. Winter is not my favourite season at all. I had a class yesterday and our hands and feet were numb. Today the sun is shining and it is much warmer.
The leaves became earrings. I am busy beading a few more to complete either a bracelet or a necklace, it depends on how inspired I'll be once all the leaves are finished. This weekend I am teaching and I am looking forward to see my friends from Twines and Beads.

Beads and a lot of leaf

Leaves with a difference ! This evolved as I was doing my tutorials for the Master the Peyote Stitch Classes. Watch this space, as I am not at all done with this pattern yet! There are a lot more ideas to implement on the leaves. As it is so cold today, I might just start today and surprise myself.

Rani's Cross

I love crosses and as I do not like to wear a lot of jewellery - this is so easy to just hang around my neck. The girls that come to classes know that I made Marcia De Coster's cross and wear it constantly , now I can wear it every third day as I designed two (one small and one large) crosses. The pattern is available from me.

Oopsy, no more beads

I started with this lovely bracelet pattern from Framboise and after I finished the first set, the beads were finito! Now, for me to order this colour takes 10 days from order to delivery. And I am very impatient to finish this project, so watch out - there is going to be a new twist on this design.

Glitzy and glam

After many years of collecting Fire polished beads, it is time to start using them - I have no storage space left. I used a complimentary pattern from Szilu, and enjoyed every minute creating this right angle weave bracelet. This is glitz and glamour!